Carl,

Please look at the FAQ provided by NOA, this should help:

http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/faqgeom.shtml

If you are interested in the technical details of the IGRF, see:

http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/IAGA/vmod/igrf.html

If I was not at work, I could provide a longer explanation.

Hope this helps! Joseph Armbruster, KJ4JIO

skype: Joseph Armbruster, Orlando Florida

On Tue, Sep 6, 2011 at 1:38 PM, Carl Rimmer W8KRF w8krf@w8krf.net wrote:

The earlier discussion on this topic caused me to think about my setup. I know the tracking programs use True North; my question: If my declination is 8 º 6' West, is my true north East or West of Magnetic North. I am currently setup to where my True North is 8º East of Magnetic North. I have looked a various sights on the Internet but I have always had a problem wrapping my thick brain around this topic.

Thanks,

*Carl W8KRF* ______________________________**_________________ 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-bbhttp://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

----- Original Message ----- From: "Carl Rimmer W8KRF" w8krf@w8krf.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2011 7:38 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Magnetic North vs True North

The earlier discussion on this topic caused me to think about my setup. I know the tracking programs use True North; my question: If my declination is 8 º 6' West, is my true north East or West of Magnetic North. I am currently setup to where my True North is 8º East of Magnetic North. I have looked a various sights on the Internet but I have always had a problem wrapping my thick brain around this topic.

Thanks, -- *Carl W8KRF*

Hi Carl, W8KRF

Using a simple magnetic compass I suggest you to look at the Magnetic North and then compare the above North position with that of the Pole Star that indicates the True North.

To find the Pole Star in the True North direction in a clear sky is very easy because the Pole Star elevation in the sky is equal to your Latitude.

With the above informations you can easily establish if your True North is 8º 6' East or West of Magnetic North.

FYI Magnetic declination, sometimes called magnetic variation, is the angle between magnetic north and true north. Declination is considered positive east of true north and negative when west.

Magnetic declination changes over time and with location.

73" de

i8CVS Domenico