Weather fax

[steveh]

Can anyone suggest a cost conscience set-up
for receiving weather fax via SSB rx and laptop?
Which receiver and what software.

Thank you.


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[bendyone]

I use JVfax and a Nasa Target SSB with an active aerial which works well. Cost of the software free SSB 200 pounds??

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[AlanPound]

If going for the Nasa - get the HF3, not the HF3/M (I think that is the designation...) - ie. buy the cheaper one - not the one with the built-in (so-called) Modem.

Or buy a Sangean ATS-909 / R861 / Radio Shack DX 398 (all same thing) and get a nice world-band radio at the same time. Or the Sony ICF-SW100 for a much smaller, less power-hungry alternative.

http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/rx_index.html for reviews of radio types.

Alan

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[steve_cronin]

Please expand

1.Why have those of us who bought the HP3/M wasted some of our money?

2. Doesn't above set also provide a "...nice world band radio..." too?

3. It is not clear wether or not you were suggesting that this set is "power-hungry"? If so, why

Not a defensive reaction: I really would like to know these answers.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[jimbouy]

Re: Please expand

I'm only guessing. But on a PC with a sound card input the modulator might be seen as an unnecessary expense.

But then I would wonder how good the included software is. All the downloads I have looked at so far are not the most helpful to use. At least to an idiot like me.

Also, how many models are there? I picked up an as new HF3 on ebay for £70, but it has no aux output. I'll get round to adding one some day.

<hr width=100% size=1> "It is a pleasure to give advice, humiliating to need it, normal to ignore it"

 

[pandroid]

Re: Please expand

The HF3/M has a little level converter and comes with a (weak - DOS based) weatherfax program. Most of the (better) freeware programs now run under windows and plug into the PC sound card, and therefore expect a loudspeaker outlet, which is what the 'other' HF3 comes with. In other words, the 3/M technology has been superseeded.

The /M can be modified to look like a loudspeaker outlet, but you need to get inside and break a couple of PC tracks.

Lots of people swear by this set, but I've only found it good at picking up Radio 4....

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[steve_cronin]

Very interesting....

On which frequency did you receive Radio 4?

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[AlanPound]

Re: Please expand

1.Why have those of us who bought the HP3/M wasted some of our money?

I understand that the circuitry in the /M is pretty crude. I use JVComm on my laptop, and it expects a simple audio input via the mic socket. It does some pretty effective DSP in software, and gives you lots of tuning and level control data. It works well (and why wouldn't you want to save some £s if you could?)

2. Doesn't above set also provide a "...nice world band radio..." too?

Well, the Sangean/Roberts unit has all the usual suspects in terms of frequencies, with a very nice stereo FM capability too. Plus it has quite a good built in speaker (mono), plus a couple of timers to wake you up in the morning with your chosen program... It is a high-class transistor radio...

3. It is not clear wether or not you were suggesting that this set is "power-hungry"? If so, why

The Roberts is fairly power-hungry off batteries (AA cells). It is rather more feasible off of mains, which isn't ideal onboard. The Sony is rather more frugal, and is certainly a good receiver (and really small) - but it has a tiny speaker, and nowhere near the sound quality of the Roberts through its speaker. Perfect for weatherfax though...

... that's all really.

Alan

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[MedMan]

Just to throw a real spanner in the works - why would you want to receive Weather Fax in the 21st Century? It is an ancient technology on the way out and is extremly variable in its results the signals being heavily influenced by atmospheric conditions. I class it in the same category as the old Locata DF sets. They were useful mid-channel when we had nothing else, but in the days of GPS they have rightly been consigned to the museum of the deep.

If you have access to email on board you can use GRIB files - a far more satisfactory process to use that gives far better results. If you don't know what GRIB files are I would heartily recommend you to look <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtretreat.com>http://www.yachtretreat.com

 

[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[pandroid]

Re: Very interesting....

198khz (or is this a trick question?)

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[pandroid]

'cos Sailmail (the free GRIB service) works over SSB as well!

(Hmm. But if youve got an SSB set, then you can receive metmaps too......)

Its a great service - we used it for 3 months last year (admitedly over GPRS/email) and its dead reliable.

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[steve_cronin]

Re: Very interesting....

Ahh. For some reason I thought you were in the Med!

But even on the east coast you should be able to receive many stations with a proper aerial.
In Greece we get very good reception of BBC World Service on 12045, 15565, 9041 & 8965 dependant on time of day and unlike the Roberts we also have it doesn't drift.

Don't knock it, it's a good little set.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[steveh]

Did you you find GPRS a worthwhile method of email?
Any pitfalls that need to be aware of.
I am looking at grib files and weatherfax since it should give two different versions or at least a chance of getting one or the other!

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[pandroid]

GPRS was excellent, and thoroughly recomended. It is rather expensive (about £3.60 a Mb abroad) and so you need to be aware of the tricks to keep the cost down.

I wrote an article all about using the Internet afloat on our website <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kissen.co.uk/communications.htm>here</A>

Although GRIB is excellent for wind, it doesnt include fronts, so when the situation is complicated you still need the surface charts.

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[pandroid]

Re: Very interesting....

Actuallt we're in the Baltic. I can get R4 on 198 until (almost) Copenhagen.

I'm not a World Service fan. I think that Radio 4 should be a god-given right, available world wide.

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[Guest]

Post deleted by danfoley

 

[pandroid]

Absolutely correct. I was being a bit tongue in cheek...

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[BrendanChandler]

Which One do you recommend?

Hi Alan,

I have been trying to follow the thread but cannot see which you set you recommend and what your experience has been.

Brendan

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http://hometown.aol.co.uk/brendanchandler/index.html

 

[Oldhand]

If you wan't minimum fuss and best automation then install an ICOM PCR1000 "black box" receiver which can be totally controlled by software on the PC. I believe this radio now comes with Bonito RadioCom 4 software as part of the package. RadioCom has all the weather-fax and SYNOP stations pre-programmed and choosing a station/frequency will automatically setup the PCR1000 correctly to receive the required data from that station.

Radiocom uses the PC's built in sound processor as the DSP (digital sound processor) so the connections between the PC and the PCR1000 are one mini jack-plug sound cable to the PC's line or mic IN socket and an RS232 cable to the serial port to control the receiver. Please note the latter only works with a proper BIOS recognised serial port and will not work with a USB/Serial Port adapter, so your Laptop must have a serial port.

If you then upgrade to Radiocom 5 software, you can programme a schedule of what you want to receive and as long as you have selected suitable stations and frequencies for your location and time of day, weatherfax reception is fully automated. I use this arrangement to receive weatherfax transmitted by the UK admiralty from Northwood and you can receive exactly the same synoptic charts produced by the UK Met Office that can be found on the internet and a lot more to boot. The joy of it all is that once you have got the system setup, receiving the data is absolutely free, unlike using an internet connection if you have suitable hardware for that.

The receiver can be used for lots of other things as well as it operates from 100kHz to 1.3MHz with AM, FM, WideFM, SSB-USB, SSB-LSB with squelch, niose filtering and IF shift capabilities. I would recommend an insulated backstay antenna and a proper RF grounding plate on the hull for best results.

Hope this helps.



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