Lat/long VS TD's

[fmoore]

i have a program here on my computer at work that i got from the coast guard i believe. it seems to be pretty accurate. if i could figure oout how to download it i could send it to anyone that wanted it. i believe it is called positionaide2

POSAID2

Here's the link to the program you were talking about. I have used it and it is accurate enough. I always take the numbers I get and check with a chart with Loran overlay. It says it converts TD's into longitude and latitude, but I believe it can convert longitude and latitude to TD's also.

So here's a question for anyone who cares to answer. If I'm already using lat/lon, should I make an effort to try to use TD's? Keep in mind I fish the Gulf of Maine, not offshore down south or the canyons (not yet anyway ).

[Capt-D]

All modern gps chart plotters can input loran numbers and be fairly accurate. You need to make sure that the stations are set up properly in the settings of the plotter based on the location/chart that you are using.

I.E. the pulse repetition interval (also called Loran Chain GRI #) and the stations type designators. For the east coast specifically its 9960 and Xray and Yankee as the secondary stations.

As Glenn said you may need to do some offsetting, but they should put you in the ball park. Only in finding wrecks or small coral heads or rock piles will you need to worry about being dead ass on. As fluid as offshore fishing is everything else will be close enough.

The loran is still used for a couple reasons, specifically by "old salts" and charter guys.

Ease of use-" Hey bob I'm hitting them in 55 fathoms on the 950",

Repeatability -once you have a set of loran numbers for that secret spot (and they are never as secret as you think they are!) on a specific unit you can use them to find that exact spot over and over again.

Alotta recs don't know the lingo - " Hey bob I'm hitting them in 55 fathoms on the 950"

Redundancy of systems. having that old ass loran on board when that fancy new unit you just bought take a shit will get you home without having to pull the paper and doing it the hard why (which 90% of recs dont know how to do). Alotta recs don't bother to learn how to use a chart until they have to in getting a license.

-D


-D

[TommyTuna]

I have fish with a lotta recs for a lotta years and we aren't all as dumb as you think (90% ?), we really can read a chart and know what LORAN #s mean

[Capt-D]

I have fish with a lotta recs for a lotta years and we aren't all as dumb as you think (90% ?), we really can read a chart and know what LORAN #s mean

COOL YOUR JETS!

No disrespect meant! and I never called anyone dumb. I am not talking about reading a chart, I am talking about navigation using a paper chart, plotteing set and drift, factoring for your compass' deviation etc. The average rec does not know this. I didn't know all of it until I took the course.

AGAIN, NEVER CALLED ANYONE DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-D

[ocnslr]

COOL YOUR JETS!
-D

Well, I'm a "rec" (with a pretty senior license), and I'll meet you at ten paces with sextants in hand anywhere, anytime...

I can still do celestial navigation w/o a hand calculator...

Brian

[Capt-D]

Well, I'm a "rec" (with a pretty senior license), and I'll meet you at ten paces with sextants in hand anywhere, anytime...

I can still do celestial navigation w/o a hand calculator...

Brian

This not a pissing match Brian and was never meant to be! You have already made clear your qualifications! I just responded to a question with some information and thats al it was. I AM DONE WITH THIS!

-D

[BYRD]

Come on guys, I was just trying to win the contest, not start a pissing match. I have wondered why TD are still used prodominatley offshore while Lat/long seem to be the choice elsewhere. I believe that question was answered. I have a chart of the Ches. Bay that is in a loran grid and it is much easier to use than the same chart in the gps format. I feel that loran is much easier to use than gps, but a switch was made and those of use that do not have a older Loran -C unit COULD by at a slight disadvantage when it comes to converting numbers. Yes there are some great units that get close, but sometimes close doesn't cut it when looking for a wreck or structure. Ya'll fish enough to know that 5 feet can make a difference between a skunk and a limit. I appreciate the responses to the original question.