For a very comprehensive introduction into nearly every topic related to Antennas and Antenna Simulation check out W4RNL's great website: http://www.cebik.com
Download the free antenna simulation software 4NEC2 here. It is a great piece of antenna modeling software I am using myself: http://home.ict.nl/~arivoors/
Use your soundcard for measuring antenna patterns with the very helpful freeware "PolarPlot" by G4HFQ: http://www.g4hfq.co.uk