NEC-LIST: Software to model effect of boom on elements for UHF yagis?

Does anyone know of any software that will accurately model the effect of
the boom on the length of the elements of a UHF yagi? Obviously, something
free or inexpensive is preferred, but I am wondering if anything models
this effect.

Of course, for most yagi antennas, the effect is almost insignificant,
since the boom diameter is such a small fraction of the element lengths,
even if they pass through, and are physically connected to, the elements.
But, if you are designing a long yagi array at 2.5 GHz, using, say, a 1/4
inch diameter boom, and 1/8 inch diameter elements, the boom diameter is
more than 10% of the total length of the elements, and thus a NEC
simulation is grossly inaccurate.

I have found rough guidelines and some programs that supposedly allow you
to correct element lengths for the effect of the boom diameter, or that
even design a yagi given the boom diameter and element diameters. But, I
would like something that would allow me to accurately predict the
performance before going through the time and expense of actually
fabricating the antenna.

TIA,
Ed

-- 
The NEC-List mailing list <nec-list_at_gweep.ca>
http://www.gweep.ca/mailman/listinfo.cgi/nec-list