[Lowfer] MHz and mHz

[M.J.Powell]

In message <3C3A4732.222C@pacbell.net>, Ed Phillips <evp@pacbell.net>
writes
>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. 

Nor a coincidence that prices have now gone up after the changeover to
Euros on the continent!

Ahem! Wasn't there some cock-up recently when NASA confused lbs and kg?

We should stick to Hundredweights, bushels and furlongs. That should
cover everything.

Mike
-- 
M.J.Powell