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Old 15-12-2011, 10:45   #1
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Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

We are planning on cruising down the chain from St.Maarten thru Grenada in the next year.
We are wondering if a Sat phone is really necessary and if not, how does everyone get weather info on a regular basis?
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Old 15-12-2011, 11:04   #2
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

We've done it a couple of times with no sat phone. Island hopping, just look at the sky. Or use the SSB for Chris Parker and weather charts and emails. From December to March it is easy: winds 15 to 20 out of the east, waves 2 to 4, clear skies.
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Old 15-12-2011, 11:11   #3
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

wouldnt go anywhere with out my sat phone as it works out cheaper than a gsm mobile,as for weather,generally i look out the window,listen to herb or local broadcasts,jvc weatherfax,ask a fisherman........
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Old 15-12-2011, 11:28   #4
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

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Originally Posted by Hannah on 'Rita T' View Post
We've done it a couple of times with no sat phone. Island hopping, just look at the sky. Or use the SSB for Chris Parker and weather charts and emails. From December to March it is easy: winds 15 to 20 out of the east, waves 2 to 4, clear skies.
We don't have a SSB. will be traveling thru August, ending in Grenada by then.

Now what?
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Old 15-12-2011, 11:38   #5
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

Itīs another tool, but not NEEDED.......i2f
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Old 15-12-2011, 11:50   #6
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

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Itīs another tool, but not NEEDED.......i2f
So then, what does everyone use besides Sat phone and SSB. No VHF weather down island.
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Old 15-12-2011, 12:49   #7
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

SSB for Chris Parker or Herb

No VHF weather and no Sirius weather south of Key West.

12-volt refrigeration and radio interference...
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Old 15-12-2011, 12:49   #8
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

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So then, what does everyone use besides Sat phone and SSB. No VHF weather down island.
try a barometer,failing that buy an inexpensive shortwave reciever with ssb clarifier approx $100,linked up to a laptop and jvc will give weather fax.
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Old 15-12-2011, 12:53   #9
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

If you're dead set against the costlier options, an SSB receiver is only $75-$150, and you can listen to Herb's and Chris's broadcasts and record the grib files to your pc, you just can't transmit.
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Old 15-12-2011, 12:58   #10
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...3-a-29243.html
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Old 15-12-2011, 13:04   #11
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

With a SSB radio you can send/receive email and get weather faxes (with an additional modem) loaded to your laptop. Plus, you can talk on the SSB nets . It's great to have aboard, we also use it for our Ham frequencies as well. Yes, it's a bit of money to bit off, but look on used radios on like Craigslist, etc...
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Old 15-12-2011, 13:41   #12
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

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If you're dead set against the costlier options, an SSB receiver is only $75-$150, and you can listen to Herb's and Chris's broadcasts and record the grib files to your pc, you just can't transmit.
So where do we get a list of broadcasts and how do you record the grib files to a pc from a portable radio?

Sorry, SSB is out of my league. so I need all the help you can give me.
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Old 16-12-2011, 09:12   #13
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

Here is the list ofWorldwide Weather Fax Broadcast Schedules
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf You will be in the New Orleans Region.
Sorry, but you'll need a SSB or Ham radio with a modem to download to your computer at the scheduled times, but you can listen to scheduled voice (English) forecasts on an inexpensive shortwave (receive only) radio. Talk with a local Radio Tech to answer your questions in depth.
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Old 16-12-2011, 09:55   #14
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

If you search around here at CF, you'll find a lot of information on this subject. Those little Degen/Kaito 1103 radios can be bought for about $73 on EBay.

Here are few threads that might help. And if you use the Google search box, you'll find a lot more.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...lem-65912.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-ssb-2313.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...fax-16001.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ule-71208.html
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Old 16-12-2011, 11:11   #15
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Re: Is a Sat phone really necessary for weather?

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Originally Posted by svWindfall View Post
Here is the list ofWorldwide Weather Fax Broadcast Schedules
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf You will be in the New Orleans Region.
Sorry, but you'll need a SSB or Ham radio with a modem to download to your computer at the scheduled times, but you can listen to scheduled voice (English) forecasts on an inexpensive shortwave (receive only) radio. Talk with a local Radio Tech to answer your questions in depth.
Thanks for the link.
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