Loran signal

[gss036]

Has anyone lost their signal yet, last time out my old LORAN still worked. I don't depend on it since I have GPS. The LORAN is actually more accurate than the GPS for bottom fishing, going back to the same spot consistently.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Loran signal

I have not checked mine yet this year but it was suppose to shut down Feb 12 except for the chains that are shared with Canada. Mine last year was off by about 100 yards like the asf was not working.

I also have 2 gps units but used the Loran C for my routs and fishing locations.
However each location we visited I tried to go to the exact location and save in one of the gps units.

I have not taken the cover off the boat yet this spring but when I do that will be the first thing I Check. If it is down like they say then may as well take the coupler and antenna off and add a second VHF with class D DSC and a second antenna. Coast Guard out here still does not have Rescue 21 but there goal is to have it by October.

It is kind of crazy to me as Many parts of the world are going to an enhanced Loran E which still uses the old Loran C signal plus added tansmitters to make it ever more accurite.

However the USA has decided to rely on just GPS. To me seem kind of risky as in a time of war satellites can be taken out pretty easy. Then the military would be blind. They may have a third system that is still secret.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Loran signal

I meant to put mine on CL in January, but forgot

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Loran signal

Loran is pretty much donecakes in the USA. They have shut off most all of the Loran stations. GPS is just as accurate as the enhanced Loran because they use a similar system known as WAAS. This essentially does the same thing Loran does by using ground based stations in conjunction with the GPS satellites to get your position within a few feet. Most modern aircraft with glass panels are now WAAS-equipped.

It's not really that easy to "take out" a satellite, contrary to action-movie lore. In addition to the fact that there are dozens in geo-sync orbit over the USA alone, you won't have a problem getting a GPS signal from 2 or 3 satellites.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Loran signal

It's not really that easy to "take out" a satellite, contrary to action-movie lore. In addition to the fact that there are dozens in geo-sync orbit over the USA alone, you won't have a problem getting a GPS signal from 2 or 3 satellites.

Actually I believe there are only 3 or 4 Geo?s in WAAS service.
#33 at 15 degrees West.
#51 at 107 degrees West.
#48 at 133 degrees West.
#46 at 98 Degrees West.
GEO?s do not broadcast GPS data anyway only error correction data.
The GPS birds in low Earth orbit broadcast the GPS information and there are 24 and 2 spares.
With conventional weapons they are pretty hard to take out but both USA and Russia have proven they can do it. With nukes and the magnetic pulse they are easy to take out.

It is kind of interesting that Europe has Enhanced Loran E and Rescue 21 is in full use and we have shutdown Loran C except for station used by Canada and our Rescue 21 is not in place in many areas yet. We use to lead the world.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Loran signal

I wasn't sugesting that all GPS satellites would provide WAAS, but it is available. Again, the correction data works a different way from Loran E, but the result is the same. The FAA/gov't chose to go with GPS and WAAS capability over Loran, so it's not like they didn't study the pros/cons of each system. I hardly think that EMP and other WMD-type weapons are exactly what I'd be worrying about in regards to the type of technology we use. Hell, we're still using VOR's for aircraft, which are an ancient technology at this point. Luckily we've all but phased out the last of the NDB's.

 

[gss036]

Re: Loran signal

I had not heard about the Canada thing and keeping Loran there. I guess I won't loose mine since one station in in Alaska, one on Vancouver Island,B.C., Canada and other one in Eastern Washington. There is a 4th but it is not as strong. The last time I turned the Loran on it locked in all 4 stations. My unit is as old as the hills, a Impulse 2831 combination system.
I also have 2 GPS units, one is plotter type, the other a Garmin Blue water map(chart) system.

 

[lazypt]

Re: Loran signal

I read that they might be doing this. 2 summers ago my Loran from the late 80's worked fine. Last summer I switched to a 4 ft. antennae and I didn't get squat. I guess it'll stay in the garage now.

 

[gss036]

Re: Loran signal

Don't you have to have the module on the antenna base for Loran?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Loran signal

This essentially does the same thing Loran does by using ground based stations in conjunction with the GPS satellites to get your position within a few feet.

This was primarily done for aircraft for landing systems and only needed when selective availability was turned on years ago.

In addition to the fact that there are dozens in geo-sync orbit over the USA alone, you won't have a problem getting a GPS signal from 2 or 3 satellites.

GPS satellites are not in geo synchronous orbits.