The Adcock HF RDF Antenna

The Adcock HF RDF Antenna

RDF Antenna - Combiner

The Adcock antenna has been used for a long time for RDF. It is basically an interferometer.

When both of the two dipoles see exactly the same signal strength and RF phase, no signal is delivered to the
receiver. This condition happens only when the signal source is equal distance from the two dipoles.
As the antenna is rotated through 360 degrees, there will be two directions where the signal will drop to a very
low strength. This can be a very deep and narrow null. The direction readout is then read, and the direction of
the signal is then known, with an ambiguity; we don't know which of the two null directions is the correct
direction.
The directional ambiguity will be resolved when another station takes a bearing from some significant distance
away. The two correct headings will cross, while the two incorrect ones will not cross.
Since this antenna only responds to vertically polarized components of signals, poor performance can occur
when the signal is horizontal or nearly horizontal. Since purely horizontal signals are rare, it should function on
most signals.

Construction
Construction is not critical. The only really important factors are electrical balance, and a lot of clearance
distance to other objects. These factors may require the antenna be placed out in the open, away from the
radio operating position.
The simplest arrangement would be a free-standing support with the vertical mast pivoted on a compass rose
on the ground. This can be wood. Metal can be used for the support and for the cross-boom, as long as the two
dipoles both always see the same capacitance from the structure. Symmetry is the name of the game here.
A remote speaker and remote S meter can be mounted at the antenna in a weatherproof box. The operator can
tune in the suspect signal, and then go out to rotate the antenna and take the heading.
Detail of the Combiner circuit

The combiner circuit mounted on the cross boom is not critical for the antenna to DF. If a tiny toroid is used, use
small diameter wire. If a large toroid is available, larger wire can be used. #30 wire would probably work for a
1/2 to 1 inch diameter toroid.
The number of turns is not critical, but slightly greater sensitivity for weak signals may be achieved through
experimentation.
The feed line lengths on each side must be identical.
The length of the dipoles is not at all important, so long as they are not resonant at some frequency of major
interest. Phase characteristics of a resonant antenna are strongly affected by very slight detunings. If the two
dipoles are not exactly the same (they won't be!) then the antenna will exhibit maximum error at the resonant
frequency.
Because this is a broadband low-cost antenna, it is not possible to have good impedance match between the
antenna and the feed line at all frequencies. Experimentation with turns ratio (bifiler turns versus coax feed
turns) may provide an optimum match at some desired frequency, such as 20 meters. Mismatch on a receiving
antenna is usually not important. Even with a poor antenna one can hear most of the signals on the band,
because receivers today are so very sensitive.
We hope that some of the visitors to our page will try this antenna.
The writer has worked with interferometers on 2 meters. The results where truly impressive!