Conference vicki::boats

    Frank,
    	If you'd like you can call me @dtn 261-3540 or drop me a note
    on Tallis::Klotz & I'll call you as this is a tough conversation
    to do justice on the tube.
    
    	I had an Apelco on my last boat with no ground plate and was
    very impressed with it's performance.
    
    	On my present boat I installed an R570 with a ground plate &
    have been more than satisified -- You made a good purchase!
    
    	The 570 is very user friendly & a snap to learn.
    
    	I install all my electronics myself - that way they are done
    right (or it's easy to find out who to beat upon) - and found the
    loran to be one of the easiest to install.

    	The thing you always need to keep in mind is that it is a
    complicated device & can/will make mistakes.  The nice thing is
    most error is forecastable.  You just need to use it correctly &
    minimize it's chance to err.
    
    	That's where the ground plate comes in -- it will enhance the
    accuracy.  

    Well if you like to rap give me a call,
                                               Lou "Phanta Sea"

    I spec'ed out the Raynav 570 for my new boat which I'll be taking
    delivery of this spring. I'm familiar with Loran through books and
    a course I took but have no 'hands-on' experience.
    
    I recall reading that different size ground plates are available.
    
    Is a ground plate necessary for 'all' installations? 
    
    If so, does the size of the ground plate affect the accuracy of the unit?
    
  /MArk  

    I purchased the Apelco 6600 this past year and had very good results
    even without a ground plate.  you might consider going without the
    ground plate for the first season.  You may wish to read 10.26 under
    "sailing" notes for further discussions on Loran.  Btw, you may
    want to look at the chart plots of units like the Apelco 6600. 
    Seeing your position superimposed on a chart of the area really
    is a worthwhile feature if you can swing the extra bucks.

    The Fishing Notesfile also spoke quite abit about the RayNav 570
    and the Apelco unit. Notes 902, 660, and 658 to be exact. I believe
    there was mention of what was called a 'Dyna Plate' used for grounding.
    So far I'm still not sure is its a requirement.....or its a solution
    to operational problems which may exist within the unit itself.
    I should get the owners manual ahead of time so I'll have a feel
    for the unit before I take delivery of the boat!
    
    /MArk

    The grounding plate question has no easy answer. You can try the
    empirical method already suggested (go without the plate to see
    if it performs O.K.), or you can end up with additional expense
    and the possibility that it will make no difference.
    
    The grounding plate can overcome the lack of other good ground
    attachment points. It can also allow you to have you vessel's 
    power ground and the Loran's signal ground isolated. This will
    help to prevent electrial noise from entering the Loran.
    
    For most New Enland boating, and perhaps other areas, where you
    normally won't be pushing the outer edges of the effective range
    of your Loran chain, the improvement in Signal to Noise Ratio
    obtained by a seperate grounding plate will make little difference.
    
    On the other hand if you plan long off shore cruising, have an
    especially noisy electrical system, don't mind the extra hull
    drag and penetration or just want the peace of mind then you may
    need the plate.
    
    My choice....try without....add later only if needed.
    
    Jerry
      

    I would like to thank Lou, Mark, Jerry and "Within 10" for your
    very informative replies.  I will see what kind of problems I
    may have installing a ground plate.  If it looks to be a problem
    installation, I will wait a year and see how it performs without
    the ground plate.
    
    I hope that you all have a very enjoyable summer and lots of 
    good boating.
    
    Frank