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arjand · 11-10-2011, 14:50

Can one get grib files over SSB using JV Comm or something similar everywhere on the planet or is this in reality very much contained to the waters around the transmitting stations? thnx!

colemj · 11-10-2011, 15:19

You can get gribs through several services on SSB. The ability is built into sailmail and airmail. There are also paid services that provide gribs, along with much more.

Mark

donradcliffe · 11-10-2011, 15:33

The grib files are based on the output of the worldwide computer models, and you specify the area you are interested in. Essentially you send an email with the area, times, and types of grib info you want, and you get an email back with an attachment. If you use the free Airmail program, it composes the email for you and has a viewer to display the attachment.

arjand · 11-10-2011, 16:09

Thanks very much for your answers first of all. I was focusing on the grib files sent by NOAA and other institutions outside of the US that you can get without the need for the PACTOR. So straight from the SSB receiver into the PC. That way I do not need to buy/install a PACTOR....

**Hud3** · 11-10-2011, 16:40

I wasn't aware that NOAA sent out GRIB files via SSB. I've used their weatherfax service, though. The New Orleans station covers the Gulf and Caribbean. The GRIBS I've used had to be requested by email and sent by email, channeled through the Pactor into a laptop.

Auspicious · 12-10-2011, 03:57

NOAA and the USCG, like other services worldwide, send synoptics over weatherfax not GrIBs. Synoptics are better - providing more information and more analysis.

An SSB receiver, an interconnect cord (about $5US), a laptop, and JVCOMM32 (or one of several other free alternatives) are all you need.

See http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf for a list of global transmissions.

arjand · 12-10-2011, 08:21

Thanks again everybody, apologies for the wrong terminology on my part.

We are contemplating sailing around the world without a PACTOR. I have a working SSB (received cruiseheimer net loud and clear on LIS) and hope to rely on the HF weatherfax from NOAA (and others) for the trip. Is this realistic?

Albro359 · 12-10-2011, 09:31

If you have a weatherfax program like Xaxero in yr laptop and a USB/SSB demodulator, you can get weatherfaxes free from anywhere in the world. The Xaxero software contains all the frequencies and time schedules.
I used this for more than 10 years without problems.
I now have a PACTOR modem but only got it for sailmail. All it does when receiving weatherfaxes is the same as Xaxero or any other weatherfax program and SSB interface.

Of course its realistic to go cruising with that.... I did !

arjand · 12-10-2011, 10:16

Alan,
Thanks very much for your reply. Great to hear! One follow-up: is the UBS based system better than the one going into the mike port? Thanks again! Arjan

donradcliffe · 12-10-2011, 10:20

Slocum went around with world without any outside weather information, and so can you. However, if you want to depend on wfax, you'd better go soon, as the coverage is shrinking. There are fewer wfax transmissions than there were 10 years ago, as governments are questioning the need for wfax when the satellite communications are available.