noun
A device that determines the direction of a radio signal or sound source; used in navigation, aviation, and maritime contexts.
方向探知機を使って遭難信号の発信源を特定した。
They located the source of the distress signal using a direction finder.
Standard kanji spelling using 機 (machine/device).
Variant using 器 (instrument/device); both spellings are used.
Radar actively emits radio waves and detects reflections, while a direction finder passively determines the direction of incoming signals.
Compound of 方向 (direction), 探知 (detection), and 機/器 (device).