Weather Facsimile—commonly known as WEFAX, HF-FAX, or Radiofax—is easily one of the most rewarding niches in the shortwave hobby. There is a certain “magic” in tuning your receiver to a scheduled frequency and watching a high-resolution synoptic chart or satellite image slowly materialize on your screen, line by line, over several minutes.
While it feels like a relic of a pre-internet era, Radiofax remains a vital, free resource for mariners and a fascinating challenge for radio enthusiasts. This guide covers everything you need to get started in 2026, from understanding the signal to troubleshooting your first decode.
