"Larry" wrote...
Holger wrote

Self-transmitting is normally used when environmental data is also
transmitted.


Oh, wouldn't THAT be nice if all the NOAA offshore bouys and fixed
stations
transmitted their data on AIS.....so you could see live how the wind and
waves are doing up ahead.

Other than realtime data, I see no reason to risk a radio system on a
bouy.


I believe that you can get NOAA weather bouy data via XM satellite radio
today:

Here is more info on signing up for XM satellite weather.
http://www.xmradio.com/weather/
http://www.xmradio.com/weather/av_subscription_pkg.pdf

Go here http://www.xmradio.com/weather/marine.html and click on "Bouy
data".
"Buoy observations are taken from marine buoys and coastal observation
stations to determine wind speed, direction and gusts; air and sea surface
temperature; dewpoint; sea level pressure; wave height, period and
direction; visibility; pressure tendency and tide change. Data Broadcast
Frequency: 12 minutes"

Here some examples of two Garmin GPS units that receive and display XM
satellite weather data:

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap376c/
http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2730/

www.tvnav.com has the Garmin 376c for $805