For the record- this particular digest contained zero actual input from me personally, it’s a typed manuscript of what other members shared and contributed during the Stir Crazy Net each day at 12 noon on the 146.94 repeater with a negative offset of… oh, sorry.
The list is neither intended to be an endorsement from me for any of the products shared, nor do I necessarily know anything about what is shared. I’m merely secretarial in this aspect, when I can break from work and supplement net control. Your points are quite good and well-taken, we all appreciate the insight. This is one area where the group wasn’t well-versed so additional input/conversation is probably super appreciated, I know I personally want to learn more in this area. 73 de KJ5EMP ------------------------------------------------- KJ Anderson 253-380-2636 www.linkedin.com/in/scrumnerd<http://www.linkedin.com/in/scrumnerd> From: BVARC <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Rick Hiller via BVARC Sent: Tuesday, December 1, 2020 8:35 PM To: BRAZOS VALLEY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB <[email protected]> Cc: Rick Hiller <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [BVARC] SCN 2020-12-01 Antenna Analysis Software Comments on your suggestions: Sorry for the length. MiniNEC, EZNEC, 4NEC2, MMANA-GAL are all based on the NEC computation engine. What differs is the interface to you, the user. I prefer EZNEC but then I have been using it for about 20 years. Cost for the Ham Radio level versions: EZNEC DEMO is free but with severe limitations for all but very simple antennas. $99 gets you to a quite useable version. 4NEC2 is totally free. MiniNEC is $29. MMANA-GAL is 139 Euro's, There are PRO versions and interface add-ons from various 3rd parties for most of the modeling engines. Just like my comment about the Nano VNA, in that it's gonna take some time to understand its' use and even more time to study antenna systems to understand what you are doing and why and how -- same goes for modeling software. But....certainly all in good fun and ham education and well worth the journey. Folded dipoles are simply a way to get a match to 300 ohm TL. No advantage in gain , etc. Maybe slightly quieter on receive...maybe. TTFD is a different fish. Books: ARRL Antenna Handbook is certainly the antenna builders/users bible. You can however buy the Kindle version of each of the separated set books, so you don't have to spend the $60. Most of the theory is the same in these new editions versus going back to the 70's and before. The practical side of antennas with new materials, etc. is what gets upgraded with each new edition. Old versions of the ARRL antenna manual can be had for $10 typically. You can't go wrong buying any older version. If I had to steer you to books to read to get you up to speed about your total antenna system -- ATU, TL, tools, and grounding, I would tell you to get the following ARRL Joel Hallas and Ward Silver books: The Care and Feeding of Transmission Lines -- Hallas Understanding your Antenna Analyzer -- Hallas ARRL Guide to Antenna Tuners -- Hallas Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur -- Silver I'd tell you to read and understand these before jumping into a NanoVNA, of which there is also a small book on the use of the NanoVNA. Kindle version available for $4 or thereabouts. Sorry for the bandwidth, but I don't agree with just buying something just because it is suggested. There is alot to learn in Amateur Radio and it is certainly fun to have a continual information influx throughout the life of your Ham Radio journey. But watching the $'s helps you buy bigger toys later on. GL ES 73....Rick -- W5RH [https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif]<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail&utm_term=icon> Virus-free. www.avast.com<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail&utm_term=link> On Tue, Dec 1, 2020 at 1:16 PM KJ Anderson via BVARC <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: * MiniNEC pro analyzer * http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/mininec-antenna-analysis-modeling-software.html * DX Commander * https://www.m0mcx.co.uk/ * Folded dipoles (couldn’t google a site reference other than the actual antenna form) * EZNEC * https://www.eznec.com/ * There’s a free version * ARRL Antenna Physics * http://www.arrl.org/shop/Antenna-Physics-An-Introduction-2nd-Edition/ * http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Antenna-Book-Boxed-Set/ ------------------------------------------------- KJ Anderson 253-380-2636 www.linkedin.com/in/scrumnerd<http://www.linkedin.com/in/scrumnerd> ________________________________________________ Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org -- Rick Hiller e-mail: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Cell: 832-474-3713 Physical: 9031 Troulon Drive Houston, TX 77036
________________________________________________ Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club BVARC mailing list [email protected] http://mail.bvarc.org/mailman/listinfo/bvarc_bvarc.org
