OpenGeofiction
A brief note on calling letters for TV and Radio in Freedemia
Posted by Ernestpkirby on 23 May 2017 in English.Up until today I had labeled my channels based on the American-style calling letters of KXXX and WXXX. However, I remember we had discussed this briefly in the User Diaries a long time ago, and someone pointed out the fact that they should vary from country to country. At the time I had wanted to retain my system so I wouldn’t have to change all my logos and wiki pages, but upon remembering this, I went ahead and changed all the Freedemian stations to the system of FXXX (F for Freedemia). For example, WQTN 13 is now FQTN 13.
Discussion
Comment from ParAvion on 23 May 2017 at 14:33
That reminds me that I really should get Vodeo’s sorted out. Vodeo’s call signs will basically mimic the format used in Australia - three letters for television stations, and a number followed by two or three letters with the number varying between provinces for radio. For example, the VBC would broadcast in Saviso as VBS, and its Radio CE station would broadcast as 5CE; in Crafers the callsigns would be VBC and 2CCE, respectively. Fun!
I’d be interested in seeing what other countries do with their call signs, actually.
Comment from No Way on 23 May 2017 at 15:08
We never came to a resolution on this debate. I claim all WXXX and KXXX. Not really but you see where this is heading.
Comment from TheMapper27 on 24 May 2017 at 21:34
E = East Eshein. I claim EXXX
Comment from wangi on 25 May 2017 at 09:32
Aren’t call signs a peculiarly American thing anyway? Isn’t it much more normal elsewhere in the world just to identify radio stations with their name and/or frequency?
Comment from Ernestpkirby on 25 May 2017 at 15:06
I’m not sure exactly. I focused more on TV calling letters than radio,. Where I am (in America) only FM radio stations seem to have calling letters while AM go just by frequency, and while all tv stations have calling letters most are known by their number and name.
Comment from Ernestpkirby on 25 May 2017 at 15:12
What it has seemed like in my experience is that some television stations in America choose to identify with their number and affiliate (ex. ABC 11) while a few who emphasize the location and/or that station’s individuality might go by their calling letters (ex. WRAL Raleigh, KPHO Phoenix). So it’s like- calling letters themselves are more just a technical aspect, but some channels choose to include it in their branding
Comment from Ernestpkirby on 25 May 2017 at 15:17
But as ParAvion showed us, different parts of the world use different systems. I just chose to go with the American style system for Freedemia, the modern part of Woolonia will likely use a different system, and countries should choose the type of system they want, not just claim letters. I didn’t take F to be only for Freedemia, I was saying I’m using F because it seems to make the most sense out of the options. I think I’ve seen a couple other countries use a letter at the beginning of American-style calling letters that matches their country (I think Belphenia was one, not sure)