1. 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

2. 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

6. Spherical Coordinate SystemZ 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

7. 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

8. 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

9. 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 = Ohms
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

10. 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

11. 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

12. 4NEC2 3D Near Field 4/20/2017 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

13. 4NEC2 Advanced Far Field Mapθ
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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

14. Spherical Coordinate SystemZ 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL 14 14

15. Examples “Simple” 2m Dipole Free Space
X Axis
Total Gain
Theta = 75 degrees
PHI = 311 degrees
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

16. 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)
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL 19

20. 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
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL 20

21. Two Element Fan Dipole 40 Metre Gain Pattern……broadside radiation
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL 21

22. Two Element Fan Dipole 17 Metre Gain Pattern……45 degree lobes
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL 22

23. 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

24. Two Element Fan Dipole Frequency Response…… Impedance Z= 28
Two Element Fan Dipole Frequency Response…… Impedance Z= 28.5+j2 18 MHz
4/20/2017
David Conn VE3KL 24

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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