Ham Radio - Decoding marine NAVTeX transmissions.

The wiki site with info on Navtex:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NAVTEX
Global transmission schedules:
www.dxinfocentre.com/navtex.htm
Quartzfest info page:
quartzfest.org/
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[@peters6601]

Kevin the first message probably:- Noyo River LT (Light) 12 (LLNR 8125) is missing. This is referring to a navigation marker/buoy is either missing or light is extinguished. If you look at V6 of USCG Light List.pdf page 123 Light 12 (LLNR 8125) is listed with precise position.

[@comm4tom]

Hi Kevin. Tom (N7WQ) here. I’ve been away a few months focusing on wildfire issues here in Southern Oregon but now back catching up on your channel. I scanned your list of videos & stopped at this one. Great to know that NAVTEX is still being used and still useful to the mariners. As a retired Coast Guard Radioman I remember working on the SITOR/NAVTEX project back in the ‘80s when stationed at the USCG Lab in Alexandria VA. As one of the members of a team, we installed some of the prototype systems for testing at a number of the CG Radstas & Commstas (radio stations & communication stations). Thanks for reminding this old CG communicator that his work is benefiting some still today.

[@DalenKruse]

490kHz is typically used for domestic language (non-English) broadcasts. Love the channel!

[@nickbernstein]

There are still a lot of people who use radio on boats. Everyone thinks that people who have boats are rich, but that's not actually the case. Most people have sat. devices for major passages, but they're still very expensive. A plan to just download small amounts of data and send texts at about 9600kbps is about $100/mo. Plus, all boats are legally required to have vhf, so there's some familiarity. Less HF these days, but it's a good sister hobby. The AARL should be doing more outreach in the maritime sector. While not all boaters are rich, some of them are, and can be very helpful influencing politics.

[@sempertalis1230]

Really impressive is that they still maintain this service .

[@loughkb]

It's reliable and when it comes to safety, redundancy matters. Most ships use satellite services primarily, but if the weather is particularly heavy overcast or a heavy rain, they might have trouble with satellite signals where HF can still get through.

[@Kw1161]

I miss the WLO and their Maritime news broadcasts. I remember back in the early 1980’s the various press agencies used to broadcast on RTTY and using a Vic 20 and Hamsoft cartridge while overseas in the US Navy. That enabled us to keep up with 1984 Olympic Games as well as the other news of the day. Good times.

[@M0UAW_IO83]

Timely video, a young colleague has expressed interest in radio and I mentioned Navtex to him as he lives on the coast, he sounded fascinated so I'll send him a link to this video. Stay safe out there.

[@tpobrienjr]

Thanks. Good stuff - something new to try.

[@TheArtofEngineering]

When I was at sea (1990's on the Australian coast) we were using ARQ telex to send pilot boarding ground telexes etc. Weather and NAV warnings were happening by CW....

[@willgregor4392]

Epic!! Thank you sir

[@Bianchi77]

Nice video, thanks for sharing it :)

[@mikefinn2101]

Thanks for sharing I am going to tune in 73s wb7qxu

[@la6yja]

Love it that you concider the Covid issue. Thumbs up! Stay safe and tnx for the videos. All the best from Norway.

[@Derrick6162]

Thanks, I'll be checking it out this week while it's too cold outside. Question, have you ever done anything with radiosonde? Tracking, modding or decoding. Future presentation? Thanks, be safe out there...🇺🇸

[@W6EL]

Very interesting! I'm definitely trying this out when the next North American time slot occurs. Not sure I'll pick up much on my EFHW-40 though...

[@paulsengupta971]

No harm in giving it a try. Here in the UK I can pick it up on my portable shortwave radio (SSB capable) using the built in ferrite antenna for medium wave.

[@gabrielddc]

Thanks for the video. I liked the part of the mask, I agree with you.

[@WilliamParmley]

Light 12, Light List Number 8125, is missing. (I'm guessing the navaid light is extinguished.) 😉 Hey, thanks! This is a subject I am interested in and want to try out. I've tried listening on 518 but didn't have any idea what I was doing. This will help a lot.

[@paulhastings3109]

How you doing. Good content 73 KQ4CD Paul

[@thuff3207]

Very interesting and thank you for sharing. Can you share what radio you used for this receiver.

[@loughkb]

My Icom IC-705.

[@charlesschindler1971]

Howdy ! 👋👍🏻

[@vineyardsaker6195]

Is there a place I could download recorded Navtex messages so I can test my kit? Thank you!

[@douglasrice4753]

Kevin, a little more info on the heading of that first broadcast. Sector Humbolt Bay is obviously US Coast Guard Sector Humbolt Bay; BNM is "Broadcast Notice to Mariners"; HB-001-22 means the BNM was originated at Sec. Humbolt Bay, and it was the first one of year 2022. LLNR is correctly described by the other poster. Missing means it is actually "off station" and possibly lost. This happens occasionally. I wasn't a west coast Coastie, so I don't know the area. However, could maybe it have been shifted off station by unusual currents related to the tsunami into deeper water where the buoy is now submerged? Something to ponder...the "Black Hull Sailors" will have to get out there and drag for it.

[@douglasrice4753]

Or it could have been struck by a vessel and sunk...that happens too.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

Can these messages be decoded with any of the SDR programs attached only to a computer the dongle and antenna ?

[@makumbaDE]

Yes if SDR device is capable to receive that low frequencies, else you need a down-converter. Personally I'm using an old AM radio, the ferrite antenna is reasonably good.

[@Siskiyous6]

Even Satellite is not 100 percent, and it is very expensive. Internet is the back up, mainly available only in port. Many boats still use radio. This is not lost tech. Thanks for looking at it. I have an Icom IC-M700PRO Marine/Ham SSB radio, and it is built like a tank! Pt. Saint George is my home waters. I will never wear a mask, they are just silly. But hey, people are silly about a lot of stuff.

[@godofloran]

6:23 memo presentation.

[@JT-py9lv]

HUGE Conflict. I had planned on attending. Just found out that my local club is sponsoring a Winter Field Day event. Aarrgghhh ! I just bought a bundle of Cigars to bring to you too.... What to do ?

[@loughkb]

Qfest goes all week.

[@JT-py9lv]

@@loughkb Well, I'm scheduled for Yuma in February... Room booked and paid for. That might have to do

[@albing1397]

Did I miss what you are using as a receiver?

[@stuarthall3874]

He didn't mention it but I know the IC-7300 receives down to 30kHz.

[@loughkb]

I was receiving on my Icom IC-705.