AN-SOF is a simulation software for antenna modeling, analysis, and design.
AN-SOF is a simulation software for antenna modeling, analysis, and design.
After decades of professional antenna modeling with tools like HFSS, CST Studio, and FEKO, Gary recently transitioned to part-time work — and needed a more accessible, cost-effective solution.
His search led him to AN-SOF, where he began exploring its capabilities through the free trial.
👉 Read more: https://qsl.net/n8dmt/radio-frequency-rf/an-sof-antenna-modeling/index.html
🗞 Quick Update: Following feedback from several users, we’ve decided to bring forward the release of the Sommerfeld–Norton ground model in the upcoming AN-SOF v10.5.
This model supports the simulation of dipoles and loops above highly dielectric grounds at very low heights—down to 0.005λ—which is sufficient for most practical applications.
Together with the existing Sommerfeld–Wait Asymptotic model (recommended for conductive grounds), AN-SOF now covers a broad range of ground conditions across typical operating frequencies.
🎉 Celebrating 100 Years of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
April 18, 2025 marks not only World Amateur Radio Day 🎙, but also the centennial of the IARU—a global voice for radio amateurs since 1925. Over the past century, the IARU has played a vital role in promoting innovation, education, and international collaboration across the amateur radio community.
As we honor this milestone, let’s also celebrate the spirit of experimentation that continues to unite hams, engineers, educators, and antenna enthusiasts worldwide.
📡 If you’re passionate about antenna design and simulation, we invite you to subscribe to Antennas and Beyond! 📰—a newsletter dedicated to practical insights, modeling tips, and the latest developments in antenna technology:
🔗 Subscribe › AN-SOF Antenna Simulation Software
Here’s to the next 100 years of pushing the boundaries of the airwaves.
Tony Golden
Here’s a helpful tutorial from AN-SOF user Gary, N8DMT, on how to model a 10-meter vertically oriented half-wave dipole in free space:
🔗 https://qsl.net/n8dmt/an-sof-simulation-of-a-10m-free-space-dipole/index.html
This is a great resource for those getting started with antenna simulation, and it can be run using the AN-SOF Trial version.
I’m always glad to share user-created tutorials—feel free to send me yours!
Best regards,
Tony
🎉 Exciting News! With the release of AN-SOF PRO 10, we’re thrilled to announce AN-SOF DX version 10 – our special edition designed exclusively for ham radio enthusiasts! 🚀
AN-SOF DX offers a 500/50/5 combo to elevate your antenna simulation experience:
✅ Up to 500 segments + connections
✅ Up to 50 frequencies in a linear sweep
✅ 5° resolution for 3D radiation patterns
These features are tailored to meet the diverse antenna design needs of radio hams.
We’ve created AN-SOF DX in response to countless requests from the amateur radio community. We understand that many of you are hobbyists or engaged in non-profit activities, so we’ve made it accessible and affordable for individuals, not businesses.
Interested in AN-SOF DX? Drop us a message or email to learn more! 📩
We are excited to announce the release of AN-SOF 10 🚀, the latest version of our powerful antenna simulation software 📡. Designed with the needs of RF engineers, ham radio enthusiasts, and academic professionals in mind, AN-SOF 10 brings a host of new features and enhancements to streamline your antenna design and analysis workflows.
The image below shows my preliminary results experimenting with DeepSeek-V3 to assist in designing a 3-element Yagi-Uda array for the 10 m band. I requested an output file in NEC format to import into AN-SOF Antenna Simulator. The image displays three iterations where I requested modifications to improve the Front-To-Back (F/B) ratio.
Key Takeaways So Far:
✅ It’s important to start with general requests about the antenna design before refining them with more specific requirements.
✅ In this example, I began with broad prompts:
📏 What are the recommended element lengths and spacings for a Yagi-Uda antenna?
📏 Could you recommend the element lengths and spacings for a 3-element Yagi-Uda antenna for the 10 m band?
✅ Finally, I prompted the AI to generate a complete NEC model 📝.
I’ll be sharing more details soon!
Tony Golden
We’re excited to share our latest article exploring the geometry, design principles, and simulation insights of LPSAs. Special thanks to our valued customer Ĝan Ŭesli Starling (KY8D, M0KYD, VA7KYD, ZD7KYD, ZS1KYD) for providing the LPSA model featured in the article and for his ongoing contributions to the field.
Dive deep into the world of RF compliance with our latest article: Evaluating EMF Compliance – Part 2: Using Near-Field Calculations to Determine Exclusion Zones. Discover practical methods and insights on ensuring safe RF exposure. Perfect for DX enthusiasts and RF safety professionals!
