Hi;
The only way to do the conversion to metric is to just do it and suffer through the adjustment.  Canadians did it and lived.
Richard


----- Original Message -----
From: Buddy Brannan <[log in to unmask]>
To:  [log in to unmask]
Date: Wednesday, Dec 28, 2011 01:12:34 PM
Subject: Metric

>
>
> All good, except (to be pedantic), the gram is the basic weight of mass, =
> not weight. Of course, we assume they're the same, since they kind of =
> are, on earth anyway, but someone who masses 100 kilos on earth will =
> still mass 100 kilos in space, but of course will be weightless. Or as =
> near weightless as to not matter much. Of course, this doesn't matter in =
> any practical sense.
> 
> BTW, I'm a proponent of picking an arbitrary date and saying that on =
> this arbitrary date, we'll all switch to metric. This gradual switchover =
> clearly isn't working. And to all the people who say they "can't deal =
> with metric", of course they can. It becomes second nature after a while =
> when it's the only available system of measurement. Eventually, you =
> really do stop doing conversions in your head and just know that 25 =
> degrees is pretty comfortable, while 38 degrees is bloody freakin hot, =
> or that 80 KPH is pretty fast but not awfully fast, and you know without =
> knowing that it's about 1.6 KM to the mile more or less, or that temps =
> are, well, anyway, you get the idea. It's just that you don't have to =
> think in metric, so believe it is impossible for you. Of course, my =
> arbitrary switchover date will never happen, and we will continue to be =
> bass awkward from the whole rest of the world.
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
> 
> 
> 
> On Dec 28, 2011, at 12:09 PM, Howard Kaufman wrote:
> 
> > Let's see.
> > I am going back to high school in my memory.
> >=20
> > The metric system is a decimal system, rather like our money system.
> > The basic units are
> > Measurement of distance, the meter.
> > The measure of weight the gram,
> > The measurement of volume the leader.
> > I think that distilled water with a density of 1 means that a leader =
> of=20
> > water weighs 1 kilogram, but am not sure about that.
> >=20
> > Most of the civilized world uses the metric system.  Therefore we in =
> the=20
> > United States have to convert from metric to the old English system, =
> which=20
> > the English do not use any more.  G-D knows how much this =
> nonconformity=20
> > costs us every year.
> >=20
> > A meter is just over a yard in length,  I think 39.1 inches.  making a=20=
> 
> > centimeter about .391 inches in length.
> > The system was based on the diameter of the earth at the equator, =
> which is=20
> > 10,000 kilometers.  I think that's right.
> >=20
> > a Kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.  I have no idea how this compares to =
> weight=20
> > in stone.
> >=20
> > 28 grams of water equals an ounce.
> >=20
> > The system was to calculate temperature in centigrade, with 100 =
> increments=20
> > between the freezing and boiling point of pure water as measured at =
> sea=20
> > level.
> >=20
> > So if we were using the metric system, a half wave dipole, would be 20=20=
> 
> > meters in length, or 10 meters either side of the center feed point.  =
> Since=20
> > a yard is less than a meter in length, and that difference is =
> multiplied for=20
> > every meter, a formula to convert the length is necessary.
> > So frequency in mhz, divided in to 468 gives you the total length of a =
> half=20
> > wave dipole.
> > at 7 mhz, 7 in to 46 is 6 with a remainder of 4.  7 in to 48 is 6 with =
> a=20
> > remainder of 6.
> > 7 in to 60 is 8 with a remainder of 4.
> > This gives a figure of 66.8 total length, or 33.4 feet per side.  =
> Since=20
> > their are 12 not 10 inches to a foot, this comes out to 33 and 4 =
> tenths of a=20
> > foot, about 33 feet 5 inches.
> > actually I think it's 33 feet 4.8 inches.  Close enough for government =
> at=20
> > this frequency, but if you were working at 900 mhz frequencies, quite=20=
> 
> > critical.
> > Others who know better can rip this little story to shreds.