“Deep Trouble” Update
In January’s Florida Sportsman, “Deep Trouble” article, Publisher Blair Wickstrom highlights an explosive, winter bottom-fishery at the outflows of deepwater Gulf of Mexico springs.
Accompanying the monster warsaw grouper and red snapper photos were two charts with Loran and GPS numbers for some of the springs and sinks spread throughout the Gulf. A correction to the Awesome Sink coordinates must be made. The Awesome Sink TDs, or Loran coordinates, are 14034.2/44692.7 or 14034.3/44692.8.
Converting Loran to GPS
There are a few options to convert Loran numbers to GPS numbers. The best and simplest way—if you have access to both GPS and Loran machines—is to physically motor out to all the spots marked by Loran coordinates and save them as GPS numbers. That’s as sure a bet as there is to get accurate GPS numbers from your TDs.
Other methods—like converting numbers though software—are not as precise, but will get you within the ballpark of your Loran numbers. Various programs that convert TD to Lat/Lon are available for download or purchase. Andren Software converts from Loran to Lat/Lon (GPS), or visa versa. Secondarily, Andren LoranGPS programs have the ability to print listings and maps of recorded coordinates. Offshore Hunter Waypoint Software is another option, with similar conversion and mapping capabilities.
Free conversion software from the U.S. Coast Guard is available at
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg9/rdc/default.asp?page=misc/posaid.asp&rn=off. The program (called POSAID2) is difficult to use for those not familiar with the antiquated DOS operating system. Those willing to fiddle with the DOS interface have reported decent results.
Garmin reports their newer GPS units have a form of Loran-to-GPS conversion based on a static model. From their Web site:
Garmin has added the Loran TD format to most new GPS units. This will allow consumers who have used Loran in the past to enter their old Loran TD numbers into their new Garmin GPS receivers. The GPS does not receive a Loran signal. It will simply convert the Loran TD that you enter and convert it to Lat/Lon for display or navigation. You will need to know the Loran chain number and the two secondary towers used to record the position you wish to convert to Lat/Lon or navigate to.
For a throwback issue which tackles converting Loran to GPS, look through your Florida Sportsman archives for the July 2002 issue.
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