WeatherFax or NavTex in South Africa

[WaJ]

Is anyone currently getting weaterfaxs in this area. I have tried

4014
7508
13538
18238

Without any luck. When looking at the 'waterfall' offered by many of the programs I do not see the two tones that I understand are supposed to be there. I do not hear then either direct from the ssb. I am using a cable from the 802 to the line in on the computer. The cable appears to be working fine. I'm just to seeing anything that looks like a fax on the freq.

Navtex on 518 is also missing.

The radio does appear to be receiving ok, peri peri net can be picked up, quit weak though. Voice weather from cape town is good.

[ka4wja]

Waj,
I'm not on-board at the moment (working out-of-town), so I cannot tune in and have a listen myself....but they were transmitting wefax on HF the last time I checked (last year???)
And, the NAVTEX trsnsmissions (from ZSC, ZSD, and ZSQ) on 518khz are part of South Africa's commitment to the GMDSS, so they ARE being transmitted.....


Not sure where you are located, nor when your listening.....but if you're in/near NavArea VII, you should find this table useful....tune in to the proper freqs at the proper times, and you should be fine.....

CAPE NAVAL, SOUTH AFRICA

CALL SIGNS FREQUENCIES TIMES EMISSION POWER

ZSJ 4014 kHz 16Z-06Z (when available) F3C 10 KW
ZSJ 7508 kHz ALL BROADCAST TIMES F3C 10 KW
ZSJ 13538 kHz ALL BROADCAST TIMES F3C 10 KW
ZSJ 18238 kHz 06Z-16Z (when available) F3C 10 KW

Unless otherwise stated, assigned frequencies are shown, for carrier frequency
subtract 1.9 kHz. Typically dedicated radiofax receivers use assigned
frequencies, while receivers or transceivers, connected to external recorders or
PC's, are operated in the upper sideband (USB) mode using carrier

frequencies.

TIME CONTENTS OF TRANSMISSION RPM/IOC VALID MAP
TIME AREA

0430 SCHEDULE 120/576
0500 SURFACE ANALYSIS(SHIPPING) 120/576 0000 ASXX
0630 AIR PROGNOSES (PREVIOUS DAY'S RUN) 120/576 1200 FUXX
0730 SURFACE PROGNOSES (PREVIOUS DAY'S RUN) 120/576 1200 FSXX
0800 ANTARCTIC ICE LIMITS (OCTOBER TO MARCH) 120/576 AIAA
0915 RTTY WEATHER BULLETINS FOR COASTAL WATERS AND HIGHSEAS RTTY (170 Hz shift, 75 Baud)
1030 SURFACE ANALYSIS(SHIPPING) 120/576 0600 ASXX
1100 SURFACE PROGNOSES 120/576 0000 FSXX
1530 SURFACE ANALYSIS(SHIPPING) 120/576 1200 ASXX
1700 RTTY WEATHER BULLETINS FOR COASTAL WATERS AND HIGHSEAS RTTY (170 Hz shift, 75 baud)
2230 SURFACE ANALYSIS(SHIPPING) 120/576 1800 ASXX


MAP AREAS:
ASXX 1:20,000 Lambert 00S20W 00S70E 60S50W 60S90E
FUXX 1:20,000 Mercator 05S15W 05S60E 60S15W 60S60E
FSXX 1:20,000 Mercator 05S15W 05S60E 60S15W 60S60E
AIAA 30E to 30W Antarctic coast to edge of ice pack except NIC West

(INFORMATION DATED 2009) WeatherSA Home: Johannesburg

If all else fails, perhaps a call to the SA Wx Service????
WeatherSA Home: Johannesburg


I hope this helps....

John
s/v Annie Laurie

[barnakiel]

Just tune by the ear first (so that you know the transmission is where you are looking for it) and then use the cable. Even with the cable in you can probably still listen to the sound via a speaker (on the radio, or on the laptop). You will not have any problem tuning by the ear - it sounds like a fax (if you are old enough to remember what fax was).

If you are on the right frequency @ the right time and there is nothing, then go on to the next frequency and check there. Also - make sure you are switched on the USB / LSB or whatever is used in RSA.

We had no problem receiving there but it was a while ago.

WARNING: on at least one occasion we received wrong chart (bad date ...) and on another day there was nothing - all this during only a 2 weeks' of the passage ... beware.

barnie