Weather Forecast

[pdenton]

What is the best way to get long-range (5 day) weather forecasts in the Bahamas.
PHD PhD

[barnakiel]

No Internet?

b.

[kevins]

If you have a SSB then Chris Parker.

[laika]

SSB receiver and Chris Parker or take an unlocked phone and buy a SIM from BTC. You can top up the data online and service is comparable to US data. Coverage for all but some of the out islands.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, pdenton.

[puffcard]

The above is excellent and what we do. With no Internet or SSB, you can get 3 day weather forecast with the InReach through OCENS. It's an excellent forecast and one of the few that saw the blow last year in mid January. Really nice to have a forecast for your exact location.

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by puffcard

The above is excellent and what we do. With no Internet or SSB, you can get 3 day weather forecast with the InReach through OCENS. It's an excellent forecast and one of the few that saw the blow last year in mid January. Really nice to have a forecast for your exact location.

This is what we did for our Bahama trip. Ocens wind and direction forecast was very good and much more specific vs Chris Parker's regional forecast. Also sign up for the wave and swell forecast and use for island hops. All for 72 hour forecast in six hour increments. I think it was a $10 per month add-on to the inreach subscription cost. Go to ocens website for info.

And we used a Sony ssb receiver to get Chris Parker's macro forecast most mornings. We had a lot of fronts moving thru. Was in Bahamas from first of April thru month of May.

[ka4wja]

pdenton,
I have some excellent answers and info for you, and have some especially helpful videos to point you to (assuming you have decent internet connection at the moment...

Originally Posted by pdenton

What is the best way to get long-range (5 day) weather forecasts in the Bahamas.
PHD PhD

1) First the generic "best" way to get 5-day forecasts in the Bahamas is from the US NWS/NOAA Offshore Waters Forecasts, which are produced by experienced/seasoned marine meteorologists (who actually sign their name to each forecast), rather than the raw computer model data that you get from many other sources (such as GRIB's, Ocens, passageweather, etc.).

The US NWS/NOAA Offshore Waters forecasts include the entire SW N Atlantic, the Bahamas, the entire Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, as well as all waters off the US coasts to 250 miles offshore...these are fairly detailed forecasts, produced and updated 4 times per day (more often with severe weather), and transmitted as many as 10 times per day, on multiple channels/frequencies, from multiple stations.

And, these forecasts are known worldwide as the "gold standard" of maritime weather forecasts.
(and, yes....along with some other sources, these are the forecasts that Chris Parker uses, when giving hand-holding-forecasts to sailors in the Bahamas, etc.)

Using your marine HF radio ("SSB"), these forecasts are available for FREE, transmitted over maritime HF Radio ("SSB") by Voice from multiple stations 10 times per day....as well as professional weather charts and satellite images, transmitted from multiple stations 4 times a day, also for free, (display them using your laptop/tablet and free software)

You can also use a fairly inexpensive (~ $100 - $150) portable shortwave receiver (that has a BFO / "SSB Switch"), to receive these broadcasts...

Voice weather broadcasts:
USCG HF Voice

HF SSB Radiotelephone, Telex and Email Frequencies and Channels


WeFax (weather chart) broadcasts:
NWS Radiofax

New Orleans Radiofax Schedule with Links

Boston Radiofax Schedule with Links


Here is a video, showing live real-world use of these Voice weather broadcasts from both NMN (the USCG, in Virginia) and WLO Radio (Shipcom Radio, in Mobile, AL)...
(please note that the "Offshore waters" forecasts are fairly detailed and complete....the Atlantic "High Seas" forecasts are fairly general and cover wide areas, and are not too useful for the Bahamas!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzWZ...zdjTJjHlChruyY

Here is a video showing live real-world use of WeFax weather charts....(although I use paper WeFax charts, many sailors simply use their laptops and view the WeFax charts right on their computer screens, using free software)
(this particular video is geared towards the long-range, offshore sailor...but is very useful to all...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a022...zdjTJjHlChruyY

Here is a link to the entire "Offshore Weather" series of videos...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...zdjTJjHlChruyY



For LOTS of details, on Offshore Weather, please read this page:
Offshore / Hi-Seas Weather data / forecasts




2) Regarding your search for a Marine HF radio ("SSB")....here is some great info for you...

