Same here. I first read Cebik's 4-part series in QST. But no matter how
much "pre reading" I did, it didn't come together until I started with the
simple "back yard dipole" example, already loaded with EZNEC and 4Nec2. I
would not start learning NEC with any other example.
Others way learn differently, but that one example uses the most simple
antenna in existence and brings together many important concepts. Also, I
think it's a good idea to learn one of the transmission line utilities like
TLW or TLD. I think the NEC experience will be rather empty without it.
The Cartesian coordinate method of establishing an antenna environment is
not needed to understand antenna concepts, but at the moment, it's needed to
understand NEC modeling. It's only an input method used to compute
distances. There's no reason why those coordinates could not be generated
quickly in an algorithm within a wizard application. I would not feel any
lesser of a NEC user without knowing how to use Cartesian coordinates. It
would be different if I was a map maker and not an antenna experimenter.
Many of us routinely compute logarithms and square roots but when was the
last time we computed this by hand without a calculator or <gulp> a slide
rule? If pressed, I couldn't even do it today. The final attempt was back
in high school.
Paul, W9AC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Loen" <lwloen@gmail.com>
To: <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Cc: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2013 10:10 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] EZNEC antenna modeling forum has been created
onYahoo
I found this exchange very useful, actually.
Besides, somebody had a question, their google-fu failed them and they got
fixed up. Don't see the problem here.
Furthermore, speaking as someone who has tried his hand at "NEC"
documentation, I find it one of the least informative interfaces on the
planet whether "EZ" or the others. This is one case where RTFM was _not_
helpful.
Me, I'm off to the various fora where maybe I can learn, among other
things, _how_ to read that manual. Maybe if you already have a Ph D in
antenna theory, the manual is a snap.
But, I don't, so it isn't.
Larry Wo0Z
On Sun, Feb 24, 2013 at 10:53 PM, Jim Brown
<jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>wrote:
On 2/24/2013 9:37 AM, SPWoo wrote:
I'm new to antenna modeling and I have lots of questions. I looked for
a
user group for EZNEC but couldn't find one.
Pardon me for asking, but why not study the EZNEC Manual, the ARRL
Handbook chapters on antennas, and the ARRL Antenna Book? Also, ARRL
sells
a beginner's book on antenna modeling, written by Ward Silver, N0AX. I
haven't seen it, but everything else of his I've ever seen has been first
rate.
Most of us don't mind answering a question that is the result of study
and
working through a problem, or correct the misinformation and myths that
seem to abound and be perpetuated by folks who know nothing. But an email
reflector is not a substitute for putting nose to grindstone and STUDYING
the fundamentals.
Ham radio is a TECHNICAL hobby. We have our frequencies because we
supposed to be a pool of trained communicators, a breeding ground for
future technical people, and experimenters who might actually advance the
state of the art.
73, Jim K9YC
______________________________**_________________
______________________________**_________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/**mailman/listinfo/towertalk<http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk>
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|