[PUP] Weather forecasting services

[Scott E. Bulger]

John asked:  which weather forecasting service
members of this list would recommend. My wife and I will soon be
embarking on a Dana Point to Seattle trip, and then in Fall return
down the coast to Panama and through canal into Caribbean for the
winter.  Are there some services that are better for Pacific/west
coast transits and others preferred for Caribbean waters?

I don't know if the weather forecasters have "areas of expertise".  No one
I've talked to has suggested there are any problems or issues using them for
various regions, but I must admit I haven't asked about heading north of
Seattle.  Our focus has been heading south.

I'm installing a PC with access to the internet via three methods:  Cell,
WIFI and INMARSAT
	Cell services delivered via Kyocera router and verizon air card services
	with Digital Antenna 3 watt amp/antenna

	WIFI via dedicated PC with Orinoco wifi card and hi gain antenna

	INMARSAT via Fleet33 MPDS (4$/Mb)

I will run OCENS and retrieve their weather products for specific regions,
I'm attending their training class in May

I will use either OMNI or MWXC weather routing services on a per leg basis.

I rejected WXWorks and Sirrus because of subscription costs, uncertainty of
their long term viability in light of merger and coverage areas.  I have
purchased Coastal Explorer which has it's own weather products, but believe
the compression offered by OCENS will have an ROI when out of cell/wifi
range.

Hope this helps

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA