# Naming of US radio stations **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 22, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837 "2012-11-22T14:55:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/21 "2012-11-24T21:56:13Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Any bonus points for mentioning “clear channel” stations? Such as KOMX in St. Louis, the Mighty Mox. does the term “clear channel” have any meaning for an FM station? ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/22 "2012-11-24T21:59:03Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Any bonus points for mentioning “clear channel” stations? Just remember that Clear Channel stations may or may not be clear channel stations; being clear channel may, in fact, mostly preclude being Clear Channel. Clear Channel, capitalized, means “owned by a specific massive conglomerate that owns a shit-ton of radio stations”. Clear channel, not capitalized, means “being allowed to increase your operating power at night to be heard over a large portion of the continent, such as 1160 KSL.” I think most, if not all, clear channel stations are AM, whereas most Clear Channel stations are FM. I don’t know of any Clear Channel clear channel stations. Maybe a one exists in Buffalo. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/23 "2012-11-24T22:31:34Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > does the term “clear channel” have any meaning for an FM station? ummm **GaryM** thats KMOX… ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/24 "2012-11-24T22:33:06Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > Any bonus points for mentioning “clear channel” stations? Such as KOMX in St. Louis, the Mighty Mox. Komically, you have the letters transposed. It’s [KMOX.](http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/station/kmox/) KOMX is [in Texas.](http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Kgro.Komx.Radio.Station.806-665-8332) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/25 "2012-11-24T23:11:06Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I don’t know of any Clear Channel clear channel stations. Clear Channel Communications tooks its name from its original station, the clear channel WOAI-AM in San Antonio. Clear Channel still owns its clear channel, but I don’t know if it owns any other clear channels. Is that clear? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/26 "2012-11-25T02:46:39Z")
> [@TheBori](#): > > and KYW in Philadelphia. Bonus points for using only 3 letters. WLS (Worlds Largest Store) Sears-Roebuck and Co. began broadcasting in 1924 on AM 890 from Chicago ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/27 "2012-11-25T02:59:54Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Komically, you have the letters transposed. It’s [KMOX.](http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/station/kmox/) KOMX is [in Texas.](http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Kgro.Komx.Radio.Station.806-665-8332) Yes, but I’m blaming my smart phone. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/28 "2012-11-25T03:06:59Z")
By clear channel I was referring to high power AM stations that don’t go off the air or reduce power after dark. KMOX is one of those. They’re protected from interference from other stations. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/29 "2012-11-25T14:34:02Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > By clear channel I was referring to high power AM stations that don’t go off the air or reduce power after dark. KMOX is one of those. They’re protected from interference from other stations. Clear channel doesn’t mean that. That’s just a regular (non-daytime only) AM station. Lots of those. [Here’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear-channel_station) some info about clear channel stations in North America. Note that few of them are on the same frequency and if they are, they are on opposite sides of the continent. This allows them to be heard over at least half the country in many cases. That is the what being a clear channel is mainly about (that and increased allowed power). Looking at the first 20 US stations on that list I see 5 are owned by Clear Channel and one sale is pending. Cumulus and CBS own quite a few of the others. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/30 "2012-11-25T14:45:11Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Clear Channel Communications tooks its name from its original station, the clear channel WOAI-AM in San Antonio. Clear Channel still owns its clear channel, but I don’t know if it owns any other clear channels. > > Is that clear? So not all blue berries are blueberries? ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/31 "2012-11-26T16:56:27Z")
Another exception to the K is west and W is east rule is [WNAX](http://www.wnax.com/) out of Yankton, South Dakota. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/32 "2012-11-26T17:31:26Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Another exception to the K is west and W is east rule is [WNAX](http://www.wnax.com/) out of Yankton, South Dakota. If you want a list of all the K/W exceptions on the AM (mediumwave) band, plus far too much information about their history, I’ll suggest my web page at: [K/W Call Letters in the United States](http://earlyradiohistory.us/kwtrivia.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/33 "2012-11-26T17:41:17Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > WLS (Worlds Largest Store) Sears-Roebuck and Co. began broadcasting in 1924 on AM 890 from Chicago And don’t forget WGN (World’s Greatest Newspaper) originally owned by the Chicago Tribune. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/34 "2012-11-26T17:47:16Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > And don’t forget WGN (World’s Greatest Newspaper) originally owned by the Chicago Tribune. If you want a list of all the three-letter callsigns on the AM (mediumwave) band, plus far too much information about their history, I’ll suggest my web page at: [http://earlyradiohistory.us/3myst.htm](http://earlyradiohistory.us/3myst.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/35 "2012-11-26T17:48:19Z")
Besides the _K/W_ American stations and the _C_ Canadian stations, a large portion of the United States is also in the broadcast area of Mexican stations, whose call letters start with _X_, like XETRA. Throughout much of the 20th century, programming that couldn’t get on the air on regular American stations was often broadcast by Mexican stations, known as “border blasters.” ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/36 "2012-11-26T18:17:33Z")
some AM stations have to reduce power or shut down at night due to they’re in a border protected area or are potentially interfering with a clear channel station. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/37 "2012-11-26T18:58:47Z")
> [@whitetho](#): > > If you want a list of all the three-letter callsigns on the AM (mediumwave) band, plus far too much information about their history, I’ll suggest my web page at: [http://earlyradiohistory.us/3myst.htm](http://earlyradiohistory.us/3myst.htm) Really interesting web page! Does your user name have anything to do with White’s Radio Log? (PM me if you don’t want to reveal any secrets) You might be able to clear up a family mystery. My dad, born in 1919, received his ham license ca. 1932, W9PIZ. He lived near St. Louis, so he was in the “9” call area (there was no “0” call area then). But by 1958, the ham call areas had been reconfigured, and Missouri was in the 0 area by the time I got my General license. So my question is: what was that reconfiguring date? It had to be sometime from 1932 to 1958, but I’m curious as to exactly when. And I assume previous calls were grandfathered, so my dad didn’t have to change his (he died in the 1940’s). ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/38 "2012-11-26T19:28:42Z")
> [@Kimballkid](#): > > Another exception to the K is west and W is east rule is [WNAX](http://www.wnax.com/) out of Yankton, South Dakota. And yet another: WOW in Omaha. Started in 1922 by the [Woodmen of the World](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodmen_of_the_World). Used “WOAW” initially because “WOW” was assigned already (to a ship). The ship retired its license in 1926, and the Omaha station became WOW that year. Kept the atypical “W” prefix until 1999. The related television franchise is WOWT (WOW TV), and it’s still operating with a “W” prefix (although I don’t know if over-the-air television call signs are managed the same way as radio). Trivia: WOWT was Johnny Carson’s first television gig. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/39 "2012-11-26T19:45:21Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Really interesting web page! > > Does your user name have anything to do with White’s Radio Log? (PM me if you don’t want to reveal any secrets) > > You might be able to clear up a family mystery. My dad, born in 1919, received his ham license ca. 1932, W9PIZ. He lived near St. Louis, so he was in the “9” call area (there was no “0” call area then). But by 1958, the ham call areas had been reconfigured, and Missouri was in the 0 area by the time I got my General license. > > So my question is: what was that reconfiguring date? It had to be sometime from 1932 to 1958, but I’m curious as to exactly when. And I assume previous calls were grandfathered, so my dad didn’t have to change his (he died in the 1940’s). To the best of my knowledge, I am not related to C. DeWitt of White’s Radio Log. According to [Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos](http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ham-Radio-History/message/13225) “In 1946-1947, there was a massive redistricting as the 9th zone was severed that lead to the creation of the “0” district and further, at least one state in the 9th district was transitioned to the 4th. For example, my father was W9EAC who attained his license in 1947. At that time, he lived in Cudahy, WI.” ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837/40 "2012-11-26T19:48:41Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > And yet another: WOW in Omaha. To add to this, WOW is one of the historic calls that has disappeared completely. The original AM station became KOMJ in 1999 (now KXSP). Its FM sister station, WOW-FM, dropped the call the next year. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/naming-of-us-radio-stations/641837.md?page=1)