direction finder

American  

noun

Radio.

1. a receiver with a loop antenna rotating on a vertical axis, used to ascertain the direction of incoming radio waves.

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direction finder British  

noun

1. Abbreviation: D/F.   DF.  a highly directional aerial system that can be used to determine the direction of incoming radio signals, used esp as a navigation aid

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Other Word Forms

• direction finding noun

Etymology

Origin of direction finder

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

One involved Noonan doing celestial navigation; the other, her use of a radio “bearing” direction finder.

From Forbes • Nov. 10, 2014

Why would Earhart start out on such a hazardous journey without knowing how to operate her aircraft’s radio direction finder to the nth degree?

From Forbes • Nov. 10, 2014

Better seller is a cheaper, non-automatic direction finder for use in private planes.

From Time Magazine Archive

In testing, the loud horn and red LED on the direction finder pointed us directly back within feet of the victim.

From Time Magazine Archive

Like a sonic direction finder, Buregarde turned his head and listened.

From History Repeats by Martinez