DaveS wrote:"Malin Head broadcasts the high seas forecast for the eastern Atlantic on Navtex, which I find very useful for trying to predict what's likely to be on its way further out than mentioned on the Shipping Areas forecast, and sometimes to compare with the extended outlook when this deigns to appear on my single frequency Navtex (once or less per day in my recent experience)."
I have a NASA Clipper Navtex which can choose to receive either 490(local) or 518 (national) transmissions. I alsways have it on 490 an dit receiveds teinshore forecast from Portpatrick quite reliably. But we haven't received an extended outlook at all this season and possibly further back than that.
I presume the Malin Head forecast is on 518; is that also the source of the extended outlooks that you don't get very often? I may start switching channels at the appropriate time for long range forecasts (if I can remember...).
Derek
Depends on where you are, obviously~(reception). The irish seem to get a more comprehensive service than we do, with 'actuals' from weather buoys etc. and, on VHF, they almost 'track' strong winds as they come up the country. As for Navtex, have you selected to receive the transmissions from Ireland? Shame the Navtex isn't programmable to flip between frequencies. Maybe we need two, or a double in one box, as previously mentioned on a forum somewhere.
http://trooncruisingclub.org/ 20' - 30' Berths available, Clyde.
Cruising, racing, maintenance facilities. Go take a look, you know you want to.
sahona wrote:Depends on where you are, obviously~(reception). The irish seem to get a more comprehensive service than we do, with 'actuals' from weather buoys etc. and, on VHF, they almost 'track' strong winds as they come up the country. As for Navtex, have you selected to receive the transmissions from Ireland? Shame the Navtex isn't programmable to flip between frequencies. Maybe we need two, or a double in one box, as previously mentioned on a forum somewhere.
The Mcmurdo ICS Nav 6 monitors both frequencies simultaneously and selects stations by reference to its GPS position. Still hasn't given me an extended outlook from Portpatrick this season though
I will not stay young forever but, I can be immature for the rest of my day's!
Sounds like a good solution, is it affordable by the masses? - just looked on WEB -£350, so a considerable investment - too much for this pensioner I'm afraid. unless of course, any of you want to buy my existing navtex and weatherman to fund the transaction...
http://trooncruisingclub.org/ 20' - 30' Berths available, Clyde.
Cruising, racing, maintenance facilities. Go take a look, you know you want to.
DaveS wrote:"Malin Head broadcasts the high seas forecast for the eastern Atlantic on Navtex, which I find very useful for trying to predict what's likely to be on its way further out than mentioned on the Shipping Areas forecast, and sometimes to compare with the extended outlook when this deigns to appear on my single frequency Navtex (once or less per day in my recent experience)."
I have a NASA Clipper Navtex which can choose to receive either 490(local) or 518 (national) transmissions. I alsways have it on 490 an dit receiveds teinshore forecast from Portpatrick quite reliably. But we haven't received an extended outlook at all this season and possibly further back than that.
I presume the Malin Head forecast is on 518; is that also the source of the extended outlooks that you don't get very often? I may start switching channels at the appropriate time for long range forecasts (if I can remember...).
Derek
The (infrequent) extended outlooks I've been getting are definitely on 518, because that's all my Navtex receives. I thought they came from Portpatrick rather than Malin Head, but I can't from memory be certain. I'll check when I'm next aboard - probably in about a month.
A cheaper way to get Navtex would be to buy a half decent communications receiver on E-Bay, string a length of wire in the rigging and plug into your laptop.
As a freeby you can get weatherfax as well.
It'll cost a lot less than £350
Be reasonable? I didn't get where I am today by being reasonable.
There's a schedule published somewhere(Reeds?) which allows you to flip between freqs to get the best info but it's a bit clumsy. If I can get aboard and find it I'll put it here. still recomend progging in all the Irish stations though.
http://trooncruisingclub.org/ 20' - 30' Berths available, Clyde.
Cruising, racing, maintenance facilities. Go take a look, you know you want to.
I already have the kit (receiver and laptop with Mscan Meteo) to get the Northwood weather fax; I think I can use that to receive a second Navtex channel from time to time.
Sorted, sort of. Though I find the biggest boon of Navtex through a dedicated set is that I can leave it on all the time when away from the boat, and arrive to a fairly detailed and current forecast, most times. It takes only a handful of mA I seem to remember.
yea, leaving a laptop and comms receiver running gobbles a lot of amps in comparison to a modern navtex.
That's also why I bought the weatherman.
Unfortunately, I'm getting nostalgic for weatherfax charts, so back to the ham stuff.
It would probably be better to throw the lot away and get "Econnected" .
http://trooncruisingclub.org/ 20' - 30' Berths available, Clyde.
Cruising, racing, maintenance facilities. Go take a look, you know you want to.
