Michael,
There are a bunch of ways to get wfax images, and satellite images for that matter. I don't have direct satellite reception on VALIS, but I used to receive them over HF radio and view them on my laptop. Lately I have been getting wfax and grib chart/data via satphone email, or occasionally via SailMail (HF radio). In my opinion, a printer is nice, but not necessary. I've been using the laptop screen.
I think that since the availability of gribs and wfax-style charts via sailmail/winlink/satphone email, fewer people are directly receiving the shore-station wfax broadcasts. Some of the hardcore racers (and some cruisers) are directly receiving the satellite transmissions in order to get the most up-to-date info, but I for one don't want to work that hard. I think the racers are receiving the QUICKSCAT real-time wind data, which is also available on-line and from some email servers. Here is the QUICKSCAT website:
QuikSCAT
I am tempted to get some satellite-reception gear though, just to play with. It looks way-geeky-cool!