Loran c

[MiVelero]

Greetings,

I have a Loran installed and working on my boat... Does it go or does it stay?

Curious to see how many of you have them and or use them.
I have googled but have not found much relevant information aside from the CG blurbs.
What is its future ?, is it worth keeping on board ?
I have a plotter, 2 handheld gps, laptop prgm/gps and paper charts compass etc.

Any thoughts ?...................

[CharlieCobra]

Considering that the CG decided to keep the Loran C system operational for a while yet as a backup to GPS, keeping it might be a good idea.

[c40eb]

Our boat too, has a Loran C receiver...and I plan to keep it. It's not that I'm paranoid...oh, wait...yes I am.

2 unrelated sources, producing close to the same thing (Lat & Long)....

Plus, paper charts for triple redundancy.

Now, if only the sky doesn't fall...

[Valiente]

If it works and you know how to use it and the system in your area is maintained, sure, keep it...unless you need the space or can't spare the volts.

But I was offered a relatively new unit for free a couple of years ago, and said no thank you.

[sailaway21]

Loran C has become the official USCG back up plan for GPS. On the brink of shutting the system down, it is speculated that someone posited the idea that it might be nice to have an electronic navigation system to use during those periods of time when the DoD decided it necessary to shut the GPS system down. Consideration of those circumstances grew out of 9/11 and homeland security needs.

If you're sailing the Gulf, and not going over a couple hundred miles offshore, Loran C might serve you quite well. It's primarily a near-offshore system and as accurate as you really need for that type of navigation.

If I had a Loran C set, I'd certainly keep it and probably even use it. I definitely wouldn't get rid of it now that it looks like the system will be maintained for the foreseeable future.

[Boasun]

Just to add to this: They are now coming out with Loran/GPS combined units for Navigation that connects to your chart plotter.
Loran C is being upgraded to eLoran, going from the old tube transmitters to solid state transmitters.
The Aeronautical industry along with the Maritime industry had a big input into keeping the Loran going. A lot of aircraft has Loran for their navigation also.

[NOLAsailing]

My current boat came with one. I punted it off almost before I did anything else (it was huge!). The Smithsonian did not express an interest so it was off to a landfill for it. I am strictly coastal on my boat and I figure if the GPS system goes down, I'll probably have bigger issues to ponder. I have a chartplotter and a backup handheld for navigation.

[AdamLein]

Originally Posted by c40eb

Plus, paper charts for triple redundancy.

I wouldn't describe paper charts as a "redundancy". Loran C (and some GPS receivers, like mine) only tell you where you are... not how close the nearest reef is.

[Valiente]

I'm pretty sure he meant it in the sense of "back up", like belt, suspenders and pants button!

[JomsViking]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

Loran C has become the official USCG back up plan for GPS. On the brink of shutting the system down, it is speculated that someone posited the idea that it might be nice to have an electronic navigation system to use during those periods of time when the DoD decided it necessary to shut the GPS system down. Consideration of those circumstances grew out of 9/11 and homeland security needs.

Out of academic interest, as I’m not really worried about this, but here goes..
So they (USCG) must have made a risk assessment? Do you know what they gauge the probability of GPS being shutdown to?
That would be interesting to know, as the Galileo (European GPS) project’s business case is based on the premise that the military operators give no guarantees on uptime. ESA - Navigation - The future - Galileo - Why Europe needs Galileo
A figure on probability indirectly gives us an idea on uptime (still not guaranteed though)
(Bringing a sextant and some tables still won’t hurt you).