[Lowfer] MHz and mHz

Mon, 7 Jan 2002 23:13:04 -0800

Whew!  Got yer medication adjusted there, yet?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Phillips" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 5:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Lowfer] MHz and mHz

> M.J.Powell wrote:
> >
> > In message <[email protected]>, Alberto di Bene <[email protected]>
> > 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
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