No, you don't. Simply run AN-SOF and start using it. If prompted for a license, go to the AN-SOF main menu > Help > Activation Key. Click the Trial Key button in the displayed window, followed by the Activate button. AN-SOF will restart and be ready for use in trial mode.

No. There is only a limit of 50 unknowns (segments + wire connections + ground connections) to run the calculations. All example files included in the installation directory are pre-computed and can be opened with the trial version of AN-SOF to display tables and graphs without limitations. Download examples that have less than 50 unknowns from this link >.

No, AN-SOF will continue to function even after your plan expires. However, you will lose access to the following features:

• Download updates: You will no longer be able to download and install the latest versions of AN-SOF, including bug fixes and security updates.
• Technical support: You will no longer be eligible to receive technical support from our team.
• Installer access: Installers for discontinued versions of AN-SOF will only be available for download for three years after their discontinuation. After this period, you will need to purchase a new plan to access the installers.
• Activation key: If you lose the activation key for a discontinued version of AN-SOF, we will not be able to provide you with a new one after three years of discontinuation.

Therefore, while AN-SOF will continue to function, it is recommended to renew your plan to ensure access to all features and ongoing support.

If you don’t renew your plan, you will experience the following:

• Continued functionality: AN-SOF will continue to function, but it will be limited to the version you have installed.
• No updates: You will not receive any updates, including bug fixes, security patches, or new features.
• Limited support: You will not have access to technical support from our team.
• Version discontinuation: Your currently installed version of AN-SOF will eventually be discontinued. After three years of discontinuation, the installer and activation key for that version will no longer be available.

To continue enjoying the full functionality and support of AN-SOF, it is important to renew your plan before it expires.

The PLATINUM plan offers live chat support, alongside ticket and email support, as well as priority support and early access to updates and exclusive content. In contrast, the GOLD plan provides ticket and email support only.

Due to the availability of a fully functional trial version with no time limit, all sales of AN-SOF software licenses are final and non-refundable. This policy helps us ensure that users have a fair opportunity to try out the software before making a purchase. We encourage all users to thoroughly evaluate the trial version before purchasing a license. You can find detailed information about the conditions and process for exceptions to the non-refundable policy on our dedicated Refund Policy page.

Windows Vista/7/8/10/11. 2GHz CPU, 2GB RAM, 1GB free disk space.

The supported operating system is Microsoft Windows. We have no plans to release a Mac version. Macintosh users can run a program called Parallels >. Parallels Desktop for Mac is desktop virtualization software that allows Microsoft Windows applications to run on an Apple Mac computer.

No. The supported operating system is Microsoft Windows. We have no plans to release a Linux version. You can use a Windows emulator like Wine, CrossOver Linux, Vmware Workstation or whatever you find on the market.

No, it doesn’t. AN-SOF has been developed to run on home computers running Windows(R) OS, so numerical calculation strategies have been implemented to take care of the available RAM memory and at the same time obtain reliable results.

There is no theoretical upper limit for the frequency since the structure size is measured in wavelengths. So, we talk about a size limit in wavelengths instead of a frequency limit. The simulation requires solving a matrix equation of increasing order as the structure size is increased in wavelengths, so modeling large structures will require more computer memory and time on a particular PC.

Yes. Parametric design is possible by running a Bulk Simulation >. We prefer that the user chooses the programming language to generate a sequence of files in NEC format with one or more variable parameters. Calculations on these files can then be run automatically in bulk. Scilab > is a free numerical calculation software tool with which we can program scripts that generate multiple descriptions of an antenna with variable parameters. Download an example of a Yagi-Uda antenna with variable element spacing from this link >.

No. AN-SOF is an independent implementation of the Method of Moments (MoM) for wire structures. NEC is an old Fortran calculation engine that has a lot of limitations. Many of these limitations have been removed in AN-SOF by implementing the so-called Conformal Method of Moments with Exact Kernel > in a completely new object-oriented C++ code. See further details here >.

Yes. Most of the NEC commands are supported. Download NEC example files to import into AN-SOF from here >.

Although AN-SOF was developed to simulate wire structures, we have been able to extend the calculation engine to also model PCBs and microstrip antennas that meet the following requirements:

• The structure must have a single layer of dielectric substrate. Multiple layers are not supported.
• When the substrate has a finite size, the traces must be separated from the edges by at least 5 times the width of a trace.
• The dielectric substrate is backed up by a perfectly conducting ground plane that cannot be removed. Vias that go through the substrate and connect traces to the ground plane can be added to feed an antenna or PCB.