[TowerTalk] Digital Angle Gauge

[David Gilbert]

Roger (K8RI) wrote:


 <<Plumb bobs are pretty much useless except indoors or over very short
 distances.>>

Yes, I agree.  I suppose a heavy bob hung from thin line and immersed in 
a pail of water for dampening would get you close enough for a short 
tower, or a heavily guyed one, but I think it would be my last choice.

<<A laser level would be lucky to be pushing the limits of acceptable 
accuracy
 > while an optical one would do much better.>>

Actually, I own a rather expensive PLS 5-beam laser rated at 1/8 inch 
accuracy at 100 feet that I could have used, but that would have 
required finding the center of the tower in two places.

<<My digital level just requires going into set up, measuing one direction
(doesn't even have to be level), puching a button, turning the level 180
degrees and punching the button again.  It electronically takes the
difference and calculates level.>>

The Wixey can be zeroed to a known surface (horizontal or otherwise) as 
well.  What I meant by absolute accuracy is that I have no way of 
knowing the accuracy of a particular reading, i.e., if it says 67.3 
degrees is it really 67.3 degrees.  I only know that it is very 
repeatable, and as you say, for aligning a tower that is all that is 
required.

<<Going for "tall" you need actual angle and
not just repeatability.>>

Why (assuming you have multiple sides to check)?  Not sure what you mean 
here.

73,
Dave   AB7E