Why Do Many US Radio Stations Have a ‘K’ in Their Names?

Have you ever wondered why so many radio stations in the United States have a 'K' or 'W' prefix in their names? These seemingly random letters are not just for show; they have a rich history and specific regulations backing them up. This article delves into the fascinating world of radio call signs in the U.S., explaining why and how these two prefixes came to be.

Regulation and Origination

Radio Station Call Signs and the FCC
Radio stations in the United States are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The use of these call signs is governed by strict rules, making them an important aspect of a station's identity and operation.

Geographical Division and Historical Context

Geographical Division
The United States was divided into two main regions for radio call signs: stations located west of the Mississippi River generally start with 'K', while those to the east use 'W'. This geographical division was set in place in 1923, the year the U.S. government started assigning call signs to radio stations. As radio broadcasting grew, these prefixes became standard identifiers, with 'K' and 'W' symbols representing each of these regions.

Historical Context
This system was put into place to standardize call signs for easier identification. As stations began to multiply, the use of these specific prefixes helped prevent confusion and ensure that listeners could identify the station they were tuning into.

Why ‘K’ and ‘W’?

The Early Days of Radio
While the first broadcast station in the country, KDKA in Pittsburgh, used the 'W' prefix, the eastern region of the U.S. did not stick with 'W' exclusively. Instead, 'K' and 'W' became the standard prefixes for the eastern and western regions, respectively. This development was largely due to the influence of Westinghouse Broadcasting, which owned KDKA and pushed for the use of 'W' in the east as they expanded their network.

US Prefixes
The USA prefixes are K, N, W, and AA through AL, with the exception of AH, which is reserved for Hawaii, and AL, which is reserved for Alaska. These prefixes are assigned based on the station's location and the broadcasting area it serves.

Special Cases and Exceptions

Airports and Additional Issues
While most radio stations use three or four letters starting with 'K' or 'W', airports in the U.S. use four-letter callsigns that begin with 'K' and are usually followed by the IATA three-letter code. For instance, Los Angeles International Airport is called "KLAX".

Government and Military Usage
The U.S. Government, including the military, is not under the jurisdiction of the FCC but under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA manages certain frequencies and sets the rules for their use. However, the Navy and Coast Guard use three- or four-letter callsigns starting with "N" for their stations. Some of these callsigns are used by the general public, while others are simply assigned to naval or coast guard vessels.

Amateur Radio and Aviation Callsigns

Amateur Radio Stations
Amateur radio stations can have up to six characters: one or two letters followed by a digit, then one to three letters. Each class of amateur callsign above the Technician class has a reserved space of callsigns: a format of 2x3 (two letters, a digit, and three letters) is the default, and all new amateurs receive a callsign in this format. The 1x3 format is reserved for General class and higher. The 2x2 format, which was reserved for Advanced class amateurs, is no longer issued but can be renewed. The 1x2 and 2x1 formats are reserved for Extra-class amateurs, while a 1x1 callsign like W6D is a special event callsign valid only for the time of a specific event.

Aviation Callsigns
Aviation callsigns in the USA always begin with "N" and have a minimum of 4 characters. The last two characters are usually letters, and most airlines will try to have their aircraft callsigns include their two-letter airline code at the end. For example, N3352AA is likely an aircraft owned by American Airlines, although this is not always consistent. In rare cases, there can be callsigns assigned to both an aircraft and an amateur radio station, usually when the aircraft is owned by the amateur.

Conclusion

The use of 'K' and 'W' prefixes for radio stations in the United States is deeply rooted in history and necessity. These prefixes not only identify the region of the station but also adhere to strict regulations set by the FCC. Understanding the rules and historical context can provide insight into the fascinating world of radio broadcasting in America.