Hi Guys,
First of all, wishing all Amsat followers a Happy Christmas !
My quick question....
So I'm in the final stages of setting up my G5500 rotator & antennas, to get the whole thing Aligned I want to set a reference to North. I'm thinking this should be to True North not magnetic North. Can you confirm
Regards
RH / G0TKZ
True North
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Samsung S4
On Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:38:45 -0500, Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1pvh@gmail.com wrote:
True North
Oh... hang on, this may be an important point I've been missing all this time, but this means one must determine the magnetic declination for their QTH? Up to this point I had been just aiming my yagi via compass and leaving it at that.
Sorry to hijack the thread here, but if this is the case, then the difference between magnetic and true north will be very different depending on your location.
The easiest way, at least most times of the year, is to have the computer aim the antenna at the Sun, and then adjust the mount to match. I find doing it a few hours before sunset is most accurate.
Good luck,
Greg. KO6TH
On December 21, 2015 2:47:56 PM PST, "J. Boyd (JR2TTS)" the2belo@msd.biglobe.ne.jp wrote:
On Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:38:45 -0500, Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1pvh@gmail.com wrote:
True North
Oh... hang on, this may be an important point I've been missing all this time, but this means one must determine the magnetic declination for their QTH? Up to this point I had been just aiming my yagi via compass and leaving it at that.
Sorry to hijack the thread here, but if this is the case, then the difference between magnetic and true north will be very different depending on your location.
-- J. Boyd, JR2TTS/NI3B the2belo@msd.biglobe.ne.jp http://www.flickr.com/photos/the2belo/ http://www.qrz.com/db/JR2TTS Twitter: @Minus2_C
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I shoot the moon.
Glenn AA5PK
-----Original Message----- From: Greg Dolkas Sent: Monday, December 21, 2015 8:43 PM To: the2belo@msd.biglobe.ne.jp ; AMSAT -BB Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] G5500 Bearing
The easiest way, at least most times of the year, is to have the computer aim the antenna at the Sun, and then adjust the mount to match. I find doing it a few hours before sunset is most accurate.
Good luck,
Greg. KO6TH
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Also works, especially when playing cards.
Greg KO6TH
On December 21, 2015 6:59:52 PM PST, Glenn Miller - AA5PK aa5pk@suddenlink.net wrote:
I shoot the moon.
Glenn AA5PK
-----Original Message----- From: Greg Dolkas Sent: Monday, December 21, 2015 8:43 PM To: the2belo@msd.biglobe.ne.jp ; AMSAT -BB Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] G5500 Bearing
The easiest way, at least most times of the year, is to have the computer aim the antenna at the Sun, and then adjust the mount to match. I find doing it a few hours before sunset is most accurate.
Good luck,
Greg. KO6TH
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I should add, though, safety is an issue for some, as I would have to climb up on our rooftop to make the adjustments. Not recommended at night, even if it's a full moon.
Greg. KO6TH
On December 21, 2015 7:02:54 PM PST, Greg Dolkas ko6th.greg@gmail.com wrote:
Also works, especially when playing cards.
Greg KO6TH
On December 21, 2015 6:59:52 PM PST, Glenn Miller - AA5PK aa5pk@suddenlink.net wrote:
I shoot the moon.
Glenn AA5PK
-----Original Message----- From: Greg Dolkas Sent: Monday, December 21, 2015 8:43 PM To: the2belo@msd.biglobe.ne.jp ; AMSAT -BB Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] G5500 Bearing
The easiest way, at least most times of the year, is to have the computer aim the antenna at the Sun, and then adjust the mount to match. I find doing it a few hours before sunset is most accurate.
Good luck,
Greg. KO6TH
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
-- Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.
On 21/12/2015 5:47 PM, J. Boyd (JR2TTS) wrote:
Oh... hang on, this may be an important point I've been missing all this time, but this means one must determine the magnetic declination for
I use the sun to aim at. Set the controller to the sun az/el and then aim the antennas by hand and tighten down. Easier with 2 people, one of course with welders goggles.
When I put up my new beams recently I used the NOAA website which has a calculator.
Go to http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/declination.shtml and click on DECLINATION.for the Magnetic Field Calculators.
