LORAN Signal Fades Into History

Diana Gish/KMXT

Once, the cutting edge of navigation technology, signals from the LORAN system will soon fade into history. Most of Alaska’s "Long Range Aids to Navigation" or "LORAN"stations, which began broadcasting in World War Two, will be turned off on Monday.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Sara Francis explained the development:

— (Loran 1 "The Coast Guard … by that point.")

Francis went on to explain why the system is going to be shut down on Monday (today).

— (Loran 2 "Loran C is … if you haven’t already.")

She said that many users in the past few decades have employed dual-band radios which pick up both the LORAN signal and GPS.

Once the LORAN stations are shut down, and disassembled, the crewmembers will be reassigned to other units throughout the Coast Guard.

The remoteness of LORAN duty sites held appeal for some Coast Guard personnel, thanks to Alaska’s scenery and access to good hunting and fishing. For others, it was a stepping stone to something better.

— (Loran 3 "Here in Alaska … that’s for sure.")

The history of the LORAN system can be found on the website of the Kodiak Military History Museum. The oldest Coast Guard Loran station in operation is Attu which began broadcasting in 1942. The opening of the station was a landmark event for that remote Aleutian island; and so

— (Loran 4 "ATTU will become … left in place.")

The LORAN station at Narrow Cape on Kodiak Island and the one at Tok will be turned off in separate ceremonies at 11 a.m. Monday (today).