Hi can any one recommend any free antenna modelling software or not to expensive ...for windows or linux
Thanks dave
Thanks dave
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antennae modelling software
- Thread starter davev8
- Start date
let me know how you get on with it .... i am asking as i dont want to spend the time learning to use some software that is useless.
thanks dave
thanks dave
Yeah let someone else waste there time for you.well i had i look at it last night and i can see how some of it works
i can see i can import a file with a existing antennae but i cannot at the mo make my own, will have another look tonight
i can see i can import a file with a existing antennae but i cannot at the mo make my own, will have another look tonight
Software:
Most modeling software uses either NEC or MiniNec to calculate.
Free software that uses a NEC engine is : 4NEC2 for example....THAT is A GREAT PROGRAM!
Mininec software free is for example MMANA : great too!
Those two are the marktleading in free antenna software.
Though NEC is known as the upper edge of Mininec, there are things where Mininnec is more accurate then Nec (tapperd elements/ground buried radials).
There are other "free" programms like Yagicad etc. but most programms lack capability.
Or can they be inserted into other programms.
Programms like YagiMax etc is by far outdated and has quite some faults...but sure nice to have a look at on a day when your ill..
I would advise you use programms based on either NEC or MiniNec.
As soon as you would like to pay for it your looking at Eznec/antenna Model/Mininecpro etc.
The difference beeing again the "engine" it uses and how easy it is to use.
Though Eznec is seen as the "standard" the others have got some great features witch others lack.
I have used all, exept Mininecpro, And though i use all the programms frequently (daily) i do see Eznec as my basic.
So, stick to either 4nec2 or MMana for free...
Kind regards,
Henry
11 meter Dx antenna systemx
Most modeling software uses either NEC or MiniNec to calculate.
Free software that uses a NEC engine is : 4NEC2 for example....THAT is A GREAT PROGRAM!
Mininec software free is for example MMANA : great too!
Those two are the marktleading in free antenna software.
Though NEC is known as the upper edge of Mininec, there are things where Mininnec is more accurate then Nec (tapperd elements/ground buried radials).
There are other "free" programms like Yagicad etc. but most programms lack capability.
Or can they be inserted into other programms.
Programms like YagiMax etc is by far outdated and has quite some faults...but sure nice to have a look at on a day when your ill..
I would advise you use programms based on either NEC or MiniNec.
As soon as you would like to pay for it your looking at Eznec/antenna Model/Mininecpro etc.
The difference beeing again the "engine" it uses and how easy it is to use.
Though Eznec is seen as the "standard" the others have got some great features witch others lack.
I have used all, exept Mininecpro, And though i use all the programms frequently (daily) i do see Eznec as my basic.
So, stick to either 4nec2 or MMana for free...
Kind regards,
Henry
11 meter Dx antenna systemx
sound like a very good program so will have to find time to laern how to use
Dave
PS you may have noted i cannot spell ......... i can do most words with 3 letters
Dave
PS you may have noted i cannot spell ......... i can do most words with 3 letters
Well after messing around with it a bit, it aint so bad I guess. You should be able to move or scale around a common centerline, but you can't as far as I can tell. Also, line "snapping" is a bit funky, in that it tries to "snap" no matter of line proximity which is frustrating.
Hey Henry, whats the best way to provide a voltage source? In making a full wave loop and trying to put the voltage source at the corner, you have to choose one side or the other which skews the radiation pattern. I can add a source to both of the adjacent sides, but that doesn't seem right having two voltage sources. I tried to "clip" the intersection and it gives me an error if the sides are not connected. I even connected the ends with a 5th line and added the source there, and that didn't work either, but I can't remember what error it gave me.
Or, I just had a thought, should I be adding a transmission line and then make that the voltage source? That makes sense, duh. I only messed with it for an hour or so and as just trying to come up with a quick antenna in free space with no transmission line or anything. The "add transmission line" is funky too, I'll have to mess with that some.
Hey Henry, whats the best way to provide a voltage source? In making a full wave loop and trying to put the voltage source at the corner, you have to choose one side or the other which skews the radiation pattern. I can add a source to both of the adjacent sides, but that doesn't seem right having two voltage sources. I tried to "clip" the intersection and it gives me an error if the sides are not connected. I even connected the ends with a 5th line and added the source there, and that didn't work either, but I can't remember what error it gave me.
Or, I just had a thought, should I be adding a transmission line and then make that the voltage source? That makes sense, duh. I only messed with it for an hour or so and as just trying to come up with a quick antenna in free space with no transmission line or anything. The "add transmission line" is funky too, I'll have to mess with that some.
359 u should use a so called split source.
From the eznec manual :
Four source types are available with EZNEC: voltage, current, split voltage, and split current. (NEC has additional types which aren't implemented.) When you specify a "split" source, EZNEC actually creates two sources, and places them on adjacent segments closest to the position you specified. Split sources are shown in the View Antenna display as two sources, but appear everywhere else as a single source. Split sources are included so you can place sources at wire junctions, such as on an inverted vee antenna. See Placing Sources At Wire Junctions for more information about using split sources, and Placing Sources On Segments for more information about using conventional sources.
If the antenna contains only one source (a split source is counted as one source), it makes no difference whether a current source or voltage source is used, unless you have a need to know the field strength when a specific voltage or current is applied to the antenna. However, the choice can make a profound difference if multiple sources are used. Voltage sources will always maintain the specified voltages, and therefore the specified ratio of voltages, regardless of the impedances they encounter. Similarly, current sources maintain the specified currents and current ratio. One of the most common applications for multiple sources is in modeling phased arrays. Most arrays are designed to work with a specified current ratio (because the fields produced by the elements are proportional to their currents), so current sources are generally used in this application. See Using Multiple Sources and Phased Arrays for more information about using multiple sources.
