| |
Electronic Navigation
Introduction
Position is determined in electronic navigation in about the same way
that it is in piloting, but there is this important difference: the objects
used to fix the ship’s position need not be visible from the ship.
Instead, their bearings (and sometimes their ranges) are obtained
electronically.
There are many different types of electronic equipment used in
navigation; some of these you may have used, others you may have only
heard about. Some of the more important ones are:
Fathometer
Radar
Loran-C
RDF
Omega
SATNAV
SINS
GPS
Many people believe that electronic navigation is becoming a primary
method for both piloting and long-range navigation. However, you must
continually bear in mind that there is no one system that can always be
used. Every method has its own limitations, and you should appreciate
and understand them. Electronic methods are vulnerable because of the
possibility of breakdown, malfunctioning, or damage. They are also
subject to atmospheric conditions and some can be successfully blocked
by jamming, capture, or destruction of related shore equipment by an
opposing force. You must, therefore, have a working knowledge of all
navigational methods available to you and be able to use them all as
required. Furthermore, the old saying "the equipment is only as accurate
as its operators" holds true. And operators are only as accurate as their
complete knowledge of the equipment they are using.
Section
Objectives
Describe the procedure used to annotate the fathometer echogram.
List the components of the fathometer.
List at least five types of electronic equipment used in navigation.
List the five steps used to plot time difference lines used
occasionally with electronic navigation.
List the components and operation of satellite navigation systems.
8-40
|
