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Receiving Offfshore Weather Information via HF/SSB Radio

I was recently asked in another boating forum how to get weather
information while cruising offshore. Typically this would be done
using either a sat phone or a SSB radio. It is a somewhat complicated
subject, and the right answer depends to a certain extent on your
level of expertise, and whether or not you have a ham
(amateur radio license) or not. If there is sufficient interest I may
turn this posting into a short magazine article. All rights reserved.

The easiest, but arguably the least useful, is to listen in on the HF
High Seas weather broadcasts which are offered in voice at different
times and different frequencies. More information he

http://www.docksideradio.com/SSB%20Voice%20WX.htm

The Dockside Radio web site also has a great deal of other weather and
SSB radio information:

http://www.docksideradio.com/

The High Seas broadcasts are difficult to understand for the
uninitiated and require some practice/experience in advance. Many
people advise tape recording the broadcasts so they can be replayed as
needed. Learning what times and frequencies have the best reception
is part of the challenge for all HF/SSB communications. Some
knowledge of weather systems is required to understand the
terminology.

Moving up the complexity scale, and yielding more useful/detailed
information, is weather FAX (WEFAX) reception. There is software
available for the PC which will decode, display and store FAX images.
One of the more popular programs is called JVCOMM32. More info he

http://jvcomm.de/index_e.html

There are also dedicated, turnkey weather fax solutions from most of
the major marine electronics dealers such as Furuno, etc.
Interpreting the WEFAX images requires knowledge of weather system
behavior and interpreting weather maps. The schedule of broadcasts
and other information can be found he

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/radiofax.htm

Last on the complexity scale is two way EMAIL transmission via SSB,
generally requiring something called a PACTOR modem to encode and
decode the digital signals. EMAIL allows one to request and receive
customized GRIB (Gridded Binary) files which are highly compressed and
very detailed data extracts from the global weather models. They are
"gridded" because the data is for specific blocks by latitude and
longitude. In addition to location you have the ability to specify
forecast times, dates and information level. There are two services
available for EMAIL: "Airmail" for those with a ham license, and
"Sailmail" for everyone else. Airmail is free and uses ham radio
frequencies, Sailmail requires an annual fee and uses marine
frequencies. More information he

http://www.sailmail.com/

http://siriuscyber.net/airmail/

Of course the EMAIL capability is also useful for keeping in touch
with friends and family. The amateur radio service prohibits
commercial messages of any kind.

Last but not least, there are various weather routing services
available, some free, some not. Chris Parker has a wide following
among cruisers, especially in the Bahamas and Caribbean. You can
listen in to his broadcasts for free, but personalized information is
by paid subscription:

http://www.caribwx.com/

Receiving Offfshore Weather Information via HF/SSB Radio

On Sat, 01 Sep 2012 16:03:46 -0400, wrote:

I am surprised that these days there is not a broadcast of NOAA RADAR
images. I suppose that is what weather FAX is but that is 20th century
technology.

Since it can take as long as 10 or 15 minutes to receive a fuzzy black
and white fax image via radio, and radar is very location specific, it
might not be that timely or useful. Part of the standard image
sequence however is a satellite photo which give a good visual of
cloud cover and weather systems. You don't need a SSB radio to view
the images - all of the are available on the internet:

http://weather.noaa.gov/fax/marine.shtml

That's very useful for getting some practice with the images in
advance of actually needing them.

I talked to Van Winkle at WBBH a while ago about why they didn't put
their RADAR on a sub channel with ads around the edges but they didn't
think it made business sense.

I have no idea what the cost is of running a sub-channel but these
days it is very easy to get local radar info on a web browser or smart
phone.

http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx?location=USFL0438&animate=true

http://www.intellicast.com/National/Nexrad/BaseReflectivity.aspx?location=USFL0481&animate=tr ue

Receiving Offfshore Weather Information via HF/SSB Radio

On Sep 1, 3:41*pm, Wayne.B wrote:
I was recently asked in another boating forum how to get weather
information while cruising offshore. * Typically this would be done
using either a sat phone or a SSB radio. *It is a somewhat complicated
subject, and the right answer depends to a certain extent on your
level of expertise, and whether or not you have a ham
(amateur radio license) or not. *If there is sufficient interest I may
turn this posting into a short magazine article. *All rights reserved.

The easiest, but arguably the least useful, is to listen in on the HF
High Seas weather broadcasts which are offered in voice at different
times and different frequencies. *More information he

http://www.docksideradio.com/SSB%20Voice%20WX.htm

The Dockside Radio web site also has a great deal of other weather and
SSB radio information:

http://www.docksideradio.com/

The High Seas broadcasts are difficult to understand for the
uninitiated and require some practice/experience in advance. *Many
people advise tape recording the broadcasts so they can be replayed as
needed. *Learning what times and frequencies have the best reception
is part of the challenge for all HF/SSB communications. *Some
knowledge of weather systems is required to understand the
terminology.

