/help $dde:
$dde(name, topic, item, delay)
Returns the value returned by the specified service name, topic, and item, by sending an XTYP_REQUEST.

//echo My other mIRC is $dde(mirc, connected) to $dde(mirc, server)

The item and delay parameters are optional.

The delay value indicates that you want $dde() to wait N seconds for a reply before giving up. The default is one second, which is usually enough.

I don't completely understand it either, I suppose you need a delay higher than 1 to work @ your place; dunno why.
L33t scripters, help! smile