The correct term is "73", from ARRL numbered radiogram
"Seventy-Three", which means "Best Regards." Saying 73s
would be like saying "Best Regardses." Some people say
"Best of 73s", which means "Best of Best Regardses." I
have also heard "Very best of 73s", which would translate
to "Very Best of Best Regardses." You figure it out.
Funny how this is only a debate for 'phone ops. CW ops
just send "73", never "73s".
"Handle" is not actually a CB term. From my reading of
ancient amateur texts, hams used the term "handle" long
before CB was an ill-conceived idea in Gettysburg. Over
the course of time, however, "handle" has become clearly
associated with CB and no longer with amateur radio. I
choose to use the term "name" rather than "handle." The
one term that I really hate is "personal", as in, "The
personal here is Doofus." That's a CB term all the way.
While not part of this discussion, I'll also throw in
another opinion. 10-codes should be used by CBers and
law enforcement professionals, not by radio amateurs.
73,
Dean K5DH
In article ,
says...
73 OR 73`ss IN AMATEUR RADIO WE SHOULD USE 73 .
I HEAR PEOPLW ASK ME WHAT MY HANDLE IS ...HUH ?
IS THIS A CB LINGO ??
I DO HAVE A NAME NOT A HANDLE....
73 ! HAVE A GOOD DAY......