LORAN-C transmitter Seneca facts for kids

The LORAN-C transmitter Seneca was a very important station that helped ships and airplanes find their way. It was like a giant GPS system before modern GPS existed! This station was a key part of the LORAN-C navigation network in the Northeastern United States. It also helped guide vessels in the Great Lakes area.

What Was the LORAN-C Transmitter Seneca?

The LORAN-C transmitter Seneca was a special radio station. It sent out powerful radio signals. These signals helped ships and aircraft figure out their exact location. It was like a lighthouse, but instead of light, it used radio waves.

Where Was It Located?

This important station was found inside the Seneca Army Depot. This large military base is in Romulus, New York. It is located south of the city of Geneva. The LORAN-C station itself sat on about 250 acres of land.

How Did It Work?

The Seneca station had a huge, tall tower. This tower was 742 feet (226.2 meters) high! That's taller than many skyscrapers. It was a guyed mast, which means it was held up by strong cables called "guy wires." The tower sent out radio signals with a power of 1000 kilowatts. These signals could reach ships and planes up to 1,000 miles (1,600 km) away!

The LORAN-C system worked by having several stations send out signals. Ships and planes would listen to these signals. By measuring the tiny differences in when the signals arrived, they could calculate their position.

Who Operated the Station?

The United States Coast Guard was in charge of operating the Seneca LORAN-C station. They made sure the station was always working. This helped keep people safe on the water and in the air.

A Step Forward in Technology

The Seneca LORAN-C station was quite special for its time. It was the first LORAN station to use solid-state electronics. This was a big deal! Older stations used vacuum tube parts. Solid-state electronics were newer, more reliable, and more efficient.

When Was It Built and Shut Down?

The tall tower was built in 1977. The station officially started working on August 2, 1978. It served as a vital navigation aid for many years. However, with the rise of modern GPS technology, LORAN-C became less needed. The Seneca station was finally shut down on February 9, 2010. The tower was taken apart soon after. Its pieces were carefully stacked near the old building.