Center: Say type aircraft... Me: Citabria 7GCBC, Center: Ahhhhh???

Nik wrote:
Ok so I requested flight-following because my route took me into pretty
high traffic areas (inside Class B and surrounding)
I was on a Flight Plan and requested center to give me flight
following, ok call made, radar contact established 10 miles NW of XXX.
Then he asked me: say type aircraft, I said: Citabria 7GCBC, the
controller seemed confused for a second, and just said in reply,
allright we'll lookout for you.
Other than that the flight went on perfectly and as planned.

Is the type I am saying wrong? Should it be CH7A instead of Citabria
7GCBC?

Help me out here guys...

The controller (Oakland Center and/or Norcal Approach out here in
California at least) was asking for the equipment code, e.g. /U
(Transponder with Mode C), /A (Transponder with Mode C, DME equipped, etc...

E.g., when calling for flight following, after ATC acknowledges my
initial call, I say "Cessna 1514V is a 172 slash alpha, location,
destination, request flight following"

Once I included the "/A" to my request, I since never have been asked
"say type aircraft".

Deane Judd
Cessna R172K N1514V
Hollister CA