weatherfax what one

[johnmuir]

Going to boat show and thinking of buying nasa weather fax, the one that displays info on screen. Any good and what model is recommended?

thanks
john muir

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[StephenW]

Not sure if you mean Navtex. I have the Clipper and its been invaluable - one of the best bits of kit on the boat if aboard for more than a day. Good backlight and ow power consumtion too.

When you set it up make sure you set up the appropriate stations - if you call in at the Nasa stand they should be able to give/forward a list

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[ccscott49]

I think you mean the weaterman, theres only one by NASA.

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[charles_reed]

I've had one of the original Navtex Target Pro's for about 6 years and it's given sterling service.
As it's the single frequency one, I'm supplementing it this year, probably by adding a Weatherman - tho' I might do a clean sweep and replace it for a new Navtex Pro and the Weatherman.

By the way there are 2 instrument-ranges in the NASA portfolio which give weather information, the Weatherman (single station, weather info for 120 hrs horizon) and the Navtex (3 versions) which run off a number of stations around the world and give you 5 other types of marine information additional to weather on a 24/48 hr horizon.

The Navtex is a piece of basic safety kit which no boats should be sailing without (it's part of SOLAS requirements) and the Weatherman is a desirable addition, especially for those sailing in highly unstable weather areas such as the 3 Mediterranean basins.



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[charles_reed]

Navtex area lists

are published in all reasonable Almanacs (from memory pg88 in Macmillan Reeds).

It's best to rely on Almanacs as there have been some recent changes in Navarea III with some of the Italian stations transmitting (and a lot of drivel the Dangers to navigation part is).

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[kliever]

If memory serves me correctly SOLAS requires navtex to be of the print out type only.
John R

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[steve_cronin]

Since you asked about \"Weatherfax\" and NOT \"Navtex

...or RTTY Teleprinter transmissions (NASA Weatherman).....

I have just received a NASA HP3/M short wave receiver which comes with DOS software to allow the reception and display of the weather charts transmitted by the Admiralty from Northwood or from the German Met Office via Offenbach as well as the other various stations around the world. (Incidentally, weatherfax is the primary source of met. info for our neighbours Cathy & Mick Sullivan as they wait at Ushuaia for a window to round Cape Horn in their Beneteau Evasion 34).

The software supplied by Nasa is called "Tarfax" and is OK but I am getting a side by side double picture which spoils definition. I have just received another shareware program called VFFAX which is, unlike TARFAX, user configurable. Trials to start after LIBS (& a visit to NASA for their guidance) and my return from Greece on Wednesday.

With the combination of VHF, Navtex(Our current one is a Clipper) and Weatherfax I cannot see how one can be better equipped.**

I personally would avoid the high power Windows based software as this will, including receiver consumption take around 6 or 7 Ah out of your electrics every day. My set up is an old 486 laptop with it's own LCD display turned off - because it is the main power draw on a laptop but displaying into a 12vdc panel monitor which can run directly from the ship's supply and can be turned off once reception quality is confirmed. The receiver is, as I've already said, a NASA HP3/M and both the active NASA antenna plus a 30ft wire one for hilly areas are to be fitted.

Steve Cronin

**NOT forgetting our trusty Oregon Scientific electronic barometer of course which always predicts the 12h weather with reliability!

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by steve_cronin on 08/01/2004 11:33 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[steve_cronin]

If it does then it just shows how stupid regulators can be. Personally, it's news to me.

What do you do when all your paper rolls are damp or you run out? Or even the little piece of "till roll" blows overboard?
A set with both methods of readout is ideal but given the need to choose one only, I'd go (& have now on 3 occassions) for an LCD printout every time.

Steve Cronin

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

 

[charles_reed]

SOLAS

only requires print-out type on commercial shipping.

It also demands Group 1 vhf squawkers.

All of which is very expensive, very archaic and probably driven by manufacturers lobbying the committee

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[charles_reed]

Interesting

I'm still using SSB and weatherfax on the laptop - see you have changed your set-up.

truth be told, for the very reasons you mention + HF propagation problems, I've been using the internet in preference for wefaxes.

