HELMUT LANZINER, president of Offshore Systems Lid., shows his company’s patented radar reflectors which will make current microwave navigation systems virtually obsolete. The North Vancouver company has had many in- quiries about the technology. WEST VANCOUVER DENTURE CLINIC For your comfort. confidence and appearance We excel in a full range of Denture Services * NEW DENTURES ¢ RELINES « REPAIRS Please call us for a free consultation 922-9444 203.1590 Bellevue Ave. West Vancouver Medica! Dental Bldg. (behind Safeway) We are committed to keep you smiling. NEWS photo Neil Lucente NV developer thinking big with new radar innovation THE NORTH Vancouver developer of a successful electronic chart navigation system for ships is harboring thoughts of broadening in- dustry acceptance with the recent breakthrough devel- opment of a radar-assisted positioning system. The positioning system, devel- oped by Offshore Systems Ltd. (OSL), entails the land-based in- stallation of a series of passive reflectors. With radar, the metal! reflectors become sensors, pro- viding positioning information ac- curate to within a two-metre range. Combined with OSL’s PINS 9000 real time electronic chart display, the RANAV system replaces shore-based microwave positioning systems now set up in some restricted waterways such as busy harbor and river shipping areas. Said OSL president Helmut Lanziner, ‘‘The reflectors are brand new. This is the first system | 4 CYLINDER Plus Tax Be 563% Plus Tax Plus Tax Vé’s & V8’s 59 $534 66 Tax Plus Tax of its kind in the world and we have the control and the patent tights for this. We're hoping to set the world on fire. We've just refinanced the company by putting more than a million dollars into north shore high tech Michael Becker the company so that we can go out and sell this. At this stage we feel this will really open up the field.” Whereas microwave transponders require a power system and cost about $20,000 a unit, OSL’s passive reflectors range in cost from $500 to $1,100 and are maintenance-free. Said $586 66 Tax r POINT uN TUNE TUNEUPy * New spark plugs ¢ New points & condenser* * Rotor checked * Heat riser valve lubnecated « Battery checked * Dwell-timing reset * Carburetor adjusted * Road test © Extra for standard ignition Lanziner, ‘‘The microwave systems break down all the time. That's been holding us back for years.”* Lanziner said the Coast Guard is investigating the feasibility of set- ting up a section of reflectors along a stretch of the St. Lawrence River. The first operational RANAV system has been guiding a cargo ferry at Port aux Basques, Newfoundland since May. ‘‘Our coast, like Juan De Fuca, is ideal for this. One of the people with Atlantic Ritchfield has asked us to estimate how many reflectors they need in to Cherry Point (Washington State). We estimated that for something like $300,000 the whole area is covered,’’ he said. A 1989 federal marine spills review, prepared by Tanker Advi- sory Center Inc. for Environment Canada, recommended that radar teflectors should be installed in harbors and difficult or dangerous waterways to provide precise posi- tioning using electronic chart display and information systems installed in a ship’s bridge. i UWS All new vehicles sold have one year FREE maintenance and FREE| undercoating! GUARANTEED FOR 4 MONTHS or 650C KILOMETRES (Prices apply to most vehicles) * Only one coupon per service * These offers may not be combined with any other coupons. Wheel Brake Package Includes: FRONT BRAKES: «° *New pads © Turning rotors e Repacking wheel bearings * Topping up brake fluid e Checking calipers and hoses REAR BRAKES: « New shoes * Turning drums * Topping up drake fluid * Checking P.B. cables * Checking springs 099 $9929. “Metallic pads $20.00 extra Offer good with coupon only 6 GAYS WITH THE LaTeSyT CqUIPMENT TO SERVE you NEW LOCATION, 1525 CLYDE AVE., WEST VAN 926-7353 OR 850 MARINE DR., NORTH VAN 986-0386 ‘CHRYSLER. 1177 MARINE DR., N. VAN. 980-8501