Commonly used at the end of conversations between hams, roughly
equivalent to "best regards." Or more informally like "Aloha" or
"Caio." Abbreviations like that grew out of the desire to shorten
commonly sent words and phrases when using Morse or International
Code.

Cheers,
Tom

Dennis Howdy wrote in message ...
Serious question. What does "73" mean?

I have a stack of "73"mags. I'm not a ham however.
If I was, I of course would know.

Anybody? I know it's a stupid question, but I don't know.

TIA,

Dennis

As others have mentioned, 73 means "best regards" in hamspeak.

It comes from the days of the telegraph, when a group of numbers were
used as a sort of shorthand for common phrases and functions. The number
73 meant that the signature immediately followed, sort of like:

73,
Roy Lewallen, W7EL

A lot of hams like to say "73's" which of course means "best regardses",
an endearing and Gollum-like affectation. These are, I suspect, the same
general group that go to ATM machines, use TTL logic, and watch LCD
displays. . .

As others have mentioned, 73 means "best regards" in hamspeak.

It comes from the days of the telegraph, when a group of numbers were
used as a sort of shorthand for common phrases and functions. The number
73 meant that the signature immediately followed, sort of like:

73,
Roy Lewallen, W7EL

A lot of hams like to say "73's" which of course means "best regardses",
an endearing and Gollum-like affectation. These are, I suspect, the same
general group that go to ATM machines, use TTL logic, and watch LCD
displays. . .

On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 15:29:35 -0600, Dennis Howdy
wrote:


Yes, but why "73", why not "74", or even "69".

When keyed in Morse code it has a certain characterstic 'ring' to it
that few other two-number combinations do. Another one is "VA"
(message ends). Keen CWers will no doubt be able to think of a few
more that fall into that category...
--

The BBC: Licensed at public expense to spread lies.

On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 15:29:35 -0600, Dennis Howdy
wrote:


Yes, but why "73", why not "74", or even "69".

When keyed in Morse code it has a certain characterstic 'ring' to it
that few other two-number combinations do. Another one is "VA"
(message ends). Keen CWers will no doubt be able to think of a few
more that fall into that category...
--

The BBC: Licensed at public expense to spread lies.

On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 15:15:25 -0800, Roy Lewallen hath writ:
...
A lot of hams like to say "73's" which of course means "best regardses",
an endearing and Gollum-like affectation. These are, I suspect, the same
general group that go to ATM machines, use TTL logic, and watch LCD
displays. . .
. . . and are confounded by rotary telephones. HI!HI!

73
Jonesy
--
| Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | OS/2
| Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | linux __
| 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK

On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 15:15:25 -0800, Roy Lewallen hath writ:
...
A lot of hams like to say "73's" which of course means "best regardses",
an endearing and Gollum-like affectation. These are, I suspect, the same
general group that go to ATM machines, use TTL logic, and watch LCD
displays. . .
. . . and are confounded by rotary telephones. HI!HI!

73
Jonesy
--
| Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | OS/2
| Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | linux __
| 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK

On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 23:42:03 +0000, Paul Burridge hath writ:
On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 15:29:35 -0600, Dennis Howdy
wrote:

Yes, but why "73", why not "74", or even "69".

When keyed in Morse code it has a certain characterstic 'ring' to it
that few other two-number combinations do. Another one is "VA"
(message ends). Keen CWers will no doubt be able to think of a few
more that fall into that category...

"HI" comes to mind...."it has a certain characterstic 'ring' to it."

It does not mean 'Hello'. It is the telegrapher's _laugh_.

Jonesy
--
| Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | OS/2
| Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | linux __
| 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK

On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 23:42:03 +0000, Paul Burridge hath writ:
On Mon, 08 Mar 2004 15:29:35 -0600, Dennis Howdy
wrote:

Yes, but why "73", why not "74", or even "69".

When keyed in Morse code it has a certain characterstic 'ring' to it
that few other two-number combinations do. Another one is "VA"
(message ends). Keen CWers will no doubt be able to think of a few
more that fall into that category...

"HI" comes to mind...."it has a certain characterstic 'ring' to it."

It does not mean 'Hello'. It is the telegrapher's _laugh_.

Jonesy
--
| Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | OS/2
| Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | linux __
| 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK

Dennis wrote:
Serious question. What does "73" mean?

I have a stack of "73"mags. I'm not a ham however.
If I was, I of course would know.

Anybody? I know it's a stupid question, but I don't know.

TIA,

Dennis

"73" = "Best Regards"
"88" = "Love and Kisses"

do a Google for something called the "Phillips Code" which will show you
about a gazillion abreviations. It was used by WIRE telegraphers, as
opposed to wire-less (radio) CW.

Also HAM = "Had-Alota-Money" (before i got into this hobby) :-)

Harv, AI9NL