Furuno Weatherfax Obsolete?

[Kenomac]

Currently getting to know some of the stuff on my boat that I've owned for over three years.

I have an Icom SSB radio and this gadget on the other side if the wall, a Furuno Weatherfax FAX-207. Can someone please tell me if this is normally hooked up directly to my SSB radio? I have two rolls of fax paper onboard, but I'm sure the ribbon or ink is dried up. Can I still obtain printing supplies for this Weatherfax, or is it now considered obsolete?

I'd like to learn how to use it if someone out there has some patience and is willing to teach me.

Thanks in advance.

Ken

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Currently getting to know some of the stuff on my boat that I've owned for over three years.

I have an Icom SSB radio and this gadget on the other side if the wall, a Furuno Weatherfax FAX-207. Can someone please tell me if this is normally hooked up directly to my SSB radio? I have two rolls of fax paper onboard, but I'm sure the ribbon or ink is dried up. Can I still obtain printing supplies for this Weatherfax, or is it now considered obsolete?

I'd like to learn how to use it if someone out there has some patience and is willing to teach me.

Thanks in advance.

Ken

Its a thermal printer. No ink or ribbon.

[weavis]

here is the link for the manual.

http://www.manualslib.com/download/2...o-Fax-207.html

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by weavis

Its a thermal printer. No ink or ribbon.

How does it work? Does it burn the image onto the paper? I'm not being a smartass... I really don't know. Can I still buy the paper?

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

How does it work? Does it burn the image onto the paper? I'm not being a smartass... I really don't know. Can I still buy the paper?

Yes. Thermal paper is heated in the shape of the letters and pictures.
Sent you link for the instructions above.

[Kenomac]

Do you know how this thing works? Is it connected directly to my SSB? If I tune into a Weatherfax channel and turn this gizmo on, will it print out a weather forecast?

[Kenomac]

Awesome. I now know what this is and have downloaded and read the first dozen pages of the owners manual. Does anyone know of a Weatherfax channel here in the Mediterranean near Italy that I can tune into, in order to see if this Weatherfax works?

Thanks

[nigel1]

Ken

Here is a link to the installation manual for the fax
https://www.furunousa.com/ProductDoc...2011-11-02.pdf

It may be that the fax shares the SSB antenna, you'll need to trace the antenna connection from the fax.

The fax has it's own receiver but can also be used with an external receiver, again, you'll need to trace the cables.

Not many fax transmitting stations left now.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by nigel1

Not many fax transmitting stations left now.

Nigel,

Do you know where to find one? I don't know where to look.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Nigel,

Do you know where to find one? I don't know where to look.

NAVTEX Weather Broadcasts for Europe & the Mediterranean/ Franks-Weather | The Weather Window

Im in clinic now so yer on yer own ...

[nigel1]

The link Weavis posted is to NAVTEX.

This is a list of fax transmitting station, with frequency and time of broadcasts.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/marine/rfax.pdf

As far as I can remember, the Furuno fax receiver is pre-programmed with frequencies, you will need to check the operator manual.

[nigel1]

The nearest station to you will be in Greece.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by nigel1

The link Weavis posted is to NAVTEX.

This is a list of fax transmitting station, with frequency and time of broadcasts.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/marine/rfax.pdf

As far as I can remember, the Furuno fax receiver is pre-programmed with frequencies, you will need to check the operator manual.

Oops.

I use NAVTEX and scribbled in haste.

Thanks Nigel.

[estarzinger]

Just a note - these wefax machines often don't work very well in marina's or crowded anchorages because of all the surrounding RF noise - you get shitty or no picture. They always worked better out at sea. But they have really become pretty obsolete, generally replaced by gribs.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

Just a note - these wefax machines often don't work very well in marina's or crowded anchorages because of all the surrounding RF noise - you get shitty or no picture. They always worked better out at sea. But they have really become pretty obsolete, generally replaced by gribs.

I've been using the iPad app "pocket gribs" and Nobeltec for the iPad and the expensive (but excellent) PC version for three years; that's why I haven't looked into the Weatherfax until today. I guess it's kind of like messing with an antique.