Paul Burridge wrote:

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...

Another neat thing: message ends ("SK" or "VA" run
together) can be, and sometimes is, spoken as
"diddleedadeda" - pronounced diddle e dah de dah
and that has a certain "ring" to ir.

--

The BBC: Licensed at public expense to spread lies.

7 = G ood
3 = C heer

My copy of Tom French's Railway Telegrapher's Handbook has '73' as
railway telegraphese for 'Accept my compliments'. Funnily enough there
is no corresponding entry for '88' but I suppose as a predominantly male
profession in another era non-inclusion was only to be expected.
--
Dick
GM0MNL Fra' Auld Reekie

My copy of Tom French's Railway Telegrapher's Handbook has '73' as
railway telegraphese for 'Accept my compliments'. Funnily enough there
is no corresponding entry for '88' but I suppose as a predominantly male
profession in another era non-inclusion was only to be expected.
--
Dick
GM0MNL Fra' Auld Reekie

7 = G ood
3 = C heer