Converting ME L/L grid output to CDU entry format

[Bahger]

Gents, I have read that I need to divide the last two digits by 60 to convert grid outputs in the ME map to a format which the CDU will acccept in-flight and render an accurate location.

 

I am mathematically challenged and anyway am unsure if this applies in all cases, or whether it applies only to the N, or E half of the coordinate.

 

Using the folllowing coordinate from the ME (which I want to place in a radio message giving orders to a player in a mission) could someone please take me through the formula for converting it, confirming the accurate grid ref for CDU entry purposes, along with any other format changes I might need to make? (Also, please mention whether or not there is a missing zero that needs to be added to the beginning of either line).

 

43 2 4 N

44 45 18 E

 

Thanks very much in anticipation:

Edited March 30, 2011 by Bahger

[Speed]

43 2 4 N

44 45 18 E

 

Thanks very much in anticipation:

 

Sounds like your coordinate is:

43 02' 04" N

044 45' 18" E

 

' means minute

" means seconds

1 minute = 1/60 degrees

1 second = 1/60 minutes = 1/3600 degrees

 

The CDU accepts inputs in degrees/minutes, NOT degrees minutes seconds (DMS). So you need to convert seconds into minutes.

 

4 seconds = 4/60 minutes = 0.067 minutes

 

So your latitude coordinate is 43 degrees 02 minutes + 0.067 minutes = 43 02.067'

 

Similarly, your longitude coordinate is 044 degrees 45 minutes + 18/60 minutes = 044 45.300'

[Bahger]

Thanks Speed, as always.

[mia389]

Heh, I was wondering why my editor cords were always off. Great info