Good questions Homer. I'm sure you see a lot of such omissions of descriptive information in modeling on the Internet. In particular when only model results are posted, with little or no details, not even an image of the antenna...often being the case.
1. In Free Space the models should have all the losses switched off. I also remove the mast if included in the Real Earth version of the model.
Switches are:
Ground type = Free Space
Wire loss = Zero
Plot type set to = 3D
In Eznec if the Control Panel (CP) is published, the Free Space (FS) or Real Earth (RE) patterns are often easily determined, see model below.
At the bottom of the CP image you will also see the Average Gain (AG) Results...which should be close = 1, and indicates the accuracy of the model as constructed. This AG only works if all losses are switched off correctly. I also add "FS" at the end of the title for my free space models, if I don't forget.
2. In most cases the pattern will show a typical Free Space pattern image, but not always. With antennas that are irregular in constructions an shape, the pattern can look much different, and for sure when they have asymmetrical parts.
3. Some models may show both Vertical and Horizontal RF patterns with the gain and angle. There is a switch for this feature that is indicated in the upper left portion of the Pattern Screen, and is under "Total Field."
Note: A small (*) indicates which polarity is active, indicting both the gain and angle at that polarity.
