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Old 30-10-2007, 02:25 PM
JimmyH155
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JimmyH155 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Burpengary
Posts: 619
polar aligning

When pointing to the south, you must take into account the magnetic VARIATION (NOT deviation - thats to do with metal objects nearby) Find out from googling up "magnetic variation" and you will come up with a map of Australia with lines of magnetic variation. Where I live in Brissie, it is 12 degrees East. Then you use the old nautical adage "Variation East, steer least, variation West, steer best - ie if EAST, point compass LEAST, 180 degrees MINUS 12, so you point the compass at exactly 168 degrees magnetic, and it will be pointing slap bang towards due south. If you have Variation West, then point compass to read 180 + whatever. Easy
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