NASA Clipper Weatherman with Antenna

 

NASA Clipper Weatherman with Antenna

Clipper Weatherman with Antenna combines a synthesised HF receiver, a powerful computer and a high contrast display to form a complete, reliable, stand alone RTTY receiver. Unlike Navtex, which is an international service for navigational and meteorological warnings, Weatherman is dedicated to receiving weather forecasts. For many years commercial vessels have received weather forecasts via radio teletype (RTTY) from the German National Weather Agency (DWD). Whilst a few intrepid yachtsmen have tuned into this excellent service, with a general purpose HF receiver connected to a personal computer, results have often been disappointing. DWD operates on a 24 hour continuous schedule and broadcasts continually on several frequencies simultaneously. This helps to cope with the radio propagation and reception conditions which vary with time of day and the distance from the transmitter. The DWD service is free to yachtsmen but must not be used for commercial purposes. The daily schedule includes times of day, frequencies and areas of coverage.