Determine geographic North

[John Lockhart]

The discussion re: determining beam headings has been 
very interesting.  Here's a technique for determining North
that I've found very accurate, although not always convenient
for rush jobs:

1)  Determine the date of next spring or fall solstice.
      (whichever happens first)
2)  Prior to sunrise, using a 36" carpenters level, install a 5 foot
      vertical stick in a location where the sun will cast a shadow.
      (in the event of cloudy weather, +- a couple of days will
      produce satisfactory results)
3)  Approximately 12 minutes after sunrise, mark the location
      of the "tip" of the stick's shadow with a Susan B. Anthony 
      dollar.  (don't get cheap here!)
4)  Using a surveyor's transit, document the locations of the
      base of the stick as well as the shadow "tip" for future
      reference.
5)  Now, using a National League baseball baseline marker, plot
      a line between the base of the stick and the shadow mark.
      This line closely approximates East-West "true."  
6)  Wearing a pair of welder's goggles, stand erect at the West 
      end of the line and look toward the sun.  (On non-election-year 
      days, the end of the line closest to the sun is East.)  Now 
      slowly (arthritis) raise your left arm.  

      It is pointing North!!

7)  If you achieve unsatisfactory results, attempt one through
     six every six months until satisfied, or you no longer care.

I hope this is of some help.  If anyone is interested, there is also
method using an analog watch that the boy scouts used to teach.

73,

John  WA0VQR


--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/towertalkfaq.html
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 K7LXC@contesting.com
Sponsored by Akorn Access, Inc & KM9P