Weather Fax on SSB

[Cruisin Cat]

I am looking for some advice on weather fax software

I have an Icom M802 and laptop pc on my boat and understand that if I download a suitable piece of software, I can simply connect the earphone socket of the ssb to the mic socket on my laptop and get weather fax without having to buy a pactor modum.

I've looked through the threads here and there seems to be three recurring pieces of weather fax software mentioned....JWX, JV Comm 32, Sea TTY.

I'd appreciate any info on experiences you have had with running any of these programs on Windows 7.

Thanks...look forward to your comments

[conachair]

Originally Posted by Cruisin Cat

I am looking for some advice on weather fax software

I have an Icom M802 and laptop pc on my boat and understand that if I download a suitable piece of software, I can simply connect the earphone socket of the ssb to the mic socket on my laptop and get weather fax without having to buy a pactor modum.

I've looked through the threads here and there seems to be three recurring pieces of weather fax software mentioned....JWX, JV Comm 32, Sea TTY.

I'd appreciate any info on experiences you have had with running any of these programs on Windows 7.

Thanks...look forward to your comments

No problems with jvcomm on windows 7 64bit . The free demo version works fine, just a few changes from the full version. Mscan seems to have a following as well, I've not used it so can't say.
Weatherfax is an excellent addition to have on a boat, imho, made more so as it's free

general tip, if you add "site:Cruisers & Sailing Forums - Powered by vBulletin" to google quite often you get better results when searching forums than when using the search box the site provides...

like this..

[teejayevans]

Originally Posted by Cruisin Cat

I am looking for some advice on weather fax software

I have an Icom M802 and laptop pc on my boat and understand that if I download a suitable piece of software, I can simply connect the earphone socket of the ssb to the mic socket on my laptop and get weather fax without having to buy a pactor modum.

I've looked through the threads here and there seems to be three recurring pieces of weather fax software mentioned....JWX, JV Comm 32, Sea TTY.

I'd appreciate any info on experiences you have had with running any of these programs on Windows 7.

Thanks...look forward to your comments

Some laptops are a bit noisy (electrically speaking), you may have to have the laptop several feet from the radio, YMMV.
I've used JWX and WXSAT on windows XP (both are free) with good results.
Tom

[Mark Zarley]

Have used JV.com for over 10 yrs, IC 735 and Windows 7 currently. Great program and easy to set up. Go to JV.comm and download for free. For a one time small fee you can get a regeristered version without DEMO showing up on the download. If you do register make sure you make a copy of your application and the numerical key that is sent to you. Then when you replace your computor at a later date you can activate the new program with your old key. Enjoy

[Cruisin Cat]

Thank everyone for your comments.
I think I'll download JVComm and see how I go with that

[Goudurix]

Th emost versatile and complete of free software for (HAM) SW digital modes is MULTIPSK developed by a french HAM.

f6cte.free.fr/index_anglais.htm

Some of its screens look a bit shabby but it works very well and is loaded with different modes.

Specifically for "marine" use it does HF weatherfax and Navtex, but also offers about all digimodes used by Hams.

But as a dedicated Navtex receiving tool I prefer largely FRISNIT to the JVComm one. Frisnit neatly stores all navtex messages in folders and no need to store the RX fequencies. Easily set with the cursor.

Jan

[barnakiel]

BTW if your radio has line-out then it may work better than earphone-out.

In any case even a mic placed close to the loudspeaker will do the trick.

You can pre-tune by the ear - the radiofax signal sounds like, well, a fax transmission! Remember to switch to LSB or USB as applicable.

Fine tuning can be done with the help of the selected software.

Doh - testing in marinas is difficult, do not get disappointed. Offshore it is works very well.

b.

[mutualfun]

Has anyone had any trouble downloading the jv.comm program to Vista. I can not get it to load the program. I have even turned off the anti virus and tried it.
Randy

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by mutualfun

Has anyone had any trouble downloading the jv.comm program to Vista. I can not get it to load the program. I have even turned off the anti virus and tried it.
Randy

2.01 supposed to run on Vista.

Otherwise use XP. Vista was a piece of ... well, well, problematic system ;-)

b.

[mutualfun]

Ah all I have is Vista. So I gave up and download wxsat.

[SV Demeter]

Just got my radio and downloaded the JVComm32 software. Where can I find a listing of times and frequencies to download weather maps? Im hoping to get comfortable using this setup at home first...

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by SV Demeter

Just got my radio and downloaded the JVComm32 software. Where can I find a listing of times and frequencies to download weather maps? Im hoping to get comfortable using this setup at home first...

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf

Remember in-port reception may be very poor as compared to offshore.

b.

[SV Demeter]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/rfax.pdf

Remember in-port reception may be very poor as compared to offshore.

b.

Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Looks like I should be tuning in to the Boston Station
Any tips or advice for someone getting started from scratch with this stuff?

[SV Demeter]

Ok so let me see if I get the UTC thing correct. According the publication Boston broadcasts surface analysis part 2 NW Atlantic at 0338 and 1538. Im in Annapolis so I need to subtract 5 hours for eastern standard time? So I should be looking to tune in to either 6340.5 kHz or 9110 kHz at 2038hrs and 1038hrs? I see a note saying carrier frequency is 1.9 kHz below assigned. Does that mean I really need to tune in to 6338.6 and 9108.1?

So assuming I can pick up these stations I run a stereo cord from the line out on my radio to the microphone in on my laptop, fire up the JVComm32 software and I should be able to view the surface analysis map like this one:

http://www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/shtml/pyaa02.gif

[Hud3]

You're right on the UTC calculation--EST is UTC - 5.

It's been a while since I did this, but I believe that I had trouble getting it to work with a stereo patch cord. It worked fine with a mono cord.