NAVTEX PC Pro

Three times the price, and doesn't the HF set need a ground plate bonded to the hull? Plus I don't know what it is or how to use it . . . plus the power drain . . .

(Go on,convince me it's easy and good value . . .)

The Navtex is cheap and uses virtually no power, and takes up almost no space. Will have a laptop on board anyway for displaying the data.

- Nick
 
The NASA HF3P is an HF RX only...doesnt need a ground plate just an active antenna.
It's no more difficult than a car radio to use has a tuning dial a clarifier and a volume plus some memory buttons.
JVComm32 is free software downloadable.
You can also do weatherfaxes and satellite images with it as well as navtex.
You can use both navtex freqs 490khz and 518khz.
The street price of a HF3P is about £139 if you shop around.
Has complete LW/MW/SW coverage 30khz to 30MHz.

Convinced yet???

Steve.
 
HF3P says it comes with a 37ft 'basic' anrenna - where am I supposed to put that and/or how would I connect a live antenna?

Can I get normal shortwave radio on it? Will I be able to listen in to ham radio nets eg in the Caribbean?

(Getting interested now . . .)

BTW, It sez:

[ QUOTE ]
A demo version is available, but JVcomm32 must be registered to create usable images.

[/ QUOTE ]

- Nick
 
Use the NASA active HF antenna. About £38 quid. small stubby thing.
This will recieve across the range of the radio.
Ive never registered my JVcomm.
It just prints demo every few lines.
Doesnt really mess up the navtex or the wefax.
Yes it is possible to RX both marine and ham nets on the HF3/P.
The link to the PC is made via the phono socket on the back of the radio, which goes to either the line in or mic socket on the computer.

I use this setup very successfully on an old Sony 233 laptop of 1998 vintage.

Steve.
 
I use one and my arial only goes as far as a chainplate bolt ,
I then use the shroud as tha arial and it works perfik.
If you get really bored it will also pick up SSTV (Slow scan TV) .
I use full version of jv comm and mscan meteo (I think)
 
I had a NASA NAVTEX PC PRO sent to me in error.. wanted a Navtex pro - had 3 of those over the years...

The big problem with the PC version is it requires the PC to be on all the time - Now navtext messages are transmitted at specific times during the day - including the weather forecasts. If for any reason your PC is not on then you will miss the message.

The Joy of he full Nasa Navtext Pro and of course most other dedicated navtext systems is that in standby mode they use a few milliamps and can be left running when you are not on the boat - away - at home etc and when you arrive on board again there on the screen is the very latest weather -information - warnings etc.

OK the 'full' version is double the price but the bargain basement PC version is a very poor substitute.. I don't know about you but when things really get rough the laptop is put away in a safe locker .. and with it goes the next text update. I never leave my laptop switched on when I am away from the boat as the battery drain is unacceptably high so...

Michael
 
The nasa PC navtex pro draws very little power so it can be left on all the time. It stores all navtex messages from all stations in range. Generally the memory is large enough to store the last day or two. Of course you need to plug it into your pc to veiw the messages. The software provided allows you to sort and display the messages in a convenient format. The unit has a built in real time clock which can be set from the pc. You can also program timed channel switching so you can get the unit to switch over to the local frequency at the right time to record the inshore forecast. A nice bit of kit.
How did this thread change direction to JVFAX and stuff ?
 
Hubert,

This sounds good to me. I can get one of these delivered under £120.

I think the thread went HF because it does give far more information for bluewater cruisers. I am surprised though that an audio to PC link is reliable enough.

- Nick
 
On the older hf receivers they squared up the audio to logic level and passed it to the pc on a controll line to the rs232. This resulted in a lot of lost information. Modern sets send the original audio to the pc sound card where all the information carried can be recovered. The improvement in weatherfax quality is clearly visible.
Best regards.
 
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