I like many others remember the first time they were given their first sets of Loran C numbers to take them to some special fishing spot. i know I will never forget the day and it started me on a long journey that has consumed me and many other 'numbers hungas' to collect books of numbers.
Well just recently the US COAST GUARD has issued this with today being D-Day:
The Coast Guard strongly urges mariners currently using LORAN-C for navigation to shift to a GPS navigation system and become familiar with its operation as soon as possible.
Mariners will not be able to rely upon LORAN-C for navigation as of Feb. 8, 2010.
I must add though, that this statement added right on the USCG site is a REAL KICK IN THE FAMILY JEWELS for us:
The decision to cease transmission of the LORAN-C signal reflects the president’s pledge to eliminate unnecessary federal programs.
Where can we begin when we talk about UNNECESSARY FEDERAL PROGRAMS, or our tax dollars sent over seas to nations that wish destruction on America?
I am so looking forward to the 2012 election for new LEADERSHIP in the White House.
Anyway, just keep this in mind as your Loran C unit now becomes another paper weight in the wheelhouse.
Yes, sad day - they say all good things must come to an end.... Wonder if we will be able to learn the GPS numbers like we did the Loran.... Devil's Bottom, the 100 square etc. will now have no meaning except to us old timers. I think as of 1500 hours today the switch is to be thrown... I will be in the boat when I get home from work just to see. I'll be pulling the boat out tomorrow in advance of the upcoming weather - no need to keep her in if the Loran is shut off. Sad.
This has been put up on the COAST GUARDS - HOMEPORT SITE:
2010 NEW! TERMINATION OF THE LORAN-C SIGNAL
Summary: Federal broadcast of the Loran-C signal will cease at 2000Z on 08 February 2010 with some exceptions.
See below.
TERMINATION OF THE LORAN-C SIGNAL
Consistent with the Administration's pledge to eliminate unnecessary Federal programs and systems, the USCG broadcast of the Loran-C signal is going to be terminated.
Federal broadcast of the Loran-C signal will cease at 2000Z on 08 February 2010 with some exceptions, including the following five sites that are bound by bi-lateral agreements with either Canada (Caribou, ME; George, WA; Nantucket, MA; Shoal Cove, AK) or the Russian Federation (Attu, AK).
Mariners or other users of Loran-C are encouraged to shift to GPS navigation and plotting systems as soon as possible and not later than the termination date.
Questions regarding the information presented in this alert may be addressed to Bill Cairns of the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters e-Navigation Division at 202.372.1557 or William.R.Cairns@uscg.mil.
2/3/2010 - Updated the calibrated ASF tables with more data. It also has precalibrated Loran ASF tables for NJ, NC, and 11 inlets in the SEUS based on customer supplied data. This gives better conversions right out of the box.
In the KEY FEATURES section:
Convert from Loran to Lat/Lon (GPS) and vice versa. Precision calibrate the conversions using local knowledge.
This is a good option to use Nick, for a very reasonable price.
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