AntenneX Antenna Modeling Column Index

L. B. Cebik, W4RNL

Because computerized antenna modeling has become widespread, and its popularity as a design tool continues to increase, this series will be devoted to helping you get the most from the design software you use. The articles will focus upon the use of NEC and MININEC, along with useful adjunct software. There are twin goals: to help you get the most out of your modeling efforts and to help you avoid the pitfalls and temptations built into modeling systems and their use. In the process, you may even come to understand your antennas a little better.

This series appears as a monthly column in antenneX, and is available in PDF book format with some model sets on the Books Page.


No. Title
147 Warnings and Errors: What Does NEC Do and What Should You Do?
146 Unequal Serial Feedline Connections
145 Serial Feedline Connections
144 Receiving Directivity
143 Modeling Radiating Surfaces
142 VOACAP Type 13 Files
141 Circular R-X Graphs
140 Antenna Matching with EZNEC Version 5 Part 2. L-Networks
139 Antenna Matching with EZNEC Version 5 Part 1. Transformers and Shunt Loads
138 Types of Substitute Models
137 NEC Implementations Cores, Limitations, and Work-Arounds
136 AM BC Modeling with NEC Part 6. Grounds
135 AM BC Modeling with NEC Part 5. Multiple Tower Arrays
134 AM BC Modeling with NEC Part 4. Square, Sloping, and Tapered
133 AM BC Modeling with NEC Part 3. The Long and the Short of It
132 AM BC Modeling with NEC Part 2. Quandaries: How Many Legs? How Good is Good?
131 AM BC Modeling with NEC Part 1. Basic Considerations
130 Models vs. Prototypes: Why Field Adjustments Will Always be Necessary
129 Some Rudiments of Receiving Pattern Modeling
128 When Not to Use NEC for Antenna Modeling
127 A Potpourri of Modeler Miscellanea
126 "Ideal" Polar Plots
125 When to Worry and When Not to Worry: A Case Study
124 Modeling (with) Parabolic Reflectors
123 Radiating and Transmission Line Currents
122 Reciprocity: Home on the Range
121 Radiation Patterns and Propagation
120 Back on the Ground
119 Modeling Odd Structures: the Gamma Match
Part 2. Gamma Assembly Variables
118 Modeling Odd Structures: the Gamma Match
Part 1. Gamma Modeling Basics
117 Modeling and the Logic of Question Resolution
116 Insulation Revisited
115 Single, Bifilar, and Quadrifilar Helices
114 Modeling Folded Monopoles
113 When Simple Geometries Become Complex: A Rhombic Case Study
112 Wires Meeting Ground: 2 Cases
111 Dipoles: Variety and Modeling Hazards
4. Zigzag, Fold-Back, and Fan Dipoles
110 Dipoles: Variety and Modeling Hazards
3. Tapered-Diameter, Bent, and Hatted Dipoles
109 Dipoles: Variety and Modeling Hazards
2. Linear, V, and Folded Dipoles in MININEC
108 Dipoles: Variety and Modeling Hazards
1. Linear, V, and Folded Dipoles in NEC
107 Scaling Models
106 Refining Our Notions of Azimuth Patterns
105 Models, Symmetry, and Loads: A Couple of Reminders
104 PS: I Change
103 True Azimuth Models: EZNEC Software
102 True Azimuth Models: NSI Software
101 Modeling the Un-Modelable
100 The Dipole and the Coax
99 S-N, RCA, and MININEC Grounds
98 Planar Reflectors: Wire Grid vs. SM Patch
97 Integrating Commands: A Case Study
96 Some Further Applications of the NT Command
95 Some Basics of the NT Command
94 GR: The "Generate Cylindrical Structure" Command
93 Convergence Revisited
92 Calculating Circular Gain
91 An Orientation to NEC Near Fields
Part 2. Some Refinements and NEC-4 Additions
90 An Orientation to NEC Near Fields
Part 1. NEC-2 Input Basics and Simple Outputs
89 A Note on Archimedes and Log Spirals for the NEC-4 GH Command
88 EX and PT
87 NEC-4 Manual Sample Files
86 NEC-2 Manual Sample Files
85 Electrical Fields at a Power Level and Distance
