Mark,
I understand that there are still some flat-earthers out there.
Tree has set up the program so they can set the earth radius to
infinity by typing in RADIUS OF EARTH = 1/0. When operating in
this configuration with the more modern rigs (FT1000MP, TS950,
etc), horizon effects like skip zone, grayline, and MUF are
totally eliminated. This is how many of the top ten operators
are cheating fate. Change this parameter and you should see your
scores improve dramatically.
Mike, W4EF................
P.S. On a more serious note, I bet this effects the output of
the grid square distance calculator used in contests like Stew
Perry.
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From: Mark Beckwith[SMTP:swca@ionet.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 8:52 PM
To: trlog@contesting.com
Subject: [TRLog] The changing radius of Earth
>> Could someone explain the RADIUS OF EARTH command? Am I missing something?
>
>Some people (in Europe) like to use a standard value of this that might
>be different than the default that I have put it. I put that there
>so people could adjust it if necessary. It is used for the beam heading,
>sunrise/sunset and distance between grid calculations.
Okay, so this really is not a joke. Perhaps I am not equal to
understanding that the radius of Earth is some kind of mystery or that it
changes from contest to contest?
This has really piqued my curiosity. Until now I assumed this dimension
was for all intents and purposes, a constant.
Perhaps there is disagreement because Earth is, in fact, not spherical, and
the distance to the center is different depending on where on the Earth you
are.
I don't mean to go way out in right field here. Maybe I'll just quit while
I am ahead (behind?). Sorry. This topic is probably better discussed on
the Boring Amateur Radio Club reflector anyway.
Mark, N5OT
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