Magnetic Compass

[Stephen Newell]

Why does my compass always point south ?

If a compass has be up against a magnet it can really screw it up to where you can't use it anymore.

 

[Tony in SD]

I have done a fair amount of surveys for communication lines through a forest with nothing but a good compass like yours for headings and measuring wheel for distance measurements. Amazingly accurate way to get you from point A to point B.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

I have an old compass that I got from an old guy at my church. We were helping him move to a new place. It is an a brown leather case. Stamped on the case is " G & K, 1918 CWA". From what I have read it is a WWI vintage gunnery compass.

The liquid inside is thick and the dial will not rotate freely. I have been tempted to take it apart to see if I can clean it up and get it working, but don't really need it and hae too many other projects

View attachment 129505 View attachment 129510

Almost identical to the one I have .

 

[ss55]

Around here in mid Mn. they point slightly to the east not true north.

In ground school for a pilots license you learn how to correct for the difference between magnetic north and true north.
Magnetic north moves about 33 miles per year, but that is accelerating. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smar...g-questions-about-unusual-movement-180985892/

 

[Hemmjo]

In ground school for a pilots license you learn how to correct for the difference between magnetic north and true north.
Magnetic north moves about 33 miles per year, but that is accelerating. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smar...g-questions-about-unusual-movement-180985892/

That is an interesting link.