84 GA: Creating and Moving Arcs
83 Insulated Wires: The NEC-2 Way
82 The Nature and Adequacy of NEC Correctives
81 Appreciating EK
80 Developing Antenna Expectations Using Modeling Software
2B: Vertical Monopoles (continued)
79 Developing Antenna Expectations Using Modeling Software
2B: Vertical Monopoles
78 Developing Antenna Expectations Using Modeling Software
2A: Vertical Dipoles
77 Developing Antenna Expectations Using Modeling Software
1: Horizontal Wires in the Lower to Medium HF Range (continued)
76 Developing Antenna Expectations Using Modeling Software
1: Horizontal Wires in the Lower to Medium HF Range
75 NEC: Power Efficiency vs. Radiation Efficiency
74 Some Numerical Green's Function Rudiments
73 Source-to-Feedline Matching Techniques
72 The GX or Symmetry Geometry Input
71 The Average Gain Test Revisited
70 Refining Physical Transmission-Line Models
69 4-8-16-Infinite Sided Loops
68 Wire Grids 2: Angular and Awkward
67 Wire Grids 1: Plane and Simple
66 State of the Art?
65 The 1/2-Wavelength Resonant Dipole as a Core Test Instrument
64 An Orientation to the NEC Output File
63 GH and GM: The NEC-4 Versions
62 GH: Helix-Spiral Specification
61 GM: Coordinate Transformation
60 NVIS Antenna Models and the Ground Type
59 MININEC and NEC: A Design Case Study
58 Some Basic Guideline Graphics for NEC
57 Some Comments on Comments
56 When MININEC is Superior to NEC
55 Parallel Sources, Angular Junctions, and Average Gain: Correcting "Weaknesses"
54 GC: Wire Segment Length and Radius Tapering
53 Voltage and Current Sources: How?
52 Flipping Among NEC Programs
51 Testing the Fringes of Modeling Programs
50 The NEC-4 IS Card: Insulated Wires
49 Traps
48 Radiation Plots: Polar or Rectangular; Log or Linear
47 So You Want to Read a NEC-Deck
46 A Load in Parallel With a Source
45 Designing With NEC: A Case Study: Part 2: Evaluation and Reality
44 Designing With NEC: A Case Study: Part 1: The 4 Ss
43 Modeling Element Substitutes
42 Moving and Rotating
41 Multiple-Feedpoint Loop Modeling
40 Resolution
39 Radials: Complex Radials Systems
38 Radials: Segmentation and Convergence
37 Verticals: Using the MININEC Ground
36 Getting a Grip on AZ/EL and Phi/Theta
35 Notes on Using AZ-EL Plots Effectively
34 The Second Ground Medium
33 A Clean Sweep
32 A Case Study: Rotating a Beam
31 A Case Study: a 90' Wire
30 Modeling By Equation
D. Scratch Pads and Coordinates
29 Modeling By Equation
C. Formulas and Blocks
28 Modeling By Equation
B. Bigger and Better Things
27 Modeling By Equation
A. A Beginning
26 The Scales of Equivalence
25 Bringing Up the Rear: Front-to-Back Ratios
24 The Power and the Source
23 Modeling LPDAs
22 Physical Models of Parallel Transmission Lines
21 The NEC TL Facility
20 The Average Gain Test
19 What Can We Learn From Tables?
18 Why Tri-Banders Are Hard to Model
17 Notes on Reactive Antenna Loads and Their NEC Models:
E. Some Unfinished Business on Modeling Loads
16 Notes on Reactive Antenna Loads and Their NEC Models:
D. Some Solenoid Loading Basics
15 Notes on Reactive Antenna Loads and Their NEC Models:
C. Some Linear Loading Basics
14 Notes on Reactive Antenna Loads and Their NEC Models:
B. Some Mid-Element Loading Basics
13 Notes on Reactive Antenna Loads and Their NEC Models:
A. Some Center Loading Basics
12 Verticals At & Over Ground: Sensible Expectations
11 A Ground is Just a Ground: Unless It Is a Model of a Ground!
10 Tapering to Perfection
09 Modeling Ground Planes Other Radial Systems
08 Modeling Wire Arrays
07 Maximizing Your Data
06 Modeling Loads: What Kind, How Much & Where?
05 Putting Sources Where You Can Find Them
04 A Good Start is Half the Trip
03 Within the Lines: NEC-2
02 Under the Limits: MININEC
01 Converging Toward Excellence