Datums

Can anyone tell me what the datums are used for on the Okehampton Range? I am sure they haven’t been put there just for letterboxers to take bearings off them.
Brinnie

what are the datums??

paul.

They are markers, the best known is datum Q near OP15.

Does datum stand for 'damn all those useless measurements'?

I think they do stand for that

The word datum means
“A point, line, or surface used as a reference, as in surveying, mapping, or geology”.
So why have they got them on the Okehampton range?
Brinnie

So we have Datums and Observation Posts/points.

Observation points would suggest that someone is watching while something is being dropped onto the moor. So how do you acurately find out if something is being dropped in the right place, you must need a datum point, at least 3 to be able to perform a triangulation, similar to the how trig points are used.

So the question is what are they dropping onto the moor, having seen the transporters going round a few times one suggestion is Soldiers parachuting, do they do that up there.

Is it only small arms firing up there or do they use mortars and larger munitions that is something else you may need to check positionally

What do they look like are they plates or posts in the ground.

They may just be new modern Trig points

What are those solid metal posts that are driven into the moor, they stand about 8 inches proud?

For anyone who has not ventured on to the Okehampton Range I have a few photos in the gallery including a photo of Datum Q.
Brinnie

looks very boggy in that area !!!! a bleak day as well, by the looks of it
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INDICA STRAINS