Smartphone (compass) apps which show true north?
I'd rather not wade through the process of downloading and installing the various multitudes of compass apps to see which of them can indicate true north (handy for doing satellite demos when you're not at home, and don't know or don't have the magnetic declination of that location).
My phone doesn't seem to have a magnetometer anyway (from the error messages I'm getting when I've tried a few compass apps).
Do any of these apps use GPS to show true north, and not just magnetic north (or both)?
Philip N4HF
P.S. I have an Android phone and tablet, but I'm sure iPhone users could find this info useful as well.
In most areas, the difference between true and magnetic north are of little consequense for LEO satellite communication. Now, this is not the case for terrestrial navigation, but aiming towards a satellite, either number will work and you will be able to correct by listening to the best signal.
The simple solution is to buy an inexpensive compass. One more piece to schlepp, but not to big nor heavy. Unless your compass is one where you can change the display, it will give you the magnetic north. And like I said, you really don't need to know the local declination and do any math for your purpose.
You can also orient yourself with a map, matching it to your surroundings. There are many other McGiver ways to find north, get a compass, KISS.
I use this on My android phone AndroiTS GPS Test https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androits.gps.test.pro&... n
I Used the Free ver It worked great on top of my roof setting up my beam ants
73 De Don KA9QJG
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Philip Jenkins Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 1:55 PM To: AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Smartphone (compass) apps which show true north?
I'd rather not wade through the process of downloading and installing the various multitudes of compass apps to see which of them can indicate true north (handy for doing satellite demos when you're not at home, and don't know or don't have the magnetic declination of that location).
My phone doesn't seem to have a magnetometer anyway (from the error messages I'm getting when I've tried a few compass apps).
Do any of these apps use GPS to show true north, and not just magnetic north (or both)?
Philip N4HF
P.S. I have an Android phone and tablet, but I'm sure iPhone users could find this info useful as well. _______________________________________________
First result on a google search for “android true north” is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.q9tech.tool.compass&hl...
As far as iOS users go, the stock compass app has a true north option.
73, Mike Diehl W8LID
On Feb 13, 2018, at 15:31, KA9QJG KA9QJG@COMCAST.NET wrote:
I use this on My android phone AndroiTS GPS Test https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androits.gps.test.pro&... n
I Used the Free ver It worked great on top of my roof setting up my beam ants
73 De Don KA9QJG
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Philip Jenkins Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 1:55 PM To: AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Smartphone (compass) apps which show true north?
I'd rather not wade through the process of downloading and installing the various multitudes of compass apps to see which of them can indicate true north (handy for doing satellite demos when you're not at home, and don't know or don't have the magnetic declination of that location).
My phone doesn't seem to have a magnetometer anyway (from the error messages I'm getting when I've tried a few compass apps).
Do any of these apps use GPS to show true north, and not just magnetic north (or both)?
Philip N4HF
P.S. I have an Android phone and tablet, but I'm sure iPhone users could find this info useful as well. _______________________________________________
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 say you get a real compass and at least use it to verify the phone. My android phones have never been that great with cardinal directions. In fact, today it had north and south completely reversed. Hadn't seen that in a while, but it happens.
73, John Brier KG4AKV
On Tue, Feb 13, 2018 at 4:22 PM, Mike Diehl diehl.mike.a@gmail.com wrote:
First result on a google search for “android true north” is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.q9tech.tool.compass&hl...
As far as iOS users go, the stock compass app has a true north option.
73, Mike Diehl W8LID
On Feb 13, 2018, at 15:31, KA9QJG KA9QJG@COMCAST.NET wrote:
I use this on My android phone AndroiTS GPS Test https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.androits.gps.test.pro&... n
I Used the Free ver It worked great on top of my roof setting up my beam ants
73 De Don KA9QJG
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Philip Jenkins Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2018 1:55 PM To: AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Smartphone (compass) apps which show true north?
I'd rather not wade through the process of downloading and installing the various multitudes of compass apps to see which of them can indicate true north (handy for doing satellite demos when you're not at home, and don't know or don't have the magnetic declination of that location).
My phone doesn't seem to have a magnetometer anyway (from the error messages I'm getting when I've tried a few compass apps).
Do any of these apps use GPS to show true north, and not just magnetic north (or both)?
Philip N4HF
P.S. I have an Android phone and tablet, but I'm sure iPhone users could find this info useful as well. _______________________________________________
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 (5)
-
Amir Findling -
John Brier -
KA9QJG -
Mike Diehl -
Philip Jenkins