I can't deny its small educational value. There are other things besides
transmissions lines. Its worth a single lecture in a 3 year course as are
numerous other graphical methods of illustrating electrical principles..

But unless one is made aware of its limitations and its inaccuracies (which
takes up half the lecture) it can in fact damage an education and turn a
student into an old-wife.

But it's fine for old-timers who've had years of practice and can use it
with their eyes shut as they already know the answer before they start.

It is a paper instrument which assists in performing very simple algebraic
calculations - provided you already know what its all about.

I appreciate its historical, nostalgic, sentimental value. If you gaze at it
long enough it acquires a certain beauty. And it served a very uselul,
time-saving purpose when in vogue during the 1940's.
----
Reg


"Cecil Moore" wrote in message
...
Reg Edwards wrote:
Smith Charts went out of date wth slide rules and log tables with the
advent
of the pocket calculator.

An abstract math equation will get one the answer but not necessarily
illustrate what is happening in reality. We see the results of that here
on this newsgroup. The appeal of the Smith Chart is that it gives one
a graphic conceptual grasp of reality while using those same equations
to solve the problem. A picture *is* worth a thousand words. We can
see the (Vfor+Vref)/(Ifor/Iref) impedance displayed right there on
the SWR circle.
--
73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp


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