Echo locator at this degree of proximity away from base (5)
I believe the answer is:
sonar
'base' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'echo locator at this degree of proximity away' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'at' could be 'on' (location) and 'on' is found in the answer.
'away' could be 'a' (abbreviation as used in sports fixtures) and 'a' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'from' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sonar that I've seen before include "Echo sounder - arson (anag)" , "location device" , "Locating device" , "Detection system at sea" , "Method of echolocation" .)