1. Engines
1.1. NEC
1.1.1. NEC2
1.1.1.1. Open Source
1.1.1.2. Why NEC2?
1.1.1.2.1. It's free
1.1.1.2.2. It handles most antennas Amateur's want to build
1.1.2. NEC4
1.1.2.1. Licensed only
1.1.2.2. Why NEC4?
1.1.2.2.1. It handles antenna elements at or under the ground
1.1.2.3. Why NOT NEC4?
1.1.2.3.1. Quite expensive to get a license for it
1.1.2.3.2. Export restrictions could be a problem
1.2. MiniNEC
2. What are YOUR needs & limitations?
2.1. Do you need ...
2.1.1. Graphical Output?
2.1.2. Flexibility?
2.1.3. Simple interface?
2.2. Are you limited by ...
2.2.1. Knowledge of programming?
2.2.2. Platform you have to work with?
3. Other Sources of Information
3.1. AntModel Yahoogroup
3.2. Antennas, Modeling & More Blog
3.3. Antennex
3.4. Cebik web site
4. Front end software
4.1. EZNEC
4.1.1. Why EZNEC?
4.1.1.1. detailed coverage in the Antenna Modeling course
4.1.1.2. well supported by the author
4.1.2. Why NOT EZNEC?
4.1.3. Characteristics
4.1.3.1. Windows
4.1.3.2. NEC2 Engine
4.1.3.3. Commercial
4.1.3.4. Demo Available
4.2. MMANA
4.2.1. Why MMANA?
4.2.2. Why NOT MMANA?
4.2.3. Characteristics
4.2.3.1. Free Version Available
4.2.3.2. Windows
4.3. 4NEC2
4.3.1. Why 4NEC2?
4.3.2. Why NOT 4NEC2?
4.3.3. Characteristics
4.3.3.1. Free
4.3.3.2. Windows
4.4. NEC4WIN
4.4.1. Why NEC4WIN?
4.4.2. Why NOT NEC4WIN?
4.4.3. Characteristics
4.4.3.1. Free
4.4.3.2. Windows
4.5. Antenna Model
4.5.1. Why Antenna Model?
4.5.2. Why NOT Antenna Model
4.5.3. Characteristics
4.5.3.1. Commercial
4.5.3.2. Windows
4.5.3.3. MiniNEC Engine
4.6. NECWin
4.6.1. Why NECWin?
4.6.1.1. extensive coverage in the antenna modeling course
4.6.2. Why NOT NECWin?
4.6.3. Characteristics
4.6.3.1. Commercial
4.6.3.2. Windows
4.6.3.3. NEC2 Engine
4.7. CocoaNEC
4.7.1. Why CocoaNEC?
4.7.1.1. native Macintosh application
4.7.2. Why NOT CocoaNEC?
4.7.3. Characteristics
4.7.3.1. Macintosh
4.7.3.2. Free
4.7.3.3. Source Available
4.7.3.4. Works in multiple modes
4.7.3.4.1. Spreadsheet entry
4.7.3.4.2. Scripting language
4.7.3.4.3. NEC Card Deck Entry
4.8. NEC
4.8.1. Why NEC?
4.8.1.1. More flexible
4.8.2. Why NOT NEC?
4.8.2.1. More difficult to use
4.8.2.2. Easier to make mistakes
4.8.2.3. External follow on programs are needed to add graphical support
4.8.2.4. Have to think in 80-column cards for input
4.8.3. Characteritics
4.8.3.1. Source Code
4.8.3.1.1. Compile it yourself
4.8.3.2. Binaries available
4.8.3.3. No Graphical Interface
4.8.3.4. Old Fashioned 80-col card input
4.8.3.5. Line Printer Output
4.8.3.6. NEC2
4.8.3.6.1. Free
4.8.3.6.2. Why NEC2?
4.8.3.6.3. Why NOT NEC2?
4.8.3.7. NEC4
4.8.3.7.1. Licensed
4.8.3.7.2. Export Restrictions
4.8.3.7.3. Why NEC4?
4.8.3.7.4. Why NOT NEC4?
4.9. xnecview
4.9.1. Why xnecview?
4.9.1.1. UNIX X Windows
4.9.2. Characteristics
4.9.2.1. Source code
4.9.2.2. Interactive graphical display of NEC2 output
4.9.3. Why not xnecview?
4.9.3.1. Graphical output only - does not help with card deck creation