Richard wrote:
I can mess around with the models quite freely, but perfecting the
design to a level that is both electrically and mechanically sound is
right now beyond me. What you are saying is that this task is such a
huge one and requires great skill. Not easy then for your regular Joe
ham to do much with the models in a practical way. He/she has to
become something of an antenna buff for that to transpire.

A few years ago, if any amateur got involved in the esoteric art of
antenna modelling, it was because he or she was *already* an advanced
antenna buff, with lots of hands-on experience of making antennas work.

After learning about modelling, with all its tricks and traps, the next
challenge was to learn how to translate the models back into workable
hardware. But at least that was building a bridge between two solid
foundations.

Now, it's becoming the other way around - the modelling is more
accessible than the hands-on experience. Without that practical
experience, translating a model into reality is like building a bridge
to nowhere.

It isn't "something for someone [else] to do." Someone else can run
models for you, but only the person with the hardware in their hands can
work out how to build the real thing.

However, about the worst you can do is cut the elements to the wrong
lengths. The program on my website (see earlier posting) will help, and
you should also read all three of the links from that same page.

If you come back with a question more like: "I've tried to work out how
to do this. Here are the model dimensions, here are my cutting
dimensions, and here's why. Does this look reasonable?" then I'm sure
you'll get a lot more help.


(Coffee mug's empty... back to the window-frames.)


--
73 from Ian G3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek

"Ian White, G3SEK" wrote in message
...
Richard wrote:
I can mess around with the models quite freely, but perfecting the
design to a level that is both electrically and mechanically sound is
right now beyond me. What you are saying is that this task is such a
huge one and requires great skill. Not easy then for your regular Joe
ham to do much with the models in a practical way. He/she has to
become something of an antenna buff for that to transpire.

A few years ago, if any amateur got involved in the esoteric art of
antenna modelling, it was because he or she was *already* an advanced
antenna buff, with lots of hands-on experience of making antennas work.

After learning about modelling, with all its tricks and traps, the next
challenge was to learn how to translate the models back into workable
hardware. But at least that was building a bridge between two solid
foundations.

Now, it's becoming the other way around - the modelling is more
accessible than the hands-on experience. Without that practical
experience, translating a model into reality is like building a bridge
to nowhere.

It isn't "something for someone [else] to do." Someone else can run
models for you, but only the person with the hardware in their hands can
work out how to build the real thing.

However, about the worst you can do is cut the elements to the wrong
lengths. The program on my website (see earlier posting) will help, and
you should also read all three of the links from that same page.

If you come back with a question more like: "I've tried to work out how
to do this. Here are the model dimensions, here are my cutting
dimensions, and here's why. Does this look reasonable?" then I'm sure
you'll get a lot more help.


(Coffee mug's empty... back to the window-frames.)

Okay, well, I'll do some more work on it and come back.

When I made my post, I'm not just thinking of myself, others too might have
liked to see full constructional notes. That's part of the circumstances
(for those (not you Ian) who perhaps cannot have comprehended that).