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The International Telegraph Union assigned out the letters for call signs around 1927. The US was represented by the Army and Navy and so obtained the letters A and N. The K and W were derived by adding a Morse Code dash to A and N to get K and W, for civilian call signs. Canada was assigned C but for amateur radio the call signs begin with V (for Victoria...British Empire) as in VA and VE principally, though VY and CY and VO are also used. The VO in interesting in that it was assigned to Newfoundland when it was a colony of the UK, the call signs were retained after they joined Confederation in 1949. So, unlike the rest of Canada, the Newfie stations call signs still begin with VOCM, VOAR etc as they were in use long before Confederation. The reason I know this is I am attempting to get my amateur radio license, so I have been doing a bit of study!

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15y ago
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13y ago

It doesn't stand for anything. By convention, US-based transmitting stations use call signs beginning with either K or W; at one time, the initial letter specified whether the station was east or west of the Mississippi River, but that hasn't been strictly true for some time now.

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Q: What does the W stand for in a radio stations call letters?
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Why are the call letters different for radio and television stations on each side of the US?

A long time ago, when commercial radio was just starting, it was evident that the stations needed to have some regulation. One of the things that made sense to them, back then, was to have call letters starting with "W" be on the east part of the US, and call letters starting with "K" being on the west half.


Radio stations call letters same as towns name?

One is WACO in Waco, TX. I don't know of any others.


Where can I found the internet radio stations?

I don't know where you can find the internet radio stations. You can call in to the local radio stations and they should have that information for you.


The radio station WBLS 107.5 what does WBLS mean or stand for?

It doesn't have any special meaning. Not all call letters are requested (station program managers sometimes ask for certain call letters which are the initials of the owner, or the slogan of the company that operates the station). Many stations just take the call letters they are given, and those call letters don't stand for anything in particular, but are simply assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. Often, a station will take the assigned call letters and then create a slogan -- for example, in the 1970s, WBLS ran ads that featured stylish models and the ad said the station was "World's Best Looking Sound."


What was the name of the radio station that was on 103.1?

On June 26 2011, there are exactly 100 FM stations, with different call letters, all licensed to broadcast on 103.1 in different parts of the USA.

Related questions

Why are the call letters different for radio and television stations on each side of the US?

A long time ago, when commercial radio was just starting, it was evident that the stations needed to have some regulation. One of the things that made sense to them, back then, was to have call letters starting with "W" be on the east part of the US, and call letters starting with "K" being on the west half.


Radio stations call letters same as towns name?

One is WACO in Waco, TX. I don't know of any others.


Where can I found the internet radio stations?

I don't know where you can find the internet radio stations. You can call in to the local radio stations and they should have that information for you.


How do you get your radio to display time and radio stations?

You could request it call them and ask them if they could do that for now on you might change every radio stations!


The radio station WBLS 107.5 what does WBLS mean or stand for?

It doesn't have any special meaning. Not all call letters are requested (station program managers sometimes ask for certain call letters which are the initials of the owner, or the slogan of the company that operates the station). Many stations just take the call letters they are given, and those call letters don't stand for anything in particular, but are simply assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. Often, a station will take the assigned call letters and then create a slogan -- for example, in the 1970s, WBLS ran ads that featured stylish models and the ad said the station was "World's Best Looking Sound."


How can one contact the Radio 100 FM?

You can contact Radio 100 FM by their email address. You can also look them up in the internet. There are many different stations worldwide with the call letters 100 FM.


What was the name of the radio station that was on 103.1?

On June 26 2011, there are exactly 100 FM stations, with different call letters, all licensed to broadcast on 103.1 in different parts of the USA.


Where is the website News 1130 based?

There are multiple News 1130 stations on AM radio in North America, but the most noteworthy station is based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. The call letters are CKWX.


What does P stand for in radio call?

Its papa.


What are the call letters for the radio station where fraiser works?

KACL


What is kiss 107.5 FM's number?

Right now (June 2012), there are 78 radio stations all licensed to broadcast on 107.5 FM in different places in the USA. In order to know which one you're talking about, I need the call letters, or at least the city you're in when you listen to it.


What was the call letters for the first radio?

WOR New York 1920