On 3/3/2012 10:09 AM, Jim Lux wrote:
> I'd say it would be easy for someone to run it for you, but the real
> value comes from having the terrain data, which is a somewhat complex
> process and location specific.
It's enough work that I suspect that most folks who have done it would
not be willing to do it for you. Besides -- you learn a lot in the process.
To clarify about GETTING the software -- it comes on the CD with the
last several versions of the ARRL Antenna Book, so you don't necessarily
have to buy a new one, but you do have to find one that comes with the
CD. I also strongly recommend that you work through the WebEx tutorial
that I think is on the PVRC website. It was done by the guy who wrote
HFTA, and who edited the ARRL Antenna Book for several years until he
retired a few years ago, N6BV. That tutorial includes updated details of
how to download the terrain data, which is important, because the
websites where it is have changed several times. :)
Another point about modeling and carefully designing as opposed to "just
trying it." Many of the things we want to do (or need to do) with our
antennas cost money, sometimes a LOT of money. When someone climbs one
of my big redwoods to hang a pulley for one end of an antenna, the
average cost is about $300 per end. It's easy to spend a lot of bucks
and a lot of work doing a tower (or putting something on your roof)
safely and legally. Few hams I know have that kind of money to throw
away, so some investment in time learning and calculating is well worth
the effort.
73, Jim K9YC
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