NASA Navtex Pro Plus

[alan]

I was reading November issue of PBO and noticed a letter concerning NASA Navtex receivers. In the reply Colin Jones says that "switching between them (518 and 490KHz) is simple and can be done either on the keyboard, or by a switch in the antenna cable."

Here, in Italy, we have only recently been able to receive weather forecasts on 518KHz - originally when the service was introduced about 18 months ago there was only Nav warnings; hence, I haven't even thought about the 490KHz service.

I have a PRO-plus, but the handbook refers to the PRO - only. Can anyone enlighten me on the key sequence necessary to switch to the 490KHz service, please.

I have tried the NASA web-site but it seems to be under construction and does not have all the information available.

Thanks in advance.

Alan.
Nettuno, Italy.

<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Cloke

 

[ccscott49]

I think the 490 service is only available in UK, not sure, but think so. Never had any weather service on 518 in italy (sardinia) yet.

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[pvb]

Switchable antenna?

Doesn't the Pro Plus have a switchable antenna, with something like "international" and "local" settings? The 490 service for inshore forecasts is only broadcast in UK & French waters I think.

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[bedouin]

I'm no expert, but NASA do two ranges of Navtex receivers, the Target (which you have) and the Clipper. I think that Colin Jones comments probably refer to the Clipper - which is dual frequency. To get the same result on the Target you probably need a switchable antenna.

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[Robin]

You either need a second aerial for 490 and a changeover switch (Nasa do both) or a replacement dual frequency aerial (Nasa supply these) which still comes with a manual changeover switch in the lead.

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[milltech]

Any recent pro plus with have a two channel antenna, and if you have one it will be clearly printed on the side of the antenna.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[mdrifter]

490kHz also in Portugal...

NavTex on 490kHz is also available in Portuguese waters although it appears no different to the 518kHz broadcasts, except that it's in Potuguese

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[milltech]

Re: 490kHz also in Portugal...

490 is a local language transmission, that's its purpose everywhere except here where we had to think of a new idea because, short of transmitting in the Gaelic or in Welsh, we had nothing to use it for.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>