Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Elliott  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! |
When I first asked questions about WEFAX here on CF several months back folks -- and you might have been one of them -- indicated that you can get imagery anywhere, but it is the wefax maps that count, and that you simply can get those through an SSB (inexpensive one at that too with the subsequent discussion of the Kaito unit). However, I just did not quite get that message -- and I went pretty much full circle reinventing the wheel. But that is ok, cause it re-awakened the teenage astronomer / geo scientist wannabe in me. The only reason why I want to get a printer is so I can physically manipulate the images -- hold them and feel them. I really don't need a printer for the boat -- it would simply accelerate my learning.
What is incredibly fascinating to me is how these satellites use hyperspectral sensors -- we have gone so way past anything from the Landstat series. Emissions and absorption spectra are recorded and sampled in microseconds!!
It really is not at all hard to get these images -- and it does not have to be that expensive, but I can see downside to the equipment while sailing. The antenna itself is sturdy, but it is not that sturdy. In a rollover or even a huge crashing wave from the rear, I can see it being jacked up pretty bad.
Volker's company in Germany (
Weather satellite Receivers and NOAA Antennas - Weather Satellite Station, click on hardware on the left side and scroll to see the antenna at sea) has a different quad antenna design. It looks very sturdy compared to mine, but it requires a preamp. I included a picture of it in use on a boat in the Baltic.
Paul: I say go for it! It simply is too much fun -- and the software out there, particularly if you have a PC, offers some unbelievable image manipulations based on combining the raw visual image and the infrared image. There was a Christmas party down here on the dock -- and my Quadrafilar Helix antenna mounted on the pushpit was a definite geek turn on! Besides, you can see these images in 3D -- and the fact is, looking at the clouds and sea just fills you with a sense of beauty and wonderment.
Here is this morning latest pass from NOAA 17. Came in about 20 minutes ago.
Multispectral Analysis with and without precipitation, and a Day Light Sea Temperature Image.
Michael