The way I look at it, "73" doesn't translate specifically to any particular words (in English, or any other language). It's a language-independent expression of good will to the other operator, akin to verbal expressions in English like "all the best", "cheers", etc. Given that, I don't think it's necessarily any less-valid to pluralise it when morphing it into a verbal or textual expression in English. Now.... is it "seven-three[s]", or "seventy-three[s]" when spoken aloud??? ;)
73[[']s], ~iain On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 12:21 AM, Bert Craig <wa...@arrl.net> wrote: > > > <!-- HTC Mail Separation --> > > > > > > <!-- HTC Mail Separation -->Not so fast there, Phil. "73's" was in use before > 11-meter CB (Pse see previous posts.) > > I must say that I've always made a conscious effort to us "73" as a result of > simple reasoning; 73 is already plural, i.e. "Best regards," no need to > pluralize that which is already plural. > > As for the "3's & 8's" or "first personal," remember, it's a different > service and a more relaxed one at that. I, for one, can be a little tolerant > with the aforementioned phrases... Just as long as it stays on CB - hihi. > > There is a local net on 27.3850 MHz (CB Ch. 38) USB that is an absolute > pleasure to listen to. A group of well mannered ops with nary a "73's" or > "QRT and standing by" to be heard. It's encouraging but I do hear the dark > side of the force from time to time as well. Heck, I've even started to hear > some CW traffic there too, go figure. > > As always, take care es... > > Vy 73 de Bert (my "handle") > WA2SI > > "...and all the pieces matter." > -- Det. Lester Freamon, BPD > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4GLTE smartphone<!-- HTC Mail Separation > -->----- Reply message ----- > From: "Phil Kane" <k2...@kanafi.org> > To: "Elecraft" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Subject: [Elecraft] 'Q' signal trivia > Date: Mon, Jul 18, 2011 18:49 > > <!-- HTC Mail Separation --> > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html