Call signs AA-AL and N

[dustintv]

In addition to using K and W the US of course has been assigned the ITU prefixes of AA-AL and N. I wonder what would happen if they were would be used for broadcast usage. I imagine that ABC and NBC would use them to their advantage, but imagine some of the call signs we'd get...

ABCD-could have been used for the ABC station in Detroit instead of WXYZ
AARP
NUDE
NARC
NOOB

 

[NHRadio]

NEWS-TV? I wonder who will grab that first.
NINE
NEAT
NIFT (nifty)

 

[KeithE4]

In addition to using K and W the US of course has been assigned the ITU prefixes of AA-AL and N. I wonder what would happen if they were would be used for broadcast usage. I imagine that ABC and NBC would use them to their advantage, but imagine some of the call signs we'd get...

ABCD-could have been used for the ABC station in Detroit instead of WXYZ
AARP
NUDE
NARC
NOOB

AA-AL is assigned to the Army and Air Force, while N is assigned to the Navy & Marines. The only civilian use of these callsign blocks is for Amateur Radio, AFAIK.

The only exception that I can think of is a proposed shortwave station called NDXE that had a CP in the mid '80s, but it never made it on the air. IIRC, it was to be based in Alabama.

 

[willcail]

NOOB? I wish there was a DT, FM, or an AM station with those call letters.

Well it is possible to have the call letters NOOB as a virtual ID. Since down in Cincy Ohio a LD station uses the letters WKRP for 25.2.

 

[dhett]

In the US, N- call signs are assigned to all general aviation aircraft. It's the number you see on the tail and also serves as the registration number.

 

[KeithE4]

In the US, N- call signs are assigned to all general aviation aircraft. It's the number you see on the tail and also serves as the registration number.

I forgot about that, but are those callsigns under the jurisdiction of the FCC, NTIA, FAA, or some combination of them?

 

[dhett]

Just a wild guess, but I'm thinking FCC. I'm not a pilot, nor do I play one on TV, but I'm thinking that the call sign is related to the aircraft's radio.

 

[landtuna]

Just a wild guess, but I'm thinking FCC. I'm not a pilot, nor do I play one on TV, but I'm thinking that the call sign is related to the aircraft's radio.

AFAIK, aircraft do not have "call signs" but use their tail numbers for ID. However, in aviation radio traffic other identifying information, such as aircraft type and company/flight number, are also used.

Most initial private aircraft communication using aircraft manufacturer and tail number (Cessna T12345) then abbreviate the ID to manufacturer and partial tail number for expediency (Cessna 45). Most scheduled carrier aircraft use their company name and flight number.

 

[LynnW]

Since 1996 recreational aircraft do not require an aircraft radio station license if operated only in the US. If flown outside of the US the license is required. It is also required if the aircraft is not flown out of the US, but communicates with foreign ground stations. It costs $110 dollars and is valid for 10 years. The pilot (or a person aboard the plane) is required to have a restricted radio operators permit. This costs $60 and seems to be valid forever. The aircraft radio call sign is the same as the tail number.

Commercial aircraft are required to have an aircraft radio station license. The call sign is also the tail number. Communications with flight controllers do not require the use of the call sign. Scheduled airlines usually use the company name and flight number. But there are exceptions. The British Airways Concorde flights were always called Speedbird.

 

[oldiesfan6479]

Scheduled airlines usually use the company name and flight number. But there are exceptions. The British Airways Concorde flights were always called Speedbird.

All BA flights use the callsign Speedingbag Speedbird (+ flight number).