A qualified yes.
HF
SSB receiver + laptop + demodulator + sound card + software = WeFAX
If Macintosh: HF
SSB receiver + $39.00 shareware software + simple audio connection = WeFAX
1. the
radio must have "true" single side band
SSB mode (either upper or lower sideband). 2. the
radio should have PLL (phase lock loop) to keep the
radio from drfting off channel 3. BFO (beat frequency oscilator) for precise tuning.
If you have a Macintosh computer all you need is a simple single wire audio patch cable (make it yourself) from the
radio''s external speaker jack to the sound input jack on a Macintosh.... other than that all you need is the software. For Macs, the best software is a shareware program called "Multimode" (about $39.00) . Multimode can also decode: morse code -CW, telemetry -RTTY, can do direct weather satelite download and other very sophisticated high frequency
radio downloads: Sitor, Packet, ASCAR, SSTV, Hellscreiber, etc.
With a Windoze type PC you will need a the
SSB (USB/LSB)
radio, a special demodulator, a sound card, and the software.... There is a lot of software for the PC but its somewhat expensive for the demodulator and software.
Although the yachtboy type of HF SW receivers have their own rod type antennas, its always best to use the tunable boat''s external
SSB antenna, or alternatively at least to raise a simple temporary dipole wire antenna when receiving. All this may sound complicated but in practice is very simple and easy in actual practice.
With such a set up not only can you download WeFAX broadcasts from MANY countries when in range (my favorites on the US east coast are Halifax WeFAX and the USNavy WeFAX station in Boston, sometimes the UK Bracknell station, but I also decode/convert telemetry broadcasts (Canadian Forces Weather
Radio) when in the western Atlantic high latitudes, Navtex broadcast popular in the european high latitudes, plus direct statelite weather pictures from various countries weather satelites when using a special helical satelite antenna (build yourself). Plus you can decode morse code signals on the marine frquencies still sent to ships, etc. ...... plus you can get somewhat unbiased AM-HF news reporting from BBC, and other world sources etc. !!!!
I''m not exactly familiar with the Grundig Yachtboy; but currently the
Radio Shack Mod. DX-398 looks very interesting for the adjustability that you really need (I wonder who makes it for
Radio Shack?).
Radio requirements: High Frequency PLL/BFO with (true) single side band (LSB/USB) capability.
If the
radio operates on 9vdc all you need is a step down transformer to run from 12vdc.
If you need other questions answered, email me directly and I''ll try to steer you to the right source. One of the best ''local'' sources you could probably find for ''hands-on'' kicking the tires, etc. would be a local HAM
radio shop that is nearby where you live. If you have a Macintosh computer all you need is a wire connection, the
radio, and $39.00 for the ''elegant'' shareware @ http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/multimode.html
hope this helps.
Linear Mode
