QST is a monthly magazine and journal published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). ARRL has long irritated me by publishing design articles and figures in non-metric units in QST and its other publications. This is especially idiotic, in my view, when discussing antennae. The amateur radio bands are designated by their rounded wavelength (a typical value is chosen for each band) and that wavelength is given in meters. So, why design a "2 m" antenna and then report the calculated dimensions for it in inches? Or in feet and inches for the longer antennae?
Finally, I have just read a report by an amateur of a jury rig he devised to convert his 2 m antenna (magnetic base, car-top mount) to a dual band antenna for the 2 m and 70 cm bands. All dimensions are given in millimeters with no non-metric equivalents provided!
For the hams in this crowd, you may see what I'm referring to in the July 2010 issue on pages 59 and 60: "Add 70 cm with a coat hanger".
73, Jim -- James R. Frysinger 632 Stony Point Mountain Road Doyle, TN 38559-3030 (C) 931.212.0267 (H) 931.657.3107 (F) 931.657.3108
