On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 05:00:28 GMT, otnmbrd wrote:



Steven Shelikoff wrote:
Where's Jim Donahue when ya need him?

http://www.defensedaily.com/cgi/av/s...ontimeon.h tm

Steve

About 4 years ago, my industry (Marine) "sources" started saying that we
should not count Loran out, and that plans were beginning to be
formulated to update/upgrade the system.
To be honest, my reaction, though positive, was not too optimistic.
It's nice to read that this is still being considered, though if it does
come to pass, I would also hope that they figure out how to increase
range and coverage.

I don't think there are plans to increase the range and coverage to
include, for instance, mid ocean. The plans are to greatly increase the
accuracy and to make LORAN a backup stratum 1 time source. That's good
for several industries, like cellphones, broadcasters, etc.

As long as it covers the coast out to around a few hundred miles, that's
good enough for 99.999% of boaters. You usually don't need ot know
*exactly* where you are when you're hundreds of miles from anywhere.


Only a fool goes offshore/deepsea for extended voyages, with one single
navigation method available ..... and six GPS receivers does not mean
you have six methods, only that you have 5 backups for one method, maybe.

Yup.

Steve

Steven Shelikoff wrote:
On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 05:00:28 GMT, otnmbrd wrote:



Steven Shelikoff wrote:

Where's Jim Donahue when ya need him?

http://www.defensedaily.com/cgi/av/s...ontimeon.h tm

Steve

About 4 years ago, my industry (Marine) "sources" started saying that we
should not count Loran out, and that plans were beginning to be
formulated to update/upgrade the system.
To be honest, my reaction, though positive, was not too optimistic.
It's nice to read that this is still being considered, though if it does
come to pass, I would also hope that they figure out how to increase
range and coverage.


I don't think there are plans to increase the range and coverage to
include, for instance, mid ocean. The plans are to greatly increase the
accuracy and to make LORAN a backup stratum 1 time source. That's good
for several industries, like cellphones, broadcasters, etc.

As long as it covers the coast out to around a few hundred miles, that's
good enough for 99.999% of boaters. You usually don't need ot know
*exactly* where you are when you're hundreds of miles from anywhere.

I got the sense (sources) that they were at least contemplating some
increased coverage but most mid-oceans would still not apply.
This makes Loran only a limited backup/second source system, as G
there are many more areas to the world, than just the US, that could
benefit.

otn