Is Navtex still necessary?

[rhumlady]

I gave up on UGRIB last year when it total ignored a huricane!
The first one of the season I believe. Could have been me doing something wrong but I don't think so.

 

[roger]

PBO tested Navtex's fairly recently. They said the Furuno model was much the most sensitive and picked up signals at grater ranges than the others NASA, ICS etc.. I try to use Navtex in Sweden and find it not very useful. My nearest transmitter is Riga (I think) and the signal is unreliable.
We more often get a signal from Southern Norway than from Riga. ( we re near Sockholm.
In most places you can get automatic forecasts by phone. Compared with 200+ quid for a Navtex this may be better value for money - particularly for a 2 week annual trip.