Google Earth to plot directions

[mb91w126]

Does anyone use google earth to derive a beam direction for targeting "specific" locations.
I was playing with the ruler tool to get angles to from my house to Scunthorpe North Lincolnshire, Hibbing MN, Council Bluffs, Ia and a few others.

 

[Beetle]

Does anyone use google earth to derive a beam direction for targeting "specific" locations.
I was playing with the ruler tool to get angles to from my house to Scunthorpe North Lincolnshire, Hibbing MN, Council Bluffs, Ia and a few others.

It's very likely that you'll ever need that kind of accuracy unless you have a monoband yagi with more than 20 elements. The usual 3 or 4 element beam has a wide enough pattern that even if you're off by 40 or 50 degrees, the other station will hear you. Once the QSO is started, THEN you can adjust direction to see if it improves.

Having been a ham for about 55 years now, I know where the rest of the world is and I can aim my antenna just by picturing the GC map in my head. If I'm already close, that's usually good enough.

 

[vkrules]

If you feel like having a play download voa prop That will give you predictions and beam heading after you set your home and dx locations. Like already said +/- 20 deg is not the end of the world with a 3 or 4 el beam.