Written for those concerned with the commissioning of subsurface radar surveying services, this report provides basic guidance upon potential applications and uses of the technique. This is supported by a discussion of matters which might need consideration when seeking to develop a specification for a radar survey or programme of investigation. A brief comparison with conventional atmospheric radar is made, noting some of the difficulties and influences associated with subsurface radar applications, before setting out a simplified version of the theoretical principles and the influence of material properties upon fundamental behaviour.