One range for the dial and the sweep. The measurement dial now travels
exactly the band the sweep covers: right-click it (long-press on touch) to
set the range, a step or a point count, and linear or log spacing, and a
deck’s own sweep arrives with the file. SimNEC files round-trip more
faithfully: loads and insulated wires export in the forms SimNEC applies,
JamSegments counts are honoured, and every block of a station is a
measurement plane, with rig at the generator and feed at the antenna.
The NEC-2 engine now solves the network decks NEC-5 does, razor-2p serves
buried radials on momwire 0.62, and a rescan button picks up a design file
you just dropped into your folder.
antennaknobs describes an antenna as Python code — a small parametric
builder, its geometry computed from named knobs — then lets you explore it two
ways: drive it from a script (sweep, optimize, compare, export a NEC deck), or
open it in a browser and turn the knobs live, watching the radiation
pattern, SWR, and impedance respond as you drag. Most antenna tools are a static
formula calculator or a desktop app you have to install; this is neither.
A live modeling session, end to end: a 10 m Moxon built from knobs, tuned
by dragging, and read out in real time.
And the other half of the story — writing an antenna as code: a full
tutorial building a parameterized single-wire dipole from an empty file to
knobs turning in the workbench.
Antennas as Python code
Describe an antenna once as a small parametric builder — geometry computed
from named knobs — then sweep, optimize, compare, or open it in the browser.
Most tools make you hand-place every coordinate.
Multi-basis MoM
Sinusoidal and B-spline bases in one engine, cross-validating each
other — basis quality that otherwise costs four figures in commercial
tools.
Fast on big arrays
H-matrix / ACA acceleration with GMRES, where every free NEC tool is dense
O(N²). Demonstrated O(N log N) on a 2142-segment Yagi.
Cross-checked physics
A NEC-2 reference engine runs alongside the in-house solver — and a
licensed NEC-5 can join as a third — so you get a built-in accuracy
check most tools lack.
No platform lock-in
A web UI by default — works anywhere a browser does, while the competition
is Windows/Linux/macOS desktop-only or a GUI-less library.