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Reviews For: NEC2GO

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Review Summary For : NEC2GO
Reviews: 12MSRP: 39.95
Description:
Antenna modeling software
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.nec2go.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00125
WF0B Rating: 2022-08-21
Nec2Go -great addition to modeling software suite Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased Nec2Go because it has an iteration function enabling optimization of F/B, Gain or SWR over many variables. Support has been great - every question I've had has been answered - typically with a "did you look here" response that helped me better learn the software - or with a simple "try this" that made sense. My design practice uses Nec2Go to optimize; then I use AutoEZ and EZNec to test particular things (primarily because I've not taken the time to try them in Nec2Go).

For example, I'm designing EFHW antennas, which typically have a Z-sub-zero of 2450 ohms (using a 49:1 impedance transformer). AutoEZ and EZNec allow the insertion of a 50:2450 ohm transformer at the source; Nec2Go enables changing the Z-sub-zero to 2450. Both accomplish the same thing - they are just differing implementations. Using the same example, I model the EFHW with a length of 5% + 50% of a wavelength where the feed point is at the 'plus sign'. Whether this is an extreme OCF dipole or the 5% is a counterpoise is a matter of extreme discussion - that I am still researching. However, current on the 5% side has to go somewhere (hopefully the 5% side). This is where I use EZNec and AutoEz to model the shield side of the coax to identify high current locations at frequency by adding another wire. This helps identify the design location of a common mode choke to be later confirmed in testing the completed antenna (using nanoVNA and homebrew current sniffer).

Nec2Go is a welcome addition to the modeling software currently in use. It is easy to use; especially if you're familiar with the variable/formula use in AutoEz. While there are likely other strengths, the key strength I am using today is the optimization factor which saves time over the AutoEz approach.
KD7MW Rating: 2021-12-19
Easy is good Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.

NEC2GO is a bit of a well-kept secret. It shouldn't be. I never felt completely comfortable with the leading antenna modeling programs. Recently, quite by chance, I read about NEC2GO on an online forum. I tried it, and I thought, "Where has this been all my life?" NEC2GO is easy, it's fast, and it does everything that most hams need in an antenna program. It's the best tool for "what-iffing" about antennas I've ever found. It is well worth its $39.95 price, even though some other choices are free.

NEC2GO was designed for ease of use. You don't fill out a spreadsheet and modify parameters with endless menus. Your antenna model is a plain text file. You define your antenna with algebraic expressions. You can (and should!) use variables. You can define them with simple arithmetic, but you can also use square roots, exponents, and trigonometry functions. You can specify that freq=14.1 MHZ, halfwave=468/freq, height=50 ft. Plug those variables into a "wire" statement, and you have a 20 meter dipole. Change the freq variable to 7.1 MHz, and presto, you have a 40-meter dipole. You can do things like this with any antenna from the simplest to the most complex.

Any variable can be "swept" through a range of values. Each sweep generates antenna pattern charts and graphs for SWR, gain, feedline loss and F/B ratio. You can easily answer questions like "What happens to my takeoff angle if I raise my yagi somewhere between 30 and 60 feet?" Or, "Where is the best feedpoint for my off-center fed dipole?" Adding transmission lines and matching networks is simple. NEC2GO will even design the matching network for you. You can optimize an antenna for any parameter you choose.

NEC2GO has reasonable defaults for the NEC2 parameters that often confuse beginners. Defaults can be overridden in the antenna file. For example, NEC2GO automatically calculates a reasonable number of segments per wire, which you can change if you need more. And if you need them, you have them, because NEC2GO has no segment limits. It includes the Sommerfeld-Norton ground model, so you can specify a reasonably realistic ground. The graphics are quite usable but not fancy--a deliberate choice to keep the program small and fast.

NEC2GO comes with sample files for many different antenna types. You can modify them to create your own antenna models. Each sample also serves as a tutorial for various program functions. These, plus the help file, will get you going. Yes, there is a learning curve, but it is not as steep as it is with the leading programs. If you get stuck, author Pat, W0OPW is a very friendly guy who is happy to help.

You can learn more about NEC2GO and download a demo version at https://nec2go.com
W9AC Rating: 2020-11-27
Powerful and intuitive Time Owned: more than 12 months.
For the last few years, Nec2Go has become my "Go2" antenna modelling software. I also have 4Nec2 and EZNEC Pro with a NEC 4.2 license.

Pat has designed an extremely powerful, flexible and simple antenna modeling tool that should be appreciated by new users and experts alike. However, it's absolutely imperative to study the Nec2Go manual. Equally important, the help file has an extensive amount of information that can answer most questions.

Nec2Go has an automatic antenna optimizer function and a network design tool such that you can create an entire system with analytics from the antenna feed-point, matching network, all the way to the input end of a large selection of transmission lines. 2D and 3D visual plots are standard as is the ability to rotate and roll the view of the antenna.

After installing the software, I created a folder on my PC's desktop. Within that folder I included the Nec2Go executable, help file, and the manual. That way, the needed information is immediately accessible without having to search for it in a Windows directory.

