Introduction to VHF Direction Finding
Graham G0UUS
Why Direction Finding?
We want to locate a transmitter
For a fox hunt (Dont forget our hunt 14th July) To locate a source of interference
Two basic ways
Bearing and Range Two or more bearings
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
Bearing and Range
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
Locating TX using multiple Bearings
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
How do we measur the bearing
Simple directional antenna
Yagi or Dipole
Special DF system
Watson Watt - Adcock Doppler Pseudo Doppler TDOA
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
Effect of bearing errors
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
Sources of Bearing Error
Identifying the bearing from the antenna direction (reading a compass errors in the compass itself) Body effects for a hand held antenna Bias due to the antenna construction Inherent uncertainty in the antenna design Multipath effects may cause the apparent direction of the signal to be many degrees away from the actual direction.
22/02/2013 FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding 7
Yagi
Yagi has a non uniform response to radio waves coming from different directions Strongest signal when antenna pointed directly at the transmitter
Not easy to identify the maximum signal because the peak is usually relatively wide (especially for something you can walk around with)
A minimum signal is generally easier to identify but there are lots of them so not useful!
22/02/2013 FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding 8
Example Yagi Polar Diagram
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
A Simple Dipole DF antenna
Has a figureofeight polar diagram As for a yagi the maximum signal is too broad to be useful
Generally wider than a yagi as well!
Minima can be used but there are two of them 180 apart so we can identify a line but not which direction along that line.
Multiple bearings can disambiguate since they will cross on the correct side.
22/02/2013 FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding 10
Dipole Polar Diagrams
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
11
Loops
For lower frequencies Loops can be used since they have similar figure-of-eight response. Ferrite loops can also be used for the lowest frequencies e.g., topband
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
12
A Professional System
Uses the relative signal strength received by two antenna set at 90 Needs an additional sense antenna to disambiguate between two possible opposite bearings. Simplest seems to be a pair of dipoles or loops which have similar polar diagrams (loops work for lower frequencies) Actually set of 4 monopoles turns out to be even simpler (for vert. polarisation anyway)
22/02/2013 FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding 13
Two crossed dipoles
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
14
Watson Watt DF
Consists of a directional antenna A DF Receiver A DF Bearing Processor A DF Bearing Display
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
15
WW-AD Func Diag
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
16
Watson Watt DF System
Uses either loop or Adcock DF antennas Antenna produces separate signals for N-S & E-W directions (plus sense) DF RX fairly normal AM RX but two channels
Output is separate E-W(x) and N-S(y) signals
DF Processor computes the bearing DF Bearing Display displays the bearing(!)
22/02/2013 FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding 17
Adcock DF Antenna
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
18
Dual Band Adcock DF Antenna 80 520 MHz
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
19
Doppler (FM) DF
Consider a vertical dipole on the end of a rotating arm. A Frequency Modulation will be impressed on any carrier received. Mechanically hard (rotating coax connections) Achievable rotation freq too low to be useful Moving parts -> unreliable
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
20
Pseudo Doppler System
Use a circular array of aerials Electronically switch each aerial in turn to a common feeder No moving parts
Much higher rotation frequency possible Much more reliable
There are amateur implementations
These generally roof mount on cars
22/02/2013 FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding 21
Whistling Dipoles DF
Uses a single pair of dipoles Doesnt require a groundplane Useable as handheld system Works with unmodified 2m Handheld Switches the two dipoles onto common feeder at audio frequency (~1kHz)
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
22
Simple TDOA
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
23
Indicating Version
Adds a phase sensitive detector and indicator The audio recovered by the RX is input to a phase sensitive detector. Output is a DC signal whose sign depends on the relative phase of the audio and switching signal AND whose level is directly related to the audio level. DC Signal displayed on centre zero meter
22/02/2013 FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding 24
TDOA 2 Schematic
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
25
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
26
Questions?
22/02/2013
FDARC Intro to VHF Direction Finding
27
