Pete Ware wrote:

In article E9sld.110274$cJ3.88730@fed1read06,
Dan Mckenna wrote:

rates for a standard balloon and fill are known. I would feel better as
an observer just to have a second observer in case I lost track or wrote
down the wrong reading, as I have. I find the mistake when I plot the
data if it's really off, but a second observer would really help.

I had 2 mini-cassette recorders - one with a timed count so I didn't
have to keep an eye on the clock. The other, with voice activation, for
recording the elevation and azimuth. Was a great idea, esp. with any
strong winds aloft. This one sat on the base of the theodolite - right
next to my mouth. That made it so much easier to record the data!

Pete

What amateur astronomers who are occultation observers do is have a
shortwave playing WWV time signals and record their voices and the
signals. You need good reception, of course. It eliminates problems
with variations in tape speed, but I don't know if you need that
degree of accuracy for theodolite work.

Cheers,
Russell
--
All too often the study of data requires care.