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RDF

This document discusses radio direction finding (RDF) techniques used to locate sources of radio signals. It describes several methods of RDF including triangulation, using wire antennas, beams, loops, Adcock devices, and Doppler RDF. It also discusses foxhunting techniques and resources for RDF. The goal of RDF is to locate harmful interference, help with search and rescue efforts, and make radio foxhunting games more accurate and fun. Attention to factors like signal strength, terrain, and multipath effects are important for obtaining accurate bearings.

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59 views12 pages

RDF

This document discusses radio direction finding (RDF) techniques used to locate sources of radio signals. It describes several methods of RDF including triangulation, using wire antennas, beams, loops, Adcock devices, and Doppler RDF. It also discusses foxhunting techniques and resources for RDF. The goal of RDF is to locate harmful interference, help with search and rescue efforts, and make radio foxhunting games more accurate and fun. Attention to factors like signal strength, terrain, and multipath effects are important for obtaining accurate bearings.

Uploaded by

dianne r. gayapanao
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Radio Direction Finding

Scott Honaker N7WLO

Why do we need these skills?


Locating Harmful Interference
 Jammers  Stuck transmitters  Local noise sources

Search and Rescue


 ELT/EPIRBs  FRS/ham radios  Wildlife location

Scott Honaker - N7WLO

Triangulation
Theory
 Take bearings from three points  90% of contacts will be inside intersecting triangle

Don t neglect signal strength info Signal strength will depend on terrain
Scott Honaker - N7WLO 3

Wire Antenna
Simple Signal strength only Directivity via body blocking Works better with stronger signal and well shielded receiver High skill level required

Scott Honaker - N7WLO

Beam/Yagi
Very accurate bearings Requires clean pattern and good front-tofront-to-back ratio Easily overloaded by strong signals Tune to null (sharper than gain) Can use front to help find weaker signals but with reduced bearing accuracy
Scott Honaker - N7WLO 5

Loops
More common on HF frequencies Very compact Tune to the null Bearings not very precise Has 180 degree ambiguity

Scott Honaker - N7WLO

Adcock Device

Handi Finder

Based on phase difference Antenna array MUST be symmetric Can t identify front/back without a third sense antenna Tune to no tone (signals in phase) Weak signals can be a problem Strong signals may cause too much multipath
Scott Honaker - N7WLO 7

Doppler DF
Not real Doppler uses a pair of Adcock antennas Gives real-time bearings realOnly accurate to ~30 degrees Antenna size and spacing are frequency dependant
Scott Honaker - N7WLO

DF Jr.

Foxhunting
Containment Area
 Large (county) vs. small (city) or local (park)  Drive times become significant

Starting location
 Together vs. distributed

Radios/antennas
 HTs vs. mobiles
HTs offer portability but mobile meters are often more accurate

 Omni vs. beam


Even 2m beams are unwieldy, omnis offer some info while driving
Scott Honaker - N7WLO 9

RDF Techniques
Mapping
 Time vs. accuracy  Accurate bearing plotting is time consuming but often valuable

Terrain
 Multipath issues particularly in urban areas  Reflections can mislead and can be accentuated if the target uses a directional antenna
Scott Honaker - N7WLO 10

RDF Techniques
Going the last mile
 Attenuators for non-Adcock antennas non Removing the antenna when within a couple blocks  Body blocking  Detuning decreases receiver sensitivity  Tune a harmonic (2m 3rd harmonic on 70cm)  Be aware of local multipath sources
Scott Honaker - N7WLO 11

Resources
Homing In Site
http://members.aol.com/homingin/

Tape Measure Yagi


http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/tape_bm.htm

Adjustable Attenuator
http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/p_atten.htm

Arrow Antenna
http://www.arrowantennas.com/

Ultimate Automated Doppler DF System


http://www.ahhahttp://www.ahha-doppler.com/gpss/gpss.html
Scott Honaker - N7WLO 12

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