Originally Posted by pdenton

Need used SSB Whatever age must be turnkey and in very good condition. Price negotiable.

Originally Posted by pdenton

I have a 35 foot cutter and wish to spend long periods of time starting this November in the outer islands of the Bahamas And God willing through the Panama Canal.
When I was younger I sailed a 60 foot gaff-rigged cutter. In those days our technology was the sextant, compass, and the only electronics, a depth finder. I spent most of my time in Melanesia and retreated each year to Australia.
Being mildly dyslexic there was no hope that I could pass the Morse code,So I didn't even have an amateur radio.
Since I was born on Pearl Harbor day, I feel that reliable communication is a must.
Although cost is not the first consideration, I wonder how I could test the reliability of a second-hand model. Likewise I have no idea where to find a secondhand SSB except perhaps on this forum.

PHD PhD

Originally Posted by pdenton

PS How important is the antenna tuner?

Right at the top of the "Marine Electronics" there are some "stickies" that you should read....
And, some videos to watch...


Here is a reference, where you'll find links to just about everything you could need to know about Marine HF communications ("SSB")...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-133496.html


Here are some videos, that show LIVE, real-world use of Marine HF communications....

Maritime HF Communications
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ZDo_Jk3NB_Bt1y



As well as some more specific playlists...(some duplicate videos)
HF-DSC Comms
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ga2zYuPozhUXZX


Icom M-802 Instruction Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...rC-8QKVyMb4tVr


Offshore Sailing
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...KgTCj15iyl6qoY




I do hope this helps...

Fair winds...

John

[GordMay]

U.S. Offshore Marine Text Forecasts
OFFSHORE WATERS FORECAST FOR THE TROPICAL N ATLANTIC FROM 07N TO 22N BETWEEN 55W AND 64W...THE SW N ATLANTIC S OF 31N W OF 65W INCLUDING BAHAMAS...AND THE CARIBBEAN SEA. ➥ http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtb...hc.off.nt3.txt

These forecasts are also available via e-mail ➥ National Weather Service Marine Forecasts - FAQ

[Group9]

We just got back and we mostly used our BTC smartphone with internet and personal hotspot capability to access National Weather Service, Weather underground, and WindyTY.

The one I used the most was Weather Underground United States which shows you the fronts coming, which pretty much is all you need to know after you have been in the Bahamas a while. Because, the same thing just happens over and over again.

[jbinbi]

Just reading this post. Some fantastic info.this should be a sticky or added to one on getting marine forecasts

Sent from my KFTBWI using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[ka4wja]

jbinbi,
I'm glad you find this helpful! And, you're welcome!

And, I've got LOTS of great videos for you, specifically dealing with Offshore Weather (or weather forecasts when in remote locales)...
Some of it is a bit over-kill for a cruise to the Bahamas, but it is what I use (and have used for decades!)

Have a look here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...zdjTJjHlChruyY


Actually all of the info I posted here earlier IS already in a sticky (in the links in the sticky), here at the top of the "Marine Electronics" page...

Originally Posted by jbinbi

Just reading this post. Some fantastic info.this should be a sticky or added to one on getting marine forecasts

Have a look...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-133496.html

Look at the very first posting of that sticky, about half-way thru the first post (item #3)....you'll see links to weather discussions, etc. (where all of this information lies for the taking)...



But, if you really want to delve into weather, have a look at the videos and read over the other discussions....and we can get further into it, if you like...
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...zdjTJjHlChruyY


Offshore / Hi-Seas Weather data / forecasts


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-133496.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-122743-5.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-145794-3.html


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2169317




Fair winds..

John

[ka4wja]

pdenton, et al,
FYI, here are three links to recent discussions, that are directly on-point....even if the titles of the posts don't look like it...
(all 3 posts are different)


Have a look...
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2155916


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2185785


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2184852



Fair winds...

John