Laptops on board

Post by **Jeff** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 11:00 pm

Nice conclusion if it indeed solves it.

How are you receiving the SSB signal?

Discus · Post by **Discus** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 5:34 pm

Still no definitive answer on the laptop. May have to send it away to be fixed. With regard to getting weather fax data, we had an SSB receiver installed on the last boat with an audio out lead that connected to the laptop. You can download software (Meteoscan?) that will translate the received audio into a weather map, bit like an old fashioned fax machine. Takes five or so minutes to get a weather map and if your meteorology is up to snuff, you can then interpret it. Will also do Navtex if you don't have a dedicated receiver. SSB receiver is found here http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.php?prod=HF3P_HF3W . It has an active antenna that looks like a navtex aerial on steroids. Wasn't really used in earnest as we were not really far enough of land to make it worthwhile but for ocean crossing or general interest it is a useful addition. Picks up all sorts of stuff, commercial radio, religious broadcasts, encoded sub coms etc. Have a similar unit on the new boat called a Lo Kata but its a bit big and long in the tooth so will retire it off in favour of the above. Neither unit transmits, only receives but then the transmitting type is about £2k and needs a licence which is also a bit pricey!

Post by **Jeff** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:19 pm

So the SSB received just outputs to a mic jack you plug into a mic input on your laptop? We have an expensive Roberts R861 radio which has all sorts of SSB stuff on it. If we had a lead to connect from it to a standard mic jack, and some software, we'd be able to do as you describe? Suspect in practice getting a consistent enough signal on a small portable radio might be difficult.

Discus · Post by **Discus** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:55 pm

Aye, that will do it too. I found a mono jack plug lead was preferable and switching off anything close by that could give rf interference especially tube lights on board if you have them, they bugger up the signal something rotten. You can get software online like mscan http://mscan.com/ . Atmosphere can interfere a bit so the download weather fax may look like a 2 year old drew it but a bit of perseverance and it will work. The Roberts is a v good set and the fully extended internal aerial should be good enough. Have a play about with it, sounds like you already have the kit.

Discus · Post by **Discus** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:58 pm

Techy stuff here http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software ... e/fax.html

Post by **Jeff** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 8:15 pm

I will have a play when I get 5. TY!

Discus · Post by **Discus** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 8:17 pm

Post a piccie of your result. If it fails, get Nina to draw one for you and post that!

Post by **Jeff** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 8:34 pm

Hehe I will. Atm the Roberts is on the boat so it'll be a while.