loran c navigator

[jam39vw995]

I found a Loran c Navigator TL-900 by Taiya.<br /><br />Would anyone know what this is? or where I can find information like a manual on it?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Boatist]

Re: loran c navigator

It is a Loran C. It is a older navigition system still in use in the USA and Canada. Do not know the Brand. There is a big difference between models and brands. Units that have<br /> ASF (additional secondary factors) are much more accurate at finding a point for the first time. The better units will get you within about 100 feet when returning to a place you have set a waypoint for. Finding a point the first with ASF on will get you within 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Without ASF can be 2 miles. The unit requires a coupler and antenna to work. Loran C is land based and has a linited range. It does not have world wide coverage like GPS. I still use a Loran C on my boat as have so many waypoints saved. I also have a GPS that I am storing every waypoint I go to in so in the future will be able to use the GPS to return to old favorite fishing spots.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: loran c navigator

I am not sure of the exact timeframe but I read that LORAN is schedule to have the base stations converted over to either D or WAAS (I forget which) to support GPS. I don’t use LORAN (I think of it as used mostly by commercial fishing boats) so it just passed through one eyeball and out the next. Anyone else have more info on this?

 

[Boatist]

Re: loran c navigator

I am sure Loran C will go away some day but right now the Coast Guard is still mataining in the US. Canada, and Russia also still useing. They will give a long warning before shutting down. If I was buying a new unit today makes a lot more since to go with GPS. WAAS singal good in most states, not Alaska as they are too far north to see the equator.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: loran c navigator

Boatist - From what I have been reading LORAN is definitely on its way out but will likely come back integrated with GPS, but not useful on its own. In their current state, neither GPS nor LORAN meets the sub-10 meter accuracy requirement needed for harbor approaches.<br /><br />Dec 31, 2000 was the date originally scheduled for the U.S. to abandon all support of LORAN. The reason it has not happened is to allow evaluation of any long-term need for the system. USGC will continue operating LORAN thru 2008. LORAN users will get a heads-up prior to discontinuing.<br /><br />The next generation of radioNavigation being evaluated uses a GPS signal for positioning and a LORAN signal for differential/correction. I don’t know but this might be the same as DGPS. If it is, I would wager LORAN will be gone at the end of 2008.

 

[Boatist]

Re: loran c navigator

18Rabbit<br />I am sure someday Loran C will be shut down. Right now Goverment is operating the stations in the 48 states. The Coast Guard, and civil and military aircraft still use. Approved for both VFR and IFR flight rules. I have been told by many that it no longer works but it is not true. US Canada and Russia still useing.<br /><br />When they decide to shut it down will be plenty of warning but until they give a date and time of shutdown and post it all over no point in guessing. I still use Loran C as my main navigation system with GPS as a back up. Mostly because I have so many Waypoints set for my favorite fishing spots. I would love to see the goverment Web site that reports 2008 as the date.<br /><br />Some GPS units now report accuracy of 3 meters but for me see no need for something more accurate than 10 meter. Maybe if you are dropping a bomb.<br /><br /> http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/loran/default.htm

 

[18rabbit]

Re: loran c navigator

I’ve been to so many websites reading about LORAN ... I’m finding out more about it than I cared too. I just wanted to know when it would die. I do not accept as fact anything I read on individual or private organization’s web pages.<br /><br />Europe is continuing to develop LORAN, as per NELS.org (Northwest European Loran-C Systems … “A co-operation between the Governments of Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands and Norway”). If they are credible we may not have long to wait. As per their May, 2003 newsletter:<br /><br />“US continue their long-term evaluation of Loran-C. … Final results will not be available until March 2004.”<br /><br />The 2008 date is from the Rockwell website for the AC-11 Commander aircraft. I think they actually extrapolated it based on the 2002 congressional funding of $109million to the USCG to support LORAN. It costs just over $20mil/year to keep LORAN alive. (My math puts that funding good from 2003 thru 2007.) http://www.ac11.org/gpsvs.htm <br /><br />I read some of the 2001 DOD/DOT Radionavigation Plan. All kinds of systems scheduled for discontinuance. LORAN is noted as “short term” but appears on the faze-out graphic as continuing past 2015, perhaps because they don’t what to do with it.