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ARRL Antenna Book Reference 22nd Edition

ARRL Antenna Book

This web page is for information that extends or supports the ARRL Antenna Book beginning with the 22nd edition.  The section for each edition contains links to supplemental files and software, non-ARRL documents, and errata and corrections.  To purchase the book, click here or browse to the ARRL Store where you can also find numerous other publications on antennas and transmission lines.

Information in support of previous editions can be found on the ARRL Product Notes page.

Printed-circuit boards for many current and previous Antenna Book projects are available from FAR Circuits.

Antenna Book Editions

  • 22nd Edition - Software-

    Some readers have reported problems reading the CD-ROMs on Windows XP Professional machines. (This is not a problem on Vista or Windows 7.)  The following problem description identifies the issue:

     

    CD-ROM Drive May Not Be Able to Read a UDF-Formatted Disc in Windows XP. Your computer cannot read some or all files on CDs or DVDs that were recorded through the use of the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) Universal Disk Format (UDF) file system standard. Symptoms may include: The disc is not recognized at all.

     

    Microsoft has a well-documented support page for CD and DVD drive problems. Running the Microsoft Fix It application associated with this problem should take care of the problem.

     


     

    Windows 7 limits on the length of filename paths is also sometimes exceeded.  A possible workaround is as follows:

    Create a directory file folder called Data Files.  Within this folder create the file folder Yagi.  Into this folder copy the entire contents of the YW (Yagi for Windows) folder from the hard disk.  Therefore, the path now is C:>data Files>Yagi>filename.YW.  The program should now work without need for the CD disk.  

    Another possibility is to transfer the files to a removeable USB thumb drive.

    (Thanks, Zack W1VT)

     


     

    Windows 7 and Security Issues

    Windows 7 users also report problems opening files associated with some of the Antenna Book software, such as YW (Yagis for Windows). For example, “The file ‘510-24H.YW’ has an error. Examine it with a word processor.”

    This is a file permission problem with operating systems released after Vista, not a 32/64 bit issue. (Additional information is available at www.arrl.org/faq-s.)

    The good news is, most of the software runs just fine, once you get past the security issues.  Due to issues with hackers writing malicious programs, Microsoft has implemented tougher measures to prevent hackers from gaining control of your computer.  In order for programs like Yagi for Windows to write and modify files, so you can save your work, you need to explicitly grant the programs Administrative Privileges, by clicking the appropriate box in the security window for the program.  Merely operating the program from an administrative account ("Run As Administrator") won’t allow the program to function properly. 

    This can be a little confusing, as the computer will flag the data file as the problem—changing the settings on the file won’t help.  You need to change the settings for the program. 

    You may also download these software notes from the 21st edition with additional information about the Antenna Book's companion software.

     


     

    The installer program creates several icons on the desktop during the install process.  These icons all have similar names and it can be difficult to determine the correct shortcut. The names of the shortcuts can be edited by right-clicking the icon and selecting "Rename".  The name can then be changed to something more descriptive in a few characters that are displayed with the shortcut.  For example, "AntBk Content" for "Antenna Book Content".

     



    The CD-ROM that comes with the ARRL Antenna Book includes the following software:

    • EZNEC-ARRL - antenna modeling software by W7EL, based on EZNEC 5.0
    • HFTA - terrain analysis software by N6BV, including propagation prediction files
    • TLW - transmission line analysis software by N6BV
    • YW - Yagi for Windows by N6BV to predict antenna performance
    • SCALE - an antenna re-scaling program (included with the YW software)

    EZNEC-ARRL included with the Antenna Book's 22nd edition is a special version of EZNEC 5.0 - its primary purpose is to enable viewing and analysis of the example antennas included with the Antenna Book. It operates as a normal EZNEC demo program except when a specially "signed" EZNEC description file (included on the Antenna Book CD) is opened. When analyzing a "signed" file, EZNEC-ARRL becomes a fully functional just like the standard EZNEC software. "Signed" files can be modified in any way and analyzed with full standard EZNEC program capability. However, EZNEC-ARRL will revert to demo operation when any file saved by EZNEC-ARRL, including a modified "signed" file, is re-opened. Any version of EZNEC-ARRL (including the versions from previous Antenna Books) will function with "signed" files from any Antenna Book edition and all EZNEC model files are compatible with all EZNEC program types. No other "signed" files are available except the ones furnished with the Antenna Book, and EZNEC-ARRL can be obtained only by purchasing the Antenna Book.

