ubuntu-users Digest, Vol 65, Issue 203

[Karl F. Larsen]

Chris G wrote:
> On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 04:51:27PM -0700, Karl F. Larsen wrote:
>> 	Sorry, what I want to do is understand your computer.
>>
>> 73 is Morse code for Best Wishes
>>
> 73 isn't morse code for anything, morse code is dots and dashes. 

	73 sent using morse code is a group of dits and dahs that has 
only 10 of them. To a qualified Ham CW operator he/she hears 
this and is trained to know it is a "best wishes and good bye 
for now" which is about 40 dits and dahs.

	To most people it means a secret code and they wonder what it 
means, if anything.

73 Karl




  What
> you actually mean is that 73 is an abbreviation used in (mostly)
> amateur radio circles to reduce the amount of morse code dots and
> dashes required to say 'best wishes and goodbye', it's often used when
> signing off and saying goodbye to someone.  It became so well known
> that it's used when *spoken* as well.
> 


-- 

	Karl F. Larsen, AKA K5DI
	Linux User
	#450462   http://counter.li.org.
         Key ID = 3951B48D