Eznec tips for a starter

[RadioDaze2.0]

I have "EZNEC ARRL V5.0" free with the ARRL handbook that I treated myself to recently. Does anyone have any "I wish I knew that when I started out" kind of tips.

I imagine that modelling something very simple like a 1/2 wave dipole is the best starting point.

I will of course read any instructions I find and will limit myself to monopole verticals for ease when starting.

Any experienced user tips would be great for myself and anyone else looking into starting this.

Any real basics appreciated.

 

[RadioDaze2.0]

Not going well... Anti virus saying the file T1.exe is a virus.
I need to sort that out first.

 

[222DBFL]

RD, check out this link that was forwarded to me. It shows some modeling and some are for differnet antennas, not just the one that is on the first page or two. Found this while messing about looking for some answers myself. Anyway. Have a look. You might have to copy and paste the link as I am not sure how to attach links yet so I just copy and paste them myself. Hopefully it works. Have a god one and hope you get it sorted out with the anti virus. Be careful!!! Good day.
http://cb-antennas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sigma-IV-1.01-Jan-2015.pdf

 

[Marconi]

Not going well... Anti virus saying T1.exe is a virus.

RD, I have vague recollection of something similar, but don't remember the details.

I don't think I would worry about this, but as a new user you should contact Roy and discuss this with him. I'm sure he will have a solution for the issue.

w7el@eznec.com

503-646-2885 phone
503-671-9046 fax

Roy Lewallen
P. O. Box 6658
Beaverton, OR 97007
USA

 

[Marconi]

I have "EZNEC ARRL V5.0" free with the ARRL handbook that I treated myself to recently. Does anyone have any "I wish I knew that when I started out" kind of tips.

I imagine that modelling something very simple like a 1/2 wave dipole is the best starting point.

Good start RD. I looked at Ezenc for about 10 years and was not able to get to 1st base on how it works. Can you use the Wires screen to make a simple dipole or maybe a 1/4 wave vertical yet?

I saw the light after I had a member of this forum send me his Eznec file of a simple 1/4 wave ground plane he made...then I was able to figure out how to enter info into the Wires screen in Eznec. If you can't use the Wires screen the program will not work as intended.

The Demo version also has a 20 or 25 segment limitation, and if you try to open a file with more than the limitation...it will not load and work as intended.

When Eznec opens it always has a working model ready to open and you may be able to produce some results or reports...like the antennas View, SWR & bandwidth, the pattern produced which will include the maximum gain and angle, the matching details, etc.

Keep us posted on your progress and don't get disappointed yet.

 

[The DB]

I tried to learn EZNec five times before I discovered 4NEC2, and I found that EZNec was anything but EZ... The layout was just not intuitive for me in any way, and all it left me was confused.

With 4NEC2, I picked it up almost right away, so I would suggest trying it at least once, and hey it is completely free. It can also open any EZNec file (*.ez extension), so you can use it to view those files on the CD, modify them, and save them as you like with no limits unlike the software that comes on the CD.

The EZNec program that comes in the ARRL Antenna Book can open the files that comes on that CD even though they have a larger segment count than the EZNec Demo, you can even play around with them and modify them some, but it cannot save them with more segments than the demo version allows. That segment limit isn't a problem for some simple antennas like a dipole, but this limit will catch up to you fast when working with other antennas... I, personally, don't see why you should have to pay $100 dollars to get a useable program when another that, at least in my case, is easier to use and allows a much higher segment count (unlimited in fact) and is just as capable if not more so is available for free...

What version of the book did you get, and the version of the software in the book? They are up to version 6 of EZNec now...


The DB

 

[Marconi]

DB, makes good points, I think his assessment is accurate, plus 4nec2 is Free.

 

[RadioDaze2.0]

Cool replies, second from last edition 22nd, made a mistake on ordering. To be honest it is filled with some crazy mathematical detail I am never going to need, lol. I loved the chapter on the effects of ground and the info on ground plane radials needing to be very precise to do what they are meant to.

Thanks I will try the other software in fact I have it installed already and never used it.

Thanks all.

222DBFL, that Sigma article is mega interesting, all of the info in there is really nice to sit and absorb over a cup of tea.

I will try and check out the 4nec2 very soon.

I like the crazy look of the vector.

I am not sure why but I enjoy verticals the most. Maybe it is because of the basic element's interaction with surroundings, earth, ground planes, balanced and unbalanced. It sure is enough to be getting on with. I have worked the entire planet on just a vertical. Ok not every remote island etc. and a few countries to get to yet but by an large I know my signal can traverse the planet no problem given the atmospheric conditions and generally with good signal reports.

All of this has sorted my evening out here.

 

[RadioDaze2.0]

4nec2 not going well either, unzipped the file and double click the .exe and just get a spinning wheel that continues till I reboot. Using Windows 7 64 bit.

That might relate to leftover files that were being shared by applications at a guess which I opted to keep, not sure.

I need to get to the bottom of this. No virus report this time though.

Looking at the models that Marconi made betwen 5/8 with 1/4 wave GP's, Gain Master and Vector there is a potential for about 0.5dB gain from the Sigma4 style antennas.

What never ceases to amaze is how these 0.5dB-1dB increases of the high performance antennas turning into 1-2 S points once the antenna is on a pole and working. Weird.

Same with the Gain Master, even Sirio only suggest 1dB improvement.

 

[RadioDaze2.0]

This is not meant to be for now (4nec2). I will have to try installing on another computer. I tried to put it on an old laptop yesterday, (as my main one will not even open the installer) but it immediately upon booting the application said there was a some file missing. I am guessing that you need to point the application at some specific folders.

No rush right now.

 

[Marconi]

This is not meant to be for now (4nec2). I will have to try installing on another computer. I tried to put it on an old laptop yesterday, (as my main one will not even open the installer) but it immediately upon booting the application said there was a some file missing. I am guessing that you need to point the application at some specific folders.

No rush right now.

I don't use 4nec2, but I did not have any trouble running it. At installation three icons did show up on my desktop with 2 associated files however. I open mine with (4nec2.exe) file where the icon shows an antenna radiating red circles for the waves.