We’re thrilled to announce AN-SOF 9.50, packed with user-requested enhancements. Simplified polarization analysis, improved geometry input, and new EMF compliance tools make antenna design easier and more precise than ever. Upgrade your design process with AN-SOF 9.50!
Did you know that AN-SOF can be used as a coil inductance calculator?
Traditional coil inductance calculations often rely on simplified approximations. AN-SOF offers a more accurate approach by considering factors like non-uniform magnetic fields, conductor losses, and complex coil geometries. By using AN-SOF, you can obtain precise inductance values, visualize magnetic field and current distributions, to improve your coil designs.
After the addition of the Feeder and Tuner in AN-SOF 9, I’ve received several inquiries about configuring the various parameters within these tabs. While offering unparalleled flexibility for modeling diverse scenarios, this complexity has presented a challenge in providing clear explanations. Here are frequently asked questions related to the Feeder and Tuner features.
I hope these answers helps clarify these matters.
Thank you for your continuous feedback!
Tony Golden
At the request of a client and follower of our section The Ham’s Corner, I’ve been working on a Lazy-H antenna model for the 10m band. The Lazy-H is a 4-element broadside array, offering an estimated gain increase of about 6 dB over a single element. I’ll be publishing an article on this antenna soon.
Stay tuned!
Tony Golden
Helping a customer solve a real-world problem is incredibly rewarding!
Recently, we worked with a client building Omni Double Bi-Quad antennas for 2.4 GHz who was facing a mismatch between simulations and real-world performance. The culprit? Rounded corners, not represented in the model. By creating a script that considered rounded corners, we were able to achieve a more accurate simulation, leading to a new AN-SOF command called GB.
‘GB’ simplifies creating rounded corner models, saving time and improving simulation accuracy compared to the older ‘GA’ NEC command. Stay tuned for an upcoming tutorial on this model!
Today marks a significant milestone in the journey of AN-SOF Antenna Simulator – it’s been 12 years since I launched the very first version! 🎉
Back in 2002, I dedicated countless hours (and years) to develop a tool that would empower antenna designers and enthusiasts alike. In 2012, I officially launched version 1.0, and today, I’m excited to share a nostalgic screenshot of that initial version.
As we celebrate this anniversary, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for being part of this incredible journey. Whether you’re an RF engineer, radio amateur, professor, or hobbyist, your contributions have helped shape AN-SOF into the powerful tool it is today.
Thank you for your unwavering support!
Best regards,
Tony Golden
We are thrilled to announce the launch of AN-SOF DX ✨, a special edition designed to elevate the antenna simulation experience for ham radio enthusiasts.
📌 AN-SOF DX offers a 500/50/5 combo, including:
✅ Up to 500 segments + connections.
✅ Up to 50 frequencies in a linear sweep.
✅ 5 degrees of 3D radiation pattern resolution.
These features perfectly address the diverse antenna design needs of ham radio operators. AN-SOF DX is our response to the numerous requests from radio amateurs seeking a software edition that fits their budget constraints, recognizing that many enthusiasts in this community are hobbyists or engaged in non-profit amateur radio activities. AN-SOF DX is tailored to be accessible and affordable for individuals, not businesses.
If you are interested in AN-SOF DX, drop us a message or email to learn more or request a quotation.
Let’s elevate your antenna simulation experience together!
The Extended Double Zepp (EDZ) antenna offers higher gain than a half-wave dipole, but matching to 50-Ohm coax is difficult. This article explores a phased array design using two EDZs for directional radio transmission, achieving good gain and easier impedance matching.
Exciting update! AN-SOF 8.90 is here with features like “Segments per Wavelength,” enhanced wire scaling, TL command import/export, and faster current distribution algorithms. Elevate your antenna simulations!
In today’s wireless world, ensuring Electromagnetic Field (EMF) compliance is crucial for protecting individuals from potential harmful effects of RF exposure. Join us as we explore the influence of antenna configurations, ensuring you possess the tools to navigate the complexities of EMF compliance effectively.
Revolutionize antenna modeling with our simplified method. Accurately simulate 2.4 GHz wheel antennas for optimal performance.
From version 8.20, the AN-SOF calculation engine has successfully completed validation for accuracy in accordance with the standard IEC FDIS 62232. This standard outlines guidelines for calculating radio-frequency field strength and specific absorption rate (SAR) in the vicinity of radiocommunication base stations (RBS) to assess the potential human exposure.
The Front-to-Rear ratio is a crucial factor in determining the directional performance of your antenna. AN-SOF can display this ratio in various forms. Discover the difference between the Front-to-Rear and Front-to-Back ratios in this article.