Definition

Noun: A direction finder is a radio device used to determine the direction from which incoming radio waves are arriving. It is a navigational instrument that locates the source of a radio signal.

Usage

A direction finder is used to establish the bearing or azimuth of a radio transmitter. It is a compound noun that functions as a single unit. * The ship's captain used the direction finder to locate the distress signal. * Early aviation relied heavily on radio direction finders for navigation.

Advanced Usage

• Automatic Direction Finder (ADF): A specific type of radio navigation instrument used in aircraft that automatically indicates the relative bearing to a non-directional beacon (NDB) ground station.
  • The pilot tuned the ADF, a type of direction finder, to the beacon's frequency.

Variants and Related Words

• Direction finding (n): The process or technique of determining the direction of radio waves.
  • Radio direction finding is an essential skill for some search and rescue operations.

Synonyms

• Radio compass
• Goniometer (in specific technical contexts)

Related Phrases

• Take a bearing with a direction finder: To determine a specific directional line using the device.
  • The operator took a bearing with the direction finder to triangulate the signal's source.

Noun

1. radio; determines the direction of incoming radio waves