Various examples are provided related to penetrating radar based upon precursors. In one example, a method includes transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal; and receiving a return signal associated with the RF signal, where the return signal is a precursor having no exponential decay. The precursor can be one of a sequence of precursors, which can be used to improve resolution of the system. The RF signal can be a short pulse generated by an RF front end, without automatic level control. The return signal can be processed without filtering.