Narrative:

1. Prior to departure from ZZZ; I requested the ZZZ ground controller to set me up with VFR flight following to my destination. They responded by saying that they were unable; but to contact ATC once airborne. 2. I departed ZZZ at xa:25 local time. Tower requested I fly runway heading on departure.3. Around 7;000 feet MSL; the tower requested I fly west to accommodate incoming traffic. Which I complied with.4. I wasn't completely due west yet; when ZZZ tower advised that I was clear of their airspace; to assume my own navigation; and to contact center for flight following. I tried reaching center twice without a response. Although center could hear me; center would not acknowledge my transmission. The reason I know they could hear me; is because I could hear them.5. All of a sudden I heard ATC request for aircraft Y to exercise evasive action as they were headed straight for me. I had aircraft Y on my screen with the help of adsb; so I deviated south to avoid an incursion. 6. I finally got acknowledgment from ATC about 3 minutes after the event. 7. The controller provided me with a squawk; then instructed me to write down a phone number. 8. I requested the controllers initials so as to document the parties involved; but he denied my request. 9. ATC then transferred me to another frequency. 10. Reason for possible collision: 1. Ground control at ZZZ unwillingness to set me up with flight following prior to departure. 2. ATC's delay/unwillingness to acknowledge my transmission. 3. Tower at ZZZ erroneous radar vectors that could have put me in a collision course with the oncoming aircraft Y without ATC's knowledge. 4. Lack of communication between ZZZ tower and center. 11. To prevent future possible mid-air collisions; I would advise that ground/tower at ZZZ to be willing to set up VFR departing aircraft with flight following prior to departure on their clearance delivery frequency. If ATC is ready for departing traffic; they could advise aircraft before it is too late.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Pilot reported attempting to receive flight following from Center; and being involved in a NMAC.

Narrative: 1. Prior to departure from ZZZ; I requested the ZZZ Ground Controller to set me up with VFR flight following to my destination. They responded by saying that they were unable; but to contact ATC once airborne. 2. I departed ZZZ at XA:25 local time. Tower requested I fly runway heading on departure.3. Around 7;000 feet MSL; the Tower requested I fly west to accommodate incoming traffic. Which I complied with.4. I wasn't completely due west yet; when ZZZ Tower advised that I was clear of their Airspace; to assume my own navigation; and to contact Center for flight following. I tried reaching Center twice without a response. Although Center could hear me; Center would not acknowledge my transmission. The reason I know they could hear me; is because I could hear them.5. All of a sudden I heard ATC request for Aircraft Y to exercise evasive action as they were headed straight for me. I had Aircraft Y on my screen with the help of ADSB; so I deviated south to avoid an incursion. 6. I finally got acknowledgment from ATC about 3 minutes after the event. 7. The Controller provided me with a squawk; then instructed me to write down a phone number. 8. I requested the controllers initials so as to document the parties involved; but he denied my request. 9. ATC then transferred me to another frequency. 10. Reason for possible collision: 1. Ground control at ZZZ unwillingness to set me up with flight following prior to departure. 2. ATC's delay/unwillingness to acknowledge my transmission. 3. Tower at ZZZ erroneous radar vectors that could have put me in a collision course with the oncoming Aircraft Y without ATC's knowledge. 4. Lack of communication between ZZZ Tower and Center. 11. To prevent future possible mid-air collisions; I would advise that Ground/Tower at ZZZ to be willing to set up VFR departing aircraft with flight following prior to departure on their clearance delivery frequency. If ATC is ready for departing traffic; they could advise aircraft before it is too late.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.