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> From T. Shanklin
> This method provides me
> with two different azimuths from two different ded. reckoned positions,
> thus
> two different L.O.P.s.

One celestial body at any one time can have only one azimuth.

How different are these two of yours from the one sight? Using 2 azimuths
that are almost parallel has the potential to lead to great inaccuracy, or
to put that another way: any small change in either azimuth leads to a great
change in their intersection.

> Of course the accuracy of the fix depends entirely
> on the one sun sight, so I usually graph/average out multiple sights for
> greatest accuracy.  It worked fairly well for me.  Is this an acceptable
> method in a pinch?  Anybody else do this?

On this list fairly recently was discussed finding both latitude and
longitude from a series of sun sights over noon. You might like to take a
cruise through the archives. Some subjects, like this one, come up
regularly.

>   Also, I've been trying to practice with the 2102-D starfinder lately-
> I've
> been having a real hard time having the calculated azimuths (as per 2102)
> correspond with the actual azimuth.  Maybe it's just my compass, but I
> always seem to be fairly far off (up to 20 degrees), even when I have the
> correct star.  I have been adjusting for local declination (true N to
> magnetic N).  Any tips?

Sure you're not adding instead of taking away, or vice-versa, your magnetic
variation? 20 degrees is a lot of deviation, or local error, but the
presence of magnets (eg, sound speakers) in the vicinity can do this.
Someone I know had a similar problem that was solved by removing the knife
in its sheath from the pillar holding the cockpit compass.

   

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