Placing Sources At Wire Junctions
Conventional EZNEC sources have to be placed on a segment, so simulating a source at a wire junction requires special techniques.
The preferred method is to use EZNEC’s split sources, which are intended for just this purpose. When you specify a split source, EZNEC actually creates two sources, and places them on adjacent segments closest to the position you specified. Split sources are shown in the View Antenna display as two sources, but appear everywhere else as a single source. Split sources are positioned just like conventional sources, except that the position chosen by EZNEC will be the closest segment junction or wire end rather than the closest segment center to the position you specify. When using split sources, make sure that any load placed on the segment containing one source has a corresponding load on the segment containing the other, and avoid putting transmission lines on segments with split sources. Split sources can't be placed at a multiple-wire junction, and shouldn’t be placed where the segment length or wire diameter is different for one source than the other. Split sources also can’t be placed on an open wire end, because one of the actual sources making up the split source would be off the wire altogether.
The N4PCLoop.ez and BYVee.ez example files illustrate the use of split sources.
Another way to put a source at a wire junction is to insert an additional short wire at the junction, and place the source on it. This technique would be used for multiple dipoles with a common feedpoint, for example. But care has to be taken if this method is used. Be sure to review Source Placement Precautions before doing this. Sometimes it’s helpful to taper the segment lengths away from the junction, using EZNEC's Segment Length Tapering feature.
END OF EZNEC MANUAL.
You migth be using 4NEC2
This is what i found in the manual:
Split sources
When two sources are specified on two nearby and connected segments, a so called split-source is assumed. Such a split-source is usefull to specify a source on a segment junction, such as could be used for an inverted-V antenna. Furthermore split-sources are very usefull to preserve symmetry when a GX card is involved. This to minimize calculation time.
For a split-source impedances and voltages are added on the ‘Main (F2)’ and ‘Line-chart (F5)’ windows. This to represent a single source.
END OF MANUAL
If your using something else let me know..
Regards,
Henry
From the eznec manual :
Four source types are available with EZNEC: voltage, current, split voltage, and split current. (NEC has additional types which aren't implemented.) When you specify a "split" source, EZNEC actually creates two sources, and places them on adjacent segments closest to the position you specified. Split sources are shown in the View Antenna display as two sources, but appear everywhere else as a single source. Split sources are included so you can place sources at wire junctions, such as on an inverted vee antenna. See Placing Sources At Wire Junctions for more information about using split sources, and Placing Sources On Segments for more information about using conventional sources.
If the antenna contains only one source (a split source is counted as one source), it makes no difference whether a current source or voltage source is used, unless you have a need to know the field strength when a specific voltage or current is applied to the antenna. However, the choice can make a profound difference if multiple sources are used. Voltage sources will always maintain the specified voltages, and therefore the specified ratio of voltages, regardless of the impedances they encounter. Similarly, current sources maintain the specified currents and current ratio. One of the most common applications for multiple sources is in modeling phased arrays. Most arrays are designed to work with a specified current ratio (because the fields produced by the elements are proportional to their currents), so current sources are generally used in this application. See Using Multiple Sources and Phased Arrays for more information about using multiple sources.
Placing Sources At Wire Junctions
Conventional EZNEC sources have to be placed on a segment, so simulating a source at a wire junction requires special techniques.
The preferred method is to use EZNEC’s split sources, which are intended for just this purpose. When you specify a split source, EZNEC actually creates two sources, and places them on adjacent segments closest to the position you specified. Split sources are shown in the View Antenna display as two sources, but appear everywhere else as a single source. Split sources are positioned just like conventional sources, except that the position chosen by EZNEC will be the closest segment junction or wire end rather than the closest segment center to the position you specify. When using split sources, make sure that any load placed on the segment containing one source has a corresponding load on the segment containing the other, and avoid putting transmission lines on segments with split sources. Split sources can't be placed at a multiple-wire junction, and shouldn’t be placed where the segment length or wire diameter is different for one source than the other. Split sources also can’t be placed on an open wire end, because one of the actual sources making up the split source would be off the wire altogether.
The N4PCLoop.ez and BYVee.ez example files illustrate the use of split sources.
Another way to put a source at a wire junction is to insert an additional short wire at the junction, and place the source on it. This technique would be used for multiple dipoles with a common feedpoint, for example. But care has to be taken if this method is used. Be sure to review Source Placement Precautions before doing this. Sometimes it’s helpful to taper the segment lengths away from the junction, using EZNEC's Segment Length Tapering feature.
END OF EZNEC MANUAL.
You migth be using 4NEC2
This is what i found in the manual:
Split sources
When two sources are specified on two nearby and connected segments, a so called split-source is assumed. Such a split-source is usefull to specify a source on a segment junction, such as could be used for an inverted-V antenna. Furthermore split-sources are very usefull to preserve symmetry when a GX card is involved. This to minimize calculation time.
For a split-source impedances and voltages are added on the ‘Main (F2)’ and ‘Line-chart (F5)’ windows. This to represent a single source.
END OF MANUAL
If your using something else let me know..
Regards,
Henry
Last edited:
Yes, I should have clarified, I am using the 4NEC2. I should have read the documentation a little closer, but it appears that I am on the right track then.
Thank You