In this series on Club Program ideas, I’m providing possible programs for clubs to use in their meetings. You can find a full explanation of the approach in Club Programs – The Series.

Today’s program idea: Antenna modeling software.

A lot of contesting wars are won before the antenna is ever put up in the air.

Sure, geography helps -- a lot. But if you have choices for antennas, you can win or lose a lot from where you are planted. Knowing your ground, your elevation angles to distant population centers, and the type of operating you do makes significant differences in your choice of antennas.

Then comes antenna modeling.

Antenna modeling can be used for dipoles to beams. Verticals to inverted vee's. How antennas are placed, how high they are, and the surrounding ground will optimize their performance. That is what antenna modeling software will tell you.

Program ideas:

• Why use antenna modeling software
• Antenna modeling software for the average ham
• Practical example of using the software for an antenna (have a club member who is going to be putting up an antenna be the example)

Antenna modeling software has come a long ways since the early DOS versions. Given the power of home computers today, great analysis can be done for our antennas.

Scot, K9JY

Photo Credit: Antennex.com