[version 5.1] Short explanation how to create/install the 4nec2(X) environment
	      (Windows-95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP)

IMPORTANT:	The new 5.X versions contain two different 4nec2 programs. 

		1) The default 4nec2 program for 'normal usage on standard
		   computer systems.
		2) An extended 4nec2X program for real-time 3D viewing on
	           the modern computer systems
		
	       --> For real-time 3D usage and in case of problems BE SURE 
	           you red the sections next to the below installation steps.

To install the 4nec2 package follow the below 6 steps.
------------------------------------------------------

1) Create 4nec2 main directory/folder (normally C:\4nec2)

2) Unzip 4nec2 files by double clicking 4NEC2v***.zip

3) Extract all files into the 4nec2 main(home) folder

  -->	NOTE: BE SURE YOU SELECTED THE 'use folder names' OPTION !  <-- 

	This option will create the '\EXE' and '\OUT' folders in your 4nec2
	main folder. Afterwards all the required files are automatically
	copied to the corresponding sub-folders.

	If these folders were not created, do so now manually and move all 
	files except the '*.nec' and '*.txt' files to the '\EXE' folder.

	(For windows-Me and later you simply may select all the files in the 
	compressed folder and drag them to the newly created 4nec folder)

4) If real-time 3D rendering is required, extract the additional files from the
   4nec2X***.zip,  and place them into the '..\4nec2\EXE' folder. (Be sure you put
   them in the '\EXE' folder and not in the 4nec2 main folder !!)

5) If required, unzip additional (system)files by double clicking 4NEC2sup.zip or 
   dx8vb.zip and place these files in the appropriate folders (See note A and 
   note B below).

6) Create shortcut for 4nec2(X).exe (view.exe, build.exe) and copy shortcut to desktop

	- select file '4nec2(X).exe' in '\EXE' folder
	- click right mouse button
	- select 'create shortcut'
	- drag 'shortcut to 4nec2(x).exe' to desktop

7) When using 4nec2X together with Multinec, please rename the file 4nec2X.exe to
   4nec2.exe

8) In case of difficulties running the 4nec2(X) program, please read the below notes.


*****************************************************************************************

Note:	a) With version 4.0 and later some general system files are used, which on most 
	   modern computers already will be available. To avoid download time, and to be
	   able to distribute the package on floppy-disks, these system files are placed 
	   in a  second supporting zip-file, called 4nec2sup.zip. If one or more of these 
	   files do not exist on your computer an error message containing the name of 
	   the missing file is generated. The following system-files are used:

	   				- msvbvm60.dll		(1352 Kb)
					- msflxgrd.ocx		(239  Kb)

	   If the msvbvm60.dll file is not included in the package, you can to download
	   it freely from the internet. There are a number of sites who will deliver this 
	   file for you.

	   These system-files have to be placed in the following folders:
		- Windows 95,98,ME : 	C:\Windows\System
		- Windows NT/XP : 	C:\Winnt\System32
	   To register these files, go to the start menu, click Run and enter:
		- Windows 95,98,ME :	REGSVR32.EXE C:\Windows\System\<systemfile>
		- Windows NT/XP :	REGSVR32.EXE C:\Winnt\system32\<systemfile>
 		Enter the appropriate filename for <system-file>
		(I am not sure if for XP this path is C:\Windows\System32 or 
		C:\Winnt\SYSTEM32 ?)

5.0 ->	b) With version 5.0 and later one can use hardware-acceleration provided by your
	   graphics-card to speed-up the 3D visualization and view the geometry structure
	   in real-time 3D. To use this provision you must run the 4nec2X extended version 
	   executable.  This 4nec2X executable is available through the 4nec2X***.zip 
	   file. 
	   Although this real-time rendering is available for all systems ranging from win-
	   dows-95 to the latest -XP systems it is recommended to use it only on systems
	   which incorporate one of the more modern graphics-cards. This because the older 
	   cards might not be compatible with the graphics-software used by 4nec2X.

	   If this is the fact you probably have to stick on the 4nec2 standard version.

	   To be able to run the 4nec2X eXtended version, the microsoft DirectX software
	   installed on your system (used for 3D rendering) must be Version 8.0 or later. 
	   The check your current version, use 'DirectX-version' on the 4nec2 'Help' menu
	   or run the GetDxVersion in the ..\4nec2\EXE folder.

