Loran user's.. read this one.. its great news...

[Capt. Jay]

Just got back from boaters world and I was told by a insider there that loran system is a back up for gps FOREVER... The government is going to keep it going as a strong back up, just in case the gps system goes down I guess.. The guy that told me was told by a coast guard reserve guy yesterday, and its a "for sure" that loran system is going strong and going to continue as a strong back up to gps... For all of those guys selling loran's, my advise is HANG ON TO IT... The salesman at boaters world asked me if I wanted to sell mine.. I SAID NO THANKS... Its funny because I was in there purchasing a new antenna holder base so I can install my SECOND LORAN aboard Awesome Angler.. I got two now, and both work great, so I thought I would pop it on the dash as a second loran back up.. My dash is starting to look like a jet aircraft for dash boards!!! I was a happy camper when I heard about loran staying around...I still use mine everytrip, and lots of my rockpiles I have not been to yet, and still dont have gps numbers to them... I get a kick out of a few anglers who say loran is junk.. want proof on how junky they are??? go to my homepage and click on photo album.. MOST OF THE FISH ON THERE CAME FROM LORAN NAVAGATION... That just might change anyone's mind about how junky loran's are!!! Im not heading offshore this weekend.. my autopilot is in the shop, and the guy promised me it back today.. now he says next wednesday by the latest.. I HOPE SO.. Its killing me now heading offshore on the first warmer, and calmer weekend of the winter.. Oh well,. Im there as soon as I can steer my boat.. good luck to everyone heading offshore this weekend, and save a few for me!!!!

[inletsurf]

Jay, that's interesting.

Why does the government need a backup for GPS? I don't get it. To me, it doesn't seem like that the government would continue to spend money on a non-linear, inferior method of navigation when there's more than enough redundancy in the constellation of 20+ GPS satellites? They have complete accuracy, we have accuracy to feet. Why would they want to do that? Spend tons of money putting satellites into orbit to have Loran as a backup?

Don't be misled, Jay. As the last of everyone's Loran units break, the gov't will surely pull the plug on that system.

[f94gator]

When I read it in the newspaper or a reputable source, I'll believe it.

Until then, did everyone know I keep 8 track backups of all my CDs, just in case I break one? ;)

[inletsurf]

That's an excellent idea, because you know why?

Some dude at the record shop told me that his sister's boyfriends cousin's friend who mops the floor at Arista records told him that they're going to get rid of those damn shiny CD's and bring back the 8-track and make it the industry standard.

Hey Jay, You can buy my Loran. It's nice. $85. I think you need three.

[johnhermes]

Alright everyone, don't have a damn heart attack, BUT.....

.....Jay is right on this one. I heard this last summer. The USCG has indefinetely post-poned shutting down Loran and they have scheduled long overdue maintenance to the system. It was to be shut down in 2005. As far as Loran being better, no way, not since selective availability was shut off. Bill Clinton did at least one good thing while in office. (OK, blowjobs-two things)

The best thing for Loran these days is to find spots that are saved with TD's on a Loran, then convert it on the GPS. NO ONE, AND I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NO ONE makes a conversion software that is worth a crap.

[richhermes]

Inlet,

Should I keep my Sony Betamax? I think this DVD thing is a fad.

[inletsurf]

BILL CLINTON DID BLOW JOBS??? Wow, he was as queer as a 3 dollar...well you know...Bill!!!

PS. Rich, how about the Video Disk Players (remember those? they look like a huge floppy disk in a plastic cover?),


Jay, I heard the star-guiding sailors sextant is also another good backup for the Loran. I think we need two of those on the awesome angler, just to be safe.:p

[Screen Name]

That is wrong, way wrong. My Andren progam has found some awfully small spots for me AFTER I got it calibrated. Forget what ICEMAN says, he don't know dukey.:D

[f94gator]

I'm sorry, but given the choice between Loran and GPS - GPS all day long. I'm not really sure how you can improve on a GPS system that puts you dead nuts on top of the spot.

Seems to me that the main purpose for Loran these days is to get to spots that you don't have in your GPS yet. After that, turn it off.

[Capt. Jay]

loran is not as good as gps.. and never will be.. but as long as it finds those rock piles that I have no gps numbers on I will keep finding them with loran.. its a strong back up in our area in my option.. the grounds keepers ran loran for years, and always had no problems finding anything with it...

[Nitroxshooter]

Look at it in another light. If we go to war they may impliment the "SA" again on the GPS while the loran will still be working like it always has. Loran is great it just works a little slower than GPS.

[inletsurf]

Hey Jay, I have an idea for ya.

Get a WAAS GPS for about $300 and start marking those spots in lat-long!!!! What's going to happen if you're offshore and the loran signal goes out due to error, maintenence, etc...? That has happened to me before, I had to navigate 20 miles back to the inlet solely on dead reckoning. It sucked.

GPS signal never goes out. Also, once you go with a mapping GPS, you won't believe how easy it is to bottom fish. A map makes figuring out current really easy, and also helps in spot search/locating for new areas. Lorans don't have maps...

[Speargun]

Sometime around 2006 - 2008 WAAS will be "officially" online and approved for aviation use. It will be used for IFR approaches and will have to be acurate. I doubt that SA will ever be used again. It's just too easy to spoof a GPS guided missile. Look at our JDAM, the Discovery channel tells you how to spoof it with about $40 worth of equipment.

[100days-a-year]

Ever notice all those aviation LORANs on EBAY.It'll go as soon as they can justify it.Right now the smmall plane community has a voice that helps keep it.I have about 20,000+ loran #s in Fla,Ga and the gulf.My family is full of snapper boat captains,divers and they all hook me up.Anybody want to convert'em for me?Just buy me a 36' Thompson trawler and some RS and reef permits and I'll let you see'em.

[Screen Name]

I'll give you my Kayak for only the Gulf ones. Its a really nice Kayak. :D

[100days-a-year]

ScreenName,I have 2 kayaks now.Pink ones.Who'll up the ante?