This web page is for information that extends or supports the ARRL Antenna Book, 25th edition.  The section for each edition contains links to additional files and software, non-ARRL documents, and errata and corrections. 

 

Supplemental material is available as a downloadable package that you may access by following the directions printed on page viii of the hardcover, softcover, and four-volume sets. Once installed, use Adobe Reader to access the PDF files.  See the Software folder for HFTA angle-of-arrival files if your installation did not produce a complete, world-wide set of files.

 

The installation software will create Desktop shortcuts - they will all have the same ARRL-diamond icon and the names will all begin with "ARRL Antenna Book" so it can be hard to tell what each of the shortcuts activates. Holding your cursor over the shortcut will reveal the full name.  You may also rename the shortcuts by right-clicking on the shortcut and selecting Rename.  One suggestion is to use names like "AntBk Contents", "AntBk Suppl", "AntBk SWare", and so forth.

Some readers report that the 2016 version Adobe Reader Touch, provided with older Microsoft Apps, does not support all of the PDF features.  If this is a problem, download the free Adobe Reader DC from the Adobe website at get.adobe.com/reader which does support the necessary elements, such as bookmarks.  Note that the website for downloads will also download a Google Chrome extension and two McAfee security applications unless you opt out by unchecking the necessary boxes.

 

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

 

Previous Editions

Information in support of previous editions can be found on the ARRL Antenna Book - 24th Edition or ARRL Product Notes page for editions before the 23rd.

Installing and Running HFTA, TLW, and YW

The programs HFTA, TLW, and YW are known to have difficulty running on 64-bit versions of Windows operating systems. They were developed for and run on 32-bit versions of Windows operating systems. If you experience problems, try the "Run as Administrator" option when starting the program.  There are no plans to update the software.

 

If you are unable to install the software from the download, transfer the file to a flash drive and then install it from the flash drive.  It may also be possible to copy, not install, the file to the computer's hard drive and then install it from the hard drive, but the flash drive approach has been the most reliable option.

The following PDF instruction files are provided here as a convenience to users of the software provided in the Antenna Book online material.

 

HFTA - Instructions
YW - Instructions
TLW - Instructions

The package of angle-of-arrival files created by Dean Straw, N6BV, in support of HFTA terrain analysis may have been partially installed or omitted entirely. The entire package, including antenna models, is available as a downloadable zip file at the following link:

 

HFTA Angle of Arrival files

 

Microdem is no longer able to access the national data files.  To obtain terrain profiles, go to k6tu.net and generate the files using the online interface to access the locally stored data.

EZNEC - previous editions of the Antenna Book included a version of EZNEC-ARRL which ran special model files. This software has been replaced by a full-featured, unsupported version EZNEC 7.0 which is available online from the EZNEC website. EZNEC 7.0 will run the EZNEC-ARRL models without modification.

 

 

The following list includes Windows-based software utilities that support various topics in the Antenna Book. Chapter numbers refer to the primary chapter in the ARRL Antenna Book that references the software.  No additional documentation is available beyond what, if any, is provided with the software. 

Unless otherwise noted, all of the software listed here can be downloaded to your hard drive, unzipped if necessary, and run directly from the Windows Start menu without requiring installation in the Windows system.

 
 

Chapter 7 - Multielement Arrays

Arrayfeed1.zip - this is a link to software by W7EL to design feed systems for phased array using transmission lines.  There are three files - a readme file, a help file (.chm), and the program itself (.exe).  Previous editions contained an incomplete ZIP file that omitted the .exe file.  All three elements of the program may be downloaded from the author's website.

ARRL-EZNEC Phased Array files - these files are referenced in the array design section by Roy Lewellan, W7EL and were mistakenly omitted from the download package for the book.

 

 

Chapter 10 - Frequency-Independent 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 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.

The concept of impedance matching is explained by Lou Ernst, WA2GKH in a two-part tutorial "Load to Source Matching".  The tutorial consists of a text-and-figures presentation explains the concept and process.  The presentation is accompanied by an Excel spreadsheet that allows the student to experiment and observe the effects of matching.

 

 

Chapter 27 - Building Antenna Systems and Towers

Hal Kennedy, N4GG, constructed a simple Excel spreadsheet to calculate the clearance between Yagis and guy wires on a guyed tower.  Calculations are simplified by the assumption that all guy wires, booms, and elements are straight (no sag).

Supplemental Files Directory - a searchable PDF list of articles and other documents provided with the Antenna Book in the downloadable supplemental information.

 

Radio Mathematics - a compilation of math basics and online resources in case help is needed with math encountered in the Antenna Book. (Also included in the downloadable supplemental information.)

 

Radio Astronomy - the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) compiled and published articles relating to the practice of radio astronomy as a Special Edition journal for the 2023 ARRL Antenna Book. This is a PDF version of that journal.

 

Antenna Modeling Programs

 

This table by Steve Stearns, K6OIK, from the Antenna Modeling chapter (Chap 5) of the Antenna Book's 25th edition lists a number of antenna modeling programs based on the NEC2 computing engine along with electromagnetic solver/modeling/simulation programs. The professional programs may have student or non-commercial versions available at lost cost.  The modeling programs are generally low-cost and some are free.  Reviews of the software may be available on websites such as eham.net.

 

Along with that, K6OIK published a write up on Modeling Insulated Wire that can be found in the supplemental files of the Antenna Modeling chapter (Chap 5).

 

K6OIK has also published "Antenna Modeling for the Radio Amateur" - a PDF version of a Powerpoint presentation last updated in 2016.  It covers a lot of background and has many links to other tutorials and references.  Excellent for the reader interested in knowing what other techniques and tools are available.

K1FO VHF/UHF Yagi designs from previous editions are provided as a PDF document in the book's downloadable supplemental information.

 

Chapter 16 - VHF and UHF Mobile and Rover Antennas

 

Dave Patton, NN1N, notes that to avoid scratching the paint under a mag-mount antenna, cut Tyvek (thin, tough plastic film) circles that are the same diameter of the magnets.  Place the film under the magnet and the mount will still stay firmly attached without affecting the electrical characteristics. (The same goes for HF mobile mag-mount antennas.)

Contributor Name Correction

 

In the "List of Contributor's" author Whitman Reeve should instead read the correct spelling of the author's name, Whitham D. Reeve.

 

This correct spelling should also be reflected in:

 

Section 22.3 in the fourth paragraph.

 

Section 22.3.2 in the author acknowledgement.

 

And in the captions on the following Figures: 22.67, 22.68, and 22.69.

 

Chapter 10 - Frequency-Independent Antennas

 

In equation 8 the exponent on the second lowercase tau was given as ( -1) it should have been given as "(N-1)".

 

In Figure 10.15 the horizontal scale should be 12-30 MHz, not 0-6.

 

In Figure 10.18 the vertical scale was given as 0 – 10. It should have been given as 0 – 20.

 

The first sentence in the final paragraph of Section 10.2 incorrectly referenced a Figure 10.15B. The reference should have been omitted and the sentence should read, "The log periodic's SWR is almost identical in free space and at 55 feet above average ground." 

 

Chapter 11 - General Purpose MF and HF Antennas

 

On page 11.14, the first paragraph under the "Project End-fed Vertical Dipole" heading omitted a sentence. The paragraph's final sentence should be, "Dipoles constructed in this manner are also referred to as 'bazooka' or, 'sleeve dipoles.'"

Chapter 18 - VHF, UHF, and Microwave Antenna Systems

 

The patterns in Figure 18.14 are in the wrong order, Figure C should be 25 feet, A should be 50 feet, B should be 75 feet, and D should be 100 feet.