HF radio weather info

bobalpep · 07-04-2009, 16:29

I bought a kaito 1103 HF, SSB receiver and plan to use it with my laptop to get weather; fax, voice, and text info on a trip late this year to the Bahamas. I'm trying to get the bugs out at home (near Annapolis, Md.) and need some help. I'm using JVComm 32-1.4pre software, a PCMCIA card (not the earphone jack of the comp.) the external antenna that came with the receiver (about 25' of wire). I can get weather fax but not text or voice.
Frequencies I'm trying for voice are; 4426, 6195, 8764, 13089, and 17314 hz. I can't hear any voice on these freqs.
Text are; 8414, 12577, 16804, 22374 hz (these are adjusted for the 1.9khz shift and I understand are SSB) I get what I think is computer code but my software will not decode it.
I also tried Seatty software demo version which would give the same(similar?) computer code but this would not even produce a fax.
Help
thanks
Bob

MarkJ · 07-04-2009, 17:21

I found testing HF receivers from my house in the city got very poor reception. Once on the boat and away it ame into its own.

btrayfors · 07-04-2009, 18:08

Bob,

USCG frequencies for HF voice broadcasts are as you posted, except for the 6mHz one...it's 6501, not 6195. These broadcasts eminate from NMN in Chesapeake VA. Pretty close to you, so you'll have best results on the 4 and 6mHz frequencies. All are USB. Note that these are scheduled broadcasts, not continuous ones like on VHF. You have to be listening at the right times. See the full schedule here: USCG HF Voice

Here's the schedule for the SITOR text broadcasts:
USCG HF SITOR
The Boston station, NMF, is your best bet. 6 & 8 mHz would be best. Again, these are scheduled broadcasts (4X per day).

Hope this helps.

Bill

07-04-2009, 16:29	#1
bobalpep Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kent Narrows, Md. Boat: Gemini,3200, 32', My-Gem-An-I Posts: 15	HF radio weather info I bought a kaito 1103 HF, SSB receiver and plan to use it with my laptop to get weather; fax, voice, and text info on a trip late this year to the Bahamas. I'm trying to get the bugs out at home (near Annapolis, Md.) and need some help. I'm using JVComm 32-1.4pre software, a PCMCIA card (not the earphone jack of the comp.) the external antenna that came with the receiver (about 25' of wire). I can get weather fax but not text or voice. Frequencies I'm trying for voice are; 4426, 6195, 8764, 13089, and 17314 hz. I can't hear any voice on these freqs. Text are; 8414, 12577, 16804, 22374 hz (these are adjusted for the 1.9khz shift and I understand are SSB) I get what I think is computer code but my software will not decode it. I also tried Seatty software demo version which would give the same(similar?) computer code but this would not even produce a fax. Help thanks Bob

07-04-2009, 17:21	#2
MarkJ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Asia - on Sea Life Boat: Beneteau 393 "Sea Life" Posts: 2,931 Images: 6	I found testing HF receivers from my house in the city got very poor reception. Once on the boat and away it ame into its own. __________________ Malaysia... near Singapore If you are going up G.O.A 2010 PM me. OurLifeAtSea.com

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07-04-2009, 18:08	#3
btrayfors Senior Cruiser Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chesapeake Region Boat: 42' Bob Perry sloop, "Born Free" Posts: 1,228 Images: 3	Bob, USCG frequencies for HF voice broadcasts are as you posted, except for the 6mHz one...it's 6501, not 6195. These broadcasts eminate from NMN in Chesapeake VA. Pretty close to you, so you'll have best results on the 4 and 6mHz frequencies. All are USB. Note that these are scheduled broadcasts, not continuous ones like on VHF. You have to be listening at the right times. See the full schedule here: USCG HF Voice Here's the schedule for the SITOR text broadcasts: USCG HF SITOR The Boston station, NMF, is your best bet. 6 & 8 mHz would be best. Again, these are scheduled broadcasts (4X per day). Hope this helps. Bill