Reading Loran numbers

[Kayak fisherman]

I have a question for you guys. How do I interpret the Loran coordinates on my chartplotter? I know that's a loaded question, so I'll simplify it. How do I interpret the following Loran coordinates on my chartplotter?

8970 W Y 13696.5 51074.9

I know some of you guys (like Cypher from "The Matrix") can glance at these numbers and instantly recognize that it is The Rock Pile out of Hatteras. I am not one of you. I have to use the Lat/Long GPS coordinates as God intended. The GPS coordinates are approx N34 51.250 W75 31.500.

I know where the Rockpile (for example) is on my Cap'n Seagulls map and where it is on my chartplotter. On my paper map it is below the 100-line in 35fathoms, but how can I get this same info from looking at the chartplotter Loran coordinates?

I have never been able to get a grip on this. I know the Point is just below the 600-line and the 280 Rocks are at the 280-line, but when I get out there in my little boat it ain't so easy. My usual scenario is:

Me: "Hey guys...I'm sitting here trolling and eating potato chips up here at the Point. Where are you?"
Them: "Can't talk now, loser. We're busy catching fish at the 300-line."

At this point I pull out my laminated map (I left my magnifying glass at home) and I start playing with the chartplotter, trying to switch the position units to Loran TD and hopelessly getting lost in the numbers. Then:

Me: "Hey guys. how far are you from the Point and in what N-S-E-W direction?"
Them: [static]

[Mike Avery]

Take a look at this older HI SST shot.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk41/fishdad11/sst27apr09.gif

Look at the bold numbers far right...the line directly out of HI inlet is the 40200 line. Folks might ask you what is your 4-line. In this case you say I'm on the 200 line. Some folks just say their 4-line and the depth and from that you can get an idea where they are fishing. Or you could also give the 2-line (look at the numbers across the top). If you were around 50 fathams on the 200 line, you might say I'm on the 825 line. So you might say I'm on the 200 at 825. You really don't need to say 40200 and 26825 because the 41200 line and the 39200 lines are 100 miles away, out of radio range. TD lines are great because they are exactly 5 mile grids from each other. The 200 line is 10 miles from 300 line so estimating distance is very easy.

Yes on your chartplotter you would need to switch over to read loran TD lines. This is just a math conversion, not reading loran signals, wouldn't matter now anyways as loran is turned off. Make sure you have the right chain and offsets on your chartplotter to set up right to get the proper conversion, otherwise your numbers will be way off.

[TommyTuna]

the Loran conversion for our area u want the 9960 chain x y coordinates, not the 8970. There is some setup in your GPS you need to do.

Most of the time u will get a depth and a "4" line number, for example, 100 fathoms 580 line (around the Point). The depth takes the place of the top number or "2" line, the 4 line runs North/South and the numbers go up to the north and down to the south. Every 10 is a nautical mile, so 40580 to 40570 is 1 mile south, 40280 would be 30 miles south

[South Paw]

You can convert Loran to GPS with coast guard software. There is some accuracy. Let me know if you want the website I got it at home. Its free!

Good Fishin

[twobyfour]

Most of the offshore fishing off of HI, OI, and VB takes place in 30 to 150 fathoms... You will often hear reports of people fishing on the so- so line, as you said.. This normally refers to the last 3 digits of the bottom # of your 2 Loran #'s...... These are your North/South numbers or "4" number.. The reason no one usually gives the east west # is becasue if you are offshore fishing, one can easily assume that the person giving out the #s is between 30 and 150 fathoms, and everyone knows how the fathom lines run, thus negating the need for the last 3 east/west or top #'s.. Either way, its always the last 3 digits in both that you commonly hear.. Time on the water and experience will breed familiararity with these #'s.. Just remember, when you hear someone say they are on the so-so line, its always the last 3 digits of the 4 #, or north south #.. This will usually be given with a fathom #... Now for your test... If I tell you I'm at the 580 in 100 fathoms, where am I?

[Kayak fisherman]

Thx guys. I think I've got it figured out. I had my "chain" setting messed up. Should be 9960. It makes alot more sense now.