Jim wrote:
From Kraus' 'Antennas', first edition, footnote on page 1:

In its zoological sense, and antenna is the feeler, or organ of touch,
of an insect. According to usage in the United States the plural of
"insect antenna" is "antennae," but the plural of "radio antenna" is
"antennas". However, the usage in England makes no distinction, the
plural of both "insect" antenna" and "radio antenna" being "antennae."

But remember that was the *first* edition of Kraus, reflecting the usage
of a half-century ago.

At that time, the word over here was "aerial"; and also "wireless"
rather than "radio". "Antenna" was a new Americanism, and we hadn't
really decided what to do with it.

Individual preferences ruled quite strongly - and were very much
influenced by the preferences of one's former Latin master. I recall a
college friend who was determined to speak of "owdio" and "widayo",
because that's how he'd been taught to pronounce those words. "Antennae"
was just another of those Latinate plurals, but was never in wide use by
British engineers.

Today, we generally use the American terms for engineering (including
amateur radio) and save the Ancient British language for older people
and arts graduates.


--
73 from Ian G3SEK 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek