Many downloaded .maa files use standard metric wire radiuses (e.g., 1mm or 2mm). If you are building the antenna using American Wire Gauge (AWG) copper wire, you must update the radius column in the tab. Failing to adjust this will cause slight shifts in resonant frequency and SWR in your real-world build. Moving from Free Space to Real Ground
MMANA-GAL is a powerful, free antenna-analyzing tool used by radio amateurs to design and simulate antennas using the . The core of any project in this software is the .maa file , a text-based format containing the geometry, frequency, and ground settings for a specific antenna model. Understanding .maa Files
file in any text editor to make quick changes to the wire coordinates without even opening the software. Final Thoughts
You can edit .maa directly in a text editor to quickly change dimensions, frequencies, or ground type.
MMANA-GAL primarily interacts with two specific file extensions. Each serves a distinct purpose in the simulation workflow: mmana-gal antenna files
Launch MMANA-GAL, click on File > Open (*.maa) , and select your chosen file.
MMANA-GAL is not a single program but a suite of tools. It's available in two distinct versions tailored for different needs.
If you find an antenna definition online as text, you can often go to Edit > Antenna definition edit in MMANA-GAL and paste the code directly to load the model without needing to download a physical file. Introduction to Antenna Modelling - MMANA-GAL
The primary frequency (and optional range) for calculation. Many downloaded
Enter the spatial coordinates of your elements. For a simple dipole at 14 MHz, you might run a single wire along the Y-axis from -5.3 meters to +5.3 meters.
: Defines the antenna wires using 3D coordinates ( ) in meters.
The magic happens in the tab. Here, you select your ground type (Real, Free Space, or Perfect) and the height of the antenna above ground.
A list of wires. Each line defines Wire Number, X1, Y1, Z1 (Start Point), X2, Y2, Z2 (End Point), Wire Radius, and Segments. Moving from Free Space to Real Ground MMANA-GAL
Ensure that connected wires share the exact same X, Y, Z coordinate down to the decimal point. If they miss each other by even 1 millimeter, the software treats them as disconnected, open circuits.
An antenna file is just a chunk of metal until you feed it.
This report covers the nature, format, and management of , primarily identified by the .maa extension. 1. Overview of .maa Files
This section tells the software where the radio frequency power is applied. It specifies the wire number and the exact segment (pulse) where the feedline connects. It also defines any traps, capacitors, or inductors added to the elements. 4. Ground Parameters
Do not always rely on others. Designing a custom file is straightforward: