As part of Spectric's Summer Intern Program, our team set out to answer a practical question: can direction-finding experimentation be made more accessible without sacrificing repeatability? By combining commercially available RF hardware, 3D-printed components, and a low-cost calibration rig, we developed a reproducible DF platform that supports learning, testing, and future development while lowering the barrier to entry for RF engineers and hobbyists.

Direction Finding (DF) determines the origin of a signal using phase differences across a calibrated antenna array. Tools like KrakenSDR process these differences to estimate signal direction. Accurate calibration is critical, accounting for physical, electrical, and environmental variables. When combined with multiple arrays, DF enables precise geolocation through triangulation.