Moerer Navtex problems

[ChiPete]

Hi all,

Having read some good reviews on this and other sites, I recently bought a Moerer Navtex box.

It's a lovely bit of kit (especially the barograph) with the small problem that it doesn't seem to receive the broadcasts reliably. I've set it up to receive broadcasts on both frequencies and when at home I receive them, albeit often somewhat late. When out on the boat this weekend, it didn't receive any broadcasts at all - v frustrating.

Has anyone had similar issues with this unit or perhaps it's more likely I've got a duff one. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[youen]

Yes,I had the same problems the reception was very bad.Went back to the shop and exchange it for a Furuno which was working very well at the same location

 

[RAI]

It uses a ferrite rod antenna inside which is very directional. Try placing it at 90 degrees to the direction you used to get poor reception. I eventually found a place in the boat far enough from interference sources that worked well, but I still have to rotate it to experiment with reception conditions.

I see a huge variation. Sometimes receiving Cyprus and Algiers as well as Norway and Iceland when in Brussels, but others days not even getting Oostende.

 

[ChiPete]

Thanks for the replies youen and RAI.

Surely using a directional antenna is completely incorrect for a Navtex receiver? An omni-directinal antenna is what's needed. What on earth were they thinking???

Given that the unit will for say, two-thirds of it's operational time be used on the boat (velcroed to the switch panel), having to orientate it a particular way to get a signal is a nightmare! I need a unit I can refer to at any time on passage or in port and know that I'll be able to see the broadcasts.

I think I might have to go the Furuno route as well. Shame, the Moerer box is a lovely bit of kit, b*ggered at the design stage!

Cheers,
Pete

 

[Bilgediver]

Thanks for the replies youen and RAI.

Surely using a directional antenna is completely incorrect for a Navtex receiver? An omni-directinal antenna is what's needed. What on earth were they thinking???

Given that the unit will for say, two-thirds of it's operational time be used on the boat (velcroed to the switch panel), having to orientate it a particular way to get a signal is a nightmare! I need a unit I can refer to at any time on passage or in port and know that I'll be able to see the broadcasts.

I think I might have to go the Furuno route as well. Shame, the Moerer box is a lovely bit of kit, b*ggered at the design stage!

Cheers,
Pete

I used to have problems like this when a wee lad mucking out bilges many moons ago.

I found it was possible to boost the signal to a ferrite rod antenna by rigging a long wire antenna which terminated in a coil adjacent to the radio. Used to listen to all sorts on my crystal set when out in the middle of the 'oggin with only my drunken mates and a few albatrosses for company. I think the delux version I actually wound a coil on the ferrite rod using cotton covered or enamelled wire. This was connected by 3.5 mm plug socket to the long wire.


Have you tried standing it on its end so the ferrite rod is vertical.....Might just work!

 

[RAI]

Surely using a directional antenna is completely incorrect for a Navtex receiver? An omni-directinal antenna is what's needed. What on earth were they thinking???

They were thinking about getting it to fit in a pocket, I think. I agree, it's a nuisance. It still seems to receive better than my old NASA CRT navtex with its active whip antenna.

 

[youen]

On my previous boat I had a Nasa and was very happy I think it was quite as good as the Furuno, the problem was only with the antenna support which plastic was of bad quality and failed after some years

 

[ChiPete]

Ahhh, them were the days Bilgediver! Bet your crystal set had seen service in Stalag Luft XVII!! Did you find the albatrosses affected the antenna propagation??!!

Have spoken to Marine Eelctronic Services and they say there's a fault so it's on its way back to them tomorrow for replacement. Watch this space as they say. Hopefully it's a fault - I'll be gutted if I have to go for a fixed installation - the rationale behind getting the portable box being is we can use it at home when passage planning.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[Anthony]

n - the rationale behind getting the portable box being is we can use it at home when passage planning.

Cheers,
Pete

Navtex (and just about any other info want) is available on the web, might be easier than compromising on navtex receiver and having to keep carrying it back and forth.

Ants

 

[ChiPete]

Thanks Ants, that's a very good point. I'll follow up on that.
Cheers,
Pete

 

[tudorsailor]

Does the Moerer work now

I have been thinking of getting Navtex data onto the PC and came across this thread. Have people got the Moerer to work or should I look at an alternative?

TudorSailor