Nec2Go is a solid 5. Highly recommended.
N4GG Rating: 2020-08-31
The Easiest Fully Featured Antenna Modeler Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It was a pleasure to discover NEC2GO. I’ve been modeling a long time and this is the first program I’ve found with many of the features I’ve wanted but never could find and always had to work around. This is also the easiest to use antenna modeling program I’ve come across. NEC2GO is now my primary modeling program. This is without a doubt the best program for beginner modelers. Other programs have their strong points but are more complex and intimidate beginners – a real shame because modeling is intuitive and easy with the right software – this one. Features I really appreciate: 1. The program calculates and “fills in the blanks” for many input parameters I have had to guess at in other programs. For example – the program calculates the number of segments needed and eliminates unneeded high segment counts which slow things down. Also, the program allows an unlimited number of segments – a big plus for working out interaction in multi-antenna setups. 2. An optimizer! It will optimize an antenna for forward gain, F/B or SWR and it plots all of these. 3. A network generator. I have always had to take the R and Z answers from other programs and move them into TLW to get an L network or PI network design for matching to 50 ohms. NEC2GO has a network design program built in. This is a big time saver and allows for iterating the antenna design to optimize the network components. 4. Automated segment tapering. 5. Automated RDF calculation. 6. A table of defined transmission lines that has all the characteristics, including loss, of common coax and parallel lines. Another time saver and source of errors eliminated.

And, of course, all the typical outputs are there including currents along each wire, a “view” function that shows you the antenna(s), wire and antenna rotation, etc. It’s all there. Read the readme.txt file before starting – it’s well written and will save time in the long run.
KY8D Rating: 2020-07-27
No limit on segments & batch-mode capability! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I kept hitting the segment limit when using the $149 license of EZNEC+, so could not model long-boom log-periodic sawtooth arrays at all with it. Have also MMANA-GAL and 4NEC2 but the GUI for all three above costs way more mouse-clicks to do anything than does Nec2Go. And now that Nec2Go offers batch-processing on a whole directory of ANT files from the command line, my time saved and wrist-ache not suffered is more than worth the $39. Do read the manual, though, before attempting much. This because the concept for designing antennas is WAY different from all others. If you hate tiresomely filling out spread sheets to do anything, then Nec2Go will prove refreshing indeed. Furthermore, response time is both FAST and LIVE. Watch the SWR plot build point-by-point and abort mid-way if not liking the curve. That as opposed to EZNEC+ which makes me sit and wait until the last point is computed, then shows the complete curve.
G4CQM Rating: 2020-04-26
NEC2 based antenna modeling software Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Nec2Go program written by Pat W0OPW is an outstanding yet simple to negotiate antenna modeling suite. It readily accepts .ANT text file format instructions and works flawlessly with symbolic dimensions/expressions. Demo version tested over several years delivers results so close to reality! Thank you Pat for this awesome software!
K0WFS Rating: 2013-08-01
The Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I met W0OPW, Pat, at a local MN hamfest where he was demo'ing NEC2GO to passers by. I was immediately impressed with the user interface; specifically how easy it was to take an example design and tweak it for your own needs. If you enjoy modeling antennas and want to get deep into the details, NEC2GO has excellent documentation and Pat is always available to answer questions. I have modeled and built several antennas with NEC2GO and I really appreciate its ability to optimize a design for you - a real time saver. This is the idea software for those who want to get right down to the modeling and building of antennas.
WB2LYL Rating: 2009-10-02
A Very Sophisticated Program Time Owned: more than 12 months.
NEC2GO is indeed a very sophisticated program yet it is very intuitive and easy to use. In addition, W0OPW, Pat, the creator of the program has taken the time to document the various functions within the software. Documentation is complete, easy to read and understand. To top it off, pointing the cursor to what you have a question about, press F-1 and you will be taken to the "Help Screen" and the related documentation.

I've been using NEC2GO for 3 years and found that I quickly climbed the learning curve. On a few occasions I still had a question after reading the documentation and found that Pat responds to e-mail inquiries usually within a few hours, sometimes quicker.

The program is very powerful and has enabled me to design and build some pretty unusual antennas. I live in a community with an antenna restriction therefore the standard type of antenna is not allowed. I have designed several very successful antennas using NEC2GO. When built, they perform exactly as predicted by the software. I have also designed some terrible antennas as well. Fortunately NEC2GO demonstrated that they were a poor design and I was able to avoid the waste of time and money building those antennas.

Last but not least....... I have learned much about antenna design, electromagnet field theory and how rf currents flow within an antenna and surrounding structures.

You certainly get a multi-fold return on the investment when you buy NEC2GO. The best part is that Pat is improving the software and adding additional fuctionality each year. FREE !! Updates are at no cost to you as long as you own the software.

I highly recommend NEC2GO to any HAM or professional who is interested in antennas.

WB2LYL
Wayne
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K4ELO Rating: 2009-09-15
Very Good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have used various other modeling programs before, but I like this one the best. It has features the others don't, like the variable mode sweep function. In addition, it is faster and easier to build your model in a text file than from a gui.
Very nice program.
WA4CYP Rating: 2007-08-18
An excellent program! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I believe that if the author had priced this powerful software at $800, it would immediately have been declared the "gold standard" and every ham would want it. At $40, it may get passed over in favor of inferior $60 to $100 programs. Don't let the low price fool you - once you get used to this program the others will frustrate you with their clunky user interfaces. It was written for Windows XP, so do be aware that if you are running Vista, you WILL have to go to the Microsoft web site and download WinHlp32.exe to get the help screens to work. Once you attend to that detail, it is at home in Vista.