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Boating Weather Sources
Boating Weather Forecasts; VHF, cell phone, Computers, Satellite, SSB, Navtex, Chart Plotter, and home Weather Stations. At home and before you go boating you can see the latest report on TV or listen to the radio, go online or access your home weather station. Here we discuss the systems available once you get onboard. To fully understand all the weather options available to you, we will discuss, the following options.
VHF
VHF is limited to range of 20 miles or so. Like Cell Phones it can offer lots of information if you are sailing within this range
Cell Phone
If you are coastal sailing you can use a high speed wireless network offered by the cellular companies. Once connected you can download weather data. You may pay $70-80/month for this type of service but it may be all you need.
Cell phones can offer weather information including this smart phone from Memory map Memory-Map now offers a version of the award-winning Pocket Navigator package for the Microsoft Windows Mobile Smartphone. On this smaller platform, the lack of a touch screen, or other pointing device, has required a fresh look at the Pocket Navigator user interface. The implementation does not have many of the features found on the desktop or Pocket PC version. However, it does have some unique and powerful features, such as weather overlay, that take advantage of the phone platform.
What is Navtex? NAVTEX is a worldwide coastal English language telex broadcast system. Navtex provides shipping with navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information through automatic printouts either as a paper feed or on screen from a dedicated receiver. Navtex is a component of the IMO/IHO Worldwide Navigational Warning Service (WWNWS). It has also been included as an element of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Navtex receiving capability is required to be carried in certain vessels under the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). How does it Work? Navtex transmissions are sent via a medium wave frequency from localized stations situated worldwide. The power of each transmission is regulated so as to avoid the possibility of interference between transmitters. Users can set their Navtex receivers to receive specific message types and reject others. Typical range is up to 400NM. Two frequencies are utilized 518KHz (International frequency) and 490KHz (National frequency). Navtex may be difficult to receive in port due to the antenna and high rise buildings The new Clipper navtex is the culmination of nearly 20 years of
experience in manufacturing navtex instruments. The compact display New Navtex weather nav-7. Reception on all 3 Navtex frequencies. Message text is clearly displayed on a large daylight viewable color LCD screen. This offers paper white message presentation and the very best clarity under all light conditions thanks to the adjustable backlight. This device will give you Navtex on your PC. Take
a look at the latest WIB2 navtex - a self contained navtex receiver no
bigger than a pack of cigarettes. Internal batteries last 3 days and then
hook up to your PC to read messages and recharge too! Great for boat owners who want the latest weather and nav information.
Economical - Paperless navtex receiver The NX-300 receives NAVTEX messages and verifies the ID of received messages. It features two narrowband receivers, one tuned to the 518 kHz international Navtex frequency and the other to the 490 kHz domestic or local country frequency. Selection is made by a Frequency Select switch on the front panel.
See also newsletter on SSB
Also check the standalone Weather fax from Furuno
Xaxero weatherfax 2000
Extremely easy setup with our USB interface and built in GPS, SkyEye
receives live pictures direct from Low Earth Orbiting satellites several
times a day. These images are free and not available on the internet.
Receives crisp and detailed high quality pictures. Accurate coastline
overlay on all pictures Picks up weather photos of your local area
wherever you are in the world Thermal readout/image coloring and more.
Integrated ephemeris update via the Internet or via floppy disk Wind arrow
overlay via small Internet download via iridium or other wireless network.
Integrated Ocean depth land elevation display All hardware you need in one
package
Coverage for XM and Sirius is the 48 States of the US plus coastal waters. Some have received XM in Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Hardware for Sirius includes this
antenna
from Shakespeare Here are some chartplotters set up for satellite weather
The GDL™ 30 and 30A weather data receivers bring XM satellite weather data and XM satellite radio directly to your Garmin chartplotter — without the need for a separate PC interface. For the first time, mariners using the GDL 30 weather data receiver can view the same leading-edge satellite weather data provided to television meterologists across the United States. The GDL 30 receives XM WX Satellite Weather data, including animated NEXRAD weather radar and forecasts, current conditions, surface air pressure, visibility, precipitation, wind data, wave data, storm cell size, speed and direction and surface temperatures, for your boat’s current location or along a projected path. This information appears right on the Map page of your chartplotter, so you can see how the weather will affect your current position
$1,000 hardware and then $30-100/month subscription.
