TVMDC

TVMDC is a method for converting true, magnetic and compass headings. TVMDC is expressed as: True, variation, magnetic, deviation, compass. The most common use of the TVMDC method is correcting courses during nautical navigation.

Background

The Geographic North Pole and the Magnetic North Pole are not exactly the same position on the earth. From any position on the globe, a direction can be determined to either the geographic north pole or to the magnetic north pole. These directions are expressed in degrees from 0-360, and also fractions of a degree. The difference between these two directions is known as variation. While a compass is installed in a vehicle or vessel, local anomalies of the vessel can introduce error into the direction that the compass points. The difference between the direction to Magnetic North Pole and the direction that the compass is pointing is known as Deviation.

Determine variation in North America

Magnetic Variation is different depending on the geographic position on the globe. The Magnetic North Pole is currently in Northern Canada and is moving generally South. A straight line can be drawn from the Geographic North Pole, down to the Magnetic North Pole and then drawn straight down to the equator. This line is known as the Agonic Line and the line is also moving. In the year 1900, the Agonic line passed roughly through Detroit and then was East of Florida. It currently passes roughly west of Chicago, IL, and through New Orleans, LA. If a navigator is located on the agonic line, then Variation is zero. Magnetic North Pole and the Geographic North Pole appear to be directly in line with each other, while the navigator is located on the Agonic line. If a navigator is East of the agonic line, then the variation is westward. Magnetic North appears slightly west of the Geographic North Pole. If a navigator is West of the Agonic Line, then the Variation is Eastward. The magnetic North Pole appears to the East of the geographic North Pole. The further the navigator is from the agonic line, the greater the variation. The local magnetic variation is indicated on NOAA Nautical Charts at the center of the compass rose. The Magnetic Variation is indicated along with the year of that Variation. The annual increase or decrease of the Variation is also usually indicated. So that the Variation for the current year can be calculated.

Determine deviation

A compass installed in a vehicle or vessel has a certain amount of error caused by the magnetic properties of the vessel. This error is known as compass deviation. The magnitude of the compass deviation varies greatly depending upon the local anomalies created by the vessel. A fiberglass recreational vessel will generally have much less compass deviation then a steel hulled vessel. Electrical wires carrying current have a small magnetic field around them and can cause deviation. Any type of magnet, such as found in a speaker can also cause large magnitudes of compass deviation. The error can be corrected using a Deviation Table. Deviation Tables are very difficult to create. Once a deviation table is established, it is only good for that particular vessel, with that particular configuration. If electrical wires are moved or anything else magnetic (speakers, electric motors, etc.) are moved, the deviation table will change. All Deviations on the Deviation Table are indicated West or East. If the compass is pointing West of the Magnetic North Pole, then the Deviation is Westward. If the compass is pointing East of the Magnetic North Pole, then the Deviation is Eastward.

Formula

Calculating TVMDC is done with simple arithmetic. First arrange the values vertically:

• True
• Variation
• Magnetic
• Deviation
• Compass

The formula is always added moving down, and subtracted when moving up. The most complicated part is determining if the values are positive or negative. The True, Magnetic, and Compass Values are directions on the compass, they must always be a positive number between 0 - 360. Deviation and Variation can be positive or negative. If either Variation or Deviation is Westward, then the values are entered into the equation as positive. If the Variation or Deviation is Eastward, then the values are entered into the formula as a negative.

Examples

True course is 120°, the Variation is 5° West, and the Deviation is 1° West.

• T: 120°
• V: +5°
• M: 125°
• D: +1°
• C: 126°

True course is 120°, the Variation is 5° East and the Deviation is 1° East.

• T: 120°
• V: -5°
• M: 115°
• D: -1°
• C: 114°

True course is 035°, the Variation is 4° West and the Deviation is 1° East.

• T: 035°
• V: +4°
• M: 039°
• D: -1°
• C: 038°

True course is 306°, the Variation is 4° East and the Deviation is 11° West.

• T: 306°
• V: -4°
• M: 302°
• D: +11°
• C: 313°

Reverse

The formula can also be calculated in reverse. The formula is subtracted when moving up. Compass course is 093°, the Deviation is 4° West and the Variation is 3° West.

• T: 086°
• V: +3°
• M: 089°
• D: +4°
• C: 093°