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nec2c

The NEC2 antenna modelling engine as a C program, for scripting

What it does

A translation of the original Fortran NEC2 into C. It reads a NEC input file and writes the output file: patterns, impedances, currents. No interface, no plots -- input in, numbers out.

Why you would want it

Because it is scriptable. Sweeping a dimension across fifty values and plotting gain against it is a shell loop with this and a graph program, and it is not something an interactive modeller does well. It is also the engine to reach for when the modelling is part of a larger pipeline rather than a session at a screen.

Before it will work

A NEC input file, and something to read the output with. If you want to look at a pattern rather than compute over it, use xnec2c instead.

How it installs

  • apt: nec2c

Known problems

The same NEC2 modelling rules apply and nothing here enforces them -- a segmentation error yields plausible numbers. The output format is the original fixed-column Fortran layout, which is parseable but not pleasant, and is the main cost of scripting against it.

Keeping it current

  • probe: apt policy
  • strategy: apt_upgrade

Where to get help with the software itself

Neoklis Kyriazis, 5B4AZ. The site above carries the source and notes; there is no issue tracker.

Source: catalog/packages/nec2c.yaml