wxsat, hf weather fax and the ship's computer on SoNice

[Eddie Offermann]

I just excitedly placed my order for So Nice's new brain - a new Mac Mini that will be the primary chartplotter, media host (music, movies), and run the software for receiving wxsat and SW wefax imagery.

I've been using OpenCPN for the chartplotter on my laptop (paired with a bluetooth GPS receiver) which will remain as a backup, but the software will be run primarily on the Mini using a smaller dedicated display and cast to the projector in the lower cabin. OpenCPN supports several map formats and I have a pretty detailed worldwide map set that I've compiled from various sources.

For wxsat transmissions, I'll be trying out WxtoImg which seems to have a lot of features for enhancing image quality even when the signal is poor.

For HF weather fax (satellite images and sometimes other meteorology info broadcasted over SW) it looks like WxtoImg will also work - but I'm also experimenting with a second piece of software "cocoamodem" for that data.

Also ordered a Grundig Satellit 750 radio which seems to have the narrow/wide bandwidth adjustment necessary to get clean, full-amplitude 137Mhz wxsat images from the polar-orbiting satellites.

I'll be sure to update with info about my results on receiving weather imagery - it seems like something that only a small number of people are really familiar with. Once we do set off on our grand adventure, I'd like us to be proficient with receiving these and interpreting them - and we have time to build that proficiency now before we need it then.

[bob mitchell]

I am really interested in using an apple as a chart plotter - way under the level that you are at - so any advice would be greatly appreciated. You know how I do really basic info presentations on the site - it would be fantastic if you could do a general basic information post - sort of describe the fundamental catagories of data and how to get them.

[Eddie Offermann]

Indeed! Once I start sorting this out, I'll be sure to start compiling the information and presenting it.

OpenCPN is great - it's free and open source and I downloaded charts from NOAA and a couple other sources to get worldwide coverage. It's easy to use, they have versions for Mac, Windows and Linux. Apparently it will also allow weather chart overlays which could be *really* nice if I can get everything working together. I'm not especially hopeful that will happen easily, but you never know. It would be nice to chart a course while being able to see weather info on the same map though.

For everything else, I'm learning as I go - so I'll share my experiences and try to compile something like "Here's what you need, here's how it worked for me, and here's where to get more information"