distance location readout

The ARRL handbook had a receiver / transmitter set in it long ago that was so small they fit on two "Sucrets" boxes.

However your question is asking for built in GPS abilities it seems, or a pretty good signal strength indicator. You might just need to build this combination tool yourself? The one foot increments may be beyond modern science, unless you have Military connections. The military can get accurately from one side of a Golf Ball to the other it seems?

No need for GPS but I would go for time-delay-distance-measurement. Only thing is that you'd need both units to have a transmitter and receiver.

Unit 1 sends out a pulse. Unit 2 receives it and resends it out with a slight difference in frequency. Unit 1 gets the "reflected" signal and calculates the distance based on the time delay.

The reason for the frequency difference between the two transmitted pulses is to prevent echoes from interfering with the signal and confusing the electronics.

Signal strength is fine for areas with flat surfaces and no obstructions. The reflections and interferences will be difficult to decipher.

There are laser range-finding binoculars that do not require a receiver, but I'm not sure if they produce one's that small,or if they are accurate close in. You might look at electronic tape-measure's, they must use a laser range-finding method.

Hi James!

Over what range? Vulcan's idea sounds pretty good to me. Maybe ultrasonic for short distances, radio signals for longer... I think you'd have to use pretty high frequencies to get that kind of resolution with radio. (I didn't do the math!)

Dick

Goodmorning! Yes, Vulcan's idea just might work. I am looking for a 5 mile range. If 1 foot increments is too tight, maybe plus/minus 5 foot would be in order. James

ARRL handbook had a Xmit sniffer, used a field strength meter