SSB for weather forecasting

DavidJ

DavidJ

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Hi
I know from searching this forum there are lots of bits and pieces of information on SSB but I'm struggling to put it together into something that I really understand.
I am in Spain and I believe that through an SSB receiver I can download weather forecasts to my laptop.
Questions
Is this true and who gives this weather info...is it free?
I see there are loads of SSB receivers on Ebay, do you need a special set to link to the laptop. Any recommendations?
Do I need a wacking big antenna or is the little one on portable sets ok for just the Med
I will need some software, who provides this?
Do I need some sort of hardware interface for the laptop.

Because this is new to me I would really like to mimic someones setup out there who has got good results.
thanks
David

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David,

With an SSB and laptop you can receive weather forecasts, for free, throughout the world. If your laptop has either a line-in or microphone socket then you won't need any interface apart from a simple jack cable between the SSB and the laptop.

I use a program called SEATTY to receive text forecasts. You can buy it from www.dxsoft.com. The 5 days forecasts issued by the German Weather Service are most useful for European waters. The same program will also decode Navtex and text forecasts issued by the US coastguard.

SEATTY will also decode weather FAX transmissions, but I use a free product called WXSAT - a search engine should find it for you. JVComm is another product which has a good reputation.

Although I now use my SSB transceiver, I have successfully received all types of forecast using a cheapish SSB sold under the Dixon/Curry brand - it cost about £100 many years ago and was made in Russia, not sure that they still sell it.

You won't need much of an aerial to receive, a reasonable length of wire hoisted as high as you can manage will give results.

You can check transmission frequencies and times at
www.ballgate.com/safehavens/schedulesearch.htm

Good luck,

Henry



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Hi David!

I agree in general with Henry. Weatherfaxes and RTTY (radio teletype) is free worldwide. If you don't want/need to transmit, a GOOD quality HF receiver will do all you want it to. As Henry says, there are loads of programmes about to enable you to do this.

You do not need to buy any though! The most well known and used ones are free to download from the Web. I have used JVComm32 for years in it's free version (it has the odd 'pop-up' in this version) but that in no way prevents it's full use. You can also use this for RTTY (great text weather forecasts from Offenbach etc) though I prefer another programme - MTTY, which is again free to download.

I slightly disagree with Henry re the aerial. True, a length of wire will give you reasonable results, but it's usually when the weather ain't so nice and the propagation not so good that you need the info. It's worth spending a tiny bit more time to check out the recommendations made for the set you decide to buy and follow those. One small warning - don't rush to get one of the Active antennas that are about before trying the simple route. These have their place and, while they will undoubtably amplify the signal you're seeking, they also amplify all the other radio noises as well!

Virtually any modern laptop will suit and, as Henry rightly points out, you just need a length of co-ax with a 3.5mm (usually) plug at both ends - one into the radio's headphone/speaker outlet and the other into your laptop's microphone socket. Dead simple, so don't get caught by some of the 'software' manufacturers saying you need to buy their 'dongle' to make a connection, you don't unless you buy their stuff.

You will probably find that the pictures you get at first are unreadable since most progs require setting up properly and this can take a wee bit of time, though once done it's done!
You will also almost certainly find that the electrical emissions from your laptop will 'blot' out signals unless you are very lucky. Try to use it on batteries only (rather than mains or an inverter) to start with and while you get the whole lot going.

I note you are in Spain, and as I've spent much time there also, do prepared for quite big areas where (when you are in harbour) you will get little or no usable signal. We often had to be on passage (away from other masts, mountains etc) before a decent weatherfax signal could be obtained. It's still the best way though, so I should go for it.

If you need help or get stuck, either post your problem here or pm me and we'll try to sort it out.

Cheers

Jerry



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far better of using a DC-DC converter to power your laptop, you will not have that interference, and it will use less than half as much power to provide the charge. Good source for these adapters is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.laptopshop.co.uk/laptop-car-adapters.htm>here</A>

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Hi Talbot!

Yep, many thanks for that. I don't use an inverter when using my computer as it has a Centrino processor and will go for at least 4-5 hours before needing a re-charge. I charge it using an inverter when 'off the air'.

Very useful info though as I am going to get a DC-DC converter before we push off again next year.

Cheers

Jerry


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Hello,
Im very interested in recieving good forecasts whilst in the med and am installing Navtex.
I also have purchased on the advice of friends a 'World radio' made by Roberts, a reputable make , with FM stereo/MW/LW/SW. I understand I can receive forcasts from a German station which broadcasts in English at set times.
Can anyone advise on the times and frequencies these forecasts are available.
Also, please excuse my ignorance , but what is SSB and how does it work.
I have a laptop which I use onboard for C-Map.
Thanks.

