[Lowfer] MHz and mHz

[Ed Phillips]

M.J.Powell wrote:
> 
> In message <3C3345F8.598DA237@usa.net>, Alberto di Bene <dibene@usa.net>
> writes
> >Gentlemen,
> >   may I give an humble suggestion ?
> >Now that QRSS is customary, and resolutions in the order
> >of millihertz are commonly used, especially with QRSS60
> >and beyond, I feel important to not confuse the Megahertz
> >with the millihertz. The standard notation is :
> >
> >5 mHz   means  5 millihertz
> >5 MHz  means  5 Megahertz
> >
> >I have often seen the mHz notation used when Megahertz
> >were intended. This can only lead to confusion.
> 
> And also the continental habit of using a ',' instead of a '.' for
> decimals!
> 
> Mike

	All of this nonsense is the result of efforts by a bunch of "snot-nosed
kids" to introduce European was into this country; being recently
"educated" they think it's their mission to change the old ways..  They
tend to call this "metrication" (what a wierd word!) or the adoption of
SI units as they are more "scientific", but in reality it is just an
intellectual revolt on the part of newcomers who really have no right to
recommend anything.  The net result is confusion rather than
clarification.  The IEEE is now dominated by such people and the
experienced engineers with whom I work have just about abandoned the
organization for that reason.  I've been working in the EE profession
since the end of WW2, and have seen many systems of units used
interchangeably by competent engineers.  In fact, in designing and
building stuff for use in metric countries (Sweden and France, in my
example) the subject of units never really came up.  If the drawings
were in English units that was fine, or if they were in metric that was
fine too.  

	Different isn't necessarily better!!!!  When I went to grade school
back in the '30s we were taught both english and metric units, and the
conversion between them.  The English units are logical if one
understands them, and are the output of tradesmen who wanted to
standardize weights and measure in early medival (sp?) times.   If you
follow the metric system completely you are stuck with a set of screws
with inconveniently fine threads, a new standard for lubricants, etc.
etc.  

	While this harangue continues, wonder how many of you have noticed that
when products are offered in metric units (booze and soft drinks come to
mind) the price tends to go up?  Not a coincidence. 

Ed