	   If DirectX version 7.x or less is installed, please download the latest DirectX
	   version from www.microsoft.com and install this on your system. Most modern
	   computer-systems (2001 and up) should have an 8.0 or later version already
	   available.
	   Note that, according the microsoft website, after installation of DirectX8.1
	   this version can not be removed anymore, so read carefully what is written
	   about this on the microsoft DirectX download-page

	   The eXtended nec2dX version requires some additional system files. When using
	   this DirectX based version it might be possible, errors are logged concerning 
	   one or both the following files:

					- dx8vb.dll		(1044 kB)
					- d3dxof.dll		(106  kB)

	   If so, please copy one or both files (available in the 4nec2DX8.zip file) 
	   to the ..\4nec2\EXE folder and try again.

	   If you are still experiencing problems, be sure you are using the latest 
	   drivers belonging to you graphics-card. Consult the manufacturers website 
	   to check for this.

	   The DirectX based 4nec2 version does not run on windows-NT, because windows-
	   NT does not allow the installation of the DirectX package.

	   You can get additional DirectX diagnostic information by running/opening the 
	   DXDIAG tool from 'Start->Run' on the windows task-bar.


	c) The nec-2 calculations for the 4nec2 program are handled by so called nec-2
	   engines. In this package two different types of engines are available: 
	   1) the original nec2d engine by Jos Bergevoet, and 2) the nec2dXS engine. 
	   Both engines have their (dis)advantages. 

	   Both nec-2 engine uses different nec2d(XS)***.exe's for increasing number of 
	   segments. With version 5.0 or later the required executable is automatically
	   selected by 4nec2 according the total number of segments specified in your 
	   *.nec input-file.
	   
	   The largest number of segments you can run on your system depends on the 'big-
	   gest' executable that can be run on your system. For the original nec2d engine
	   this depends on the amount of physical/RAM memory available on your computer. 
	   If RAM is not enough a "not enough memory-error" is generated, and you will 
	   have to lower the number of segmetns in your modell. Note however, that when
	   a certain executable should just run (see 4nec2 help for more info), but there
	   is too much memory in use by Windows or other programms, more obscure errors 
	   like "Error opening input file" could be generated.

	   For the original nec2d engine, the 'smallest' exe that can be used also seems
	   related to the amount of  RAM. When using a 'simple' nec input file with few 
	   segments in combination with a 'small' exe, but with a big amount of RAM, a 
	   message "Program requires MS-DOS mode,...." might be displayed. If this is the
	   case, increase the number of segments in the 'minimal nec2d' setting, till the
	   message no longer appears. On the other hand, don't specify a far too big 
	   setting, because this will decrease calculating performance.

	   The largest number of segments that can be run on your system with the more
	   recent Nec2dXS engine depends on the amount of time you have. When the amount
	   of RAM is not enough to do the calculations additional disk storage (virtual-
	   memory) is used by the nec2dXS engine. However this is much, much slower than
	   when using physical/RAM memory

	   Nec2d (dis)advantages:

	   + Faster when using the Optimizer/Evaluator.
	   + For 'small' exe's faster than for 'big' ones (same nr-seg)
	   + Especially suited for the 'older' windows-95/98/NT systems.
	   - Can not use temporary disk-storage to increase max number of segments.
	   - Reduced precision when using SomNec ground inside frequency loop.
	   - Does not run on Windows-XP

	   Nec2dXS (dis)advantages:

	   + Runs on all Windows systems
	   + Max nr of EX and TL cards increased from 30 to 99 (Version 5.0)
	   + Uses additional disk storage if on-board RAM memory is insufficient.
	   + Maximum precision when using SomNec ground with frequency loop.
	   + No separate executable required for SomNec ground calculations.
	   - Due to start-up time, slow when using Optimizer/Evaluator.
	   
	   Nec2d executables for 256 and 512 and Nec2dXS exe's for 500 and 1500 segments
	   are included in the 4nec2 package. Free executables for more segments can be 
	   found at the nec-2 homepage on  "www.qsl.net/wb6tpu/swindex.html". After down-
	   load place these executables in your ..\4nec2\EXE folder.

	d) When using none-default desktop (color) settings, it is possible that one or
	   more text-boxes and/or windows are not visible or correctly painted. When using a 
	   none-default setting, please temporary switch back to the default desktop (color)
	   settings to check if, for both settings, the same information is visible.

