Pre-GPS: Hyperbolic Radio Navigation Systems and the Decca Navigator

RE: Pre-GPS: Hyperbolic Radio Navigation Systems and the Decca Navigator

DAB — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 20:15:10 GMT

Great post.

I have done a fair amount of work on navigation systems over the years.

One interesting event, when I was on my first Alaska cruise it was on an older ship.

When we crossed the Gulf of Alaska I looked out behind the ship and noticed we were leaving an interesting sinewave in the water.

Evidently the ships navigation system was experiencing some errors causing the autosteering to weave back and forth as it tried to stay on course.

I was probably the only passenger on board who saw and appreciated what was happening.

RE: Pre-GPS: Hyperbolic Radio Navigation Systems and the Decca Navigator

genebren — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 18:39:58 GMT

I worked in aviation in the early 80's and the common navigation methods include VOR (VHF omnidirectional Range Station 108-117.95 MHz) and DME (Distance Measuring Equipment). Prior to GPS, these were the primary navigational aids. I worked on one of the first Flight Managment Systems (FMS) for 757 and 767 aircraft, which utilized these NAV aids. In addition to FMS software, I worked on simulators that were used to test these devices. As a part of my work on the simulators, I created a worldwide database to simulate all of the known VOR and DME stations, and created signals for all stations that were in range of an aircraft during simulated flights.

The VOR seems very similar to the methods you shared here.

RE: Pre-GPS: Hyperbolic Radio Navigation Systems and the Decca Navigator

dougw — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:18:55 GMT

Robert Dippy (lead developer for Gee) was shipped to the USA to help develop LORAN.

RE: Pre-GPS: Hyperbolic Radio Navigation Systems and the Decca Navigator

Jan Cumps — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 15:16:32 GMT

Great article.

> there was a time when thousands of lives would frequently be lost due to the difficulty of determining latitude.

As usual, the balance swings on that one. It saves lives, but nowadays also can maximise the efficiency when taking lives.
That's not the fault of the tech - that's great all the time [emoticon:c4563cd7d5574777a71c318021cbbcc8]

RE: Pre-GPS: Hyperbolic Radio Navigation Systems and the Decca Navigator

kmikemoo — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:53:09 GMT

[mention:b0bc65b9ecdc4307bd967592f00e340a:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] That was fascinating! Thank you for sharing it.