I've found the best to be NOAA (especially the 500mb ones) and strangely enough the easiest to download during the strange ionosphere conditions we had last year.

As I haven't a printer on the boat and find screen-only maps to be "difficult" for analysis I'm seriously looking at the Weatherman - specially after having to limp into Toulon after a very damp episode when genoa halyard pulled out and the wind/seas went up to F8 30 off the stbd bow, last October 23.

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[mikesharp]

Re: SOLAS

Based on an article in ST (arrived yesterday) the rules on commercial type SOLAS are changing to allow electronic memory on Navtex and this should improve the market generally for this equipment.

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[steve_cronin]

Re: Interesting

Using the net, as a liveaboard (which is what we are adapting the boat towards over the next few years), still uses a lot of power better used in keeping the fridge cool.

As to a printer we have an HP Deskjet 340 which runs off a dc/dc converter or for an hour or two on internal batteries. Thisw will be moved to the boat over this winter but I daresay we won't be using it that often.

Steve Cronin

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

 

[charles_reed]

Re: Interesting

15 amp pulse charger on shorepower takes care of all that - but I'm embarrassed by the diminished stowage and augmented displacement, living aboard has caused.

Over the last 3 years the pattern has emerged for me to spend 8/12 months aboard the boat, avoiding european waters July/August.
I've found winter sailing in Atlantic waters far more feasible than in Med - weather systems are far more chaotic (proper usage) and winter sailing requires utmost patience and weather info coupled with close time horizons

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[charles_reed]

Don\'t hold your breath waiting

entrenched commercial interests may again stand in the way of commonsense

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[charles_reed]

Don\'t hold your breath waiting

entrenched commercial interest may again stand in the way of commonsense

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[catmandoo]

Re: Interesting

for information Weatherfax 4 does not operate with HP deskjet 340 . onlyBJC 85.

I have one and it is effectively useless since I dont want to buy another printer . Fax 4 is no longer marketed anyway . The alternative is FAX 6 which is software for you laptop . Still more cables and wires so I bought Weather man and tried it out at home . Very impressed

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[steve_cronin]

Errrrmmmmmm!!!!!

TARFAX saves charts as bitmaps. These can be loaded up in any DTP and printed.

WTF is "Weatherfax 4"?

DJ340 has DOS drivers and as an alternative, a simple subroutine will get a screendump onto the printer.

Steve Cronin



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

 

[catmandoo]

Re: Errrrmmmmmm!!!!!

FAX 4 is Weather facsimile previously made by ICS . Need to connect to Short wave rario receiver and like wise connect to DC supply as well as fit printer . Unit is supposed to mount on surface but you still ned to get to back of panel to connect printer cable radio audio jack etc . All a bit fiddly and non user friendly design..
Proposing to chuck in bin .

Dont like computers despite having asembled and used a few , Prefer in nice fixed location direct connect to broadband otherwise . always crashing , requiring or running out of power . lots of wires to trip over etc.
Cant even read printouts of weather charts too small print .

Incidentally how long does it take you to get a print out . bet its more than 10 minutes?
.

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[MedMan]

Forget Weatherfax - You need GRIB Files

I used to struggle with Weatherfax until, last year, I was introduced to GRIB files by the Cruising Association's very own Weather Guru - Frank Singleton. They are just magic!

The system is operated entirely by email and the files involved are very small, usually no more than 2K. You send a coded email to a special address requesting the area, resolution and period(s) for which you require the forecast. Within a matter of a few minutes (very often within the same log-on session) you receive back a GRIB file. Load the file into special software which can be downloaded f.o.c. and BINGO - a set of weather forecast maps for the area and period(s) requested. No fuzzy pictures. No half-a-chart missing. No illegible writing. Perfect charts every time.

For more information have a look at Frank's site:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.franksingleton.clara.net/>Home Page</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.franksingleton.clara.net/grib.html>Grib Files</A>



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[steve_cronin]

Re: Forget Weatherfax - You need GRIB Files

It's just the cost of the satphone and the modem for use afloat that prohibits me getting such a device that relys upon email.

Steve Cronin

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