If you get the files from Globalmarineweather.net, they are compressed
and you need the decompress software to get them to the format the
viewer will read. A shareware utility is available from
http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm. Your friend can get the files
directly on the SSB if he has sailmail or is a ham and uses winlink2000.
krj

wrote:
OK,

Way new to this. Got a call from the Pacific Ocean today. Friend is
located at 36N 144W. On the SSB he hears about GRIB files. So, I find
them at Globalmarineweather.net and download a few to see if I can help
him.

In short order, I find I either have to buy a bunch of software, or
install Sailmail & Viewfax.

I did.

Now, ViewFax doesn't recognize the GRIB files as a valid format.

When I check the properties of the emailed GRIB files, I see a "BZ2"
extension.

So, I go to the DOS prompt (yeah I know, real archaic) and rename all
of the *.grb.bz2 files to *.grb.

Now FaxView sees the file, but when I open it, all I get is a chart of
the whole world with NO weather info on it. Doesn't matter which file I
open (ie 36N144W.24hr.grb, CentralNPacific.wind.24hr.grb) etc. They all
seem the same.

What's wrong with me?

Thanks!