Synoptic Chart Requests

[monte]

Hi, I would like to receive synoptic charts via email. Can anyone suggest how to do this? I understand saildocs does it but after reading all the info there I still cant fathom how to select an area and receive the email.
Are there any other sources for low bandwidth synoptic forecasts, preferably sent by email?
If anyone knows how to request a synoptic chart for the Atlantic Europe/Biscay area would they mind posting the email request details? i.e. to: header: body:

Thanks

[transmitterdan]

Attainable Adventures (www.morganscloud.com) has the best write up on using Saildocs ever written. He explains how to write the query to get just what you need without all the stuff you don't need.

[monte]

Thanks but I couldn't see any info there that was available unless I pay a years subscription.

[transmitterdan]

Monte,

There are some hints here:

Tips For Using GRIB Files To Receive Weather Forecasts For Boat Voyage

[monte]

Thanks but again it doesn't show a page, just requests a subscription to view the pages. Im OK with receiving GRIBS, its really a synoptic chart and forecast id like to receive.

[jstevens]

Monte,
AFAIK synoptic charts with plotted data are not available from Saildocs. The only weather charts available are GRIBs. You can get surface analysis charts (with minimal plotted data) via Winlink, but you need a Ham license to access those file.
If I want a real synoptic chart I go to the NOAA website, but since you are in Oz I assume a NOAA chart is of little interest. You might contact the Australian weather service to see what is available and what can be delivered electronically or via FAX. Unfortunately NOAA appears to be the only national weather service that believes its products are in the public domain rather than revenue products.

John

[belizesailor]

Yes, you can receive synoptic charts and many other products besides GRIBs via SailDocs.

The ViewFAX reader will construct and send requests for you. You can then go back an use the request it created as a template for yours if necessarty (eaiser just to let VIEWFAX do it).


"For information about our (free) "Viewfax" grib-viewer go to www.siriuscyber.net/wxfax (now includes direct-download from Saildocs via internet, Iridium, etc)."

[jstevens]

BelizeSailor, thanks for that info. I had missed that info on the latest version (Beta still?) of ViewFax. I was still just sending email requests to Saildocs or Winlink and waiting for the retrieval.

However, I still don't see the synoptic or surface analysis chart that Monte is probably interested in (SoPac, Aus and NZ). I don't see anything in Winlink either.

Also it appears the graphic charts in Saildocs are only available through Telnet. I don't see the "Images" folder that contains the charts in Airmail under the Saildocs directory. Looks like the only way to retrieve these charts in an email (as Monte apparently wants) is via Winlink.

John

[conachair]

Have a look here..

http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-...From-Mailasail

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by jstevens

BelizeSailor, thanks for that info. I had missed that info on the latest version (Beta still?) of ViewFax. I was still just sending email requests to Saildocs or Winlink and waiting for the retrieval.

However, I still don't see the synoptic or surface analysis chart that Monte is probably interested in (SoPac, Aus and NZ). I don't see anything in Winlink either.

Also it appears the graphic charts in Saildocs are only available through Telnet. I don't see the "Images" folder that contains the charts in Airmail under the Saildocs directory. Looks like the only way to retrieve these charts in an email (as Monte apparently wants) is via Winlink.

John

I don't have ViewFAX available to me at the moment so can't confirm some of the details.

Don't recall which command interface (email/telnet) is used for which products, but both have very low band width requirements so if the OP's area of coverage is available then either should be workable.

[barnakiel]

Go to NOAA website and read there. The will ping back any weather chart to you via email.

They also give a full list of SSB radio frequencies and times for radiofax transmissions.

If no email available, you can get weather charts wia SSB onto a tablet or PC.

b.

[Auspicious]

I suggest you not think of e-mail and use direct weather fax reception. Google rfax.pdf for worldwide schedules and frequencies.

Frank Singleton, linked above, has a good tutorial on weather fax.

If you have troubles give me a shout and I'll walk you through.

[monte]

Thanks guys, found the info on the site conachair posted useful. Basically send an email to
weather@mailasail.com
subject should be PYAA11.SMALL.TIF
no other info required and a TIF image will be emailed back with surface pressure and forecasts, depending on the request. Note I had to change the request from tif to TIF as the site is a bit messed up and capitalization is important. Also can request
high seas forecast as below from that site
MailASail Automatic Weather Text Responder/ Franks-Weather | The Weather Window
file sizes are 15kb for the txt and about 30 for the chart TIFS

==================
HIGH SEAS FORECAST
==================
FQNT52 LFPW 151951
A
SECURITE
Weather bulletin on METAREA 2,
METEO-FRANCE Toulouse, Tuesday 15 July 2014 at 2215 UTC.

