Converting Loran to GPS

Post by **Sea Fox** » October 18th, 2004, 9:16 am

My uncle that lives in East Point got a book of numbers from one of his friends that has just retierd from com. fishing and he gave it to me. Now, I have a garmin 76map handheld that will take loran #s but you have to have a grid #, maybe a loran chart is what I need. How about alittle help? My GPS on the boat is a lowrance and I havent read the manual but I think it takes loran too.

Post by **Tom Keels** » October 18th, 2004, 9:38 am

You've got a gold mine on your hands so don't waste it by trying to convert all those numbers. If I had a bunch of loran numbers I would go to ebay and pick up a loran and coupler and do the conversions the old fashion way by navigating to them with the loran and saving the spot on the GPS once I found it. That way you'll be sure of what they are.

If you want to try a different route, I've had pretty good luck with the Posaid2 software from the coast guard. It can be a pain to set up with the correct parameters but it will get you in the vacinity.

I think the number you are referring to is the Loran Chain Number which for this area is 7980.

DWilliams · Post by **DWilliams** » October 18th, 2004, 10:05 am

The gps converted loran #'s will be up to 0.2 mile off. A converted number is good to run to but not to find the ledge. It is good to have all the numbers in the gps for running to holes if they are close or to organize #'s if you have mapping software. Only a loran will put you on the ledge, but they are not as accurate as gps. The loran that I am using has an accuracy of about a radius of 25yds.

Post by **Sea Fox** » October 18th, 2004, 11:03 am

Tom ,I ran the search on Ebay and there semed to be some decent deals, but Im not sure what brands to look for. There was a couple handhelds that were cheap. Or is a fixed mount the way to go.

Post by **Tom Keels** » October 18th, 2004, 12:42 pm

From what I've heard you want to stay away from handheld lorans. Look for one that has a COUPLER and a MANUAL. These are 2 things that are a must for lorans. You need a coupler to tie into an antenna (another thing you will need but any vhf antenna works) and the manual to learn how to use it as they are not as intuitive as GPS's are.

Here are a couple of nice ones...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... gory=26444

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... gory=26444

Post by **tin can** » October 18th, 2004, 4:30 pm

Tom is correct. There are variables with LORAN that most folks aren't aware of. If you want to find those spots, buy a LORAN.

Post by **wevans** » October 18th, 2004, 5:04 pm

Course my mephew has one with antenna and all that you could probably BRIBE into loaning you while we work on his boat "still a few months work ta do"

Post by **Sea Fox** » October 18th, 2004, 11:08 pm

Ive thought about it all day and Im going to buy a loran and take the advise from Tom and TC. Wevans, Ill buy you a beer but the #s are like it says on the fornt cover (TOP SECRET). My uncle has a loran and fished a spot called toilet bowls and caught a 34lb snapper. Needless to say all this has delayed selling my boat until spring 200?.

Post by **Tom Keels** » October 19th, 2004, 4:28 am

What you will need is someone to check these numbers out first hand and tell you what's on the bottom. I think I know someone willing to do it.

Wil · Post by **Wil** » October 19th, 2004, 10:29 am

Tom Keels wrote:What you will need is someone to check these numbers out first hand and tell you what's on the bottom. I think I know someone willing to do it.

You're talking about me, right?

Post by **Tom Keels** » October 19th, 2004, 10:36 am

RRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTTT

Post by **Sea Fox** » October 19th, 2004, 10:53 am

Tom your not trying to say that Will cannot be trusted are you? And your right a look around the bottom could put me on top of the spot exactly.

Post by **Sea Fox** » October 19th, 2004, 11:31 am

Tom, have you ever heard of this brand http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMEWA%3AIT

Post by **Tom Keels** » October 19th, 2004, 12:35 pm

Never heard of it, but it looks good to me.