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The 6000 series radio direction finders provide microprocessor
control for enhanced signal processing and remote control. These
units are especially suited for remote site operation where
multiple bearings are required for triangulation. A Windows based
software program is provided with the unit that permits lines of
bearing to be displayed on a map in real time.
The 6000 series can be used in either fixed site or mobile applications as shown in the following two block diagrams. Note that the fixed site shown is local to the PC (if used).
One or more remote fixed sites can be connected to the PC using a network of radio modems or telephone line modems.
The DDF6001 display/processor drives the RF summer with the waveforms required to mix the four antenna inputs smoothly and to produce the simulated Doppler modulation at the selected sweep frequency. Audio from the receiver is processed to calculate a best estimate of the bearing angle in either a continuous or pulse mode. The DDF6001 may be used as a standalone fixed site or homing type radio direction finder or it can be used with the BrgTrack software. Typically, two to four remote fixed sites using DDF6001 processors are linked to a centralized PC to triangulate. When used with an Icom R7000/7100/8500/9000 or equivalent receiver, the series 6000 system meets the following specifications:
This Windows based software program is supplied with the DDF6001. Intended for fixed-site use, it provides real-time control and acquisition of bearing data from one or several remote direction finder sites. Remote site receiver frequencies may be changed, and all front panel direction finder controls are available. The software supports either Internet, data radio link, telephone line or direct (RS232) connection for control and data acquisition. When the direction finders are connected over the Internet, multiple users can access the bearing data simultaneously. Bearing Track triangulates bearings automatically and displays lines of bearings on commercially available digital maps. A least squares estimation of the emitter location and/or the 95% probability ellipse can also be shown. Data logging is provided for off line analysis. The following image is taken from the Bearing Track demo program which may be downloaded from the Software/Upgrade page.
These fixed site antennas contain the RF summing electronics in a sealed central hub. Elements are located at the end of eight arms rigidly connected to the hub.
These antenna are normally provided with flexible whip type elements that are tuned to the nominal frequencies listed in the table below. If operation at a different center frequency is desired, please specify it at the time of order.
All single band antennas are supplied with a 1.5 m (5 ft) mast that can be clamped to the top of the tower or other extension mast.
| Model | 6092 | 6095 | 6097 |
| Frequency Range MHz | 125-250 | 250-500 | 500-1000 |
| Standard Center Frequency MHz | 150 | 450 | 860 |
| Bandwidth MHz | 25 (+/-12.5) | 100 (+/-50) | 150 (+/-75) |
| Array Diameter mm (in.) | 797 (31.37) | 403 (15.87) | 200 (7.87) |
| Element Length mm (in.) and type | 889 (35.0) Dipole | 305 (12.0) Dipole | 73 (2.87) Monopole |
| Weight kg (lb.) | 6.6 (14.5) | 3.5 (7.8) | 2.5 (5.6) |
DDF6050 Two Antenna Stacking Hardware
The DDF6050 permits stacking two fixed site antennas at a DDF6001 site. The following antenna pairs can be accommodated:
| Upper Antenna | DDF6097 | DDF6097 | DDF6095 |
| Lower Antenna | DDF6095 | DDF6092 | DDF6092 |
A heavy duty lower mast replaces the standard mast on the lower antenna, and coupling hardware and masts are used to connect the lower antenna to the upper one. A vertical separation of 0.94 m (37.3 in.) is provided between the two antenna hubs.
Three fixed site antennas may be stacked on a single mast using this hardware. The antennas which may be stacked are:
| Upper Antenna | DDF6097 |
| Middle Antenna | DDF6095 |
| Lower Antenna | DDF6092 |
A heavy duty lower mast replaces the standard mast on the lower antenna, and coupling hardware and masts are used to connect the lower antenna to the middle one and the middle antenna to the upper one.. A vertical separation of 0.94 m (37.3 in.) is provided between the lower and middle antenna hubs. The vertical separation is 0.46 m (18 in.) between the upper and middle antenna hubs.
This switch connects to three fixed site antennas and is used to remotely switch both the control and the coax cables. The DDF6079 may also be manually operated. LEDs indicate the switch status.
The unit includes a 15 conductor control cable for connection to J8, a stereo cable for connection to J9 and a BNC-BNC coax cable for connection to the receiver. All cables are 1.8 m (6 ft) long.
The DDF5980 is a magnetically mounted sealed assembly used to combine four antenna inputs when used in mobile operation. It is held to the vehicle's roof with a strong magnet.
These antennas are sets of four matched, magnetically mounted quarter-wavelength whips, which are arranged in a square pattern 1/8 to 1/4 wavelength on a side. The whip elements themselves may be ordered separately so that the same magnetic mounted bases can be used from 88 to 500 MHz.
| Model | Frequency Range (MHz) | Part Number of Whip |
| DDF6061 | 88 to 136 MHz | Q-88 |
| DDF6062 | 136 to 500 MHz | Q |
This antenna is a set of 4 broad band stubs, a ground plane and a plastic cover that mounts directly on the DDF5980 RF summer. A safety strap is also provided.
The serial expander is used to connect up to three wireline modems to the COM port on the PC. (It is not required when using a radio modem). The unit includes a 9 VDC wall power supply ( in North America) and a DE9 cable for connection to the PC's COM port. The block diagram below shows a typical application where three remote DDF6001's are connected using dial up or leased telephone lines.
If more than 3 remote sites are to be connected, two or more serial expanders may be connected in tandem as indicated below. The number of remote sites that may be connected with N serial expanders is equal to 2N + 1.