     

    HFTA - see the Supplemental Information and Tools window below for notes on the HFTA instructions and operating with MicroDEM data.

     


    Readme - this is the installation and operation instruction document that comes with the Antenna Book software.

     


    Chapter numbers refer to the primary chapter in the ARRL Antenna Book that references the software.

     

    Chapter 4 - Radio Wave Propagation

        RngBrg.ZIP - software to compute the range and bearing from a point at one latitude/longitude to another.

     

    Chapter 7 - Log Periodic Antennas

        Log Periodic Element and Phase Line Calculator - Spreadsheet to calculate LPDA element lengths and spacings, along with phase line impedance, by Dennis Miller, KM9O.  This spreadsheet is in Excel format (XLS) and was last updated on 12 Sep 2011.

     

    Chapter 8 - Multielement Arrays

        Arrayfeed1.zip - Phased array feed system design software by W7EL.  This package has been updated from the version supplied with the 21st edition.  The ZIP file contains a help file (Arrayfeed1.chm) and the software (Arrayfeed1.exe).

     

    Chapter 11 - HF Yagi and Quad Antennas

        GAMMA2-1.ZIP - An MS-DOS utility that computes gamma match network values.  The compressed ZIP file contains GAMMA2-1.BAS (BASIC source code that can be run with GWBASIC or QBASIC) and the compiled GAMMA2-1.EXE.

        GAMMAMW4.ZIP - An improved version of GAMM2-1.ZIP that corrects a calculation problem that fails to find solutions to the calculations when the combination of the desired feed line impedance exceeds the product of the raw antenna resistance and the gamma step-up value..  The code was developed by Bill Wortman, N6MW and generously donated to the ARRL and the readers of the Antenna Book, ARRL Handbook, and Low-Band DXing by ON4UN.  The ARRL also wishes to thank Greg Ordy, W8WWV for testing the code.

        EFFLEN.ZIP - A software routine (written in FORTRAN) to calculate effective lengths of antenna elements.

        See the Errata and Corrections section below for notes about the dimensions for torque compensators and three corrected YW files for the modified Hygain antennas.

        Dimensions for the monoband Yagi hairpin matching inductors are given in the YW file for that antenna.  Scroll to the end of the file to see the hairpin dimensions.

     

    Chapter 14 - HF Antenna System Design

        HFTA.PDF - See the Supplemental Information and Tools sections for the latest information on HFTA.

     

    Chapter 21 - Mobile and Maritime HF Antennas

        MOBILE.ZIP - Mobile whip design software by Leon Braskamp, AA6GL. The compressed file includes MOBILE.EXE - the software - plus a desktop icon file.

     

    Chapter 23 - Transmission Lines

        Two-Wire Feed Line and Radiated Power Calculator - Spreadsheet to calculate the impedance of parallel-conductor line and the amount of radiated power by Dennis Miller, KM9O  This spreadsheet is in Excel format (XLS) and was last updated on 12 Sep 2011.

        AAT.zip - software to analyze antenna tuners by Dean Straw, N6BV.  The compressed file includes AAT.EXE - the software - plus a PDF instruction file, desktop icon, and associated LOG and SUM file examples.

  • 22nd Edition - Supplemental Information and Tools+

  • 22nd Edition - Additional References+

  • 22nd Edition - Errata and Corrections (1st Printing)+

  • 22nd Edition - Errata and Corrections (2nd Printing)+

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