Map & Compass - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)


Group

Map & Compass
This group is not in a published chapter and should not be relied upon.



Guide
FM/BG-480 - How to read a map
Guide

The main thing to remember is that the grids must be read right, and then up. Due to the fact that the map grid is composed entirely of numbers, it's important that you do not transpose them, else you're likely to send someone far, far away from where you needed them to go.

Read the x (horizontal) axis first, then read the y (vertical) axis

Above: Read the x (horizontal) axis first, then read the y (vertical) axis

Skill
FM/BS-476 - Read a six-figure grid reference
Skill

Read grid coordinates to a 6 figure level (### “tack” ###) by combining the first 3 coordinate digits representing west-east and the first 3 coordinate digits representing south-north, with the resulting grid having a resolution of 100m.

Skill
FM/BS-477 - Read an eight-figure grid reference
Skill

Read grid coordinates to a 8 figure level (#### “tack” ####) by combining the first 4 coordinate digits representing west-east and the first 4 coordinate digits representing south-north, with the resulting grid having a resolution of 10m.

Skill
FM/BS-478 - Recognise points of elevation & hill numbers
Skill

Recognise points of elevation and hill numbers:

  • 2 or 3-digit numbers on the tops of hills are known as hill numbers and should be referenced as ‘Hill xxx’
  • The zoom scale of the map affects whether some of these numbers are visible (specifically the smaller/minor hills).
  • In mountainous or hilly terrain there may be multiple hills with the same number. In these circumstances, provide additional context, such as a grid reference to ensure clarity of communication.
Skill
FM/BS-479 - Read contours intervals
Skill

Read contour lines using the 2 types contour intervals marked on map:

  • Thinner brown lines representing the places of same height at the minor interval (listed in the map legend)
  • Thicker brown or red lines representing places of same height at the major interval level (5 times the minor interval)

Recognize the gradient (steepness) of the terrain, based on the spread of the contour lines (the closer contour lines are, the steeper the terrain)

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