johndf
New member
What type of SSB do you need to receive weatherfax? Doesit need some form of output to interface to a PC? What software is needed for the PC?
weatherfax
- Thread starter johndf
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G
Guest
Guest
Any kind of SSB will do. Better quality equals better pics or more distant stations. You need to connect the line output of your radio to your PC using a demodulator plugged into the serial port. This is tiny and should not cost more than £20. I think there was a DIY circuit published in PBO a while back. There is loads of weatherfax software, just try a Yahoo search. Lots of people I know use a freebie program called JVFax which is easily found and can be downloaded straight from the web.
Good luck,
Maybeline.
Good luck,
Maybeline.
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Maybeline seems to have had better experience than mine. I have an Icom PCR1000 receiver and a Xaxero software package that included the demodulator. One of the first problems is that older laptops, without a USB port, need two serial ports with this arrangement as the Xaxero takes over control of the Icom with one of them and the Icom connects to the other. My laptop had only one, but I was told by many people, "just buy a PCMCIA serial port, you can get them anywhere!". You can't. It proved very difficult to obtain one and ultimately the dealer who sold me the Xaxero managed to find me one. However, this by no means solved the problem and I have exchanged many e-mails with Xaxero, not terribly helpful, other suppliers, and the guy who wrote the article in PBO. He told me he didn't use this method any more anyway, and would not really recommend it. I fully agree. Even with apparently fully-functioning equipment it is a rare occasion when I manage to receive anything and it is often not what I expected. I have been unable to find the schedules of broadcasts, and now Bracknell have ceased altogether. Based on my poor experience, to say nothing of all the money I have spent, I would recommend that unless you know lots of people with successfully operating systems, or you have specialist knowledge of the various radio, computer and interface skills needed, you should only buy a working system from a dealer. Make sure you see it running on your laptop before taking it away. Pick a helpful dealer.
G
Guest
Guest
I have cancelled my order for a weatherfax system to be installed on our boat – because of concerns that the way things are going, all services will soon be paid for subscription services. Is this right d’you think or would you still spend the money to set something up today?
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Weatherfax has been broadcast free to users by all governments, but it is rather worrying when UK decides to shut down the Bracknell service unilaterally. At least the German service is just as good and seems to be continuing.
My view is that telephone communications are improving so rapidly that by the time I go foreign it will be simple and cheap to use the Internet for all such sources of information. It appears from the recent YM survey that some form of e-mail access will be available soon in mid-Atlantic for an initial outlay of not a lot more than 1000 pounds and something like 1 US dollar per minute.
My view is that telephone communications are improving so rapidly that by the time I go foreign it will be simple and cheap to use the Internet for all such sources of information. It appears from the recent YM survey that some form of e-mail access will be available soon in mid-Atlantic for an initial outlay of not a lot more than 1000 pounds and something like 1 US dollar per minute.
Bergman
New member
John
You can download a programme called MscanMet from the net. Actually there are two programmes, one for fax the other for rtty and navtex.
You do not need a demodulator but merely connect the audio output from the radio to the audio input to the sound card on your computer.
In terms of the radio basically the more you spend the better. Try one of the amateur radio shops who have 2nd hand lists.
but do not lose sight of the antenna. A good antenna, say a wire to the top of the mast, connected via a simple antenna tuning unit should give good results. It is also important to have a good earth, a good connection to a keel bolt or to the anode will do for a receiver.
Most poor results come from noise problems so best receive when engine not running and/or use a filter in the supply to the receiver
Best of luck
You can download a programme called MscanMet from the net. Actually there are two programmes, one for fax the other for rtty and navtex.
You do not need a demodulator but merely connect the audio output from the radio to the audio input to the sound card on your computer.
In terms of the radio basically the more you spend the better. Try one of the amateur radio shops who have 2nd hand lists.
but do not lose sight of the antenna. A good antenna, say a wire to the top of the mast, connected via a simple antenna tuning unit should give good results. It is also important to have a good earth, a good connection to a keel bolt or to the anode will do for a receiver.
Most poor results come from noise problems so best receive when engine not running and/or use a filter in the supply to the receiver
Best of luck
johndf
New member
Re: weatherfax Thanks v much for allthis advice NM
Thanks very much for all this advice.
John
Thanks very much for all this advice.
John
G
Guest
Guest
HOW MUCH!! Or am I missing something?
At a £1,000 outlay and a $1 a minute "It's not a lot if you say it quickly." as my dear old Mum says.
