Topband: Antenna Modeling

[Joe Giacobello]

Eddy, I have been an EZNEC user for about 12 years or so.  Last year, 
4NEC2 was recommended to me by a German ham visitor.  I did spend a lot 
of time with it trying to learn it because I thought it had several 
interesting features not available with EZNEC, especially the 
optimization routine.  After a couple of weeks, I lost interest in it 
and when I had to do some serious modeling, I defaulted to EZNEC, the 
path of least resistance.  One of the nice features of 4NEC2 is that it 
converts EZNEC files quite faithfully so that none of my previous models 
were wasted.

I just don't think 4NEC2 is the right program for someone just starting 
out in modeling.  The manuals are not good English translations, and I 
found myself using a computer generated translation from German, since I 
had studied German off and on over the years.  Some knowledge of the 
original NEC commands is also required.

However, I do strongly recommend that you do go ahead in trying to learn 
to use some modeling program.  It's worth its weight in gold and time 
and frustration saved in the field.  And, frankly, it's fun.  I have 
successfully modeled four element, six band quads quite effectively.  
Little, if any, fine tuning of the constructed antenna was required.  
There are other free modeling programs available on the web.  I believe 
one is MMANA, although I've never looked at it.  There are probably others.

73 and CU on top band,

Joe
K2XX

Edward Swynar wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Well, no doubt about, judging from the bulk of the feedback received here
> re. any possible "...newbie friendliness" of the "4nec2" antenna modeling
> programme, I would, indeed, sustain far & away better luck measuring &
> erecting that proverbial dipole at midnight here in the midst of a southern
> Ontario winter blizzard...!
>
> Why is there apparently always such "black magic" surounding this sorta
> stuff...? No wonder there seem to be two camps anymore in the matter of
> antenna articles in the popular Ham literature, i.e. the pro-modeling crowd,
> & the "...olde-fashioned" ones...
>
> Guess which one I seem to be condemned to retaining a lifelong membership
> to---but not necessarily by choice alone, Hi Hi.
>
> ~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
>
>
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