Loran rises from the dead!

Larry H · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject: Loran rises from the dead!

Brats,

It appears that the Loran Nav system is not going to die!!

Here is a link to the info.

http://tinyurl.com/3ckzv7

Anybody still have a working Loran receiver? Loran is a pre-GPS land based radio system for Loran receivers to find Lat-Lon positions.

dogon dory · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject:

Yep, I still have a redundant Loran C system along with my GPS.

Don't need either here on an inland lake I've been on for 55 of my 65 years!

I asked and was told almost 10 years ago that they wouldn't turn off the Loran system because so many commercial mariners already had the system and were using them as a redundant reference aboard ship.

Looks like we've come full circle!

Joe. Thumbs Up

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject:

dogon dory · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject:

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

flrockytop · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: Re: Loran rises from the dead!

I think the NDB (aircraft) system was suppose to retire some 20 years ago and its still here. Almost, No government program ever dies no mater if its good, bad or indifferent.

Roger

Pat Anderson · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject:

Too too funny! Is this real or fake? What's next?

"As an additional national security measure, DHS will next be issuing sextants. The enhanced sextant program, or eSextant, will assure the nation's security in the event of a failure of BOTH GPS satellites AND eLoran radio transmitters, at least on clear nights... "

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject:

Right, Pat, too funny!

After the eSextants, they'll be issuing Boy Scout Compasses!?!

Joe. Laughing

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject: Re: Loran rises from the dead!

flrockytop · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Loran rises from the dead!

I actually had and ADF on one of my first boats. Pre-loran C. or at least affordable loran-C I had a loran A receiver but didn't have a boat big enough for it to fit on. We would find a hot fishing spot an get three or four lop's to mark it. It worked pretty well. Especially when you were the only guy out there with something like that. All these modern electronics has made it too easy.

Roger

thataway · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:38 pm Post subject:

I noticed that the Sitex Color Max series of Chart plotters all have an eLoran option complete with the antenna and coupler for an extra $350 to $435 per chart plotter. (sizes of the screen from 5" to 15").

The agreement to further develope enhanced Loran (e Loran) was formulated about 5 years ago. $120 million was appropiated in 2004 for the beginnings of this update.

Loran C was very good for repeatablity--and this repeatability is why many fishermen still rely on Loran C. However because of differential transmission characteristics between land and sea areas, it was not as good with over all accuracy. The eLoran is susposed to be accurate from 8 to 20 meters--still not as good as WAAS, GPS.

I am not sure that the traditional Time Delay, Lines of position will be necessary on the paper chart:-That adds another layer of difficulty for the person who is learning navigation by traditional methods, because the Lat Long will be displayed on traditinal chart plotters.

dogon dory · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Loran rises from the dead!

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

Larry H · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:47 pm Post subject:

I had and used a Loran C receiver from about 1988 til I upgraded to GPS in about 1995. They work unless you are too close to a transmitter. Since there is a transmitter at Alert Bay in BC, when close to that area, the position put you about 1 mile northeast of your actual position.

Canada determined corrections for their narrow channels and those corrections were automatically applied in my Interphase Loran.

Since China has now developed the ability to shoot down satellites, I think a land based navigation system is a good idea.
Canada did not want to close down their system and be dependant on the whims of the US military.

dotnmarty · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:25 pm Post subject:

I was with the Seabees in the 50's when MCB-7 built Coast Guard Loran Stations on San Salvador, Caicos, and Grand Turk. The Coast Guard supported us with a little LCVP and a small two engine amphibious plane. Are those bases still manned?

Almas Only · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 6:01 am Post subject:

As someone who never has, and probably never will, have anything to do with Loran, here's a suggestion: if you order any "print on demand" charts, request that the Loran lines be suppressed. You won't believe how this cleans up the chart, and removes what is nothing more than a distraction to most mariners.