	   On windows-XP, with its large defaul Font-size it is possible lower part of the
	   window is cut-off. If required you can resize or re-position any 4nec2 window. 
	   These settings are automatically save and re-used the next time 4nec2 is started.

	e) See 4nec2.hlp for more information about 4nec2 functionality. 4nec2 help in 
	   printable form is included in the 4nec2.rtf file. You can print this file for
	   comfortable reading. Also the file _GetStarted.txt might help you find your
	   way through the 4nec2 package.
	
	f) The Nec-2 user manual can be found at "www.nec2.org". Select the word document 
	   and place this file as 'NEC2.DOC' in '\EXE' folder for viewing with F10 key.

	g) When you try to read-in an incomplete *.out output file (caused by nec2d errors
	   or because calculation was not yet finished), it is possible that a 4NEC2 program 
	   error is generated because of the incomplete data. To solve the problem, Remove 
	   the '*.out' file from the '\OUT' folder and try again.

	h) A suggestion from a user having difficulties: (see also item [k])

> Just an advice to all who are having problems with the 4NEC2 program.
> If, when you try to generate the output, the only thing you see is a
> flashing DOS window, then nothing else happens, this is the cure :
>
> - locate in the EXE folder of the program a DOS shortcut named 4NEC2 
> without extensions
> - open its properties (by clicking on it with right mouse-button)
> - select the "Memory" tab
> - in the "Initial Environment" combo box, make the choice "4096" instead of 
> the default "Auto"
> - click Apply, then Ok
>
> Try to execute the program again, now it should work ok.

	i) Due to the DOS nature of the original somnec2d program, the maximum file-name
	   length for *.gnd files is restricted to 8 characters. When you run a lot of dif-
	   ferent (high)freq/cond/diel settings, it is occasionally possible you get an 
	   "Error on groundfile" message. It this is the case, remove all *.gnd files 
	   and try again.

	j) When no *.out output is generated by the nec-2 engine (check the \OUT folder), 
	   please set the "Wait for DOS-box option" in 'Settings->General settings' on the
	   "Main" form, to see what error message is logged. 
	   Furthermore you could temporary remove the "@echo off" line in the 4nec2.bat 
	   file in the \EXE folder, by adding the characters "rem" before it. This should 
	   deliver even more logging.

	k) If an "out of environment space" error is generated, please read the 
	   '_Out_of_env_space.txt' file included in the package

	l) When key's F6, F8 and/or F9  won't work you probably have a different path to 
	   the notepad, wordpad or word text editor's. You may customize this by changing
	   the MS-DOS directory path specified in 4NEC2.INI.  You can locate your notepad,
	   wordpad or word text editor executables; NOTEPAD.EXE, WORDPAD.EXE or WINWORD.EXE
	   with: start-> find -> files or folders.

	m) If you enjoy this software, you could send me a note and tell me how you did hear
	   about 4nec2. This way I can also inform you when new versions are available.

	n) If you should experience any problems installing and/or running the 4nec2 program,
	   or for suggestions, questions or remarks, please contact me at:     
									     4nec2@gmx.net


*****************************************************************************************

Changes with version 5.1

- Pre 4.3 version support for raw nec-2 input re-enabled.
- More general and consistent data-entry when generating nec-2 output.
- Optimization for a range of frequencies now possible.
- Genetic Optimization Algorithms added.

Changes with version 5.0

- Real-Time DirectX based 3D-graphics viewer added.
- Limitation on the use of LD 0 (load all) removed.
- Max-number of far/near field points increased from 32767 to 200000.
- Max number of LD cards for Nec2dXS core increased from 30 to MaxSeg
- Max number of EX and NT/TL for Nec2dXS core increased from 30 to 99
- Frequency-loop bug and other minor ones fixed.

Version 4.x

- Switchable Theta/Phi or Azim/Elev display.
- Improved accuracy when using SOMNEC ground with freq-loop 
- Automatic evaluation of SWR, Gain, F/R, etc. trends.
- Real-life current sources may now be used.
- Auto-segmentation functionality added.
- Curve smoothing, Lin- or Log-scaling for graphs.
- Front-to-rear data included in optimizer/evaluator
- Support for windows-XP (max [for now] 5000 segments)
- Real-time geometry updating when using the 4nec2 editor
- Additional Power and SWR information for selected wire/segment
- Highlight selected 2D far-field trace in 3D view.
- Geometry builder added
- Optimizer added to optimize geometry-, loading or phase configuration
- Use variables and constants to configure the nec-2 input data.
- Forms lay-out updated and executable changed to 32-bit.
- ItsHF plot-file viewer added.

