Don't sell your loran

Michael wrote:

wrote
I would prefer to have one of those boxes (I forget what they're called
- they're from before my time 8^) ) that creates virtual waypoints using
VORs and DME. I would think that would be the ideal alternative to GPS,
seeing as the VOR/DME signals are less susceptible to environmentally
caused signal degradation.

They're caller rho-theta RNAV (also VOR-DME RNAV). The KNS-80 was
probably the most popular, and it works well, but there are quirks.
Most importantly, it won't usbstitute for the underlying navaid on an
approach, the way GPS and LORAN will - get low and you lose the VOR
and/or DME signal.

The KNS-80 is a very nice box. Calculates time and distance to any waypoint
defined by a radial and distance from a VOR. Enroute and Approach modes.
Includes 4 waypoints with non-volatile memory. Easy to have an autopilot
slaved to it. Best of all, no damned database to update every 56 days (or any
time) to keep it current for IFR. It's successor (KNS-82 or KNS-88?) box had
additional waypoint memory.

Unfortunately, I don't believe that Bendix-King/Allied-Signal/Honeywell has
manufactured the KNS-80 and related boxes in years. LORAN and then GPS really
killed the market for that box, as everyone preferred the more sophisticated
boxes. It's still a nice thing to have though.