LORAN-C transmitter Rantum, Radio navigation transmitter in Rantum, Sylt, Germany.
The LORAN-C transmitter at Rantum is a radio navigation facility with a 193-meter-tall steel lattice mast featuring a triangular cross-section. The framework is stabilized by cables at four different heights and weighs around 65 tonnes.
The facility was built in the 1960s as part of the global LORAN-C network and broadcast positioning signals to ships. It was decommissioned in 2015 after satellite systems replaced this navigation technology.
The station represents a turning point when mariners shifted from traditional navigation methods to modern technology. For decades, the mast was a familiar landmark for fishermen and ship captains working in these waters.
The mast stands on Sylt in a flat coastal area and is visible from a great distance, making it easy to locate. Visitors should note this is a former industrial site that is now protected as a historical monument.
The mast underwent complete replacement in 1996 with mechanical improvements while keeping its distinctive triangular design. Today the decommissioned facility stands as a reminder of navigation history and remains a recognizable landmark on the island.
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