Conversion Values In HP Calc

The conversion routines in HP Calc (CALC, MENU, Applications, Conversions) will let you convert between Currency, Length, Area, Volume, Mass and Temperature. You simply key in a value, press the appropriate function key and all the other values appear on the screen. I've looked at several different conversion programs and I still prefer the HP Calc program. It requires the fewest number of keystrokes to get an answer.

On the other hand, HP Calc won't let you convert values from miles/hour to feet/second. You can use HP Solver for this type of conversion. For instance key the following formula into an empty Solver editor field and press F10 and then F9 to run the equation. FEET\SEC=(5280/ 3600)*MILES\HR

Enter 60 and press F3. Then press F2 and you should see FEET\SEC=88.0000.

Note that, in this case, the conversion factor (5280/3600) is actually a constant value. This means that you can also use the Conversion function to find the answer.

The only conversion routine that allows for additional entries is the Currency converter. However, before making any changes to the built-in Currency conversions, close HP CALC. Open FILER and go to C:\_DAT and copy the CALC.ENV file to CALCENV.BAK. Otherwise, once you key in a new set of conversions and close HP CALC, you'll lose the currency conversions.

Return to HP Calc and open the Currency Converter. The Currency Conversion sub-application can hold up to 21 possible conversions. Press the More (F10) key a couple of times until you see a screen that is only partially full of entries. Press the F2 (Edit) key and move the highlighter to the first empty line. Press the F2 (Name) key and type in MPH and press Enter. Enter the rate, 1, and press Enter. Move the highlight to the next blank line and press F2 (Name). Type FPS and press Enter and type in the rate, 1.466667, and press Enter. Press (ESC). In the Currency conversion screen, key in 60 and press the MPH function key. The FPS line will immediately show 88.0000.

If the conversion factor is a constant then you can use the Currency converter to do the conversions. However if the conversion involves a formula or expression then you need to use Solver.

To restore the original currency conversions, close HP CALC and run a simple batch file called SWAPCONV.BAT that you can create in MEMO.

REM SWAPCONV.BAT

@echo off

ren calc.env xxx

ren calcenv.bak calc.env

ren xxx calcenv.bak

Do not run SWAPCONV.BAT while HP CALC is open.