Navtex problems

[Guest]

I have just had a Navtex fitted. I have programmed it just to receive weather and gale info. But I rarely seem to receive anything. On the National channel most of what little I receive is in French. On the International channel I only seem to get weather info once a day. My boat is based in the West Country and so I have been wondering if it could be a reception problem? The model I have is a Nasa Clipper. Any one having more success with theirs?

Regards, David.

 

[HMCG]

Can you tell us what stations you are logged to receive and what categories (both by letter) that may help understand your problem.


Remember a VHF can save your life.

 

[billmacfarlane]

I 'm in the Solent and have mine programmed for both Niton and Ostend on 518KHz. When I'm on my berth I can't receive much from Niton , but funnily enough at sea receive Niton perfectly. Guess it must be a problem with reception as I'm a couple of miles inland. This could be your problem . Does the problem happen both at sea and in your home port ?

 

[Budgie]

I have the same Navtex performance whether on land or sea - it shouldn't be an issue with MF transmissions.

Why not set your Navtex to receive all messages for a while - then you will see what stations you are receiving.

There is an issue with the UK 490 Navtex - see separate post.

 

[Robin]

We are based in Poole and rarely receive Niton on our berth, maybe because we are plugged into mains or because its overland, in St Peter Port (not plugged in) over Jubilee weekend we did receive OK, in Cherbourg (plugged in) we did not. Last weekend in Portland we received the long term outlook but not the regular forecasts. Overall we have found this year Niton forecasts unreliable to receive, either nothing or severely garbled but we have picked up transmissions from Corsen (Brest) from time to time (all others are programmed out). In the past we have found Corsen OK in S. Brittany except around Camaret/Morgat/Brest which seems to be a blind spot, at the same time we were receiving La Corrunna regularly. The French 490 local service was also OK except around Brest area.

 

[mldpt]

Mine is tuned in to Portpatrick, and I am at present in the Clyde and havnt received a weather forecast since I left Fleetwood. All I get are nav warnings.
Mike Paget's Lady

 

[Budgie]

Mike,

518 has generally been OK, but I will check again tomorrow when I will be in Largs. There has been a 490 problem - see separate thread.

Try using Malin.

Regards,
Jon - Senara (formally of Ardrossan)

 

[incognito]

I installed the 6+ recently, expecting RR performance for RR price, but I, too, got a lot of gobbl%e**ooK, and such like.

I thought it was just me and mine, but this thread makes me feel better! This is the SHARED MISERY principle == the more people who in the same deep sh*t, the better you feel yourself.

Seriously, I have the following to try (courtesy ICS) earthing the screening from transducer to display, remove supplied aerial and connect (how? I'm not sure) to insulated backstay (in my case, for testing, with a non-insulated backstay, I shall run a temporary aerial up with my main halyard from transducer to skyhigh).

 

[ParaHandy]

Try Frank Singleton's site at http://www.franksingleton.clara.net/navtex.html and you might find some useful tips.

But there are some problems with Navtex generally which shouldn't (in my opinion) be taking so long to put right.

 

[NigeCh]

Areyou receiving on 490 KHz or 518 KHz?

I've had no problems on 518kHz - (Furuno NX300)

 

[ParaHandy]

Re: Areyou receiving on 490 KHz or 518 KHz?

Which station are you not having any problems with?

 

[terence]

hi there i have a nassa target on the international ch and it is now very good a mate of mine had one and programed all the rubbish out of it and now its fine
just have gale wanings and wx plus distress which you cannot program out ,
my boat is on the essex coast some times you have to wait about 4 hrs for it
good luck terry........stop

 

[Plum]

In my experience of Navtex you often get no or poor signals close to land and in particular when close to other boats at moorings or marinas. Try setting your Navtex to receive all stations for a day just to see what you get. Not all stations broadcast weather forecasts, eg Niton K, and most only broadcast weather forecasts twice per day.

 

[Budgie]

I also have a Nav6+ and it worked no problem "out of the box". My aerial is on the stern rail, and the instrument is at the chart table. Before you start expensive solutions try alternative aerial positions.

Incedently I use a "permanently live" connection, with fuse and switch, so it is always receiving - in "sleep" mode except when required.