A. V. Dubrovin, A. N. Razhev, N. A. Dubrovin

A phased-array antenna, designed by "Radij TN" company, for HF direction finding (position finding) system is reviewed. The antenna usage for detection and receiving of weak signals is analyzed. Represented are results of observation of different souro sources. Reviewed are comparison characteristics of designed by "Radij TN" company HF receiving/direction finding system, and an analogue system based on - 3BS-2 - running wave antenna array. The article shows the analysis of results of the experiment in which - 3BS-2 - antenna and of reception phased 16-element HF antenna-feeder system (RDS-16K) are compared in terms of quality of reception. The analysis has enabled to make up the following conclusions: 1. 16-channel antenna-feeder tract, consisting of 16-element HF antenna-feeder system (RDS-16K) and beamforming device (BFD-50-K-16/1), designed by "Radij TN" company, provided reception of weak signals of 40-250 watt in approx. range of 6000 km. 2. It is possible to improve receiving sensitivity for weak signals, in comparison to - 3BS-2?, has a number of advantages, as follow: - high mobility, easy deployment and maintenance; - direction of signal arrival independence; less exacting to the place of deployment.