Tactical direction finding

DFH500 DIRECTION FINDING ANTENNA

The DFH500 is a Compact Direction Finding Head that combines high-precision direction-finding (AoA) with wideband spectrum monitoring 2D/3D TDoA in a rugged, tactical format.

Download datasheet

Download DF antenna brochure

Overview

The DFH500 Direction Finding antenna is a robust, field-ready solution for precision monitoring and direction finding from 30MHz to 500MHz, offering flexibility and frequency breadth across the VHF and lower UHF bands. Designed for tactical deployments, the DFH500 enables reliable real-time direction finding, signal interception, and emitter geolocation where traditional systems cannot operate.

Lightweight and rapidly deployable, the DFH500 can be fully integrated into CRFS sensor networks and software ecosystems. Ideal for electromagnetic spectrum operations, border security, interference hunting, and VHF/UHF COMINT/SIGINT operations.

CRFS offers a selection of interchangeable heads designed for use with Rapid Deployment Kits (RDKs), allowing users to build a toolkit suited to each mission.

At a glance

Frequency range
30MHz–500MHz

DF accuracy
<2.5° RMS typical

Rapid Deployment Kits (RDKs)
2m Rolatube; 2m, 6m or 10m BlueSky Mast system

Setup time
Under 20 minutes
by 1–2 personnel

Weatherproof
IP67

Compatible Nodes
RFeye 100-8, 100-18,
100-18 Node Plus, 100-40

Power system
Bren-Tronics battery
+ solar panel

Case & transport
Rugged Pelicase for
all-weather use

DFH500 in action

Quickly and easily find bearings on VHF signals with a DFH500 head attached to an RFeye Node sensor. Adding a second DFH500 to another Node allows AoA geolocation at the bearing intercept points, with heat maps to highlight the position.

Build your system

Select an RFeye Node

Choose an RFeye Node based on your desired frequency range: 9kHz to 8GHz, 9kHz to 18GHz, 9kHz to 40GHz

RFeye Node overview

Choose your mast

Select a maximum mast height to suit your monitoring or DF requirements (2m, 6m, or 10m)

View mast options

View our range of Compact DF Heads

View our range of interchangeable Compact DF Heads

Available DF Heads

Add optional accessories

Tailor the solution to your needs with our range of optional accessories

Accessories

Feature	SMA	DFH500	DFH18	DFH40
Frequency range	10MHz–40GHz	30MHz-500MHz	500MHz–18GHz	500MHz–40GHz
Best suited for	Wideband SIGINT, drone detection, ELINT	VHF + low UHF multi-role missions	Tactical VHF/UHF/SHF signal monitoring	Tactical VHF/UHF/SHF/EHF signal monitoring
Signal types	Comms, drone telemetry, radar, satcom	VHF/UHF comms, burst & frequency-hopping	Comms, drone telemetry, radar, satcom	Comms, drone telemetry, radar, satcom
Deployment options	2m, 6m, or 10m mast	2m, 6m, or 10m mast	2m, 6m, or 10m mast	2m, 6m, or 10m mast
Setup time	10–20 minutes	10–20 minutes	10–20 minutes	10–20 minutes
Geolocation techniques	AoA, TDoA (2D/3D), PoA	AoA	AoA, TDoA (2D/3D), PoA	AoA, TDoA (2D/3D), PoA
Polarization	All linear polarizations (spiral DF)	Vertical only	All linear polarizations (spiral DF)	All linear polarizations (spiral DF)
Use case examples	SIGINT/ELINT, UAS threat monitoring	Border patrols, tactical teams, COMINT, EMCON	SIGINT/ELINT, UAS threat monitoring, ISR	SIGINT/ELINT, UAS threat monitoring, ISR
Compatible RFeye Nodes	100-8, 100-18, 100-18 Node Plus, 100-40	100-8, 100-18, 100-18 Node Plus, 100-40	100-8, 100-18, 100-18 Node Plus, 100-40	100-8, 100-18, 100-18 Node Plus, 100-40
Environmental rating (RDK)	IP67	IP67	IP67	IP67
Power subsystem	Bren-Tronics battery + solar panel	Bren-Tronics battery + solar panel	Bren-Tronics battery + solar panel	Bren-Tronics battery + solar panel
Software integration	RFeye Site, DeepView, API	RFeye Site, DeepView, API	RFeye Site, DeepView, API	RFeye Site, DeepView, API