Compass Error by Amplitude

Dead Voter on the Horizon

Home

Flashing Light
Error by amplitude is only one of a few methods
Watch Training of determining compass error on the high seas,
Workbook but though it is simple, it can only be done when
Zone time of observation. Note: if
the sun is on the celestial horizon, meaning only
Campus Life chronometer time is read instead of
at sunrise or sunset. ZT
Zone Time, no ZD correction is
The Joe Show
necessary.
Step 1: Observe the sun's bearing on the
Deck Skills celestial horizon, noting time of observation. This If using CT instead of ZT, and CE is
is best accomplished with an azimuth circle, or (CE)
Cruise present, account for it.
telescopic alidade for smaller bodies.
Navigation Zone description. If in western
(+W/-
longitude, add ZD to ZT for GMT. If in
Celestial Nav.
E)
eastern longitude, subtract ZD from ZT
ZD
for GMT.
Radar
Step 2: Find time in GMT for use in NA, either Greenwich Mean Time:
Meteorology converting from CT or ZT. GMT Sum of ZT and ZD, or CT and CE. Used
Ship Structure for finding Dec in NA.

Stability
Declination: found in daily pages of NA for
GMDSS Step 3: Find Declination, make sure to note Dec
whole hour value of GMT
Rules of the Road
whether South or North and the trend in values,
i.e. if the values are increasing, the d correction is Correction for additional minutes. Note
Marlinespike to be added; if the values are decreasing, the d the "d" value at the bottom of the column,
+/-
correction is to be subtracted. place value in ( ) and turn to Increments
Ship and Cargo Ops.
d
and Corrections (yellow pages) in the
corr
back of the NA. For the correct minutes,
Shipping Info ()
find the correction for the corresponding
FAQs "d" value.

Shanties and Sea Lore Dec Sum of initial Dec and "d" correction
Step 4:Convert Latitude and Declination from
Terms/Acronyms minutes and seconds into minutes and tenths of
minutes. The easiest way to accomplish this is to sin A= (sin Dec/cos Lat)
World Port/Drink Guide use your calculator and divide the minutes by 60
and add the whole degrees. (ex. For 28-06 N, ex. Sin A= (sin 22.1/cos 36.4)
Forum
6/60=0.1, 28+0.1= 28.1 N.) Sin A= 0.467

Step 5: Find Amplitude (A) by using the equation A =W 27.867 N

sin A= (sin Dec/cos Lat). By converting to
minutes and tenths above, we made it easier to
enter these values into your calculator. Zn = 246°
A = W 24° S
(270-24)
Step 6: Finding Zn from A. Zn = 77°
Your calculator will simply spit out a number when A = E 13° N
(90-13)
you press enter, but as you notice at right, that
number is now preceded by a W and succeeded Zn = 146°
A = E 56° S
by an N. Where did those come from? The W (90+56)
designates that the body observed is in the
western sky; it is setting. You know this by one of Zn = 300°
A = W 30° N
two methods, either by noting the time at which (270+30)
the solar observation was made, though be
careful using this method as not all bodies rise in True compass bearing: the Zn value we
the morning and set at night, such as the moon. T found in prior steps
The second method is simply to note the bearing
of the observation. Bearings between 0 and 180 Variation locally:
are designated as Easterly. Bearings between
V Found on charts or is given in problems.
180 and 360 are designated as Westerly.
The N is simply the designation of Declination. Magnetic bearing:
i.e. If the Dec is N, the A is designated N. M Sum of T and V. Is NOT the value found
What do these values indicate? They indicate by PSC.
which direction the Amplitude is to be applied to Deviation:
find Zn. An A value of W 16 N can be read as 16° D Compass error based on heading and
North of West, and is equivalent to a Zn of 286°. magnetic field of ship itself.

Step 7: Solve for Compass Error Compass Bearing:

Using either TVMDC or GET, solve for compass C This is the bearing you found when you
error or deviation, and you're done. TVMDC is for observed the body originally.
correction magnetic compasses, GET is for
Not a value, merely a reminder that you
gyros. GET stands for Gyro + East error = True, if
add West and subtract E error as you
you know two parts, you can find the third.
aW work down this form.
Note: The difference between the T and
C values is your total Compass Error.

Last updated on 24/1/2012, 6:19:59 PM