World War II-era navigation system shutting down

Platapus · 02-08-10, 08:21 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/08/l...own/index.html

Quote:

In a series of small ceremonies, the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday afternoon will shut down Loran-C, a navigation and timing system that has guided mariners and aviators since World War II.

Even though it will save some bucks, I don't know if this is such a good idea. As the article points out, it is not a good idea to put all your navigation eggs in to one GPS basket.

Task Force · 02-08-10, 08:38 PM

hmm... yea, what happens if the gps goes down... not good.

Luckless · 02-08-10, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

hmm... yea, what happens if the gps goes down... not good.

Then people should use their backup navigation tools. If you can't safely navigate without GPS in the first place, you shouldn't be attempting to navigate in the first place.

Task Force · 02-08-10, 08:46 PM

yea... Im sure they would have other nav tools... Compass, ect...

Oah... welcome to the forums.

Rip · 02-08-10, 09:04 PM

Aww crap. Can I erase all my Loran-C and NAVSAT knowledge from my head and make some more room newer stuff. I think I could still list all the stations although I would have to look up frequencies.

Platapus · 02-08-10, 09:15 PM

It was a good simple system that worked.

02-08-10, 09:18 PM

A big problem there is that, all of the big powers are capable of downing each-others satelights. Loran Charlie may not be as modern, but is more reliable.

They seem to be intent on making a show of saving pennies, as many other programs are throwing dollars out the window.

krashkart · 02-08-10, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

It was a good simple system that worked.

And if it works, keep it.

Snestorm brings up a good point, too, in that the powers have anti-satellite capabilities. Was it China that blew a sat out of orbit with a high-powered laser some time back? Unable to recall presently. But, yeah, all it would take is a few well-aimed weapons to cripple GPS. I don't really know to what extent our military relies on GPS, but JDAMs would be obsolete in a hurry.

Blood_splat · 02-09-10, 12:01 AM

That or a massive solar flare.

GoldenRivet · 02-09-10, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

As the article points out, it is not a good idea to put all your navigation eggs in to one GPS basket.

100% agree

stupid GPS

Rip · 02-09-10, 01:26 AM

Not to worry, we still have sextants!

Platapus · 02-09-10, 11:52 AM

I hope they are just turning off Loran and not destroying it. Then when (not if) out GPS gets put out, we can turn on Loran and atleast not bump into each other.

Jimbuna · 02-09-10, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip

Not to worry, we still have sextants!

Don't forget your trusty compass

Oberon · 02-09-10, 12:07 PM

Bah, anyone knows that if you sail out of sight of land and birds then the monsters of the deep will get you.

razark · 02-09-10, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckless

Then people should use their backup navigation tools. If you can't safely navigate without GPS in the first place, you shouldn't be attempting to navigate in the first place.

But that would mean that people would need to know what they're doing! Can't expect people to actually know how to do things. If it can't be done with the push of a button, it's impossible.

02-08-10, 08:38 PM	#2
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	hmm... yea, what happens if the gps goes down... not good. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

02-08-10, 08:46 PM	#4
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	yea... Im sure they would have other nav tools... Compass, ect... Oah... welcome to the forums. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

02-08-10, 09:15 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,362 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	It was a good simple system that worked. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

02-09-10, 11:52 AM	#12
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,362 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I hope they are just turning off Loran and not destroying it. Then when (not if) out GPS gets put out, we can turn on Loran and atleast not bump into each other. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

02-08-10, 09:04 PM	#5
Rip Commodore Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Right behind you! Posts: 643 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Aww crap. Can I erase all my Loran-C and NAVSAT knowledge from my head and make some more room newer stuff. I think I could still list all the stations although I would have to look up frequencies.

02-08-10, 09:18 PM	#7
Snestorm Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	A big problem there is that, all of the big powers are capable of downing each-others satelights. Loran Charlie may not be as modern, but is more reliable. They seem to be intent on making a show of saving pennies, as many other programs are throwing dollars out the window.

02-09-10, 12:01 AM	#9
Blood_splat Samurai Navy Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Beneath the waves Posts: 568 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	That or a massive solar flare.

02-09-10, 01:26 AM	#11
Rip Commodore Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Right behind you! Posts: 643 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Not to worry, we still have sextants!

02-09-10, 12:07 PM	#14
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Bah, anyone knows that if you sail out of sight of land and birds then the monsters of the deep will get you.