Nasa Navtex v Nasa Weatherman

[LinTeal]

I am considering buying one of the above.Navtex provides weather plus other info whilst Weatherman is only weather but can provide 5 day forecasts from the German weather centre(in English) which Navtex cannot.My main requirement is for weather and particularly when sailing in places such as Brittany where forecasts may not be as available as they are in UK waters.Anyone had experience of either of these?

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[Ric]

In France Navtex is not too good for weather forecasts. It gives a 24 hour forecast, only updated if there is a significant error in the last one. There is no coastal forecast - only by sea areas.

I find my Navtex occasionally useful - but mostly it tells me to look out for French submarines operating at periscope depth miles from where I am.

I do not have a Weatherman, but have considered getting one. Unfortunately there is a paucity of information on the net about them. Ideally I would like to see some nice screen shots of the sort of output I would get in the Med. Nasa have not been too helpful - just saying that the coverage in the Med is "very good".



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[Luanda]

Can anyone comment on the efficiency of either of these alternatives in the Baltic, Kattegat and Skaggerak?

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[HenryB]

Ric,
Here is a copy of the main German weather forecast for the Med. I received it using a laptop/SSB but it will be the same on a Weatherman. It contains a few transmission errors but I guess that will happen on the Weatherman as well. There are other area forecasts and a more detailed but shorter time span forecast for the Med. Send me a PM if you would like copies of those as well.

NNNN
ZCZC 907
FEMM74 EDZW 240000

XEDIUM RANGE - WEATHER AND SEA BULLETIN FO the
MEDITERRANEAN SEA ISSUED BY MARINE WEATVER SERVICE HAMBURG
24.08.2002 04 UTC:

GENERAL SYNOPTIC SITUATION
LOW 1007 TURKISH SOUTHCOAST, MONDAY DEEPENING, TUESDAY 1003
CYPRUS. HIGH 1016 SICILY, FROM MONDAY WEAKENING SLOWLY. LOW
1013 SPAIN STATIONARY, FROM TUESDAY MOVING SOUTHWEST SLOWLY.
SUNDAY EVENING COLDFRONT SOUTHFRANCE, MOVING SOUTHEAST, TUESDAY
CORSICA TO BALEARIC ISLANDS. FROM WEDNESDAY NEW LOW 1013
TYRRHENIAN SEA.


DWD FORECASTOF SU, 24/08/2002 0 UTC:
WIND FORCE: BEAUFORT, WAVE HIGHT: METRE

GOLFE DE LION (42.2N 4.5E) SST: 23 C
SU 25. 12Z: NE-E 3 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: W 0-2 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: SW-W 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 00CUW-NW 2-3 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: W-NW 4-5 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 00Z: NW-N 7 / 8-9 2.5 M //
WE 28. 12Z: NW-N 6 / 8 2.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: NW-N 5-6 / 7 1.5 M //
TH 29. 12Z: NW-N 4 / 0.5 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --& --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

BALEARIC ISLANDS (9.4N 3. E) SST: 25
SU 25. 12Z: N 0-2 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: NE 0-2 0/ 0.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: SE 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z: N 2-3 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: NW 2-3 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 00Z: N 3- X POT MXX
WE 28. 12Z: W., 4 q m //
TH 29. 00Z: NW-N 3-4, / 1 M //
TH 29. 12Z: N 4 / 1 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

LIGURIAN SEA (43.3N 9.3E) SST: 24 C
SU 25. 12Z: E 2-3 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: NE-E 0-2 / 0>5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: W-NW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z:SW7W 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: SW 2-3 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 00Z: N-NE 2-3 / 0.5 M //
WE WIM QWZ: N 3-4 / 0.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: N-NE 4-5 / 0.5 M //
TH 29. 12Z: N 5-6 / 6-7 1 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

WEST CORSE / SARDINI (41.4N 7.2E) SST: 23 C
SU 25. 12Z: WQHNW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: NW-N 0-2 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: W 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z: NW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: W-NW 3 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 00Z: W 3-4 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 12Z: N &0 / 1.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: N 4 / ' 1 M //
TH 29. 12Z: N 4-5 / 1 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