You will have the ability to receive high-quality and comprehensive weather information and forecasting that you can overlay onto your C-Map MAX charts.
Chart Software with Weather Overlays see electronic chart software Two
mouse clicks brings up a weather bar. Simple user interface for a program
that performs weather optimum routing. Integrates with Ocens Weathernet.
It features a high end tactical component that Sailboat racers are using. Start line
optimization and wind shifts create an easily navigated race course. 
If you like lots of features RNS 6 has lots of navigation features and weather optimized routing. Integration with a full Raymarine system can give you everything you need. Weather downloaded from Raymarine
own site
Admiral has a nice weather bar, and integrates with Weathernet and XMWorx. XM® weather now includes Radar Summary and city forcast , New 3.5 version of Tides and Currents™ - includes an updated user interface and correct handling of Daylight Saving Time (DST) change due to Energy Policy Act of 2005 New 2007 Tide and Current data
 Maxsea
GRIB programs Gridded binary files are a worldwide standard convention for computer file structure of weather data. Your specialized grib handling software knows the numerical value of the weather parameter and decides how best to display the data.
Source of GRIB files on subscription basis. Cost about $36/month or £20 pounds. Free GRIB files. The data being served here is from the US GFS global weather model. Its has a native resolution of 0.5 degrees and includes surface winds and barometric pressure. The forecast you get from the webpage is a 7 day forecast with a 3 hour
time step.
With a satellite phone you can add a data kit and browse the internet or receive GRIB files. Safety net is the weather via Inmarsat-C. Inmarsat-C, is a text only e mail system between 70N and 70S. GMDSS safety distress signal sends out MMSI number lat & lon, course & speed, when the red distress button is pushed.. Priced per character.
Iridium mainly aimed at voice communications. Iridium operates 66 LEO satellites and is truly global. Handheld telephones can transmit to this lower orbit, without the need to be stabilized. Iridium operates at 2,400 bps same as mini -M. The department of defense uses Iridium.
with Globalstar you get Ocens text & images, e mail and WeatherNet. With OCENS XWeb service you can achieve effective data transfer speeds of up to 56 kbps over the Internet using your Globalstar satellite phone and data kit.
Skymate has received full type approval by NOOA for its
VMS Vessel Monitoring System which is required for fishing vessels.
Weather downloads are also a benefit. The outgoing message is read by computerized voice and delivered to a phone number. Skymate is not GMDSS capable. The antenna is a 38 inch whip. Pricing is per character transmitted, ranging from a $16/month plan for 8,000 characters sent and received, to $70/month for 50,000 characters. Skymate coverage map
With this software on your PC you can quickly and interactively unlock the time-honored secrets of shipboard observations and master the complexities of today's weather resources. $129. You can also take a course online that covers everything in this CD. Learning about weather and communications as well as navigation is a must for the offshore sailor. With the online ability you can take the course at you own pace and schedule.
Sailflow http://www.sailflow.com/
fish weather http://www.fishweather.com/
Ocean weather http://www.oceanweather.com/data/
Buoy weather http://www.buoyweather.com/
Midas weather http://www.midas-weather.co.uk/
Theyr http://www.theyr.net/languages/english/features.html
Frank Singleton http://www.franksingleton.clara.net/ there is so much information here plus links non commercial site
Caribbean weather http://www.caribwx.com/marine.html, This weather service is used by the Caribbean 1500 rally.
Marine weather http://www.marineweather.com/
National Data Buoy Center buoy closest to you.
http://setsail.com/ good links and useful information to increase weather knowledge. Cruising dreams.
http://www.wriwx.com/ weather routing inc
http://www.weatherguy.com/ trip planning
Herb Hilgenberg's famous weather Based in Canada. Accessed via SSB every day on 12.359MHz upper sideband.
http://www.weather.org/marine_weather.htm worldwide weather. Click on map for your area.
The Weather Channel has great local forecasts and weather products you can personalize to fit your needs.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Hurricane Center and the more accessible
Hurricanes 2000 serve the purpose admirably.
Gulf Stream http://users.erols.com/gulfstrm/ Jennifer Clark
Tide tables Knowing the tides is also important to avoid grounding, anchor safely, travel efficiently, and catch big fish.
Used
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B & G Deckman
Nobeltec
ProGrib
For
under $1,000 you get silver box e mail system, which connects to your
computer. and VHF style antenna. 
