B737-300
Air Traffic Control Developmental
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types
General None Reported / Taken
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Procedure
A B737 landing RNO; I attempted to hand off the aircraft 10 miles west of SWR. The handoff began to flash then flashed FAIL in the Data Block. I took the hand off back then forced the information to NCT RNO; using the RF function; and then re-attempted the hand off. The aircraft then failed again; so I re-adjusted the route and then forced the information again then restarted the hand off. The aircraft began to flash and I proceeded with my scan. The hand off did not complete in time nor did it auto flash when on the boundary; so the Controller at NCT RNO called and asked for us to flash the B737 and said RADAR contact. Once in their airspace I was able to flash the Data Block and NCT was able to take control of the Data Block. Hands off to NCT whether at RNO or Paradise/Kirkwood fail quite often; most of the time we are able to force the information then able to successfully hand off the aircraft. There are times when no matter what we do; re-routes; assigning hard altitudes or repeatedly resending the information the hands off will not work. We shouldn't have to trick the system into working properly. I attempted to do the correct thing and it did not work; which should've been caught but the aircraft also never auto flashed. To my understanding the system should have at least auto flashed or allowed me to hand off the aircraft properly when I attempted the first few times.
ZOA Controller described a failed automated hand off attempt to NCT RNO Sector; noting this problem is experienced on a frequent basis and needs to be resolved.