I've tried a "fax" based weather service (once) and for sheer "pad out the time and grab the money" the service delivered at the writing speed of a retarded two-year old.
Having spent years staying up until midnight and beyond and then getting up at ungodly hours in the morning to catch weather forecasts I was about (literally scanning the net to find a "best price") to invest in a Navtex receiver when I read your message.
Are the "powers that be" going to charge for it now? If so then I think a "radio - tape-recorder" may be a better investment.
Best regards
)
Ian D
At a £1,000 outlay and a $1 a minute "It's not a lot if you say it quickly." as my dear old Mum says.
I've tried a "fax" based weather service (once) and for sheer "pad out the time and grab the money" the service delivered at the writing speed of a retarded two-year old.
Having spent years staying up until midnight and beyond and then getting up at ungodly hours in the morning to catch weather forecasts I was about (literally scanning the net to find a "best price") to invest in a Navtex receiver when I read your message.
Are the "powers that be" going to charge for it now? If so then I think a "radio - tape-recorder" may be a better investment.
Best regards
)Ian D
philip_stevens
Active member
Northwood still broadcast WeFax. It is RN based. The quality is good - usually.
regards,
Philip
regards,
Philip
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Weatherfax: cost v distance
For reception of weatherfax when coastal sailing there are many options, from looking on the marina office notice board through logging on at an Internet cafe to using your mobile phone linked to your laptop. In blue water it is not possible to use terrestrial based telephones, so some alternative is needed. SSB based systems work if you know how to use them, and International agreements are in place whereby countries broadcast the information for free. However, the UK government's decision to cease broadcasting on the Bracknell frequencies suggests that this is about to change. The reason is almost certainly that ships no longer need the service because their communications capability has changed dramatically with the arrival of satellites. The time is doubtless coming when this will be the only way to receive weatherfaxes when sailing oceans.
Text forecasts by radio are somewhat similar. Navtext is excellent, free, and as accurate as any other forecast. It is limited to about 2-300 miles offshore and, of course, cannot compare with seeing the chart for yourself. Further afield there are radio "nets" on SSB, from which good information can be obtained. However, an installed SSB set will cost at least 500 pounds, plus you need a licence and it seems this takes a lot of practice to operate correctly. A satellite telephone for 1000 pounds and falling may become a more attractive option.
For coastal sailing a Navtext is a fantastic investment and one that I would consider almost essential. I rarely listen to radio forecasts any more, partly because I don't live in UK. I can receive signals from as far apart as Iceland, Yugoslavia and Spain, all in English. Occasionally an expected one does not come through but there are usually "overlapping" ones that fill in. Much better than a voice broadcast, plus all the other information that is broadcast can be very useful.
For reception of weatherfax when coastal sailing there are many options, from looking on the marina office notice board through logging on at an Internet cafe to using your mobile phone linked to your laptop. In blue water it is not possible to use terrestrial based telephones, so some alternative is needed. SSB based systems work if you know how to use them, and International agreements are in place whereby countries broadcast the information for free. However, the UK government's decision to cease broadcasting on the Bracknell frequencies suggests that this is about to change. The reason is almost certainly that ships no longer need the service because their communications capability has changed dramatically with the arrival of satellites. The time is doubtless coming when this will be the only way to receive weatherfaxes when sailing oceans.
Text forecasts by radio are somewhat similar. Navtext is excellent, free, and as accurate as any other forecast. It is limited to about 2-300 miles offshore and, of course, cannot compare with seeing the chart for yourself. Further afield there are radio "nets" on SSB, from which good information can be obtained. However, an installed SSB set will cost at least 500 pounds, plus you need a licence and it seems this takes a lot of practice to operate correctly. A satellite telephone for 1000 pounds and falling may become a more attractive option.
For coastal sailing a Navtext is a fantastic investment and one that I would consider almost essential. I rarely listen to radio forecasts any more, partly because I don't live in UK. I can receive signals from as far apart as Iceland, Yugoslavia and Spain, all in English. Occasionally an expected one does not come through but there are usually "overlapping" ones that fill in. Much better than a voice broadcast, plus all the other information that is broadcast can be very useful.
G
Guest
Guest
yup, Navtex and a sat phone for me
I think you are right and I feel quite comfortable with my decision. My money will go on a Navtex and then a sat phone later (what with the US government bailing our Iridium (all that debt written off)).
Thanks for the advice,
Sleepy
I think you are right and I feel quite comfortable with my decision. My money will go on a Navtex and then a sat phone later (what with the US government bailing our Iridium (all that debt written off)).
Thanks for the advice,
Sleepy