[amsat-bb] Using a compass

[Dave Guimont <dguimon1@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I don't care where you are using a compass, using it on the ground, 
not moving from that location, and not allowing other large masses of 
metal to move near you, one can 'CALIBRATE' it for that location.

I don't care if is deviation or variation that is causing the needle 
to move, you are compensating for both...

I used celestial navigation, in an airplane in the early days, but if 
one has an overcast your octant was excess baggage at that time....

If I had a chart, knew the territory, and could line up two fixed 
points of land I could fly directly between those points, and thereby 
get the compass calibrated for that heading...

The deviation could change of course, if I made a turn, but I had at 
least one accurate heading...and few places in the world exist that 
changes variation that rapidly...

And we would "swing the compass" on the ground, and use compensating 
magnets to reduce the deviation...

And when your "landing field" the carrier is moving those methods, 
along with a plotting board got me home...

Standing on the ground orienting and antenna, sort of simplifies the problem!!



            73, Dave, WB6LLO
                dguimon1@san.rr.com

                    Disagree: I learn....

               Pulling for P3E... 

_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb