RFSim99 for Modern Windows Versions: Free RF Simulation Tool
RFSim99 is an old but still very useful piece of free software for designing and simulating RF circuits such as filters, attenuators, matching circuits, RF components with S-parameters and so on. It is not a high end tool, but is more than good enough for hobbyist and ham level designs.
One issue up until recently with RFSim99 was that it was so old that it would only run on Windows XP computers. To run on a modern PC you needed to use a virtual machine, or the Windows built in XP emulation, which was only available on Professional/Ultimate Windows versions and has since been discontinued in Windows 10.
However, we have just found AD5GG's blog where earlier in the year he posted a standalone version that actually works in modern Windows versions (7, 8, 10) without the need for any virtual machines.
RFSim99 is fairly simple to learn. Just place down two measurement ports (in/out) and lay down your RF components on the grid. Then connect them up with a wire and place grounds. Click on the simulate button to see a graph of the response and return loss. There are even built in calculators in the Tools menu which can automatically design and simulate filters for you.
As far as I can see Win versions later than 8.1 does not support “help”. Is there a PDF version available somewhere?
Regards
Sverre/LA6ZK
Hello Sverre,
I just converted the old HLP file into the modern CHM help file format and PDF format.
You can download these from my page at https://www.ad5gg.com/2017/04/06/free-rf-simulation-software
73, AD5GG
Great, thanks a lot.
73, LA6ZK
I opened RFSim on Windows 10 and it does not display Graph Output!
Sometimes it does, very occasionally. I can’t figure out what causes this.
Is there fix for that?
Open
RFsim99.cfg
Change
graphwinstat= wsMinimized
To
graphwinstat= wsNormal
I opened RFSim on Windows 10 and it does not display Graph Output!
Sometimes it does, very occasionally.
Is there fix for that?
Its a go to app for simple sims and great for plotting s2p as well.
AD5GG: Thank you! I can now use this again after having to change computers. I really appreciate it.
–Steve (W6KCS)
I don’t know what you know about elementary usage of PC but one thing is very clear: you must learn much much more about PC. After reading your post i’ve just launced the RFSim99, from a backup from 2006, on my Windows 8.1 which was installed on other PC and works just fine. I mean i.ve moved the HDD from a PC to another and both work very well.
If you actually read the linked article you’ll see “The RFSim99 installer package stopped working after Windows XP”.
The core issue with RFSim99 is that the installer does not work on operating systems > Windows XP.
If you copy the installed files from another location, or run the installed files from another drive, they’ll likely run no problems, even on OS’s > Windows XP.
You don’t understand. I’ve installed on Win 8.1 from an installer made in 2006 and works very well and this Win 8.1 was installed on actual HDD and partition when the HDD was in other PC. I just moved HDD with all content in a new PC and works without installing again. In this conditions RFSim99 from 2006 installer, when the latest was XP, works without problems in Win 8.1.
Ok then you used a repackaged installer from 2006. Now I get it. Wonderful. I’m not surprised this works for you since the original installer was the issue. Also, thank you for your kind comments on my elementary PC knowledge! 😉
You’re Stupid?? That package which i’ve installed on win 8.1 is that fucking package downloaded in 2006 and i have it as a backup on a damn CD from 2006. Nothing more, nothing new. Nothing updated, upgraded or repackeged. What is so hard to accept that? Maybe you have some problemes with your O.S. or hardware components.
People to are quick to call others “stupid” are usually the real stupid ones. The sad part is they don’t know that they are stupid, and they are always eager to show the rest of the world that they are. Pity….
People who are quick to call others “stupid” are usually the real stupid ones. The sad part is they don’t know that they are stupid, and they are always eager to show the rest of the world that they are. Pity….
Yes. Of course. This is a standard reply when you don’t want to accept you’re wrong. How to qualify this attitude ?????……
Nelu, c’mon man, chill out … life doesn’t need to be so abrasive …
Before tell me to be “Chill out” look at August atitude. YOU Tell me how to calify this kind of people which insists in his ignorance and don’t accept the facts. What is so lowly to recognize that you don’t understand something.????
Thanks for the shout out, RTL-SDR! I wondered where the huge leap in traffic was coming from! 🙂
I use RFSim99 for many years. Calculations are quit correct compared to other applications. Simple and great program. on1bes
rfsim99 also works nicely on linux thanks to wine.
I have used it expensively on on linux and windows.
That’s great. In my opinion Wine is the solution to save us when we will leave windows forever even they have the monopoly of almost all softwares. Wine should be supported permanently by everybody.