'Make' dilemma

[Hans-Joachim Wolf]

The following rule functions as expected:

$(HTML)/phones.htm: \
        phones.htm
        q4dos $(@F) $(@D)

condition imposed:
  'phones.htm' newer than '$(HTML)/phones.htm'

the test:
  make -n
  q4dos phones.htm /mnt/dos/html

from debug output:
  Dependency `phones.htm' is newer than
                dependent `/mnt/dos/html/phones.htm'.
--------------------------------------------------
Given the same condition, this construct fails:

$(HTML)/phones.htm: \
        $(@F)
        q4dos $(@F) $(@D)

the test:
  make -n
  make: `/mnt/dos/html/phones.htm' is up to date.

Examination of debug output shows no evidence that
`phones.htm' is ever recognized as a prerequisite.
It seems as though the @F variable is not expanded when
it appears on the target line.

The question becomes:  is the second (failing) construct
allowable with my version of 'Make' (identified below)
or is there another way around this?
-------------
GNU Make version 3.76.1, by Richard Stallman and Roland McGrath.
Copyright (C) 1988, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97
    Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.
There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Report bugs to <address@hidden>.
------------
Thanks
Hans Wolf
Ozone Park, NY