[Boatanchors] Query about 73 & 88

[Charles Ring]

On 12/11/2012 0751, W2HX wrote:
> I think in general, men say 73, women say either 73, 88 or 161 (73+88). 73 means "best regards" 88 means "hugs and kisses" or similar
>

Now shifting to USA ham customs, I've found that "73 es 88" is used on 
CW whenever one is male and the other is female. I've seen it as long as 
I've been in ham radio, almost 50 years. Personally I've never been 
comfortable doing that.

Here's a newer concern with 88: Neo-nazis use it to mean "Heil Hitler" 
(HH) since H is the 8th letter of the alphabet.

-- 
*Charles Ring W3NU*