Navtex any good?

[Freebee]

What does it do, how useful is it?

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[Magnum]

Gives you the inshore forecast, shipping forecast, weather and navigational warnings in text format via an aerial mounted on your boat. Very useful indeed, but all information can be obtained via the internet.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.magnumyacht.net>http://www.magnumyacht.net</A> - Princess P42

 

[powerskipper]

but it just churners away on the boat so you do not need these new fangled Internet card thing for a computer and all that stuff.
they are good.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I find it very useful in the Med because I dont know any other sources of english language forecasts there but in UK waters, there are so many other sources that I would'nt have thought it necessary. Nice to have though as the receivers are relatively cheap and the service is free

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[kindredspirit]

Very useful. When you're sleeping on the boat, you wake up in the morning and there's your weather forecast printed out for you (for free).

Also gives nav warnings such as buoys which have gone AWOL.

(Tune it to your nearest station, though, as otherwise you'll get a whole load of irrelevant info from foreign stations.)






<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.begleys.com/weather.htm>Useful links for Irish waters.</A>

 

[DavidJ]

Don\'t get too excited

All very positive responces so far but be prepared for limited performance in Marinas which is where most of us do our planning. The transmitters are low power and lots of masts apparently reduce the signal significantly. A really good earth is important. I have found the Meteo France forcasts very reliable in the Med when I do get them.

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[MidlandsOnSea]

I think it's worth getting a dual band set, which means you get inshore forecasts on the 'local language' channel.

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[admillington]

It is an excellent system BUT with one problem.

You need to leave it on to receive the messages. I tend to turn everything off on the boat when I leave so when we get down on Saturday morning and turn the Navtex on, I have to wait until Sunday morning until there is anything useful.

I have linked my unit to the GPS so it shows only local info.

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[Oldhand]

<I have to wait until Sunday morning until there is anything useful.>

Navtex weather transmissions are made at least twice daily so why don't you receive the Saturday PM transmissions?


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[Moose]

Why not leave the Navtex on all the time? It draws a measly current.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.phantom37.co.uk>http://www.phantom37.co.uk</A>
Moose