Navtex Recommendations For Beginner ?

[BOBRR]

Hello,

Think I'd like to try picking up Navtex broadcasts.

Have a WinRadio Excalibur receiver (HF capability only; no vhf/uhf coverage)

a. Anyone using with an Excalibur ?

b. What (hopefully free or "inexpensive") program that is easy to get started with would you recommend ?

c. Any thoughts, caveats, gotchas, etc. I should possibly be aware of ?

Much thanks,
Bob

 

[ka3jjz]

Before you think of software, what are you using for an antenna? On freqs this low, a loop is a very good choice (unless you have LOTS of acreage...). A random wire would work, but it would have to be VERY long to be efficient at 518 khz...

As to software - keep in mind that NAVTEX is based on the same protocol as SITOR-B (there's additional information, as I understand it, in the header including a date/time stamp), so any software that can copy SITOR-B should have little trouble with NAVTEX. Is NAVTEX the only thing you want to decode? Or are there other modes that you want to try?

best regards..Mike

 

[K9WG]

I pick up NavTex quite well with a 70' long-wire.
(Icom IC-718)

 

[ka3jjz]

And to bring this back to topic, what software do you use? 73 Mike

 

[BOBRR]

From OP: Re Navtex

Hi Mike, et al,

Much thanks for help and suggestions.
Really appreciate it.

A few years ago I tried receiving various digital modes.
Gave up; it was quite frankly beyond my ability and probably IQ level.
Ended up with the conclusion that it just wasn't worth it.

Well, I'm not any smarter now, but I do have a new WinRadio Excalibur,good to <50 MHz only, and thought I might try once more.

Very interested in Marritime comms, although I can't pick up any from around Boston Harbor with a vhf/uhf scanner I also have..
Live in Sudbury, MA, about 25 miles due West of the harbor.
Probably just too far, and beyond line of sight for vhf/uhf.
But HF might be a different matter.

But, I thought it might be fun to see if I can get any Navtex.
Am in my 70's now, and this "stuff" doesn't get any easier.

Any really simple (HF) digital packages available these days for us feeble Sr. Citizens ?
Other than Navtex, and digital comms on HF ? Don't want to bother with scanner again.

Best regards,
Bob

 

[fxdscon]

Not exactly "inexpensive", but I have the WinRadio WR-G315e with the WinRadio Advanced Digital Suite software for the G series radios. I'm having good results with NAVTEX. The software installs easily, and operates seamlessly with WinRadio. I'm 10 miles north of Boston with really good elevation.

The cost of the Advanced Digital Suite software may be prohibitive in your case seeing you wouldn't be able to use the features above 50mhz, but the NAVTEX is fairly simple to set up, and it works well once you get it tweaked, and it includes scheduling capabilities.

 

[hill]

You could use the SeaTTY program to receive NAVTEX. I have provided a link this program. Have not tried NAVTEX, but works well for WEFAX. Others I have known used this to decode HF-DSC and they report it works very well. All you need is a computer with a sound card to get started working with SeaTTY. You can download and try it for a period before paying to keep using it.

Weather messages decoder - RTTY, NAVTEX, WEFAX (HF-FAX), NWR SAME software

Larry