Antenna Design

From RhinoHome

My interests in antennae design is driven by my need to operate from places other than my home QTH. Besides having a lot of noise at my home QTH, I am technically not allowed to have an antenna, so I am forced to us stealth antennae and quick simple setups in order to operate effeciently.

Contents 1 Modeling Resources 1.1 Software 1.2 Instructional 1.3 Books/publications 2 Basic Designs 2.1 Classic Wires 2.1.1 Dipoles 2.1.2 Verticals 2.1.3 Loops 2.1.4 Beams 2.2 Sturdier Materials 2.3 Yagi 2.4 Log Periodic 2.5 Loops (Higher Bands) 3 Other Links

Modeling Resources

Software

• EZNEC Antenna Software by W7EL Free 20 Segment limit. 500, 1500 limit versions available for purchase. Special edition used in ARRL Antenna Handbook.
• MMANA-GAL Free 512 Segment limit

• [NEC-2] - Numerical analysis program

• MININEC - Numerical analysis program

Because of the similarity in names, it has often been stated that MININEC is but a personal computer (PC) version of its big brother, Numerical Electromagnetics Code (NEC). However, this could not be farther from the truth. There are significant differences between these two codes. Both codes use the method of moments to solve for currents on electrically thin wires. However, each code starts with a different version of the integral formulation for the currents and fields for wires. Then, each follows significantly different algorithms for implementation of the method of moments.

Additional information on software can be found on W4RNL's site here

Instructional

Books/publications

W4RNL L.B. Cebik Collection of books on modeling and 800 antenna models available for a fee.

Basic Designs

Classic Wires

Dipoles

The classic wire antenna is the dipole. There are simple, cheap and effective.

Verticals

Loops

Loops are 1 λ in size so on HF frequencies you need a lot of space.

Beams

Generally, most beams are made from sturdier material than wire. The size and support requirements are a disadvantage for wire beams. Two element beams are still practical if you have two supports.

Sturdier Materials

Here is information for antennae made from aluminum and other materials.

Eventually, I hope to add information about some interesting alternatives like loading your rain gutters and the annual contest for oddball antennae like ladders and lawn chairs.

Yagi

Log Periodic

Loops (Higher Bands)

Building loops for low band operation from aluminum tubes is generally not practical due to the huge sizes involved. But on VHF this is not that out of line. Loops are 1 λ in size so on the HF bands this makes for very large structures.

Other Links

• AC6V's Antenna Links