Even though I did not have the advantage of attending Texas A&M, I agree
with Cecil. In classes for real electrical engineers, the Smith Chart still
provides a superb means for instilling important concepts. A means that can
then be reinforced with computations.
In my experience, the greatest advantage of including the Smith Chart in
real education resides in the long term effects. Forever, an engineer will
be able to visualize effects and be able, even on the telephone, to describe
effects to another similarly "equipped" engineer. The Smith Chart is an
important part of the way we communicate. Its utility insures its
preservation for a long time to come.

73 Mac N8TT

--
J. Mc Laughlin; Michigan U.S.A.
Home:
"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Smith Charts went out of date wth slide rules and log tables with the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