radio compass

American  

noun

1. a radio receiver with a directional antenna for determining the bearing of the receiver from a radio transmitter.

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radio compass British  

noun

1. any navigational device that gives a bearing by determining the direction of incoming radio waves transmitted from a particular radio station or beacon See also goniometer

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Etymology

Origin of radio compass

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

But radio compass bearings were relatively new navigational aids at the time and not trusted by veteran mariners.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2019

On the airway between Dayton, Ohio, and Moundsville, W. Va., the Army Air Service has installed a "radio compass," with electric oscillations flashing between the towers at either end of the airway.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is also better for radio compass work.

From Time Magazine Archive

The resulting position tallied with that indicated by the radio compass.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Get that amateur with the radio compass who proved Mr. Perry's mathematical theory," suggested Bud.

From The Radio Boys in the Thousand Islands by Duffield, J. W.