[CW] AR

[Alan W. (QSL)]

I'll add my two bits. (Gee, I feel like a youngster at just 28 years as a
ham).

I have a 1938 license manual that indicates that the proper protocol for
STARTING a CQ is to first send KA ("attention"):

KA CQ CQ CQ DE N5LF N5LF N5LF K

Another one that used to be common (into the 1970s & early 80s):  WATSA or
WATSA? for "what say"  & used like we use HW?:

...QTH RICHMOND, VA NAME ALAN BT WATSA? BK

In the 1970s, SO HW or HW? was common too, like today.  But BK TO U
identified you as having the "Novice Ghetto Accent," and I don't recall the
shortened form BTU until the late 1990s.  In the 1970s, they would have
thought you meant British Thermal Units HI HI.

I consider these subtle changes to be partly the effect of having a living
language and "native speakers" keeping it going.  Think about it: The only
languages that NEVER change are the dead ones.  So, in some ways, it's a
good thing because it indicates we are a healthy community.  On the other
hand, in forums (forae?) like this, we can also pass on and sometimes revive
the traditions too.

So WATSA?

Alan W. N5LF