Radio Direction Finder Site (cont)

TM 32-5895-206-10

(3) Mountainous or hilly terrain should be avoided.

(4) The site should be located as far inland from large

bodies of water as possible. Radio signals may bend or reflect

when passing over a shoreline at an angle. Errors are smallest

when signals cross a shoreline at right angles.

(5) The soil around the site should have uniform

conductivity. Non-uniform conductivity will cause HF radio

ground waves to bend and VHF radio space waves to reflect.

(a) Moisture increases conductivity. Pick an

area with uniformly moist soil.

Moist soil gives stronger

reception, but for df accuracy uniformly dry soil is better than

patchy wet soil.

(b) Soil type affects conductivity. Pick an area

with uniform soil type. Rich earth gives a stronger reception than

sandy soil, but for df accuracy uniformly sandy soil is better than

patchy rich earth.

vegetation are usually suitable for df operation.

(d) Areas showing scattered bare spaces or

green spaces should be avoided. Such spaces usually indicate

rocks, mineral outcroppings, or underground streams. Such

areas have non-uniform conductivity.

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