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73?

Geoff AB6BT
Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭
edited March 2023 in Amateur Radio Interests

OK, here's a random question...

Why do so many say 73s (or 73's) when 73 is defined as "Best Regards"?

Answers

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    73 = "Best Wishes"

    73's = "Best Wisheses"

  • Geoff AB6BT
    Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭

    OK, Best Regardses???

  • Mike-VA3MW
    Mike-VA3MW Administrator, FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager, Super Elmer, Moderator admin

    that too :)

  • Geoff AB6BT
    Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭

    I'm really disappointed that more people didn't reply to my question.

    I am actually curious. Where does this usage have its roots and what is the reasoning behind using 73s as opposed to 73.

    I hope more folks chime in.

  • VE7ATJ_Don
    VE7ATJ_Don Member ✭✭✭

    I think people just assume that any plural noun needs an s at the end. For some reason, they think that because 'best regards' has an S at the end, 73 needs an S as well.

    When it comes down to it, some ops are either a) ill-informed; b) lazy; c) ignorant of what 73 actually means.

    I teach the BQ prep course here and we constantly have to drill into the students that the CW codes mean what they say -- they don't need 'additions' :-)

  • Geoff AB6BT
    Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭

    Thanks Don.

    Yeah, I've been wondering for years and thought I'd try to get some input from people.

    Perhaps some will let us know what they are thinking.

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