Current accurate weather

PDQ issues applicable across all PDQ Yachts (or if you can't find a place for something, it probably belongs here for now)
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warrenthames
deckhand
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Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:37 am

Current accurate weather

Post by warrenthames »

In planning a trip to the Bahamas and then to the western Caribbean. What is the best way to get daily accurate weather reports? Thanks in advance
duetto
admiral
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Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:18 am
Location: ICW (32043)

Re: Current accurate weather

Post by duetto »

we have used batelco simm and a data plan to get internet and weather. we have a cell booster which helps in exumas. cell companies have added a lot more cell towers so most areas you can get coverage. if you're a sail cat you can run cellphone up mast in a bag to increase range.
john & diane cummings
duetto mv34 #23
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SecondWind
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Location: Punta Gorda, Fl (33950)
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Re: Current accurate weather

Post by SecondWind »

Chris Parker: https://www.mwxc.com/
Terry Green
s/v Second Wind
36040
Iriemon
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Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2015 11:05 am

Re: Current accurate weather

Post by Iriemon »

When I sailed thru the Caribbean and Bahamas about 15 years ago, I had a shortwave/SSB receiver (a Sony 7600 which I bought for a little less than $200, as I recall), with which I was able to receive wx information (voice, as well as weatherfax which you download to a laptop with software you can find on the internet) and forecasts from regularly scheduled NOAA HF transmissions. You can obtain the frequency and broadcast times from NOAA websites. You can buy a SW/SSB receiver on Amazon for about $150 bucks. They don't transmit and won't lock in as well as a full blown SSB rig, but they do fine for pickingup NOAA wx broadcasts and other SW broadcasts.

Thing is, unless your planning on being out there during hurricane season, you almost don't need wx forecasts, as the weather is almost always within a predicable range of about 15-20 knots from the SE. If you're in the north part of the Bahamas you'll get some north fronts coming thru during the winter. I listened to the wx broadcasts while sailing back and forth across the Atlantic, but once I made it to the Caribbean I rarely bothered. Plus you can pick up forecasts from marinas and other boaters.
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chicagocat
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Re: Current accurate weather

Post by chicagocat »

What's you comms situation? Sat phone? SSB? VHF?
As Terry says, Chris Parker is the answer in almost every case, but the method of access is different for different situations.
PDQ 36052 - 1996 LRC - "Anne Z" - Chicago
and 2001 PDQ 36 Classic (Tall Rig)- "Cat Tales" - Punta Gorda, FL
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