Navtex in the Med...any good?

[DavidJ]

I'm thinking of buying a Nasa Navtex weather information toy for use in S.France Corsica Sardinia and beyond.
Any experience out there of the Navtex system. I've heard of reception problems in Marinas.
thanks in advance
David

 

[tcm]

From experience, weather forecasts are moderately hoepless, with local high winds turning up with very little notice. Quite unlike UK forecatss which are relatively much better, specially at predicting the lows from the atlantic. In med, best to look at marina forecasts, speak by phone to your destination and talk to others rather than look at regional forecasts which say "Variable 2-6" . I have got navtex ...but I haven't used it yet, so I will find out and report back!

 

[DavidJ]

Thanks tcm, I was hoping you would have an answer for me
David

 

[bryantee]

I use it in the ionian.good reception from corfu (K) Limnos (L) and Malta.
The Italian Radio service on VHF is very good .In English after the Italian broadcast
I Get it on channel 26 in the gulf of Patras.There are other web based services which give long range forcasts.The problem is things change very rapidlyfrom a nice force 2-3 to 7-8 in under two hours.

 

[DavidJ]

Bryan
thanks for the reply
The Italian broadcast in English may also be made to the Sardinian side of Italy as well I guess. Do the French do the same (in English)...wishful thinking?
David

 

[MapisM]

Hi David,
I am usually sailing the adriatic, but I can confirm that the VHF Italian service works fine (channel 68 for Adriatic) and gives continuously forecasts and warnings for the whole mediterranean.
I trust it more than Navtex, which is also working anyhow.
For your reference, these are some Italian frequencies for Meteofax/Navtex channels in the Mediterranean.
No experience with French stations, possibly also OK.
Careful with the mistral in Corsica and Sardinia!
Happy sailing, Mario.

Rome Meteo ( IMB51 ) 4777.5 KHz ( 62.8 ) 120/576 / 5 KW
I-Italia ( 41.54N 12.29E )

Rome Meteo ( IMB55 ) 8146.6 KHz ( 36.8 ) 120/576 / 5 KW
I-Italia ( 41.54N 12.29E )

USN Catania / Sigonella ( ) 9373.0 KHz ( 32.0 ) 120/576 / 4 KW
I-Italia ( 37.24N 14.56E )

Rome Meteo ( IMB56 ) 13597.4 KHz ( 22.1 ) 120/576 / 5 KW
I-Italia ( 41.54N 12.29E )