Antenna Design Tools VE3KL Antenna simulation tools based on NEC Fortran Program Eznec 4NEC2 (free) including optimizer and tuner design Transmission Line Utility (TLDetails, Dan Maguire, AC6LA) Antenna Tuner Utility (included in 4NEC2) Specialized C#, C++, VB programs to drive EZNEC/4NEC2 Measurement Tools and Software : AIM4170 vector meter + Zplots(AC6LA) A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

Outline My Antenna Design Process 4nec2 Overview..Analysis, Optimization, Utilities Design Example …..40/17 metre fan dipole Future Trends Demo of 4NEC2 or AIM4170 Analyzer 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

Transmission Line Zo, velocity, length Tuner Discrete or Stubs Antenna System Simulate/build/test Antenna Transmission Line Zo, velocity, length losses Use TLDetails to select Tuner Discrete or Stubs Optional : use if SWR >1.5 A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits Transmitter Power and Frequency David Conn VE3KL

My Design Process Build Idea ? Measure Vector Z meter Aim 4170 ….. 4nec2 Simulator Optimizer File Transfer .csv Capture Data for plotting Zplots Software Transmission Line Analysis (TLDetails) A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits Design Review OK ? Start Over? Tuner Design 4NEC2 Matching Utility David Conn VE3KL

A free full featured antenna simulator Uses the nec FORTRAN kernel 4nec2 ArieVoors A free full featured antenna simulator Uses the nec FORTRAN kernel Several input editors Built-in 3D graphics Excellent help file Many standard antennas….helix etc. First free simulator to contain an optimizer 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

Spherical Coordinate System Z θ Rx Antenna Elevation angle = 90 - θ Tx Antenna Y XY Horizontal Plane Z Vertical axis φ A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits X φ is the horizontal azimuth angle Θ is the angle measured from vertical 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

A discrete numerical method Divide wires into many segments Method of Moments A discrete numerical method Divide wires into many segments 25 segments per wavelength 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

4nec2 Simulation Use built-in editor to the Define Antenna Geometry Analyze Gain,SWR… Optimize (Tune) A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits Use Matching Utility to Design Tuner if Needed Use TL Details to select Transmission line David Conn VE3KL 8 8

The Big Gun (Optimization) Optimize (Tune) a 2 metre dipole to 6 metres Adjust reactance to zero Vary Length A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits Results L= 2.8 metres Xin = -0.13 Ohms 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

4NEC2 Far Field Traditional Plot Several Views Vertical, Horizontal, Total Circular Polarization RHC, LHC, Total A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

3D VE3XK 50 MHz Stack 50 MHz OMNI Source Side Along X Axis Right Hand Circular Polarization Shown All Graphs are dynamic A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

4NEC2 3D Near Field 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

4NEC2 Advanced Far Field Map θ High Gain A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits φ 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

Spherical Coordinate System Z θ Rx Antenna Elevation angle = 90 - θ Tx Antenna Y XY Horizontal Plane Z Vertical axis φ A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits X φ is the horizontal azimuth angle Θ is the angle measured from vertical 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL 14 14

Examples “Simple” 2m Dipole Free Space X Axis Total Gain Theta = 75 degrees PHI = 311 degrees 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

Simple 2m Dipole .. Horizontal Plane X Axis Horizontal Plane BLUE :Vertical E Field RED: Horizontal E Field Green: Total Field Theta = 45 degrees (Is it OK to say that a dipole is Horizontally Polarized? No!) Receives Power Line Noise off the end (Vertically Polarized) 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL

4NEC2 Several Views of Frequency Response A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits David Conn VE3KL

4NEC2 Smith Chart David Conn VE3KL A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits David Conn VE3KL

A Design Example Two Element Fan Dipole 40/17 metres Wire Lengths? Tuner needed? Frequency Response? Gain and direction of radiation? Mounted between two towers (North South) Simulate/Build/Test 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL 19

Two Element Fan Dipole Four Wires Connected to a Transmission Line L1 (1/4 Lambda) 40 metre top section 30 degrees L2 (1/4 Lambda) 17 metre bottom section (Inverted V) Height RG8-X Cable (Length, Losses, Zin) Tuner Transmitter Lossy Ground 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL 20

Two Element Fan Dipole 40 Metre Gain Pattern……broadside radiation 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL 21

Two Element Fan Dipole 17 Metre Gain Pattern……45 degree lobes 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL 22

Two Element Fan Dipole Frequency Response. SWR around 1 Two Element Fan Dipole Frequency Response ..SWR around 1.5 Tuner might be useful Very High SWR ??? Good Candidate for an auto-tuner David Conn VE3KL 23

Two Element Fan Dipole Frequency Response…… Impedance Z= 28 Two Element Fan Dipole Frequency Response…… Impedance Z= 28.5+j2 Ohms @ 18 MHz 12/4/2018 David Conn VE3KL 24

TLDetails to select the Transmission Line Length needed = 15 Metres A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits Zin = 40 + j 20 David Conn VE3KL

Matching (4nec2 Utility) 18 MHz No need for Xs A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits David Conn VE3KL

Measurements Antenna or other DUT Aim 4170 Vector Z Meter Complete Data Set Generated .csv Import Data to Zplots or Excel or Data Base (SQLITE) Plotting or Further Computing E.g.. Calculate Cable Losses A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits AIM 4170 Vector Impedance Meter Connected to Computer via Serial Port 27 27

Fan Dipole Measurements AIM4170 & Zplots Measured A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits Simulated David Conn VE3KL 28 28

2010 Antenna design tools similar to Silicon IC design in its infancy The Future Much more software integration needed link measurement tools to all software include data base output for all software use Excel and SQLite data bases standard data base file format Models, especially ground types need improvement Much more work on optimization Electrical design to mechanical drawing needed for Microwave Antennas 2010 Antenna design tools similar to Silicon IC design in its infancy A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits 29

Summary Antenna/Simulation Tools are well developed See VE3KL’s articles in TCA for more details Presentation posted on ve3kl.com Web Site VY 73 Dave VE3KL A method that you can use easily to evaluate your own noise environment A method that you can use to evaluate the quality of the ionosphere at any give time. Some methods to control received noise The Shannon Hartley limits 30