Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

Old RDFs.

Had one on my Morgan 24. We'd do long overnight races, using it and DR for navigation. You'd get three good position lines, draw your 'cocked hat' on the 12xx chart, then still wonder - you could set a coffee cup inside the cocked hat!
I remember coming back from Bermuda mid 70s using the Loran. You'd set it for the proper secondary, then watch the two returns on the scope. You'd dial in the TD until the peaks were coincident - that was the TD for that secondary. As we approached Montauk, out came the RDF for a second check.
Bought my Tartan 30 in '88 and it came with a Loran - size of a shoe box and all it gave was TDs. At least, no oscilloscope screen. Replaced it for one the size of a pack of cigarettes that gave lat/long and also did waypoints, routes, cross track error and all that good stuff. Still have it in a box in the basement.
Anyone need a Loran unit?

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