[BC] Fallout from cuts

[Peter Moncure]

Richard Fry wrote:
> the correct form really needs to include...the linear distance in 
> space over which that field strength exists (most commonly, 1 meter).  
> So the complete form for units of electric field strength is dBµV/m 
> (or dBmV/m, etc).
Gary Glaenzer wrote:
> that's what I thinked
>   
All well and good to poke fun, but serious problems can result-the 
failure of our Mars Lander was a units problem, and when we (RadioSoft) 
coded the Canadian Treaty protection values we misunderstood dBW (which 
is the unit specified in the treaty) to be what it says (decibels with 
reference to one Watt) rather than what it turned out to be, which is 
dBW/M, a completely different unit.  I assumed the treaty folks would 
get the units right, but nooooooooooooooo.

As a result, a great many erroneous studies were sent to Canada by our 
customers, causing delays, misunderstandings and precisely the loss of 
respect and trust for which careful engineering description is the solution.

</egg on face>

-- 
Peter Moncure, VP RadioSoft
706.754.2725 -2745 FAX
PMoncure at RadioSoft.com
...a Customer Friendly Company