ssb weather fax -how reliable

[voyager35]

I have just set up my pc to download weather fax from nasa software/receiver. i have got some good clear faxes from the Hamburg transmitter but find that the signal degenerates for no apparent reason (no changes to any electronic equipment onboard). the boat is currently down inside a marina dock so probably not the best location but my question is when i get ofshore is the service reliable enough to be depended upon for long passages

 

[Barnacle Bill]

SSB reception improves markedly when off-shore.

 

[Skylark]

Much has been written about HF propagation and its prediction and it’s probably worth your while to google it and do some background reading.

There are many variables including frequency, time of day, season, sunspot cycle and so on. With a little experience, it’s usually possible to develop a time schedule to receive (reliable) signals.

Here’s a start:-

HF Propagation - Radio Society of Great Britain - Main Site : Radio Society of Great Britain – Main Site

Propagation Prediction Programs and Forecasts - Radio Society of Great Britain - Main Site : Radio Society of Great Britain – Main Site

 

[Roberto]

when i get ofshore is the service reliable enough to be depended upon for long passages

In the North Atlantic, Hamburg covers (ie can be received) from Canaries to Azores to Europe, UK Northwood I found ok Azores/Europe.
Tropical North Atlantic well covered by US New Orleans transmitter, for the whole transat back Carib - Azores almost to Europe the Boston stations is very valuable, a lot of products.
FWIW, even having basically free offshore email (amateur network), in those areas they are my preferred product; it depends eventually upon what type of weather information you feel comfortable with

 

[Bilgediver]

I have just set up my pc to download weather fax from nasa software/receiver. i have got some good clear faxes from the Hamburg transmitter but find that the signal degenerates for no apparent reason (no changes to any electronic equipment onboard). the boat is currently down inside a marina dock so probably not the best location but my question is when i get ofshore is the service reliable enough to be depended upon for long passages

Some radio receivers are better than others at receiving weather faxes. reception at sea is better than in port where lots of interference I have found the Sony 7600 and SW 55 are very good for data reception.

Take a copy of the weather fax directory.


https://www.weather.gov/media/marine/rfax.pdf