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The German forecasts that your friend refers to are probably the teletext forecasts which get transmitted in English and German. NASA make a device, similar to a NAVTEX, called a "Weatherman" which is designed to receive these. To do the same via a laptop you will need a receiver that works with SSB signals. Unless your Roberts radio specifically states that it will receive SSB then it won't be a lot of use to you.
SSB transmissions are unlike "normal" AM radio because they effectively only transmit "half" the full AM frequency band - either the lower side band (LSB) or the upper side band (USB). The upper side band is used for marine transmissions. This is done to reduce the bandwidth required for each transmission, thus enabling more separate "channels" within a given range of frequencies.
You can use my database to check the times and frequencies at the URL given in my earlier message. For the German ones just click the TTY box, then click nav area III (Med), then click the checkbox to confirm that you won't rely on anything that I'm about to tell you! and make the search.
Hope this helps.

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Help, times & frequencies list on www.walterreed.co.uk (updates coming soon)

Broadcast forecasts 'Deutsche Welle' at 15.55 gmt

Try your antenna wire connected to backstay if you have a plastic boat.

good listening,


<hr width=100% size=1>Sailorbuoy
 
Or France inter, JUst buy a kenwood ts 140 or yaesu 757 second hand cost about £250 plus an antena tuner (mfk) £20/50 then ask the RSGB for a list of antenas diapole(best) long wire good never say you intend to transmit unless your licenced, to do that today you have to find an instructor get to know him then go to the pub buy the bier and hell watch you tick the boxes to succsses.
Then just one on air the rest is easy but very boring!!! Just wait untill you get to the carrabian its the only place radio for chat is used--in the med very very rarly, and the "nets" both English 14303 and Germn 14313 are really snob and super boring always the same 3/4 people and pointless, and almost no one that has SSB ever uses it-even i used to phone!

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absolutly agree with all about buying cheaper amateur/ham sets - the insulated back stay does make things easier if you need to use the set in bad weather at sea.

There is an eastern med chat frequency on 8mhz (sort of works from around Balearics ish to Turkey and up the adriatic - they have 2 or 3 net controllers for the areas. I think that operates every morning and is friendly and useful - not ham - if you really want the frequency and time mail me and I'll go to the boat and look it up.

In the Caribbean everone uses SSB and there are lots of chat frequencies as well as weather Herb and David Jones (or whoever is now running it) and it becomes a serious safety item - Indeed install one - say you will only use it to listen - listen and then do as you like - really pointless spending all that money on a useless radio course - once you are out of UK waters what the hell!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>
 
additional info. you can get worldwide radiofax schedules <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/radiofax.htm>here</A>

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What frequences did you have?and who are Herb and David?Ive always preferd the med for sailing, untill the last few years.so i dont really Know much about the caribbean

As far as the back stay it works very well and for long distance i make up a diapole or if at anchor an inverted V But i also get lazy and run the back stay

In England the second hand rig price is silly even in Italy you can find a second hand 706 or ts 50 for £200/250

Let me have those freqencies please

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Herb Heligunberg is the guru of Atlantic, West indies, US and Panama weather - If you cross the atlantic you need Herb to weather route you - find wind - avoid gales etc - He operates on 12,359 at 19.45 GMT for check ins and then 20.00 starts forecasts... You need to listen to understand the format... search google for web site

David Jones (sadly he died recently but the weather station is still operaing I understand) also does weather on 8 and 12 mgz - have a look at his web site - Caribweather.com or something like that search google for David Jones or Caribweather...

I used excellent Icoms in the old days because I needed to keep in touch via coast radio stations for my work but now the CRS are all closed and SSB is really only useful for weather as above, keeping in touch with other yachts and sailmail.. The British Ofcom et al are woefully out of touch with reality in terms of operators licences - the course is a desperatly expensive farce - most ham sets 'snipped' are fine..

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
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The following is a post from TROUVille
,< bought a French registerd Grand Banks,I wanted to keep the SSB for the offshore telephoneand communications, well it was "arranged" No problem.
Later i Wanted to sell and the powers to be were not very pleased that the ship had become British--In which case i could still call via SSB but not use the telephone.With my next sail another sailboat they let me keep my SSB but the other services not!!

In France it still depends on your level of intigration and understanding In fact for SSB you simply need to pass a very simple test takes about 5minites, and costs ffrf100 (£10)
and normaly the shop you bought your SSB will verify its for marine use. >

Oh why cannot the british authorities get their act together...


