In
marine navigation, Omega refers to a
Very Low Frequency (VLF) system used for
radio navigation up until September, 1997 when it ceased operation in lieu of the
Global Positioning System (
GPS). Omega operated in the 10.2
kilohertz (
khz) range with a
wavelength of 16
nautical miles (nm). Navigation was accomplished by using a receiver which measured the phase-difference contours of pairs of Omega stations.
Nautical charts had "Omega lanes" printed on them consisting of two lines of
adjacent zero phase-difference contours. An Omega radio receiver would
increment and
decrement lane counters as a vessel moved through the water. A
line of position (LOP) is established by comparing the
intersection of at least two Omega lanes. Accuracy of the system was within 1 to 2
nm which was useable for deep sea
navigation, but not for coastal piloting.
Original Omega Station Locations
Letter Name Latitude Longitude
Designation
A Norway 66 deg N 13 deg E
B Trinidad 11 deg N 62 deg W
C Hawaii 21 deg N 158 deg W
D N Dakota 46 deg N 95 deg W
H Japan 35 deg N 129 deg E
Source:
Quartermaster 3 & 2: Rate Training Manual. NAVEDTRA 10149-F. SuDoc Number D207.208/2:Q2/2 (the SuDoc Number is the number you use if you want to get this from a Federal Depository Library)