David i dont understand how she would be transmitting that they were running a north south line or words to that effect and was short of Howland. Noonan,had been Panams Pioneer navigator. He could acurately plot his westing and the actual wind with sextant shots.He would have run an air plot. It was common to lay off north or south so there would be some certainty about the direction to take when in the area. You are obviously dedicated and its a wondefull interest. In life ive seen many examples of a mistake in analysis and then facts down the track shaped to fit . Ive had glaring examples as a pilot until you go back and start again . Good luck keep it up