>> Why is there apparently always such "black magic"
>>surounding this sorta stuff...? No wonder there seem to >>be two camps
>>anymore...
Eddie,
Fundamentally, it is simple. Think of antenna modelling as
a "calculator". It allows you to save time. It allows you
to test ideas. You could build everything you ever think
of and test it, but it would be a time consuming and a
money-wasting exercise. Antenna modelling allows you to
test ideas without having to build them! Antenna modelling
does not replace antenna building: a model does not work
as an antenna; you can not connect a transmitter to
it...but it allows to you check ideas out without having
to build them.
Use EZNEC and start simple. Model a dipole. It is not too
difficult to define a model in the spreadsheet: it is just
coordinates (x,y,z)that describe the ends of the wires. A
dipole is modelled by defining the end-points of its two
wires. A few more other, more or less self-evident details
(like segmentation = use 20) and next you are looking at
the performance curves. Soon you'll see how it may work in
theory. Is that an antenna; of course not, it is just a
model. But it tells you a lot. Most importantly, it tells
you what not to build!
Modelling will let your creative mind run wild. Most of
what you model will not work. But when something you have
modelled does look good, and you have verified your data
and the model, it is time to build it! It is time to test
the idea!
Good Luck,
George, AA7JV
_______________________________________________
UR RST IS ... ... ..9 QSB QSB - hw? BK
|