NAVTEX - So How Does That Work?

[markhill]

I understand the principles of how NAVTEX sends the data to the unit, but when does it send the information to the unit? Does NAVTEX only send weather warnings and does the unit only receive data relevant to the area it is in? The SB Offshore has one, along with just about every other navigational bolt-on, but I haven't got my hands on the manuals yet.

 

[kindredspirit]

Its a brill system.

Weather reports are sent out at specific times. Nav warnings at any time.

You need to read the manual to get the most out of it.

One tip. Tune it into your nearest station ONLY, otherwise you'll get loads of spurious info you don't need.

 

[PAULSTEWART]

Mines brilliant- NOT! Picks up everything-except the weather!
And yes, it is set to receive all codes! I have read and reread the manual umpteen times and still can't get it to work!

 

[mainshiptom]

I'll Second that, I get lots of stuff about Holland and Belgium and also Spain but nothing local?

I am in Kent?

 

[Planty]

I had a similar experience and the manual has to be the worst put together thing ever printed, it is truly pathetic.

However having stuck at it for literally weeks I am now very impressed, I've got the Nav6 Super or summat. In essence the problem seems to be that unless you set the "Preset Filters" you simply can't get anything of any use, they are preset to accept everything hence getting all & sundry reports.

On the super it has a setting to only pick up the "nearest" stations, which it knows as it has GPS input.(Bit of a pain really as I therefore have to have plotter on 24/7 to get GPS) but on the previous models the only way of getting only what you want is to switch all the erroneous ones off manually. Also on both models one has to manually switch off the "warnings" you don't / might not require, eg. Ice Warnings. If you don't do this you will indeed get "Ice Warnings from Rekyjavik" throughout the year.

The display always shows the messages for the filter preset selected, so one could have a preset for UK and then if like TCM another for the med perhaps. Mostly of course we just need to set "Preset 1" to parameters for UK use, OK you'll still get scotland stuff in the solent but thats ok.

So in summary ensure the filter is set to "Preset 1" then set up both 418 & 570 ?? bands to only accept the warnings you want and the stations covering the UK, there are only about 3, but without the Manual I aint got a clue what they are called. Must be someone on here or on Google that knows. Then set the display to Navtex Mode and wait.

I was in Dartmouth the weekend and a guy approached me who had Navtex 2 years and had never got it to work, 2 hours later and a lot of setting up he had his first Met Office Forecast sitting there lovely, including the Strong Wind Warning on Monday. Really takes some doing but well worth it.

Need any help give us a call on 07971 169250. Paul

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Just in passing, I have the stub aerial (inshore IIRC) and a two way switch. Do all receivers pick up both frequencies if so selected? Offshore none too useful inland but inshore helpful if I pop down the Thames estuary. Its a bog standard NASA thing about 3 years old.

 

[iangrant]

Paul - check the station code for Niton - it changed last year - Reeds say it is E for 518 - you'll have to re-programme it to rec transmissions.

Another tip is to olny display 2 days worth. Certainly in the Nav6 it will store all of the data it receives but you can filter it out - like the ice reports etc..


Ian

 

[Tim777]

Help

I think have a 1990 version I suspect came with the boat. Yes I constantly read warnings for the Shelde but not much about the Solent. Not having a manual doesn't help. I would love to tune out the other inputs. Any ideas?
The unit just has three blue areas on the face to press plus a tuning white knob on reverse. Anybody got an old manual?

 

[mainshiptom]

http://www.nasamarine.com/Navtex/navtex.html

you can download a manual from here !

Just click on the right model !

Tom

ps I will try to set mine up ?

 

[PAULSTEWART]

Thanks Paul & Ian for your help.
I have a paper roll navtex from 1991 and can't really relate to your more modern high tech device! I have already changed the code to E for Niton, and set it to receive weather and emergency only, but still no joy!

 

[kindredspirit]

http://www.icselectronics.co.uk/icsnet/GMDSS/navarea.asp?AREA=1

 

[kindredspirit]

Two things to check first.

a; you could be in a "dead" area. Are other boats around you getting a Navtex signal?

b; there could be a possibility of a 1991 system having a corroded aerial. If it is, chuck it out and buy a new aerial. Don't bother trying to repair it.

 

[Oldhand]

Suggest you look up Navtex transmissions in the 2005 nautical almanac you have onboard or better still acquire a copy of Admiratly publication NP289 which gives Navtex transmission schedule details in full. You will then be fully informed to make a decision on what transmissions you wish to receive and be able able to program same when you have read your unit's manual.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

The following link should show you what sort of information is being transmitted live from Niton.

http://www.navtex.org.uk/