Silent Intelligence for Tactical Superiority
In tactical operations, speed and stealth determine mission success. Alaris tactical DF antennas enable forces to intercept enemy communications, track hostile positions, and maintain situational awareness, all while preserving operational security. Purpose-built for demanding field environments, our low SWaP systems deliver the sensitivity, accuracy, and mobility that special operations, border security, and counter-insurgency missions demand.
What Our Tactical Antennas Enable
From intercepting enemy communications to protecting forces against electronic threats, tactical DF systems provide the intelligence foundation for mission success. Our antennas deliver the covert detection, rapid angle-of-arrival calculation, and operational awareness that tactical units need across diverse mission scenarios.
Multiplicative Effects
Well-executed jamming slows enemy reaction times, forces changes in their tactics, and reduces the effectiveness of their intelligence and targeting, often producing effects that far exceed the resources employed.
Rapid Emitter Geolocation in Dynamic Environments
Locate enemy command posts, observation positions, and mobile transmitters quickly and accurately. Build a real-time picture of adversary positions and movements, even in fast-changing tactical situations.
Border Control & Security
Geolocate smuggler and trafficker communications. Track movements, identify routes, and disrupt illegal border activities.
Border Security and Counter-Trafficking
Monitor and geolocate communications used by smugglers, traffickers, and illegal border crossers. Track coordinated movements, identify smuggling routes, and disrupt illegal activities at borders and in remote areas.
Why Our Tactical Antennas Perform
Low SWaP for Maximum Mobility
Tactical operations demand equipment that doesn't slow down the operator. Our man-portable DF antennas (like the DF-A0245 and DF-A0269) minimize size, weight, and power consumption, reducing operator burden and detection risk while maintaining DF accuracy. Collapsible, quick-deployment designs enable rapid setup and stowage for on-the-move operations.
Integrated Monitoring and DF Capabilities
Many of our tactical antennas feature integrated omni-directional monitoring antennas alongside DF elements (such as the DF-A0300). This provides high-sensitivity signal detection and bearing determination in a single, compact system, simplifying logistics and reducing equipment footprint. Dual-function design eliminates the need for separate monitoring and DF antennas.
Wide Frequency Coverage for Diverse Threats
Adversaries use a broad range of communication devices, from HF tactical radios to VHF/UHF handhelds to cellular and data networks. Our tactical DF antennas cover frequencies from 20 MHz to 6 GHz, ensuring you can detect and locate signals across the electromagnetic spectrum. Multi-band capability allows a single antenna system to address multiple threat types.
What this means for
Your
mission
Alaris Antennas tactical DF antennas deliver the intelligence capabilities that field operators depend on, from special operations deep in hostile territory to border security across vast remote areas. Built for the demanding realities of tactical environments, our low SWaP systems provide the covert detection, rapid geolocation, and operational reliability that mission success demands.
Featured products
DF-A0257
Compact Adcock DF Antenna
The DF-A0257 is a tri band, compact Adcock DF antenna intended for manpack direction-finding on the move from 20 MHz to 6000 MHz. The DF-A0257 can also be used with the DF-A0245 quad pod antenna for better low-end performance. The antenna presents patterns suitable for the WatsonWatt estimation method, as well as 3-channel correlative DF (CDF). The antenna offers an omni-channel output that can also be used for monitoring. The DF-A0257 has a low noise amplifier on each channel with passive bypass capability, an integrated noise source or optional external signal can be used for downstream RF chain calibration and also includes a navigation and GPS.
- Frequency range
- 20 - 6000 MHz
- Number of channels
- 3
- DF method
- Watson-Watt or 3-channel CDF
- Polarisation
- Vertical
- Nominal input impedance
- 50 Ω
- RF Amplification Gain
- 20 ± 2 dB
- Power supply
- 6 - 18 V DC
- Power consumption
- < 3 W
- Connector
- MIL-DTL-38999 multi-pin connector
- Mechanical
- Removable flange for vehicle or mast-mounting; Various sockets for tripod / gooseneck (1/4-20 UNC, 3/8-16 UNC, M10-6H, 3x M5-6H)
- Dimensions (d x h)
- See diagram
- Total mass
- < 1.2 kg incl. bracket
- IP rating
- IP66
DF-A0300
Folding Direction Finding and Monitoring Antenna
The DF-A0300 direction finding antenna covers a frequency range of 20 MHz to 3 GHz. An integrated active monitoring antenna, working up to 6 GHz, gives a high sensitivity omni on the same axis as the DF antenna, without interference between them. The full-size elements on all bands give excellent DF sensitivity. Ultimate angular resolution for strong signals is well under 1° for most of the frequency range. Dipole elements provide good crosspolarisation rejection, and fair performance for signals arriving from up to 15° above or below the horison. The integrated monitoring antenna is in two bands, mounted above the Band C DF antenna. These are amplified at the top of the cable, and passively combined to give continuous coverage over the frequency range 20 MHz to 6 GHz, with a single output connector. This DF antenna is designed to be used with a 2-channel phase-sensitive receiver, and correlative algorithm. Characterisation of the antenna can be performed on request.
- DF frequency range
- Band 1: 20 - 300 MHz; Band 2: 300 - 1000 MHz; Band 3: 1000 - 3000 MHz
- Nominal input impedance
- 50 Ω
- Antenna type
- 5-element DF interferometer optimised for 2-channel receiver
- Polarisation
- Vertical
- Output cables
- RG 400 cables
- DF connectors
- 15 x TNC male
- Nominal H-plane beamwidth
- 360°
- Nominal E-plane beamwidth
- 60°
- VSWR
- 3:1
- Maximum wind speed
- Operational - 160 km/h (without ice load); Max 251 km/h gusts in a debris free environment, short interval gusts only
- Assembled height
- 2.9 m
- Assembled diameter (max)
- 2.6 m
- Weight
- < 47 kg
Products ideal for Tactical Direction Finding Applications
Browse by Application
Counter-UAS Solutions
Advanced detection, location, and jamming capabilities
Digital Broadcasting
High-Linearity Amplifiers for Critical Broadcasting
Electronic Attack
Defensive jamming against RF threats
Electronic Countermeasures
Designed to detect, locate, and neutralize hostile signals
Electronic Surveillance
Detection, identification, and emitter tracking
Maritime Antenna Solutions
EW to high-power communication interception
Microwave Ablation
Precision Microwave Energy for Medical Therapy
Plasma Processing
Stable Power for Advanced Plasma Processing
Tactical Communications
Vehicle-to-dismount connectivityBrowse by Type
Block Up Converters (BUCs)
Unmatched performance in a compact, fanless design
Communication Antennas
Wide range of HF, VHF, UHF and SHF (L-, S- & C-band)
Low Noise Amplifiers
High-power, low-distortion performance for critical comms.
Low Noise Block Down Converters
Precision RF energy for medical and industrial excellence.
Microwave Power Generators
Reliable satellite signal reception in the toughest environments.
Monitoring Antennas
Spectrum monitoring, signal reception & detection & ITU
Oscillators
Ultra-low phase noise oscillators with exceptional frequency stability
Power Amplifiers
Extract clarity from the faintest RF signals.
Steerable Beam Antennas (SBA)
Elevate Electronic Warfare and Counter-Drone / C-UAS applications
