Abstract: A novel DME transponder having a plurality of directional antennas arranged equidistantly on a circle each having a radial, highly directional pattern and as a group covering 360.degree. in the azimuth plane. The antennas are divided into at least two groups of nonadjacent antennas. Each group is connected to a receiver. The DME reply signal is radiated from the group containing the antenna which has received the DME interrogation signal with the greatest amplitude. The signal radiated in the direction of the interrogator is the DME reply signal, and the signals radiated in the other directions are used as filler pulses.