The
WB0DGF Antenna Site
4NEC2 and TANT
(updated 26 Aug 2013)
TANT
TANT
is a DOS program written by Sinisa, YT1NT. It computes a Far Field
table output from a text file which contains the simulated beam antenna
radiation pattern. The radiation pattern file can be produced
by either EZNEC or 4NEC2. The TANT instruction manual goes
into great detail regarding the use of EZNEC to generate this text
file, but does not mention 4NEC2. Here are specific
instructions on how to use 4NEC2 with TANT. Please refer to the TANT
V1.2 User Manual and Appendix for additional information on the use of
TANT.
4NEC2
4NEC2
is a Windows program written by Arie Voors. It combines an
excellent GUI with the universal-standard NEC2 software.
Version 5.8.9 and later incorporates the means to export text
files which are compatible with TANT. If you haven't already
done so, please make sure that you have the latest version of 4NEC2.
You can find it at www.qsl.net/4nec2/
As of this date, the latest version is 5.8.11.
Step 1: Build your beam model in 4NEC2 such that
X-axis = element position on the boom
Y-axis = element length
The maximum gain of the beam must occur at elevation = 0 and azimuth =
0 (Theta = 90, Phi = 0). This means that the
antenna or antenna array is modeled in Free Space.
Step 2. Change the 4NEC2 settings
Under "Settings", select phi/azim unit = Azim(ccw_x)/EL. The
Theta and Phi settings will not work. You can always reset
this after export.
Step 3. Calculate the pattern
Select CALCULATE > NEC Output Data
Select "Far Field Pattern", "Full", Frequency (e.g. 144.1), Resolution
(1, 2 or 3) degrees (I use 2 degrees as 1 degree gives me an
error message)
Press "Generate"
Step 4. Create the text file for TANT
In the Pattern Window, select "FFtab" > "Azimuth/Phi slices"
Save the text file in the standard 8x3 (DOS) format (e.g.
antenna1.txt) in the same folder as TANT.exe.
TANT
If
you are using Windows XP, then running TANT is fairly straightforward.
Go to Accessories (under Programs) and select the Command
Prompt (C:/). This will get you to a DOS window with the C:
prompt. Change directories (folders) to the folder which
contains TANT.exe. (I'm not going to explain how to use DOS -
this is up to you!) Type in "tant", then press "Enter".
You should now see the Tant user instruction screen.
Press any key to continue. Press "1", then type in
the file name which you previously created in 4NEC2. Press "Enter".
Press "4" to compute your output. The 30 degree
line will be highlighted in Red. This is what Lionel, VE7BQH,
uses in his G/T tables. These tables contain the G/T of 4-bay
arrays of popular long-boom yagi beams.
If you do not have Windows XP available to use (e.g. you are using
Windows Vista, 7 or 8), you will need to download and install DOSBox.
This software emulates the DOS CPU and allows old programs to
run normally)
References:
Comments
are welcome!
contact
Roger: email to WB0DGF @ ARRL.NET
or
rgcox2
(at) gmail.com
Roger Cox - Spring Lake, MI