On Sep 1, 3:08 am, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:13:11 +0900, "Michael Kennedy" mike@com wrote:
This started out as a repair issue, my LORAN unit wasn't getting a signal. I
thought it was broken. I have been gone from the USA for 2 years and but
after some research I have found out that in my time gone that the
government has decided that we no longer need LORAN or any form of backup
for GPS.
Yep. The US pulled the plug earlier this year:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=loranMain
Also Canada, Africa, and Russia.
Some European countries still have their systems running:
http://www.loran-europe.eu/viewpage.php?page_id=23
http://www.loran-europe.eu/viewpage.php?page_id=5
but my guess is when Galileo is fully operational, Europe will also
pull the plug. That may be many years with the current rate of
funding and progress:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Navigation_System
Meanwhile their Loran-C system is still up mostly because they want to
rely on a US controlled GPS system.
I can only hope that we will see the LORAN system come back in some form in
the future. Is it just me or does it seem stupid to do away with out only
backup system for GPS?
It depends on what you're trying to accomplish. Seen any cell phones
with Loran-C for E911 location? Vehicle navigation systems with
Loran-C? For many things, GPS is the only way it can be done (or done
economically). Nobody wants a 10ft long amplified Loran antenna
hanging off their cell phone.
I don't think you'll see the Loran zombie rise from the dead.
LORAN is robust where as GPS seems qite frail in comparison. I have lost GPS
signals in bad weather but never LORAN, but maybe this is just my
observations and not a true representation of the facts.
GPS has its problems, but the latest units are sufficiently sensitive
to work even in a storm. Location is important and having your
receiver antenna below deck may cause reception problems. Try some of
the newer "high sensitivity" GPS receivers and see if it works any
better. If below deck on a handheld, thing about a docking station
and external mast mounted antenna:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Sensitivity_GPS
--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
Andy comments:
I designed the TI Loran C for aircraft 30 yrs ago and found that
a 22 inch antenna
would deliver the same S/N ratio as a longer antenna, since the
antenna
would pick up atm. noise and signal in the same ratio, and 22 inches
was
about where the noise figure of the electronics would exceed the
atmospheric noise........ Still, a 22 inch antenna on a cell phone
would make it hard to carry in your pocket. .... so your point
is well taken.
:))) Andy in Eureka, Texas