The Andren LoranGPS program is a tool for fishermen and
divers to manage collections of GPS (or Loran) waypoints
(readings) and print an organized book of listings and
maps. It is easy to use and will make your waypoints work
better for you. Its features allow you to plan
fishing/diving trips that save time and fuel and to
analyze your waypoints for promising areas to explore.
Key Features:
Manage your book of waypoints on the computer. Print your book with spreadsheet listings and charts. Coordinate your book with your GPS track plotter
Enter up to 32,000 waypoints per file using GPS and/or Loran data.
GPS
Lat/Lon waypoints are accepted and displayed in a variety of formats
such as: degrees only, degrees/minutes, and degrees/minutes/secs.
Display Lat/Lon or Loran with a variable number of decimal places.
Convert from Loran to Lat/Lon (GPS) and vice versa. Precision calibrate the conversions using local knowledge.
Along with each waypoint you can include a Name, Rating, Description, Color, Icon, Depth, and Comments
Spreadsheet View
waypoints can be given distinctive colors on listings and/or graphics.
Sort your waypoints numerically or alphabetically on any column
Display list in one of many pre-formatted or user customized spreadsheet styles:
Show waypoints on simple charts (as above) or NOAA charts.
Display waypoints on charts as Names, dots, symbols, or numbers.
Pan and zoom simple chart anywhere, and in any scale.
Center the chart on any reading.
Expand any portion of the chart.
Selectively include Lat/Lon lines and/or Loran lines and a coastline on the chart.
Get details on any reading on chart.
You can chose the color (on screen and printer) for chart lines and waypoints.
Labels and symbols can be included on charts.
Alternate black background for night time viewing.
Harvest sonar log data easily
Upload or download a variety of GPSs using Memory card transfers or serial port / USB connection
Import or export a large variety of data file formats for compatability with other programs and GPSs.
Move waypoints from one GPS to another. This allows you to move your waypoints out of your old GPS and
into a new one even if it is a different brand or model. You can also make sure that your secret spots are
removed and safely stored when you ship the GPs back for repairs or to another owner. Alternatively, you can remove
your secret spots and install one of the files from our Waypoints page when you sell your old GPS so the
new owner has something to start with.
Operating System Compatibility
The LoranGPS program is for Windows 95 through Windows 7 and requires at least 30 MB of disk space (more with charts). MAC owners can use a Windows emulator like Parallels to run it.
E-mail us for information on how to obtain a demo program.
Conversion service Conversion service is available if you
don't want to buy the program, but just want to get some Loran points converted. The charge depends on the
work needed. If you do the data entry, it is much cheaper. If your data is in electronic form and can be copied and pasted, then you get a flat rate. If you send us a hand written list that has to be typed in by us, of it you send a hard copy that might be scanned in and processed by OCR then the rate depends on the number of waypoints. Call or write for a quote. Indicate what form your data might be in.
News and Reviews 1/7/2010
SUBJ: TERMINATION OF ALL U.S. LORAN-C SIGNALS
IAW THE 2010 DHS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, THE U.S. COAST GUARD WILL
TERMINATE THE TRANSMISSION OF ALL U.S. LORAN-C SIGNALS EFFECTIVE 2000Z
08 FEB 2010. AT THAT TIME, THE U.S. LORAN-C SIGNAL WILL BE UNUSABLE AND
PERMANENTLY DISCONTINUED. THIS TERMINATION DOES NOT AFFECT U.S.
PARTICIPATION IN THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN OR CANADIAN LORAN-C CHAINS. U.S.
PARTICIPATION IN THESE CHAINS WILL CONTINUE TEMPORARILY IN ACCORDANCE
WITH INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.
Version Updates 7/6/2010 - Fixed an issue with an error message when calibrating conversions. Previously: Fixed an issue with Garmin exporting and another issue with NOAA chart
catalog creating. Added a Humminbird HWR import/export capability.
Made some changes to the Raymarine C/E series import/export and the GPX
importer. Fixed an issue with Raymarine C/E series exporting where folders with more than 500 points did not take. Did a better calibration of the Jacksonville area and cleaned up some minor issues. Added capability of importing and exporting Raymarine .FSH files while keeping your folder arrangement. Updated the calibrated ASF tables with more data. Improved the GPX and text import/export capability. Put lots more waypoints on the waypoints page. Added an Icon translation table for Furuno NavNet 3D files. The 10/26/09 version was found to be flawed in that it did not use the ASF tables. Anyone using the 10/26/09 version should download the newest version if they depend on the conversions. Recently we changed to a new
installer program to address issues with Windows Vista and Windows 7 installs. I also
expanded the capability of the text importer and added an oil rig icon. Our new version 7.x series features three new fields: Name, Icon, and
Depth for better GPS data sharing. Has import/export formats for C-Map userimg.bin, Furuno
GP1650B.Rat/ROU, Garmin userdata.ADM, Garmin Mapsource GDB/MPS,
Lowrance/Simrad Data.USR, RayMarine Archive.FSH, GPX, XML, and many others. It
allows the user to export portions of a large file. It also has
precalibrated Loran ASF tables for NJ, NC, and 11 inlets in the SEUS
based on customer supplied data. This gives better conversions right
out of the box. Includes a Lowrance sonar log harvester. It has the
capability to display and print charts of the BSB/KAP and Nos/Geo
varieties. These include the NOAA charts like the one shown below.
NOAA chart view
We've Been Published These articles show that the program has been around a while and has gotten good press.
The Andren Software Co. has been publishing this program
since 1986 and has incorporated many features requested
by users. The program gets updated frequently to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of
new Windows versions as they come along and to add substantial improvements
in the operation of the program. We always strive
to make the program useable by those who have little
knowledge of computers or have no feeling for Loran or
GPS. The program comes with a 16 page manual edited
by Carol Andren for clarity and understanding. You also get a soft copy of a printable 90+ page manual.
Carl Andren, the creator of this program, is a
member of the Institute of Navigation, the International Loran Association,
and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. He holds 26
patents in electronics including some on the IEEE 802.11 technology known
as WiFi.
Some of the improvements from previous 6.x versions are:
the addition of three more data fields for
Chart Plotter Name, Icon, and Depth, more uploading and downloading for some popular GPSs,
better backup and restore, more import/export routines,
and most importantly, a precision calibration
capability. This allows the user to calibrate the Loran to GPS conversion to close to the original Loran
accuracy using local reference points.