Version 3.x

- New and comprehensive help added.
- Near field 3D, 2D and 1D (linear graph) patterns added 
- Smith-chart plot added for feed-line lenght determination
- Automatic generation of far/near field, frequency loop and ItsHF files added.

Version 2.x

- Structure validation added
- Reflection coefficient and SWR graphs added
- Display 2D far field patterns for frequency-sweep.
- Menu command structure added.
- Comment possibilities for 4nec2 input-files.
- Auto start 4nec2.exe for *.nec files.

Some of the 4nec2 (1.0) basic functionality:

- Read nec-2 input- and output-files and display geometry structure.
- Rotate, shift, zoom-in and zoom-out geometry structure
- Show, zoom in/out RF-currents/3D-far-field on geometry structure
- Select segment and show segment current amplitude and phase 
- Automatic generation of nec-2 output file and SOMNEC ground files,
- Polar or linear plot for far-field or ground wave radiation pattern.
- Show geometry inside polar plot.
- Load and compare other radiation patterns.
- Show impedance graphs for frequency range.
- Generate type 13 and 14 antenna files for HFWIN32 propagation software

Required files:

	ReadMeFirst.txt		This file.
	GettingStarted.txt	Text/help file for first usage.
	Out_of_env_space.txt	Description how to solve environment space error.

	\exe\4nec2.exe		4nec2 executable.
 	\exe\4nec2.ini		Initialization file.
 	\exe\constant.ini 	General constants file.
	\exe\4nec2.hlp		Help file.
	\exe\4nec2.rtf		Printable help-file.
	\exe\4nec2.bat		Batch file to start nec2d executables.
	\exe\4nec2.pif		Shortcut to 4nec2.bat (required for close on exit).

	\exe\default.pov	Default settings for povray file generation.

	\exe\edit.dat		File containing data for 4nec2 editor .
 	\exe\smith.dat		File containing display data for smith chart (fine).
 	\exe\smith1.dat		File containing display data for smith chart (course).
	\exe\4nec2a.ice		Default ICEPAC area-coverage file
	\exe\4nec2p.ice		Default ICEPAC point-to-point file
	\exe\4nec2a.rec		REC533 files
	\exe\4nec2p.rec
	\exe\4nec2a.voa		VOACAP files
	\exe\4nec2p.voa

	\exe\view.exe		ItsHF picture viewer.
	\exe\view.ini	  	Initialization file.
	\exe\view.hlp		Help file.
	\exe\view.rtf	  	Printable help-file.

	\exe\build.exe		4nec2 geometry builder
	\exe\xxx.gif		picture files used by build.exe

	\exe\F77L3.eer		Used by nec2d.exe for error reporting
	\exe\nec2d.exe		Nec-2 calculation core for 256 segments
	\exe\somnec2d.exe	Nec2d extension for generating somnec ground files
	\exe\nec2d***.exe	Nec2d extensions for other number of segments
	\exe\nec2dXS***.exe	Nec-2 extended (somnec)calculation cores, see above

	\exe\cop_run.bat	Batch file for copying required run-time files.

	C:\Windows\System\msvbvm60.dll		Visual basic run-time library
	C:\Windows\System\msflxgrd.ocx		Microsoft flexgrid control (optimizer)

In/output files:

	*.nec			Main 4nec2 input file.
	build.nec		Input nec2-file created by geometry builder
	autoseg.log		Log file created with auto segmentation
	optimizer.log		Log file created when optimizer is running
	\out\*.inp		Pre-processed *.nec file used by nec2d.exe
	\out\*.out		Nec-2 output files generated by nec2d.exe
	\out\*.gnd		Saved Somnec2d ground file used as input by nec2d.
	\pov\*.pov		Generated povray input files.
	\exe\nec2.tmp		Input file for nec2dxxx.exe
	\exe\som2d.tmp		Input file for somnec2d.exe
	\out\som2d.nec		Last generated somnec2d output grond file
