Marine HF SSB Long Range Communications

With advances in technology, marine SSB communications offers a low cost alternative to mobile and satellite technologies.
For more information on marine radio communications including frequencies, marine nets and licencing visit www.yachtcom.info
SSB PACTOR modems Weather FAX software HF SSB Antennas Ordering details

Weather Fax & Data Decoding Software

Weather Fax
The weather fax picture to the right was received using and HF shortwave receiver and the Mscan Meteo pro software.

If you require access to weather forecasts while at sea or at home, then Mscan Meteo Pro is your best option. With Mscan Meteo Pro you can receive weather charts in high resolution using only your PC and an SSB receiver. Plus Mscan Meteo Pro allows you to monitor NAVTEX and RTTY telex transmissions. Received images can easily be viewed using the unique combination of a total view and detailed view window. Advanced filter settings allow you to monitor only those NAVTEX and RTTY text messages you wish to read. Everything is automated, including mode, speed, storage and even control of your receiver. Mscan Meteo Pro supports the following interfaces: sound card, Multiscan, HariFax, EasyDSP and PTC-II. The program comes with an extensive online help.

Mscan Meteo

Mscan Meteo Pro
Mscan Meteo Pro combining the ability to decode FAX, NAVTEX and RTTY signals plus recocds voice broadcast in a single program, via your PC sound card. Never before has it been so easy to receive every piece of vital information you need for safe passage: all you need is Mscan Meteo Pro running on your laptop and an SSB shortwave receiver.

Mscan Meteo Pro has a built in schedular which will remotely control your receiver and program it to receive the correct frequency via optional lead. Receivers that are supported include ICOM, JRC NRD-345/535/545, Lowe HF-150, Quadrad, Ten-Tec RX-320, most Yaesu models.

Mscan Meteo FAX
This program has the same FAX capabilities as Mscan Meteo Pro, but lacks NAVTEX, RTTY mode and vioce recording, timer and receiver control. If you are not interested in automated receiver control, and only need to receive weather charts, then Mscan Meteo Fax is a low priced alternative for Mscan Meteo Pro.

Mscan Meteo Features:

  • Operation under MS Windows via PC sound card or SCS PTC-II modem
  • Decodes Weather Fax, and with Mscan Meteo pro version NATEX and RTTY and record voice broadcasts
  • Easy to install and use
  • Operates with most SSB shortwave radio, SailCom can supply the leads for most marine radios
  • Built-in worldwide weather facsimile, RTTY station database
  • MScan Meteo Pro version offers automatic tuning, broadcast schedular.

Mscan Meteo minimum PC Specification

  • Processor: Pentium, 266MHz
  • Memory: 32Mb RAM
  • Soundcard: Windows supported sound card
  • Display: VGA Colour 640 x 480 pixels or better
  • Operating system: MS Windows 95 or later
  • Disk Drive: CD ROM and Hard Disk with 10Mb
  • SSB receiver to PC interface supported are :-
    • PC sound card
    • PTC-II/IIe/IIpro
    • Multiscan
    • EasyDSP
    • HariFax
.

Here is an RTTY weather bulletin broadcast from German weather service.
GENERAL SYNOPTIC SITUATION:
HIGH RUSSIA, RIDGE 1025 SOUTHEASTERN BALTIC, STATIONARY.
LOW 984 NORTH OF THE LOFOTEN, MOVING NORTHNORTHEAST A LITTLE. TROUGH 1010 CENTRAL SWEDEN, 1020 SOUTHSWEDEN, WEAKENING, MOVING EAST.
HIGH 1026 BAVARIA, WEAKENING. LOW 984 SOUTH ICELAND, STATIONARY, WEAKENING.
SECONDARY DEPRESSION 995 JUST NORTHWEST OF IRELAND MOVING NORTHEAST, TOMORROW NOON 992 NORTH OF THE SHETLANDS.
TROUGH 1010 SOUTHENGLAND MOVING EASTNORTHEAST, TOMORROUAAON RUEGEN.
TROUGH 1000 SOUTHIRELAND FOLLOWING.
HIGH NORTHPOLAR, RIDGE 1020 EASTGREENLAND NEARLY UNCGMV GALE CENTERED 51 NORTH 37 WEST WEAKENING, MOVING NORTHEAST.
SECONDARY DEPRESSION 984 AT 41 NORTH 48 WEST STRONGLY DEEPENING, MOVING NORTHEAST, TOMORROW EVENING SEVERE STORM CENTRE 934 AT 51 NORTH 37 WEST.


DWD FORECAST OF FR, 07/03/2003 12 UTC:
WIND FORCE: BEAUFORT, WAVE HEIGHT: METRE

LYME BAY (50.3N 3.0W) SST: 9 C
SA 08. 00Z: W SLL 7 / 9-10 3.5 M //
SA 08. 06ZC SW-W 5 / 2 M //
SA 08. 12Z: SW 6-7 / 8-9 2.5 M //
SA 08. 18Z: SW 6-7 / 8-9 2.5 M //
SU 09. 00Z: SW 6 / 7-8 2.5 M //
SU 09. 06Z: S-SW 6-7 / 8 2.5 M //
SU 09. 12Z: S-SW 5-6 / 7 2.5 M //

ENGLISH-CH.-W (49.6N 4.1W) SST: 10 C
SA 08. 00Z: W 7 / 9 4.5 M //
SA 08. 06Z: SW-W 5-6 / 7 3.5 M SH //
SA 08. 12Z: SW 6-7 / 8-9 3 M //
SA 08. 18Z: SW 6 / 7-8 3.5 M //
SU 09. 00Z: S-SW 6 / 7-8 3.5 M //
SU 09. 06Z: S-SW 6 / 7-8 3.5 M //
SU 09. 12Z: S-SW 6 / 7-8 4 M

RTTY is a text broadcast which can supplement NAVTEX when sailing outside of NAVTEX coverage areas.

Mscan Meteo Pro is
"highly recommended for the serious yachtsman!"

Weatherfax Software Click here for information on weatherfax broadcasts Price
Mscan Meteo Pro supplied on CD rom £135.00
Mscan Meteo FAX supplied on CD rom £68.00
If supplied by electronic transfer via Internet 1.5M file (NO CD supplied) then there is a £3 discount.

Click here for weatherfax broadcast frequencies

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