Wind speed in BEAUFORT SCALE.
Sea state in DOUGLAS SCALE.
Please be aware, wind gusts can be a further 40 percent stronger than
the averages given here, and maximum waves may be up to twice the
significant height.

Part 1 : NO WARNING.


Part 2 : General synopsis, Tuesday 15 at 12 UTC
Low 1006 52N18W moving northeast, expected 1005 55N12W by 16/00UTC,
then 1010 61N03W by 17/00 UTC.
Low 1012 44N30W moving northeast, expected 1013 47N27W by 16/12 UTC
and merging with the next trough later.
New low expected 999 54N35W by 16/12 UTC, moving east, expected 1000
54N29W by 17/00 UTC with associated trough extending towards Azores
Islands.
Low 1013 west Morocco, drifting north, expected 1013 north Morocco by
16/12 UTC, then extending towards northwest Spain later.
Ridge 1022 from France to IRVING, weakening later around 1018 from
north JOSEPHINE to Bay of Biscay.
Monsoon trough 14N16W 09N30W then ITCZ 09N30W 06N55W.


Part 3 : Area forecasts to Thursday 17 at 00 UTC

FARADAY, ALTAIR.
Cyclonic 3 to 5, mainly Southwest, increasing 4 to 6 soon, becoming
West later.
Slight or moderate.
Rain or showers. Some fog patches over FARADAY.

ROMEO.
Mainly Southwest 3 to 5, increasing locally 6 in west later.
Moderate.
Rain or showers.

CHARCOT.
Variable 1 to 3, locally Southwest 3 to 5 in far northwest and
Northeast in far southeast.
Slight or moderate.
Rain or showers in south.

ACORES.
Southwest 3 or 4, slowly veering Northwest from west, but locally
Variable 1 or 2 in east.
Slight or moderate.
Rain or showers.

JOSEPHINE.
In east, North 3 or 4, backing Northwest at end. In west, Variable 1
to 3, becoming West 2 to 4 later.
Slight or moderate.
Rain or showers in northwest.

IRVING.
In northwest, Southwest 3 or 4, slowly veering Northwest. In
southeast, Variable 1 to 3, mainly North.
Slight.
Rain or showers.

MADEIRA, CASABLANCA, AGADIR, METEOR, CANARIAS, TARFAYA, CAPE VERDE,
CAP BLANC, Northwest of SIERRA LEONE.
North or Northeast 3 or 4, locally Variable 1 to 3 in northwest of
MADEIRA and METEOR areas and 5 over CANARIAS and CAP BLANC.
Slight or moderate.

PAZENN.
Variable 1 to 3, but Southwest 3 to 5 in northwest, becoming
Northeast 4 from south in day time.
Slight or moderate.

IROISE.
Variable 1 to 3 becoming Northerly 3 or 4 later.
Slight.
Fog patches.

YEU, ROCHEBONNE.
North or Northeast 2 to 4, increasing 3 or 4 later, at times 5.
Coastal breeze.
Slight.
Some fog patches.

CANTABRICO.
East or Northeast 3 or 4, temporarily North 5 in east with coastal
breeze, and locally West 2 to 4 in far southeast soon and at end.
Slight, temporarily moderate in extreme west.
Fog patches in far south.

FINISTERRE.
North or Northeast 4 to 6.
Moderate.

PORTO.
North 4 or 5, locally 6 in north, decreasing 3 or 4 later.
Moderate.

SAO VICENTE.
North 4, locally East at times 5 in far east.
Moderate.

CADIZ, GIBRALTAR STRAIT.
Variable 2 to 4, but East 5 to 7 in and leeward Gibraltar strait.
Gusts.
Slight or moderate.

CAP TIMIRIS.
North 4 or 5, locally West 3 or 4 in southeast.
Moderate.

Southeast of SIERRA LEONE.
Southwest 3 or 4, at times 5.
Moderate.
Thundersqualls with severe gusts.

GULF OF GUINEA.
South or Southwest 3 to 5.
Moderate.
Thundersqualls with severe gusts.

POINTE NOIRE.
South or Southeast 3 to 5.
Moderate.



Part 4 : outlook for next 24 hours
Threat of Westerly near gale in far northeast of FINISTERRE and far
west of CANTABRICO on thursday afternoon.
Elsewhere, no near gale or gale expected.