More on Antenna Modeling

The previous post on EZNEC being offered gratis to the Amateur Radio community had some comments, and I received a few emails. (Link https://k9zw.wordpress.com/2022/05/14/eznec-antenna-modeling-for-all-of-us/ )

Much of what had been in computer antenna modeling has changed over time.

I gathered as many links as I could find for this post.  If you know of additional programs or links, please put them in a comment, and periodically I will edit them into the main post.

(NOTE:  Focus is on general HF Amateur Radio level usage programs)

Antenna Modeling Links – mid-May 2022:

Active Programs Found

• EZNEC https://www.eznec.com/ free version uses NEC-2 but can use NEC-5 if you have it
• MiniNEC http://www.blackcatsystems.com/software/mininec-antenna-analysis-modeling-software.html and http://www.w8io.com/mininec.htm
• MMANA-GAL http://gal-ana.de/promm/
• 4Nec2 https://www.qsl.net/4nec2/ NEC-2 included, can use NEC-4 if you have it (uncertain if it will use NEC-5)

Linux Active Programs Found

• Xnec2c (Linux Program) – https://www.xnec2c.org/ and https://github.com/KJ7LNW/xnec2c
• Xnec2c-Optimize (Linux Program, add-in for Xnec2c) – https://github.com/KJ7LNW/xnec2c-optimize
• Xnecview (a Linux NEC “viewer”) https://www.pa3fwm.nl/software/xnecview/

Links that work, but the programs are not fresh (may be DOS or WinXP):

• Nec2Go https://www.nec2go.com/ Subset of NEC-2 – licensed and looks to be an Win-XP program
• YagiMAX DOS based – an archived copy at http://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/?yagimax%2C127
• cocoaNEC NEC-2 – OS-X  http://www.w7ay.net/site/Applications/cocoaNEC/index.html last updated 2018
• MEFiSTo-2D Classic (firm closed, owner retired) – http://www.faustcorp.com/

Replaced by newer offerings

• MultiNEC – replaced by AutoEZ which is an add on for EZNEC https://ac6la.com/multinec.html

Defunct Links

• NEC-Win-Plus – defunct was Nittany Scientific, who is out of business
• NEC4WIN – defunct – was Orion Systems
• SuperNEC – defunct

About NEC (the engine at the center of these programs)

• NEC – Numerical Electromagnetic Code https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_Electromagnetics_Code
  • NEC (-1) – considered obsolete
  • NEC-2 – publicly released version that many packages are built around
  • NEC-3 – considered obsolete
  • NEC-4 – long term “current” version, is available on request as 4.2 from LLNL (license fee may apply)
  • NEC-5 – last version https://ipo.llnl.gov/technologies/it-and-communications/nec-v50-numerical-electromagnetic-code available by license  (Note project lead became a SK (died) shortly after release and two sub-version with significant fixes (X.11 and X.13) are available.)
• Lots of the Math behind NEC-5  https://ipo.llnl.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/NEC5%20Validation%20Manual%20092419.pdf
• The Numerical Electromagnetics Code (NEC)—A brief history (up to 2004) – https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/891397-edTFGr/ and NEC History http://www.nec2.org/nec_hist.txt

NEC Alternatives/Derivatives

• MININEC  – https://www.radioexperimenter.us/re-03-1998/mininec.html , http://www.w8io.com/mininec.htm and https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/9102018.pdf
• nNEC500 Basic Version – http://www.w8io.com/mininec.htm
• NEC2++ – https://tmolteno.github.io/necpp/ (rewrite of the NEC-2 engine) and https://github.com/tmolteno/necpp
• FEKO MoM (available to students) – http://altairuniversity.com/feko-student-edition/
• WIPL-D Solver (appears Microwave orientated?) – https://wipl-d.com/
• Simula (for Students/Academics) – https://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/students-and-academics/?utm_source=cst.com&utm_medium=301&utm_campaign=academia
• HOBBIES  (Higher Order Basis Based Integral Equation Solver) – https://hobbies-em.com/ and ARRL Article https://www.fars.k6ya.org/docs/Stearns_K6OIK-HOBBIES_Software_for_Computational_Electromagnetics,_QEX,_Nov-Dec_2020.pdf

Other Useful Links:

• openEMS (requires Octave or Matlab) – https://openems.de/start/
• Old dated Repository of NEC links – http://www.nec2.org/
• Flipping Among NEC Programs by L. B. Cebik, W4RNL (SK) http://on5au.be/content/amod/amod52.html
• A British EZNEC Tutorial https://www.hamradiodeals.co.uk/forums/viewforum.php?f=46

ARRL Links

• Antenna Modeling – Introduction  – http://www.arrl.org/antenna-modeling
• Antenna Modeling for Beginners – Supplemental Information – http://www.arrl.org/antenna-modeling-for-beginners
• Antenna Modeling Files – http://www.arrl.org/antenna-modeling-files
• Slides by Ward Silver N0AX – http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Antenna%20Modeling%20for%20Beginners%20Supplemental%20Files/Antenna%20Modeling%20-%20Getting%20Started.pdf
• Older Guide – How to Start Modeling Antennas using EZNEC from Contest University 2011 – http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Antenna%20Modeling%20for%20Beginners%20Supplemental%20Files/EZNEC%20Modeling%20Tutorial%20by%20W8WWV.pdf
• ARRL pdf of Links (copyright 2019, presumably from the Antenna Book?) – http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Antenna%20Book%20Supplemental%20Files/24th%20Edition/Antenna%20and%20Electromagnetic%20Modeling%20Software%20by%20K6OIK.pdf
• 2017 Antenna Modeling by K6OIK – https://www.fars.k6ya.org/docs/Stearns_K6OIK-Antenna_Modeling_for_Radio_Amateurs-ARRL_Pacificon-Oct_2017.pdf

73

Steve
K9ZW