Rolf NR0T EN34
On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 8:55 AM, Bill Booth ve3nxk@gmail.com wrote:
On 21/12/2015 5:47 PM, J. Boyd (JR2TTS) wrote:
Oh... hang on, this may be an important point I've been missing all this time, but this means one must determine the magnetic declination for
I use the sun to aim at. Set the controller to the sun az/el and then aim the antennas by hand and tighten down. Easier with 2 people, one of course with welders goggles.
-- Bill Booth VE3NXK Sundridge ON, Canada 79.23.37 W x 45.46.18 N FN05ns
Visit my weather WebCam at http://www.almaguin.com/wxcurrent/weather.html
Organ and Tissue Donation - The Gift of Life Talk to your family. Your decision can make a difference.
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Or use this website: www.solar-noon.com to find true north. K5hv
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Rolf Krogstad Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 9:03 AM To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] G5500 Bearing
When I put up my new beams recently I used the NOAA website which has a calculator.
Go to http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/declination.shtml and click on DECLINATION.for the Magnetic Field Calculators.
Rolf NR0T EN34
On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 8:55 AM, Bill Booth ve3nxk@gmail.com wrote:
On 21/12/2015 5:47 PM, J. Boyd (JR2TTS) wrote:
Oh... hang on, this may be an important point I've been missing all this time, but this means one must determine the magnetic declination for
I use the sun to aim at. Set the controller to the sun az/el and then aim the antennas by hand and tighten down. Easier with 2 people, one of course with welders goggles.
-- Bill Booth VE3NXK Sundridge ON, Canada 79.23.37 W x 45.46.18 N FN05ns
Visit my weather WebCam at http://www.almaguin.com/wxcurrent/weather.html
Organ and Tissue Donation - The Gift of Life Talk to your family. Your decision can make a difference.
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I don't lose a lot of sleep over this, since the line of zero-degree declination pretty much runs through my back yard. But considering that the 3 db beamwidth of an M2 436CP16 or similar antenna is at least 40 degrees (and even wider at 2 meters), the required level of precision is not really that great. Point it truish northish and be done with it. If you're working at microwaves, you'll need to do some work. But not so much for LEOs.
At night I use the North Star. I live at 42° latitude so I raise the elevation of the antennas to 42° and azimuth to 0° and the antennas should be pointed at the north star. If not adjust accordingly. I have a AlfaSpid rotator so the adjustment is done from the operators position,except for looking down the mast. And of course you would use your own latitude. The Sun is good to use during the day,same thing,let your rotor take your antennas where it thinks the Sun is and adjust accordingly, but I think they're pulling your leg about the welders googles, please save your eyes and look at the shadow of your boom on the ground. If your pointed at the Suns center your booms shadow would be a single point on the ground. The longer your booms shadow are, the more broadside you are to the Sun. And the moon at night would be the same as what I do with the north star, point and look down the boom. Any of these will work and get you close enough for satellite work. The beam width of your yagi's will make up any difference. Have fun.
73 John WØJW
On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 10:59 AM, Mark Johns via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
I don't lose a lot of sleep over this, since the line of zero-degree declination pretty much runs through my back yard. But considering that the 3 db beamwidth of an M2 436CP16 or similar antenna is at least 40 degrees (and even wider at 2 meters), the required level of precision is not really that great. Point it truish northish and be done with it. If you're working at microwaves, you'll need to do some work. But not so much for LEOs. -- Mark D. Johns, KØMDJ Decorah, Iowa USA EN43
"Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit,
you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain
----- Original Message ----- From: Rupert Hamblin rupert.hamblin@gmail.com To: "amsat-bb@amsat.org" amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, December 21, 2015 4:30 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] G5500 Bearing
Hi Guys,
First of all, wishing all Amsat followers a Happy Christmas !
My quick question....
So I'm in the final stages of setting up my G5500 rotator & antennas, to get the whole thing Aligned I want to set a reference to North. I'm thinking this should be to True North not magnetic North. Can you confirm
Regards
RH / G0TKZ _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (10)
-
Bill Booth -
Dave Webb KB1PVH -
Glenn Miller - AA5PK -
Greg Dolkas -
Harvey N. Vordenbaum -
J. Boyd (JR2TTS) -
John Fickes -
Mark Johns -
Rolf Krogstad -
Rupert Hamblin