Hans, and other non-astronomers:
The most accurate way to align true north or south can be easily
done in two ways:
1. Learn how to identify the north star. Use THAT as a way
to align
the antenna on true north:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursa_Minor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_pole
this works best on a moonless, clear night. Align the
antenna, note
how (if) it differs on your display, note where the antenna
is pointed in
daylight the next day, and then re-adjust as needed. Yes,
polaris IS
slightly off of EXACTLY north by
2. In daylight, when the sun casts a shadow, use this page
to find
the EXACT minute that the sun will be due south:
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php
The time you want is called Sun Transit.
Remember to fill in YOUR location info to get the correct time.
Align the antenna so it points directly toward the sun for
south,
or away from it for north. This will occur when the boom's
shadow
appears to be an extension of the tower's shadow, unless your
tower is LEANING. This last bit is especially useful to know at
low latitudes.
This second method could be used anywhere, provided one
applies common sense when using the information. Southern
hemisphere users take note. No need to fiddle with a compass
and magnetic deviation.
--
"Style is a simple way of saying complicated things."
--J. Cocteau
\ /
---\--/----
/
======
\ | | ---Tao. A chinese
character that
-- |----| means "Way, Path."
/ |----|
\ |____|
/_________ Geoffrey Way
websites: http://www.cape-vision.com/wayg/sus
http://www.cape-vision.com/wayg/mrep
http://www.cape-vision.com/wayg/ka1ior
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