Lokata Navtex 1 Manual - and other questions.

[greenalien]

Does anyone have the manual for a Lokata Navtex 1? I have a unit in working order but no manual, and I can't find one online, despite extensive searching.

If someone could lend me a copy, I'd be happy to scan it and put it online for everyone's benefit.

I have a couple of questions :

1) Does this unit support an active antenna?

- Up until now, I've been using a length of plain wire, but I have just acquired (I.e. pulled out of a skip!) a NASA active aerial that looks to be in good order, i.e. no corrosion on the circuit board (the old type, that needs a 5v supply) and would be interested in trying the combination.

2) I know the Navtex 1 only supports 518kHz (International) reception, is that enough these days - I'm mainly interested in weather forecasts. Is there other essential information that's only transmitted on 490kHz (National) ?

Thanks in anticipation!

 

[prv]

2) I know the Navtex 1 only supports 518kHz (International) reception, is that enough these days - I'm mainly interested in weather forecasts. Is there other essential information that's only transmitted on 490kHz (National) ?

In the UK, I believe you basically get Shipping Forecast on 518 and Inshore Waters on 490 (plus various non-weather-forecast stuff which may vary between them).

Pete

 

[greenalien]

Thanks for that - nobody got a manual?

 

[Bilgediver]

Thanks for that - nobody got a manual?

Try checking if there is 5 volts between antenna central pin and ground. If there is then might work! No voltage then the Active antena will be Unactive! Long wire can be better anyway. Especially if you have a Heli deck perimeter to run it around

 

[greenalien]

Good idea - Problem is, the unit is installed deep under the side deck, and I can't get to the back of it without uninstalling it, which would be a time-consuming and awkward job as other things would also need to be removed first - which is why I need to see a manual, to see if it's worth the effort! No heli deck unfortunately, the long aerial wire I currently use runs somewhere back under the cockpit coaming, but again access is difficult.

 

[Richard D]

Think I have one in all my stuff, from my post today depending whats comes of it I maybe getting rid of mine in which case the manual would be available

 

[greenalien]

Well, I was onboard today and can't even see how the thing is mounted! It's right under the side deck and very hard to get to - probably why it still works, it's so well sheltered - but I don't even know how to detatch it to look at the back!

 

[greenalien]

Still looking for a manual...

 

[M0ZGB]

I know this thread is 2 years old now, but are you still looking for a manual?
I have a Navtex 1 and manual.

 

[norrie2]

lokata navtex 1 manual

I know this thread is 2 years old now, but are you still looking for a manual?
I have a Navtex 1 and manual.

I have a lokata 1 and would appreciate a manual if you have a copy in digital form.

For anyone still interested in this device you can make it work on 490 khz by taking the audio from a radio tuned to 490khz (upper sideband, I think) and connecting it to the mini jack socket on the Lokata. It will take a little patience to get the tuning and volume right. I have used this method successfuly using various radios.

For most UK sailors 490 is more useful than 518 as it includes the inshore forecasts as broadcast on vhf.