<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>
 
Yes i agree but then we British are just over controled-In the med most use a phone to stay in touch, as a schedual is hard to keep to with so much going on and in summer sitting in a hot cabin isent realy great.
That person you said give the weather charges $120 a year?I was asking about the marine net as we had a groupe of about 5 boats and use to use 8megs then relay on 4megs for those to close but ours wasnt a set net we used to change frequency depending on conditions. Do you know of any regular nets???
As for amature radio there are less and less Brits on and they are really bad i called in with my French call they told me to "piss off" "we dont speak to pirates"so i just gave up. And Germans will happly accept that some do live abroad and must change their call but even on the marine net 14313 when i called in they said their net was just for a few german boats and i should call in to the British net on 14303 where id heard the net contrl telling every one to be quick just give your possition and off--that in my opinion isent a net

For the WX i use an mfj rtty decoader its not very good but works and i use that for the Hamburg station 5 day forcast and yes i liked the icom 706 but it did used to drift--all in all for a "normal" livaboard on a buget i recomend the old kenwood 140s its small and then they were making a reputaion for being reliable and in trio tradition well built---today they fetch £200/50 comparied to £900 for a 706 (i think)
Just now i havent spoken more or less to anyone for more than a year it seems everyones just stopped using SSB??

<hr width=100% size=1>liveaboard
 
Yes i agree but then we British are just over controled-In the med most use a phone to stay in touch, as a schedual is hard to keep to with so much going on and in summer sitting in a hot cabin isent realy great.
That person you said give the weather charges $120 a year?I was asking about the marine net as we had a groupe of about 5 boats and use to use 8megs then relay on 4megs for those to close but ours wasnt a set net we used to change frequency depending on conditions. Do you know of any regular nets???
As for amature radio there are less and less Brits on and they are really bad i called in with my French call they told me to "piss off" "we dont speak to pirates"so i just gave up. And Germans will happly accept that some do live abroad and must change their call but even on the marine net 14313 when i called in they said their net was just for a few german boats and i should call in to the British net on 14303 where id heard the net contrl telling every one to be quick just give your possition and off--that in my opinion isent a net

For the WX i use an mfj rtty decoader its not very good but works and i use that for the Hamburg station 5 day forcast and yes i liked the icom 706 but it did used to drift--all in all for a "normal" livaboard on a buget i recomend the old kenwood 140s its small and then they were making a reputaion for being reliable and in trio tradition well built---today they fetch £200/50 comparied to £900 for a 706 (i think)
Just now i havent spoken more or less to anyone for more than a year it seems everyones just stopped using SSB??

<hr width=100% size=1>liveaboard
 
I think that British net on 14303 is the east med one - they do position checks then later have a chat sequence or did when I came up through the med last year - do agree there is very little net in the med - mainly because boats are always so close to land.

In the Caribbean every one is so spread out it becomes the only way to keep in touch... Yes David Jones charges for personalized weather but he does a general forecast first and then if you keep listening there is nearly always some one who pays near ish to you... Likewise with Herb most people send him a 'gift' to help support the running of the station - not obligatory...
I think to pay something for such individual weather is ok - its not obligatory

I agree - nets in the med are not much cop but once you leave Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean and each year a new Red Sea net springs up - but these are all boats making longer passages....


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thats about it! At the moment im not sure if i should head to corfu or to the French canals as every thing else is full!!But which ever i no doubt will communicate by bike!

And the 14303 now seems to be a controler with 2 or 3 long term people who always say the same thing!!not really a net!!!

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Hi Trouville,

Yes, I agree. The UK Maritime 'Net' on 14303 is, IMHO, a total waste of space. I used to listen to it when I was in the Med and elsewhere, and got fed up very quickly with the same few people droning on about their roses, mowing the lawn and whether it was raining where they were. And this sort of rubbish on a Maritime Net!! Only twice did I hear anything remotely approaching a weather forecast, and that was mumbled out almost unintelligibly by the Net controller, and each day he was repeatedly almost begging for ANYBODY to make contact!

I believe the problem with this Net, is that is exclusively for fully licensed Hams, and there are fewer and fewer of those as the years go by. Compare the activity on Herb's Net with the UK one, and the latter isn't in the same league, and that's because most distance cruisers aren't fully licensed! It's high time the controllers of the UK net woke up to this fact, and 'opened' their Net to all.

If they did, I'm certain they'd be flat out dealing with the really interesting traffic that would ensue.

Cheers

Jerry

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