RADIO DIRECTION FINDING APPLICATIONS LITERATURE & SOFTWARE
RDF Products publishes a variety of applications literature both to aid users in their selection of new radio direction finding products as well as to help users more effectively deploy and operate their existing radio direction finding equipment:
Web Notes: Web Notes are short papers covering topics of general interest to DF users. These papers are written in an easy-to-read format for users more focused on the practical (rather than theoretical) aspects of radio direction finding technology. These Web Notes (listed below) are published in Adobe Acrobat PDF format for convenient download:
WN-001 - Questions & Answers: A User's Guide To Radio Direction Finding
Basics (B01-50k)
WN-002 - Basics of the Watson-Watt
Radio Direction Finding Technique (B01-388k)
WN-003
- Questions & Answers: A User's Guide To Radio Direction Finding Receivers
And Bearing Processors (B01-39k)
WN-004 - A Comparison of the Watson-Watt and Pseudo-Doppler DF Techniques
(B01-61k)
WN-005
- Questions & Answers: A User's
Guide To Radio Direction Finding System Bearing Accuracy (B01-187k)
WN-006
- Questions & Answers: A User's Guide
To Radio Direction Finding System Sensitivity (B01-265k)
WN-007
- Questions & Answers: A User's Guide
To Using Loop Versus Adcock Radio Direction Finding Antennas (B01-97k)
WN-008
- Questions & Answers: A User's Guide
To Radio Direction Finding Antenna Selection (A02-608k)
WN-009
- Questions & Answers: Selecting the
Right DF Receiver/Processor (A01-525k)
Application Notes: RDF Products also publishes Application Notes to help illuminate various aspects of radio direction finding technology. These papers are more formal and detailed, covering radio direction finding topics in greater depth than the shorter and less technical Web Notes listed above. These Application Notes (listed below with a brief synopsis) are published in Adobe Acrobat PDF format for convenient download:
AN-001 -
A User's Guide: How To Shop For A Radio Direction Finding System
(March, 2000). A "must
read" for the serious DF system user.
This paper helps the prospective buyer
untangle the mysteries of the DF equipment selection process so that informed
and cost-effective purchasing decisions can be made. Topics include
budgetary considerations, fundamental DF system configurations, mobile versus
fixed-site DF systems, attributes of professional-quality DF systems, plus
evaluating and dealing with the DF equipment vendor. (B03-1,388k)
AN-002
- A Comparison Of Loop And Adcock
Antennas For Single-Frequency Fixed-Site Radio Direction Finding Applications (June,
1994). Discusses the relative merits of Adcock and loop DF Antennas for fixed-site
radio direction finding applications using a 30 MHz installation as an example.
Illustrates in detail the inferiority of both ferrite and brass loops with respect to
Adcocks in terms of both bearing accuracy and sensitivity. (C01-459k)
AN-003
- Measuring Bearing Accuracy Of Mobile
Adcock Radio Direction Finding Antennas (October, 1994). Provides an
in-depth discussion of the concepts and principles underlying radio direction finding
system bearing accuracy measurement. Also discusses techniques and procedures that
technical users can refer to as guides for conducting their own bearing accuracy
tests. Offers important insights as to how to interpret manufacturers' bearing
accuracy specifications, as well as how to avoid "specsmanship"
traps. (C01-1,131k)
AN-004
- Measuring Sensitivity Of Mobile Adcock
Radio Direction Finding Antennas (January, 1995). Provides an in-depth
discussion of the concepts and principles underlying radio direction finding system
sensitivity measurement. Includes detailed information that technical users can
refer to for constructing their own reference antennas and test ranges. Offers
important insights as to how to interpret manufacturers' radio direction finding
sensitivity specifications, as well as how to avoid "specsmanship"
traps. (C01-1,588k)
AN-005
- An Introduction To Dipole Adcock Fixed-Site DF Antennas (December,
1999). Provides an in-depth discussion of the philosophy underlying dipole
Adcock DF antennas for mast-mounted fixed-site applications. Explains the
reasons for the vast superiority of dipole Adcocks over elevated ground-plane
monopole Adcocks. Discusses the serious problems associated with the presence of
the support mast for dipole Adcocks and how RDF Products has overcome them.
(B03-1,064k)
AN-006
- An Introduction To 8-Element Adcock DF Antennas (May, 2017).
Discusses the history, technology, and application of 8-element Adcock DF
antennas, as well as their capabilities and limitations as compared to simpler
and less expensive 4-element Adcocks. (A01- 928k)
AN-007A
- An Introduction To The AN/TRD-4B 1.5-30.0 MHz Adcock/Watson-Watt Tactical DF
System (Dec, 2016). Discusses the history, technology, and
application of 8-element Adcock DF antennas, as well as their capabilities and
limitations as compared to simpler and less expensive 4-element Adcocks.
(A01- 1,960k)
Software: RDF Products applications software is available for convenient download:
DefCon2b
- DefCon2b DF Processor/Receiver Controller Program (Zipped format). This
software is a Windows graphical user interface program for the RDF Products
DFP-1000B and DFP-1010B DF bearing processors and selected host receivers,
providing simultaneous control of both the DF processor and host receiver in a
tightly integrated, intuitive, and unified format. (V1.6.15-4,551k)
DefCon2RX
- DefCon2RX Remote Display Program (Zipped format). This
software is a Windows graphical user interface program for the RDF Products
DFP-1000B and DFP-1010B DF bearing processors that serves as a
"receive-only" remote display program. (V1.0.1-1,547k)
Publications CD: All of RDF Products publications are available on its Publications CD. The documents available on this CD include Product Data Sheets, Operator's Manuals, Web Notes, Application Notes, User Functional Test Procedures, and Service Bulletins. These documents are all published in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Product photos are also included in JPEG format. To obtain a copy of this Publications CD at no charge, please fax a request printed on company letter-head to RDF Products at +1-360-635-4615.