Navtex

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   Being very unhappy with the bad reception of the radio weather forcasts in Croatia (the stations are too weak and there are two many hills and islands between) I asked a radio specialist what would be best to install and he suggested a Navtex, model Furuno NX300 for around EUR 600.- including antenna and cabeling. It's installed now and even positioning the antenna inside the boat for trials gave a good reception of Split radio. (80 m distance). Their weather report is also very good (but only with 24h forcast) and the display shows big contrasting text. A nice side effect is the possibility to connect it to the Simrad plotter so that I have a second display of the ship's position and two more indications I can chose like sog or course. I wonder what other owners suggest without being bound to  expensive internet access.

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tobo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 01 February 2006 Location: Switzerland Status: Offline Points: 263	Post Options Post Reply Quote tobo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Navtex Posted: 06 January 2008 at 16:10
	Being very unhappy with the bad reception of the radio weather forcasts in Croatia (the stations are too weak and there are two many hills and islands between) I asked a radio specialist what would be best to install and he suggested a Navtex, model Furuno NX300 for around EUR 600.- including antenna and cabeling. It's installed now and even positioning the antenna inside the boat for trials gave a good reception of Split radio. (80 m distance). Their weather report is also very good (but only with 24h forcast) and the display shows big contrasting text. A nice side effect is the possibility to connect it to the Simrad plotter so that I have a second display of the ship's position and two more indications I can chose like sog or course. I wonder what other owners suggest without being bound to expensive internet access.
	Thomi

Johan Hackman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral of the Fleet Joined: 24 August 2005 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 4361	Post Options Post Reply Quote Johan Hackman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 January 2008 at 23:16
	I have been considering a Navtex for a while but I don't know what make to choose. Your unit looks pretty neat though. Where is the antenna supposed to be mounted? Is there a lot of cabling to do? Johan
	http://www.johanhackman.se

Andis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 26 March 2007 Location: Norway Status: Offline Points: 113	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 January 2008 at 00:38
	Hi. Like you, Johan, I've been considering a Navtex. I have used them a few times on chartered boats in the Med. But is there anyone that can tell how usefull they are for Scandinavian and Northern Europeean waters?
	S/Y Anne-Ma, Hanse 370 2007

tobo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 01 February 2006 Location: Switzerland Status: Offline Points: 263	Post Options Post Reply Quote tobo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 January 2008 at 19:45
	Dear Johan The cabeling of the Furuno NX300 is just one tree to connect with 12V and - if you like - to connect with a GPS-unit such as a plotter and to a computer. The other connectors are for the antenna and the grounding. The NX-300 automatically receives NAVTEX messages and verifies the ID of received messages. NAVTEX is a worldwide coastal telex broadcast system. The broadcast stations transmit Navigational Warnings, Meteorological Warnings, Search and Rescue information and other data for ships sailing within the service range. The service range is 200-400 nautical miles depending on the terrain and transmit power. Messages are broadcasted every 4 hours. Every incoming message is identified and new messages are read on the high-contrast 4.5" (95 x 60 mm with 120 x 64 pixels) LCD display, no paper is required. However, the message can be printed out via a PC interface. The broadcasting station can be selected automatically according to own ship position when the NX-300 is connected with a GPS/DGPS navigator outputting position in NMEA 0183 format. In this case the NX-300 can work as a GPS Repeater. Comes with a high-performance H-Field Dual Antenna (518 und 490 kHz). The antenna can be installed on the pulpit or the cabinroof. If you're using the Simrad CX44 plotter and because the Furuno navtex has an NMEA-Input you need a Converter (AT10-Universal Converter NMEA) Edited by tobo - 09 February 2008 at 19:13
	Thomi

tobo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 01 February 2006 Location: Switzerland Status: Offline Points: 263	Post Options Post Reply Quote tobo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 January 2008 at 20:12
	Dear Andis The best Navtex station for the North sea and the Baltic sea is Pinneberg which started in 2006. From this station you get weather forcasts in German. But there are e few more stations in Scandinavia like Stockholm Radio, Harnosand, Karlskrona or in Norway Bodo Radio, Rogaland Radio, Vardoe Radio and Svalbard sending in English. Originally these stations were not meant to send weather reports (type E) but as GMDSS grew and lots of VHF-stations stopped sending, these Navtex stations expanded or will expand their service. If you like proper forcasts over a few days (max. 5) you should consider buying i.e. NASA Clipper 147 or NASA Weatherman which receives reports of the DWD (Deutscher Wetter Dienst) on 147,3 kHz. Costs around EUR 400.00 , the activ antenna can also be mounted on the rails. If you want to combine both services I recommend the MRD 80 with timer and printer (EUR 1800.00). Edited by tobo - 07 January 2008 at 20:25
	Thomi

Johan Hackman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral of the Fleet Joined: 24 August 2005 Location: Sweden Status: Offline Points: 4361	Post Options Post Reply Quote Johan Hackman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 January 2008 at 11:44
	Thanks, Thomi! That's very useful information. I will take a look at the NASA Weatherman too. Johan
	http://www.johanhackman.se

leemind Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 27 February 2006 Status: Offline Points: 117	Post Options Post Reply Quote leemind Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 January 2008 at 14:24
	Slightly different tack [sic] but here is another interesting product, if you have a computer on board. It is a Navtex rx, that plugs into a USB port and displays the messages in any browser, so no additional s/w required. It has internal batteries so doesn't need the computer to be on and they last about 3 days (and get charged when the computer is on or via any USB type charger) http://www.mesltd.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1123 It works as advertised and I'm pretty happy with it. If you want any more info just ask! Cheers D.
	Grand Cru Hanse 461#028

Gregor Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 11 February 2006 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 1256	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gregor Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 January 2008 at 17:37
	Hello, I have a Icom PCR-1500 (it's now 4 sale..), but find it quit a hassle to operate it with my laptop. I was thinking of a navtex and weather fax unit in one piece. Anyone who has a suggestion of a unit that has both functions? Greetz, Gregor

Charlie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 06 April 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 62	Post Options Post Reply Quote Charlie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 January 2008 at 19:59
	hi http://www.frisnit.com/navtex/ here is a link to a really cool navtex engine. you will need SSB to drive it, but it is fun to see all the messages in one place. i know it is a bit "geeky" but ..... enjoy! charlie.

Gregor Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admiral Joined: 11 February 2006 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 1256	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gregor Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 January 2008 at 20:58
	Hi, I know Frisnit, indeed a bit "geeky". I used it with pcr-1500 however, all those programms on the laptop, including navigation software, does not create a stable situation. A combination of these instruments would make a more reliable situation, I think. Greetz, Gregor



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