[Rhodes22-list] Slim's Compass

[Hank]

Ed,

It is true that the GPS tries to show a heading of where it is
pointed, but I suspect it is deriving that from forward movement. 
Next time you go out, put the GPS perpendicular to your direction of
travel for a few minutes and see what it shows for a heading.  I
suspect it will be based upon your movement, not on where it is
pointed.

Hank

On Apr 7, 2005 9:00 AM, ed kroposki <ekroposki at charter.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> Slim:
>        If you are going to keep the compass on the boat, then do a basic
> calibration.  If your drive is paved, then get a cheap scout compass and a
> piece of chalk.  Plot N-S, E-W on the driveway, or street in front of your
> house.  Adjust the compass to N-S, then E-W, then S-N, then W-E and again to
> fine tune.
>        The headings may not be perfect, but they will give you the general
> direction, so that you do not do Brad's trick of going in circles.  If you
> decide to do serious navigating then do more serious calibrations of the
> compass.  Keep in mind it will never be perfect to a degree.
>        As to which way do charts use, just look at a navigation chart in
> the light.  The answer is usually somewhere on the chart in degrees.
>        Bill said that a GPS is referenced from where you are coming from.
> On my Magellan Meridian, it tries to show a heading of where it is pointed.
> If you use a Meridian GPS, you should be able to calibrate the compass to
> within a few degrees.
>        Are you planning a cruise across Lake Superior this summer?
> Are you planning a visit to your mother's anytime soon?
> 
> Ed K
> Greenville, SC, USA
> Addendum:  Navigators answer:   A number of different approaches are being
> tried. (We are still guessing at this point.)
> 
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