[Antennaware] Modeling Software -

[Dallas W3PP]

Norm,

I am sure that there are a lot of fine modeling programs out there.  They 
are only as good as the data that you input.  Most don't have the capacity 
to include all the variables that you will encounter in the real world. 
Thus, there is a certain degree of "smoke and mirrors" involved.

I use EZNEC 4 and Antenna Model (AM).  Both are excellent programs that 
input data totally differently.  They also have different capabilities and 
features.  AM allows for an automated iterative process for optimizing a 
Yagi.  I find that the results of the two programs correlate very closely. 
When they do not, I always find that I have erred on one or the other.  More 
importantly, antennas that I have constructed from these models perform very 
closely to the modeled parameters (those that I can measure).

73, Dallas W3PP



I would like to know from some of those who are active in modeling antennas 
what software is being used. If more then one source, what correlation 
issues have been observed. I don't think that the high end programs using 
NEC-4 engine are applicable to this query.

I have been a user of the early DOS based Antenna Optimizer (AO) which was a 
good learning tool, simple to load information and easy to iterate 
parameters. At my introduction to this program, it was no longer being 
supported by the author.

My early modeling activity included a DOS version of EZNEC which soon was 
upgraded to versions 3, then V 4 (most often used). EZNEC 4 was primarily 
used in the design of both mono-band and multi-band multi-element quads. The 
number of segments that could be processed was a limitation in the earlier 
software packages.

LB Cebik was a frequent source of modeling information on modeling 
technique. I have also taken the ARRL Modeling course (heavilly influenced 
by LB) and began using NECWIN-Plus, which is now my program of choice. The 
primary reason is that the data is entered into a spreadsheet format.

The spreadsheet has most of the features of any spreadsheet, with the 
attendant use of equations, formulas, etc. to modify variables. It was easy 
to express antenna element parameters as variables that are easily iterated, 
and propagated through the entire design. Important in quads were data is 
essentially replicated 4 times for each element side.

It is possible to create element formulas that changing one value on the 
spreadsheet could result in changing the antenna from vertical to horizontal 
polarity (rotate 90deg about the boom axis).

The above sort of summarizes my background in the use of modeling software - 
my question to the group is -
what software are you using?
What type of antennas designs are you most experienced in?

I am most interested in those of you who are using NECWIN-Plus, and the 
types of antenna experience. The purpose is of course to share the 
experiences. Hopefully this discussion will be considered On Topic.

Regards,

Norm W4QN
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