Page content last updated Mar 8, 2019
Copyright © 2017-2019 Larry Benko, W0QE
SimSmith
SimSmith is in my opinion one of the best ways to learn and better understand RF (radio frequency) concepts.
I would like to see the RF competency within the amateur radio community grow and SimSmith can be instrumental to that goal. I decided to do several videos to explain SimSmith and how to use it to solve typical RF problems. I have been a longtime beta tester of SimSmith and have produced 82 SimSmith videos on YouTube. Please enjoy them!
These videos can be accessed by going to https://www.youtube.com and entering W0QE in the search window or you can click here "YouTube Channel W0QE".
These videos can be accessed by going to https://www.youtube.com and entering W0QE in the search window or you can click here "YouTube Channel W0QE".
The "SimSmith Basics" series consists of 14 videos and is an excellent place to start if you are not familiar with SimSmith or you wish to improve your understanding of RF topics. Click on the Play button in the graphic below to begin or you can click on the 3 white horizontal bars in the upper left corner of the graphic and select any video from the playlist.
The "SimSmith Advanced" series consists of videos and contains topics that I think are more advanced. Click on the Play button in the graphic below to begin or you can click on the 3 white horizontal bars in the upper left corner of the graphic and select any video from the playlist.
There have been many Smith Chart programs for computers over the years. If you aren't familiar with the Smith Chart click here for a Wikipedia description. These early Smith Chart programs were really not much more than specialized graphing programs and basically were meant to replace paper Smith Charts.
SimSmith has been around since about 2011 and is written by Ward Harriman, AE6TY and runs on Windows 64 & 32, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux machines. It is totally free with absolutely no viruses, nag screens, pop ups, or crippled features. It is downloadable from AE6TY's website by clicking http://www.ae6ty.com/Smith_Charts.html. SimSmith started as a rudumentary Smith Chart program but it has grown into a competitent analysis program that can solve a large number of common RF problems.
SimSmith has been around since about 2011 and is written by Ward Harriman, AE6TY and runs on Windows 64 & 32, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux machines. It is totally free with absolutely no viruses, nag screens, pop ups, or crippled features. It is downloadable from AE6TY's website by clicking http://www.ae6ty.com/Smith_Charts.html. SimSmith started as a rudumentary Smith Chart program but it has grown into a competitent analysis program that can solve a large number of common RF problems.
Click below to download the SimSmith files in used in the videos (zip format)
#22: Harmonics Video (Advanced), click here to download the files.
#23: Loads for Testing Circuits Video (10 Advanced), click here to download the files.
#24: Filter Load Harmonic Analysis (Advanced), click here to download the files.
#25 Interesting RF Circuits (Advanced), click here to download the files.
#26-27: Crystal Filters (Advanced), click here to download files.
#28-29: RF Power Combiners (Advanced), click here to download files.
#30-31: Baluns Modeling & Stresses (Advanced), click here to download files.
#32: Baluns Questions (Advanced), click here to download files.
#33: Plotting Impedances (Advanced), click here to download files.
#35-37: RF Sampling Circuits (Advanced), click here to download files.
#43-44: Johnson Matchbox (Advanced), click here to download files.
#61: Variable Antenna Switcher, click here to download file
#80: High Power Balun with #31 Ferrite Material, click here to download file
#82: Real Antenna Impedance, Balun Stresses, and More, click here to download file
#22: Harmonics Video (Advanced), click here to download the files.
#23: Loads for Testing Circuits Video (10 Advanced), click here to download the files.
#24: Filter Load Harmonic Analysis (Advanced), click here to download the files.
#25 Interesting RF Circuits (Advanced), click here to download the files.
#26-27: Crystal Filters (Advanced), click here to download files.
#28-29: RF Power Combiners (Advanced), click here to download files.
#30-31: Baluns Modeling & Stresses (Advanced), click here to download files.
#32: Baluns Questions (Advanced), click here to download files.
#33: Plotting Impedances (Advanced), click here to download files.
#35-37: RF Sampling Circuits (Advanced), click here to download files.
#43-44: Johnson Matchbox (Advanced), click here to download files.
#61: Variable Antenna Switcher, click here to download file
#80: High Power Balun with #31 Ferrite Material, click here to download file
#82: Real Antenna Impedance, Balun Stresses, and More, click here to download file
Features include:
1.) All typical Smith Chart operations including graphing
2.) Numerical display of voltages, currents, and power for all components
3.) Use real parts with finite Q's and transmission lines with familiar numbers such as RG-213
4.) Many generator types such as constant voltage, constant current, Zo impedance, auto-matching etc.
5.) Ability to analyze complex circuits and not be limited to a "ladder" type circuit
6.) Operates in real time to allow dragging component values and easily see the underlying circuit concepts
7.) Impedances can be specified as files which vary as a function of frequency
8.) Read data from EZNEC and most small VNA's (vector network analyzers)
9.) Extensive plotting of all parameter's on log-log, log-linear, linear-log square charts or the SmithChart
10.) Flexible units for those who prefer watts and not dB relative to watts appealing to some people
2.) Numerical display of voltages, currents, and power for all components
3.) Use real parts with finite Q's and transmission lines with familiar numbers such as RG-213
4.) Many generator types such as constant voltage, constant current, Zo impedance, auto-matching etc.
5.) Ability to analyze complex circuits and not be limited to a "ladder" type circuit
6.) Operates in real time to allow dragging component values and easily see the underlying circuit concepts
7.) Impedances can be specified as files which vary as a function of frequency
8.) Read data from EZNEC and most small VNA's (vector network analyzers)
9.) Extensive plotting of all parameter's on log-log, log-linear, linear-log square charts or the SmithChart
10.) Flexible units for those who prefer watts and not dB relative to watts appealing to some people
The "SimSmith Other Amateur Radio Topics" series consists of videos and contains topics that I think are of more general interest to the amateur radio community. Click on the Play button in the graphic below to begin or you can click on the 3 white horizontal bars in the upper left corner of the graphic and select any video from the playlist.