TYRRHENIAN SEA (41.5N 10.5E) SST: 23 C
SU 25. 12Z: S 2-3 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: W 0-2 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: SW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z: S-SW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU )7. 12Z: SE-S 0-2 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. Z: PHMEAR X PMT M //
WE 28. 12Z: 3-4 / 0.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: NW-N 5 / 1 M //
TH 29. 12Z: NW-N 4-5 / 1 M //
!4 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

ADRIATIC SEA-N (44.3N 13.5E) SST: 24 C
S 25. 12Z: E 0-2 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: E-SE 0-2 / 0.5 M /.
MO 26. 12Z: E-SE 0-2 / 0.5 M//
TU 27. 00Z: S 0-2 / 0.5 M //
257 27. 12Z: E 0-2 / ) 0.5 M /
WE 28. 00Z: NE-E 0-2 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 12Z: NE-E 4 / 0.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: VE 3-4 / 0.5 M //
TH 29. 12Z: NE-E 4-5 / 0.5M HE
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / -00. //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

ADRIATIC SEA-S (42.0N 17.8E) SST: 25 C
SU 25.Z: W-NW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 0Z:0N-NE 0-2 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: S 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z: NE-E 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: NE-E 0-2 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 00Z: E-SE 3 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 12Z: SE 4-5 / 0.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: E 5 / 1 M //
TH 29. 12Z: E-SE 4-5 / 1 M /
KR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12GC AAA AAA X aaa M //

IONIAN SEA (38.1N 18.9E) SST: 26 C
SU 25. 12Z: NW-N 2-3 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: NW-N 3 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: NW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
57 27. 00Z: NW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: SW 0-2 / 0.5 H //
WE 28. 00Z: S-SW 0-2 / 0.5 M//
WE 28. 12Z: S 3-4 / 00.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: S 2-3 / 0.5 M //
TH 29. 12Z: SE 0-2 / 0.5 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

AEGEAN SEA-N. (39.9N 25.4E) SST: 23 C
SU 25. 12Z: N 4-5 / 0.5 M//
MO 26. 00Z: NE 5 /0 6-7 1 M //
MO 26. 12Z: N-NE 5 / 7 1 M //
TU 27. 00Z: N-NE 6-7 / 7-8 1.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: N-NE 5-6 / 7 1 M //
WE 28. 00Z: N-NE 6 / 7 1 M //
WE 28. 12Z: N-NE 5 / 6-7 1 M //
TH 29. 00Z: NE 5-6 / 6-7 1 M //
TH 29. 12Z: N-NE 5 / 6-7 1 M //
FR 30. 00Z: 8--- --- / ) --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

AEGEAN SEA-S. (35.8N 26.2E) SST: 25 C
SU 25. 12Z: NW-N 6 / 7-8 1.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: NW-N 6 / 7 1.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: NW-N 5-6 / 6-7 1.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z: NW 6 / 7 1.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: NW 5-6 / 7 1.5 M //
WE 28. 00Z: NW N6 / 7-8 1.5 M //
WE 28. 12Z: NW 6 / 7-8 1.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: NW 5-6 / 7 1.5 M //4
TH 29. #2+: NW 5-6 / 6-7 1 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12NU AAA AAA X AAA M //

RHODOS/ZYP. (35.0N 30.4E) SST= 27 C
SU 25= 12Z: W-NW 2-3 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: NW 3-4 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z NW 0-2 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z: NA - / # 0.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: WQHNW 3 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 00Z: W-NW 4 / 0.5 M //
WE 28. 12Z: W-NW 4 / 0.5 M //
TH 29. 00Z: W-NW 4 / 1 M //
TH 29. 12Z: W-NW 4 / 1 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- ---\ ___ M //

BAY OF BISCAY (46.4N 5.7W) S: 19 C
SU 25. 12Z: N-NE 4-5 / 1 M //
MO 26. 00Z: N 4-5 / 1.5 M //
MO 26. 12+: N-NE 5 / 1.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z: N-NE 5 / 1.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: N 4 / 1 M //
WE 28. 00Z: N 4-5 / 1 M //
WE 28. 12Z: N-NE 3-4 / 1 M //
TH 29. 00Z: N-NE 4-5 / 1 M //
TH 29. 12Z: N-NE 4 / 1 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //

BLACK SEA? (43.3N 30.8E) SST: 23:
SU 25. 12Z: NE 3-4 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: N-NE 4 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 12Z: NE 4 / 0.5 M //
TU 27. 00Z: NE 4-5 / 7 0.5 M //
TU 27. 12Z: NE 5 / 1 0M //
WE 28. 00Z: NE 4-5 / 1 M //
WE 28. 12Z: N-NE 4-5 / 1 M //
TH 29.)00Z: NE DUY X Q M //
TH 29. 12Z: NE 5 / 1.5 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- /0 --- M //

BLAVSEHE (43.6N 35.3E) SST: 24 C
SU 25. 12Z: NE 4 / 0.5 M //
MO 26. 00Z: N-NE 4-5 \ 1 M //
MO 26. 12Z: N-NE 5 / 1 M //
TI 27. 00Z: NE 5-6 / 6-7 1 M //
TU 27. 12Z: NE NUY X YAU Q M //
WE 28. 00Z: NE 5 ,/ 1 M //
WE 28. 12Z: NE 4-5 / 1 M //
TH 29. 00Z: N-NE 5 / 1 M //
TH 29. 12Z: NE 5-6 / 6-7 1.5 M //
FR 30. 00Z: --- --- / --- M //
FR 30. 12Z: --- --- / --- M //
LEGEND: GRIDPOINT FORECASTS:
WIND: DIRECTION, FORCE (SPEED)/
GUSTS PAST HRS
SIGNIFICANT TOTAL WAVE HEIGHT(M)//
SST: SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE (DEG C)
--- MEANS: NO VALUE AVAILABLE
FORECASTS ARE VALID FOR THE AREA CENTRE
AND ARE BASED ON MODEL-COMPUTATION OF
DEUTSCHER WETTERDIENST
(GERMAN WEATHER SERVICE)=







NNNN


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[Birdseye]

I have both weatherman and navtex on my boat.

Weatherman works on HF radio which means that reception is time dependant ie you have a choice of frequencies and you have to change during the day as propagation conditions change. However, reception of weatherman signals can sometimes be better - for example, on the N Spanish coast it was difficult / impossible to get navtex signals from the alleged spanish and portigese stations - but hf signals from germany were ok.

the forecasts themselves are a bit limited. for example, the uk south coast has 3 areas (from memory), there is one for s ireland and one for biscay. much better coverage of the n sea and of the med. the forecasts go either 5 days ahead or three days ahead depending on area, but i am not sure how useful this really is. what confidence can you put in a 5 day forecast?

i am happy to have both. if i had to chose for round the uk / french coast, i would chose navtex.

the illustrated forecast above is correct. before i bought mine, nasa gave me the www address of the german tranmitter so that i could see what was on offer. cannot find it in the junk on my pc, but why dont you phone nasa or google offenbach or dwd

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[chrisb]

i have used a nasa navtex for past two seasons cruising western uk waters and biscay to La Rochelle in both years.I have found it simple to use and reliable. the french forcasts are excellent and seem more reliable than the british-to the extent that I take note of them when received in UK waters as well.In french waters the national forcast seems particularly useful for inshore waters and is more reliably received than the international. this gives a synopsis folowed by 24hr and 48hr outlook.This forcast is in french but is easy to translate using if necessary the useful french english phrase book contained in Reeds.In any event translating the printed text is much easier than trying to catch the spoken. Forcasts in English are available ie ushant/corsen- see Reeds.All marinas have very useful printed forcasts usually with synoptic charts and 72 hr predictions both inshore and offshore . La rochelle event has an interactive computer to play with.Its a cheap and useful peice of kit - Well worth noting the french sea areas-can be confusing-iroise,yeu,cantabrico inshore. prazen out to sea

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[Sailorbuoy]

I use both Navtex and Hamburg via HF radio and laptop. I do appreciate the French forecasts as they are 'up to date' ie issued twice a day. Whereas the 5 day forecast, being ok as a guide to the future considerations, starts the forecast 'tomorrow' ie +24 hors hence. They tend to be rather exagerated the longer the forcast period. They are computer predictions for a point (offshore) and no applicable to coastal conditions. They also transmit a 36 hour forcast. You can get a copy of this online ( www.walterreed.co.uk )

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[charles_reed]

I've got both, but would definitely recommend getting a Navtex first.

I've just changed from an old (single-frequency) Navtex Pro to the Clipper Navtex.

In about 10K miles and 5 years use the Navtex has proved trumps because it gives so much more information than just weather.

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