Stirling DECCA Traditional Cache
reaperfish: Due to an exciting new run of caches we are archiving this cache. Happy hunting people.
Reaperfish
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A decent size cache located near to a spot where you can see the aerial farm area that used to supply DECCA signals - the premier navigation system before GPS came along...
DECCA navigator was an impressive navigation system mostly used by the maritime community. The concept originated with an engineer in 1938, but was not commercialised until after WW2. During the war it was used to help Navy vessels complete such tasks as sweeping certain areas for mines and marking them clear, ready for the Normandy invasion.
It had a successful commercial operation, including use by helicopters working low level where VOR/DME is unreliable. It achieved success worldwide in various countries, although most were related to the UK either commercially or through the commonwealth.
I won't go into the technical aspects here - if it interests you go see (visit link)
Just as something of an eye opener - the enginners from RACAL were able in the 40's to drive a car along and know which lane they were in using this system...
The system ceased to broadcast in the UK on the 31st of March 2000, having been transferred over to the lighthouse authority as custodians until its demise. Replaced, predictably, by GPS in the main, the Stirling site is now used, appropriately enough for us, as a differential GPS position calculator, broadcasting corrective information to maritime users allowing sub 3m precision from gps.
The cache is a decent size cliplock which will take most trackables and such. Please rehide it sensibly, and leave the wall near it alone. We never hide caches in walls, there is no need to go disturbing it!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre frireny cvrprf bs jbbq va gur pbeare, ol gur jnyy. QB ABG QNZNTR GUR JNYY, VG VF GBGNYYL HAARPPNFNEL!
Treasures
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