"Tom Donaly" wrote
Reg,
have you ever taken the time to learn _how_ to use one?
Actually,
they're just as mathematical as the formulas you've always used,
and,
for some people, just as useful.
=======================================
Yes. Many years ago I attended a lecture. The lecturer handed round
Smith Charts as a tutorial. We spent 10 minutes on it. But these days
I'm well out of practice.

The Smith Chart was only of any use at HF and above. That's what it
was invented for. Fine for radio amateurs who only use the HF bands
and above. It followed on from previous, more complicated Victorian
Age charts to ease calculations involving complex Hyperbolic
functions. Very good while it lasted.

Small, dedicated computer programs these days are more accurate and
time saving than charts and their 'what-if' operating procedures are
much more educational.

But I appreciate the sentimental attachment, indeed affection, many
old timers have for the good old Smith Chart. By all means carry on
using them.
----
Reg.