Anyone use Navtex?

[JABS]

I have recently bought a NASA Clipper Navtex receiver. My thought process being to keep it running at home to read the shipping forecast before trips.

I can only say that I am finding the menu so non intuitive that I am getting hacked off with it.

Also, reception is not good unless the aerial has a clear view of the sky.

Does any else have experience and how do they rate the value of the info available from the Navtex system?



Thanks

Tony

[havener]

Info is good, I use it at home with the aerial mounted on the chimney - weather info is superb, but then I use it at sea all the time so get used to the format.

I use the ICS printed version, not had experience of the set you're talking about.

I suspect also that you may be a wee bit too inland to experience decent coverage...

Simon

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by JABS

Also, reception is not good unless the aerial has a clear view of the sky.

The info is good if it's what you need.

I'm using a Nasa active antenna on a McMurdo navtex and it's receiving everything from Reykjavik to Turkey. The antenna is on the boat roof. Like any antenna, the radio waves can be blocked by various things but, in general, navtex signals travel a long way easily.

My home Navtex is indoors and the antenna is sitting on a windowsill. It is set to receive from Norway, Portpatrick and Cullercoats. I'm on the east coast and the Portpatrick signal is a bit weak, it sometimes droxps chxraxters.

[Daniel]

i have the same unit at home. the interface and data formatting is awful but the information it receives is good. My aeriel in up by the guttering and receives no problems. i am only 200 yards from the sea though.

[Paul Beaurain]

Hi
Its good to see some Navtex users - even if from home.

My experience Navtex is very good info - but units are difficult to program and read when on board.

I notice that Raymarine has some form of Navtex interface. Does anyone know if this improves the functionality - ie can you effectively operate the Navtex and view the info on the bigger Raymarine screen?

Paul

[havener]

Best to ask Raytheon - certainly on our units you can, but then we have an integrated bridge system which is a little more than you'd find on a rib....

Simon

[JABS]

Originally Posted by havener

Best to ask Raytheon - certainly on our units you can, but then we have an integrated bridge system which is a little more than you'd find on a rib....

Simon

Now that is a lot of toys!

[havener]

Just a few...sometimes I even remember what they do

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by jwalker

I'm on the east coast and the Portpatrick signal is a bit weak, it sometimes droxps chxraxters.

Are you sure that its the signal? Perhaps gArf is hiding out in Portpatrick typing the weather!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Paul Beaurain

Hi
Its good to see some Navtex users - even if from home.

My experience Navtex is very good info - but units are difficult to program and read when on board.

I notice that Raymarine has some form of Navtex interface. Does anyone know if this improves the functionality - ie can you effectively operate the Navtex and view the info on the bigger Raymarine screen?

Paul

Two words, "don't bother!" I have just added a NASA navtex engine to my "E" series network. After visiting the Raymarine stand at the boat show & speaking to NASA on the phone I decided to spend the £100 quid or so & buy the NASA unit. What no-one tells you is that you have to leave your Raymarine display switched on to receive Navtex messages, not just the NASA receiver. Also the messages aren't stored, so if you switch off the display that the navtex is connected to, you lose all the info. The PC version "navtex pro" does store the messages locally in the Navtex unit until you download them onto your PC. The Raymarine version doesn't.
Not happy :>((