Magnetic and
Gyrocompass
(a study guide for cadet)
STUDY GUIDE FOR CADET BY:
CAPT. J. ANDERSEN
2006
Magnetic and Gyrocompasses
Learning Objectives
– Comprehend the differences between true,
magnetic, gyrocompass, and relative direction
reference systems, and apply proper procedures to
make direction conversions from any one system to
any other.
– Understand the basic principles of operation of the
magnetic compass and its advantages and
disadvantages.
– Comprehend the reasons for variation and
deviation and how these might affect the magnetic
compass.
– Apply proper procedures in converting from true
direction to compass direction and vice versa.
Magnetic and Gyrocompasses
AGENDA:
– Directional reference systems
– The Magnetic Compass
– Magnetic Error (Variation and Deviation)
– Compass Conversion (T M)
– The Gyrocompass
– Gyrocompass Error
Directional Reference Systems
Directional References
– Relative Bearings (R) = bearings measured with
reference to the ship’s longitudinal axis
– Magnetic Bearings (M) = bearings measured with
respect to magnetic north.
– True Bearings (T) = bearings measured with respect to
true of geographic north.
Ship’s Head (or heading)
– a special bearing denoting the direction in which the ship
is pointing.
000 T
270 T 090 T
270 R
180 T
000 R
180 R
090 R
Magnetic Compasses
Operation -
– Magnets within the compass tend to align themselves
with the earth’s magnetic lines of force.
Construction -
– The compass consists of a circular card, graduated with
360 degreed around the face.
– A pair of magnets is attached to the underside of the
card, beneath the north-south axis.
– The card floats in the fluid to reduce friction and
dampen the vibrations caused by ship’s movement.
Magnetic Compass Error: Variation
Variation: the angle between a magnetic
line of force and a geographic (true)
meridian at any location on the earth.
Causes:
– Variation exists because the earth’s magnetic
and geographic poles are not co-located.
– Magnetic anomalies in the earth’s crust also
contribute to variation.
Magnetic Compass Error: Variation
Variation changes from
year to year as the
earth’s magnetic poles
tend to wander.
Variation is printed
inside compass roses.
Always use the compass
rose nearest your
current DR position.
Magnetic Compass Error: Deviation
Deviation: the angle between the actual
magnetic meridian and the north line on
the compass card.
Causes:
– Deviation is caused by the interaction of the
ship’s metallic structure and electrical
systems with the earth’s magnetic field.
DEVIATION
A ship’s compass also
must deal with
magnetic forces from
the ship itself. The
sum total of these
forces pulls the
compass slightly away
from magnetic north,
producing
DEVIATION.
Magnetic Compass Error: Deviation
Deviation can be compensated for but
never eliminated.
A compass table is used, which provides
the value of deviation for every 15 degrees
of ship’s head.
Entering argument for the table is oM and
degaussing on or off (DG ON/DG OFF)
Magnetic
Compass Error:
Deviation
Compass Conversions
Converting Compass to True
C D M V T (AE)
( “CADET”- Compass to True add East)
Converting True to Compass
T V M D C (AW)
EXAMPLE
What is the true heading if the Standard Compass Heading is 001
degree, Variation is 3 degrees West and Deviation of 1.5 degrees
West (as per deviation card).
SC Heading = 001 C- Can
Deviation = 1.5 (West) D- Dead
Magnetic Heading = 359.5 M- Man
Variation = 3 (West) V- Vote
True Heading = 356.5 T- Twice
NOTE: “CDMT”- Can Dead Man Vote Twice
“CADET”- Compass to True add East
EXAMPLE
What is the true heading if the Standard Compass Heading is 356.5
degree, Variation is 3 degrees East and Deviation of 1.5 degrees East
(as per deviation card).
SC Heading = 356.5 C- Can
Deviation = 1.5 (East) D- Dead
Magnetic Heading = 358 M- Man
Variation = 3 (East) V- Vote
True Heading = 001 T- Twice
NOTE: “CDMT”- Can Dead Man Vote Twice
“CADET”- Compass to True add East
Gyrocompasses
A north-seeking gyroscope
The gyro spins at a very high velocity, and
its spin axis remains aligned with
terrestrial meridians.
The gyro has three axes:
– spin axis
– torque axis
– precession axis
Gyroscope Theory
The
Gyrocompass
Repeater
Gyrocompass
Pro’s and Con’s
Advantages: Disadvantages
Seeks geographic (true) north Intricate electronic
instead of magnetic. instrument.
Can be used near the earth’s Requires a constant source
magnetic poles, where of electrical power and is
magnetic compass is useless. sensitive to power
Unaffected by surrounding fluctuations.
metals.
Requires periodic
Signal can be fed to other maintenance by qualified
systems (weapons, nav). technicians.
Gyrocompass Error
Although the gyrocompass is a very
accurate instrument, it normally has a
small error associated with its readings.
(normally less than 1o)
Like the magnetic compass, this error is
expressed as east or west.
Gyrocompass Error
To remember how to use the gyro error,
two memory aids are commonly used:
If Gyro is best (higher), error is west;
If Gyro is least (lower), error is east.
G.E.T. -- Gyro + East = True
EXAMPLE
What is the Gyro Compass Error if the Gyro Bearing of the sun is
265 degrees and True Bearing is 264.8 degrees .
Gyro Compass Bearing = 265 Compass is Best
True Bearing = 264.8 - (higher than True)
Gyro Error = 0.2 W
NOTE: to remember easily
Compass Best error West (just change B to W)
Compass Least error East (just remove L)
True Bearing- obtained via Amplitude Method or ABC Method
EXAMPLE
What is the Gyro Compass Error if the Gyro Bearing of the sun is
264.8 degrees and True Bearing is 265 degrees .
Gyro Compass Bearing = 264.8 Compass is Least
True Bearing = 265 - (lower than True)
Gyro Error = 0.2 E
NOTE: to remember easily
Compass Best error West (just change B to W)
Compass Least error East (just remove L)
True Bearing- obtained via Amplitude Method or ABC Method
Determining Gyro Error
Methods of determining gyro error:
– Celestial Methods (to be discussed later)
– Observing a visual range.
– Observing bearing to an object while at a known
location.
– Heading while pierside
– Trial and error adjustment of three or more
simultaneous LOPs.
– Compare to gyrocompass of known error.
