(AP) from Portland, Maine The plug is being pulled on the outdated radio navigational system that for many decades was the preferred choice of mariners in waters off the U.S.
As low-cost GPS has emerged in recent years, the LORAN-C system has become obsolete and is no longer needed for navigation or safety, the Department of Homeland Security says. Over the protests of some U.S. senators and others who say the LORAN network should be maintained as a GPS backup, most of the nation’s LORAN transmission towers will be turned off Feb. 8, with the remainder being shut down by Oct. 1.
LORAN marked a quantum technological leap when it first became popular among fishermen more than 25 years ago. Its passing marks the end of an era brought on by further