| Setting up a map |
| The grid lines on a map are not always an indication
of north and south (unless they are actually lines of longitude
and latitude) although they are normally fairly close to it.
Generally speaking though, you can imagine that the map was
made with the direction of north going up the page. In other
words, if you intend to match up the map to your surroundings,
it would be sensible to have the map facing the correct direction.
This is important if you wish to take accurate bearings. |
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Darren Dowling
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Connected is a central area that provides links to obtain
further information on subjects contained in Scouting Resources.
From here you can go on to websites related to your area of
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| Setting up a map |
Darren Dowling
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Note that a compass actually points to magnetic north, and
not true north and you will need to take this into account
for precise bearing and orientation work. For the time being
I will ignore this magnetic variation, and explain how to
orientate the map roughly north. Even this will help in finding
surrounding features on the map.
To set up the map, that is to ensure that the map is facing
north, you will obviously need some sort of compass. I will
assume we are using a typical 'Silva' type compass.
- Rotate the dial on the compass so that the N marker is
aligned with the direction of travel arrow at the top of
the map.
- Place the compass on the map. Line up the edge of the
compass with a vertical (blue) grid line. (It is easier
to line up the edge of a rectangular compass rather than
try to align the direction of travel arrow with the grid
line as this is partly obscured by the dial).
- Holding the compass and the map together (push down on
the compass gently), rotate them as a whole so that the
red arrow on the pointer (the piece that always faces north)
aligns itself with the red arrow marked on the bottom of
the dial itself (there will be some variation on this depending
on what type of compass you have).
- As always, try to be as accurate as possible. Look directly
down upon the two arrows to line them up. When this is done
the map will now be facing north (ignoring magnetic variation,
covered elsewhere). Try to keep the map in this position
while you are using it. It is now ready for taking bearings
and such like.
The process above is not complicated. It is a simple example
of using a compass as described under bearings, except that
we ensure the map also faces this direction.
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