Spacing-error analysis of the eight-elemennt two-phase adcock direction finder

In the design of a modern high-frequency radio direction finder utilizing the Adcock principle, the sensitivity and spacing error limitations of the conventional four-element array requires the use of several arrays in order to cover a large portion of the frequency spectrum. An eight-element array is described which has an operating frequency range considerably greater than that of the familiar Adcock, while still maintaining the simplicity of two-phase goniometer azimuth scanning. Spacing error curves are plotted and an optimum design is selected. It is shown that element spacing values greater than one wavelength are possible, and that frequency coverage is sufficiently great to render considerations other than spacing error the limiting factors.