radio compass

American  

noun

1. a radio receiver with a directional antenna for determining the bearing of the receiver from a radio transmitter.

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radio compass British  

noun

1. any navigational device that gives a bearing by determining the direction of incoming radio waves transmitted from a particular radio station or beacon See also goniometer

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Etymology

Origin of radio compass

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

But radio compass bearings were relatively new navigational aids at the time and not trusted by veteran mariners.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2019

This one was to be most casual�a two-day cruise off the New England coast for calibration of the ship's radio compass; a trifling job compared to the 81-hr.

From Time Magazine Archive

That was to be his job, to pick up weather signals midair; to study the air tides, take the radio compass bearings.

From Time Magazine Archive

In California he worked under Dr. Frederick August Kolster, famed "father of the radio compass," at Federal Telegraph Co.,

From Time Magazine Archive

"I never knew anything about radio compass stations before," announced Dick.

From Walter and the Wireless by Stecher, William F. (William Frederick)