-Start by setting up a VRM to the distance away you want the index line to be at.
Simply click "VRM" on most machine and either use the cursor or knobs to set the distance you want.
-Next set up an EBL with the bearing you want. On most machines either use the cursor or knobs to align the EBL with
the heading you want and hold 'er steady.
-Offset the EBL so that it is tangent to your VRM. On some machines, there is an "Offset" button, on others, simply pressing
"EBL" again will allow you to maintain the bearing you set previously and offset the EBL from the center.
-Once your EBL is tangent (touching at only one point) to your VRM, drop it at that location. Usually pressing "Offset"
or "EBL" one more time will allow you to drop the EBL and it will stay in place.
-The EBL line you just drew will act as a parallel index as long as you want, but as soon as you
need to use an EBL for something else, you'll have to lose it. How do you solve this? Tracing the EBL with an index line ought
to do it.
-Simply click on the "Index Lines" button on most machines to switch the cursor over to a draw tool. By simply clicking
the cursor now, you should be able to draw an index line.
-All you have to do is click on the EBL line once to drop the first point of your index line, then click somewhere farther
down the line to drop your second.
-Now you can clear your EBL (click EBL, then Cancel) and you should still see the Index Line you drew. If not, you fucked
up.
-If you happen to be able to reference only 1 or 2 points for an entire transit, there might be an easier way to set
up your index lines. In this case, you will basically be drawing an inverse of your course on the ARPA screen, so if it looks
like a bunch of squiggly lines, that's ok.
-To set this up first find the range and bearing from each of your waypoints to the fixed object.
-Next, redraw these points on your ARPA screen using your cursor and the Index Lines function.
That's all there is. Now when you actually run your course, the fixed object should run right along that line. But remember
how index lines work, in order to get the fixed object back onto your line, you need to steer in the opposite direction of
where the object appears. For example, if the object is falling off to the left side of a line, you need to come right in
order to get back onto track. Likewise, if your line veers left because of an upcoming course change, your course change will
be to the right. It's confusing, but that's just how it works. It might just be easier to remember that you can move the line,
not the object, so if the rock is left of the line, move the line (and hence the ship) to the right.
-If you wanted to set up an index line to let you know where a wheelover point or
waypoint was, you would follow the steps as above, but would instead draw a line perpendicular to the bearing of the fixed
object you are referencing. This process is much easier if you start with a chart
-Start by drawing your wheelover or waypoint on a chart.
-From that point, find some fixed object (rock, land feature, etc), and note it's distance and bearing from your
waypoint.
-In the ARPA, as before, use the VRM and EBL controls to draw a line that you will trace, except this time, use
the EBL to draw a line perpendicular (add 90) to the bearing you just found.
-Trace the EBL with an index line.
-When the fixed object hits the line you drew, you are at your waypoint
-Special Note: In the old bridge sim at CMA, there's a unit on the left that's really
really old and complicated. Not only is it old, it's foreign manufactured, so nothing really makes sense. You are only allowed
to set up one index line on here, and here's how it goes.
-Click the "Index Lines Set" button in the upper right corner.
-If it displays, good, if not, try pressing either the "On" button next to it, or on the opposite side of the console,
press "Index Lines" then "On" over there. If it still doesn't display anything, check your brilliance, it should be under
the "Data" setting.
-Once you get it displayed, use the rotary knobs on the left (EBL) and right (VRM) to set the angle and range of
your Index Line, it's that simple.
-You might notice that what will be displayed will be a series of parallel lines, well line them up how you want them,
but then take note that on the right side of the display you can see how far apart they are. This number is the distance from
you to the first line, you'll have to multiply this by however many lines are between you and the line you want to come up
with the distance to that line. (Once you see it you'll know what I mean, maybe I'll get a diagram up soon)
