Navtex

discovery2

discovery2

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I have been considering purchasing a Navtex dual frequency receiver, principally for obtaining the local weather forecasts (in english) whilst cruising the Normandy/Brittany coast, when out of VHF range of a local english speaking station (my french is not very good!).

Not having had any experience of navtex receivers - only what I have gleaned from other contributors, and adverts - will this piece of electronic wizardry give what I require? Am I also correct in understanding that the receivers can be programmed to receive only broadcasts in english?

Thanks in anticipation for any advice

David


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Hi Dave, do a search, it's been covered before.

<hr width=100% size=1>rich :-)) <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jersey-harbours.com>http://www.jersey-harbours.com</A>
 
Navtex worldwide is in English on 518, in local language on 490Kh. The forecasts you will receive on 518 in the channel will be the UK shipping forecast from Niton, with no station reports. Farther west and you will get the French equivalent from Brest, in English. On 490 in France the forecasts will be in French. You can program which stations to receive and which type of info you want (weather, Nav warnings etc) but NOT the language, - on 518 it is English, on 490 it is the station local language.

Really though, French VHF forecasts are excellent, broadcast 3 times per day, they give the forecast for the day, overnight, and outlook for the next 24hrs, they also give expected seastate and swell height. The format is the same each time, warnings, gen synopsis, wind, weather, vis, seastate, swell, outlook. Quite often the forecast is repeated, but in any event they broadcast from succesive stations around the coast on the same channels at about 15 - 30 minute intervals so you usually get a 2nd chance from the next station along. The words too are the same though in Brittany Suroit = SE, Noroit = NW instead of Nord Est and Sud Est. With a translation crib sheet it should be easy enough with practice and infinitely better than the very limited whole channel same forecast in 5 lines you get on Navtex.

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Hi - the Nasa Clipper has a nice clear display, backlighting, a reasonable memory and very low current drain. We bought one last year and have been pleased with the investment. No more waking up early for forecats or missing the last one when you rmember too late!

We used it in Alderney this year and it was very effective in helping to identify a suitable day to come back over the channel.

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I agree entirely with your comments. I would add that the UK stations on 49O HZ broadcast the UK inshore forecasts in English, in France etc the 490HZ ibroadcast are not the Inshore forecast.

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You might also want to take a look at the ICS Nav6 plus which receives both 490 and 518, switching automatically and receiving sumultaneous broadcasts from both.

The unit is much more than a Navtex receiver. It's a very useful repeater for GPS and instruments and will log all data at 15 minute intervals. It also allows Navtex and logged data to be downloaded to a PC if you want.

It has a moving road display for GPS and a vector display showing wind, tide etc. One of the most useful bits of equipment I've added for a long time.

No connection with ICS, just a satisfied customer!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://home.btconnect.com/Amaya/Amaya_Web1.htm>Cherbourg Data site</A>
 
I also agree with the comments about the ICS Navtex 6+. It works well, receiving both frequencies all of the time. If interfaced with the GPS it only selects messages relevant to the present location.

The display is clear & very easy to read.

It also works as a GPS repeater & with the right instruments will act as a repeater for them as well - I have Raymarine instruments.

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