Does anyone have a 3 letter call that they are considering blowing up?

[TomT]

Over the years we've had two requests to use our WRRR-FM call. Once for 1330 Rockford (which was WRRR before we got the call sign--new ownership wanted the historic call), and again for a low power down in Florida.

A simple letter gave both stations the permission to use the call. Interestingly, neither station still uses the call.

Another time I was contacted by am attorney for a major group concerning the possibility of using the call of a low power for a station they were going to revamp in Florida. (My name was on the original app. as the attorney). The low power was owned by a small Lutheran church school--I suggested they might be favorable to the change with an equipment donation.

Never did hear exactly what they got, but both sides seemed happy.

 

[JohnnyElectron]

If you wanted to get your original AM heritage 4 letter callsign back, but now it's used by to a LPTV, can you simply ask permission, or are they so low on the totem pole that the AM has priority over a puny station that's lucky not to just have numbers and letters (like translators?)

And, can an FM translator apply for a full 4 letter call, or are they stuck with their channel number call for life?

 

[w9wi]

And, can an FM translator apply for a full 4 letter call, or are they stuck with their channel number call for life?

FM translators cannot request callsigns, they must use the channel number call the FCC assigns. (I'd say "for life" but one should never assume the FCC will never change their mind )

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WMLK would be great calls forf a radiostation but they are on a marine vessel.

I'm pretty sure WMLK is on a shortwave broadcast station.

As David says, all three-letter calls (at least, *civilian* 3-letter calls) are on land -- ships get four-letter calls.

(I can't vouch for what the military does but all the military 3 letter calls I can think of are on land as well)

 

[KeithE4]

We will probably never need to go 5-letter calls (which I believe are still allocated to something else... weather radio?)

Five-letter calls such as KABCD or WABCD are still in the FCC regs as being allocated to aircraft. This assignment goes back to the 1920s or '30s. AFAIK, none have been assigned since before WW2, and I believe they all started with KH.

 

[davideduardo]

If you wanted to get your original AM heritage 4 letter callsign back, but now it's used by to a LPTV, can you simply ask permission, or are they so low on the totem pole that the AM has priority over a puny station that's lucky not to just have numbers and letters (like translators?)

And, can an FM translator apply for a full 4 letter call, or are they stuck with their channel number call for life?

I don't believe that any station can have its calls revoked. Of course, if an AM wanted calls in use on an FM, LPFM, LPTV or TV elsewhere, they could ask for consent. The current user does not have any requirement to agree, though. The current user might want compensation, too.

 

[trusty]

The FCC started commercial broadcasting call allocations by granting an exception (KDKA - 4-letters/east of Mississippi) ... and has been operating on exceptions ever since.

No, really; here are good sites that answer a lot of questions raised on this thread:

http://earlyradiohistory.us/kwtrivia.htm

and

http://earlyradiohistory.us/3myst.htm

 

[trusty]

well... not really "exceptions", but "anomalies". "Exceptions" are intentional.

 

[KeithE4]

The FCC started commercial broadcasting call allocations by granting an exception (KDKA - 4-letters/east of Mississippi) ... and has been operating on exceptions ever since.

And the reason they started with KD is that KA, KB, and KC were assigned to Germany until 1929.