Moving up the complexity scale, and yielding more useful/detailed
information, is weather FAX *(WEFAX) reception. *There is software
available for the PC which will decode, display and store FAX images.
One of the more popular programs is called JVCOMM32. * More info he

http://jvcomm.de/index_e.html

There are also dedicated, turnkey weather fax solutions from most of
the major marine electronics dealers such as Furuno, etc.
Interpreting the WEFAX images requires knowledge of weather system
behavior and interpreting weather maps. *The schedule of broadcasts
and other information can be found he

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/radiofax.htm

Last on the complexity scale is two way EMAIL transmission via SSB,
generally requiring something called a PACTOR modem to encode and
decode the digital signals. * EMAIL allows one to request and receive
customized GRIB (Gridded Binary) files which are highly compressed and
very detailed data extracts from the global weather models. * They are
"gridded" because the data is for specific blocks by latitude and
longitude. *In addition to location you have the ability to specify
forecast times, dates and information level. *There are two services
available for EMAIL: "Airmail" for those with a ham license, and
"Sailmail" for everyone else. *Airmail is free and uses ham radio
frequencies, *Sailmail requires an annual fee and uses marine
frequencies. *More information he

http://www.sailmail.com/

http://siriuscyber.net/airmail/

Of course the EMAIL capability is also useful for keeping in touch
with friends and family. * The amateur radio service prohibits
commercial messages of any kind.

Last but not least, there are various weather routing services
available, some free, some not. * Chris Parker has a wide following
among *cruisers, especially in the Bahamas and Caribbean. * You can
listen in to his broadcasts for free, but personalized information is
by paid subscription:

http://www.caribwx.com/

Typically this would be done using either a sat phone or a SSB
radio.

I hope this isnt a stupid question, but dso you mean SSB CB?

Receiving Offfshore Weather Information via HF/SSB Radio

On Sat, 1 Sep 2012 16:24:01 -0700 (PDT), "*e#c"
wrote:

I hope this isnt a stupid question, but do you mean SSB CB?

===

No, the CB SSB frequencies are different from the Marine and Amateur
Radio (Ham) SSB frequencies. Additionally, Marine band transceivers
must pass a rigorous type acceptance testing/certification program.

http://www.docksideradio.com/Simplex%20Channels.htm

http://www.csgnetwork.com/hamfreqtable.html

http://www.csgnetwork.com/cbradiofreq.html

Receiving Offfshore Weather Information via HF/SSB Radio

On Sep 1, 11:26*pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 1 Sep 2012 16:24:01 -0700 (PDT), "*e#c"
wrote:

I hope this isnt a stupid question, but do you mean SSB CB?

===

No, the CB SSB frequencies are different from the Marine and Amateur
Radio (Ham) SSB frequencies. *Additionally, Marine band transceivers
must pass a rigorous type acceptance testing/certification program.

http://www.docksideradio.com/Simplex%20Channels.htm

http://www.csgnetwork.com/hamfreqtable.html

http://www.csgnetwork.com/cbradiofreq.html

You probably have had to have a License in Canada for Marine Radios
for awhile, but no one does. I dont, but dont sit there and blab on it
while on the Lake. It would only be used for a serious Pan-Pan.

A few years ago I was at the Owen Sound Salmon Derby. There was this
Woman on there, just blabbering away as if the darn thing was a CB
Radio. It was a little gross to be exact. Every 10 SECONDS she was
calling another Boat to see if anything was biting. I wanted to wring
her neck while she had the Key down !!!!

BLEEEAKKKKKKKK.....

Receiving Offfshore Weather Information via HF/SSB Radio

On 9/2/2012 1:20 AM, *e#c wrote:
On Sep 1, 11:26 pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 1 Sep 2012 16:24:01 -0700 (PDT), "*e#c"
wrote:

I hope this isnt a stupid question, but do you mean SSB CB?

===

No, the CB SSB frequencies are different from the Marine and Amateur
Radio (Ham) SSB frequencies. Additionally, Marine band transceivers
must pass a rigorous type acceptance testing/certification program.

http://www.docksideradio.com/Simplex%20Channels.htm

http://www.csgnetwork.com/hamfreqtable.html

http://www.csgnetwork.com/cbradiofreq.html

I also used to run a Moonraker 4 at 51 feet. I could talk all OVER the
place. Best ever was the Honduras from my place.

Oh the people I ****ed with having a cb with a magnetic antenna on my
motorcycle... Nobody could figure out how I got out so far, and knew
where they were and ****.. I was right behind them on my bike:)

Receiving Offfshore Weather Information via HF/SSB Radio

On Sep 2, 1:56*am, JustWait wrote:
On 9/2/2012 1:20 AM, *e#c wrote:

On Sep 1, 11:26 pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 1 Sep 2012 16:24:01 -0700 (PDT), "*e#c"
wrote:

I hope this isnt a stupid question, but do you mean SSB CB?

===

No, the CB SSB frequencies are different from the Marine and Amateur
Radio (Ham) SSB frequencies. *Additionally, Marine band transceivers
must pass a rigorous type acceptance testing/certification program.

http://www.docksideradio.com/Simplex%20Channels.htm

http://www.csgnetwork.com/hamfreqtable.html

http://www.csgnetwork.com/cbradiofreq.html

I also used to run a Moonraker 4 at 51 feet. I could talk all OVER the
place. Best ever was the Honduras from my place.

Oh the people I ****ed with having a cb with a magnetic antenna on my
motorcycle... Nobody could figure out how I got out so far, and knew
where they were and ****.. I was right behind them on my bike:)

I freaked a guy out one day. He was sitting outside the Laundry Mat
down in tennesee, on SideBand lwr 36, and he replied to my CQ, but
wouldnt believe I was up here.lol