All over the world: Bob Nelson's Call Letter Origins
This includes a couple of my favorites: my college station (WTBS [Technology Broadcasting System], now WMBR [Walker Memorial Basement Radio], and one of my Boston employers, WCRB (Chares River Broadcasting).
Chicago-Area Call Letter Origins
Another couple of favorites: WGN (World's Greatest Newspaper) and WLS (World's Largest Store)
Tampa Area Call Letter Origins
Requested Call Letters of the 1920s
Using Bob Nelson's taxonomy, here's a few I know of first or second hand:
E:
Euphony - Sound of call letters, perhaps spelling a wordF:
Frequency - Call letters related in some way to dial positionO:
Ownership Related - Initials or name of [original] licenseeL:
Location Related - Pertaining to geographic feature, region or cityS:
Slogan - Promotional phrase, often reflecting licensee|
Call Letters |
City of License |
Explanation/Notes |
Source |
|
KOIN |
Portland, Oregon |
O O)regon I)ndependent N)ewspaper (The Oregonian, daily newspaper) |
Paul Schindler |
|
KPOJ |
Portland, Oregon |
O P)ortland O)regon J)ournal (daily newspaper) |
Paul Schindler |
|
KPAM/KPFM |
Portland, Oregon |
L P)ortland AM and P)ortland FM |
Paul Schindler |
|
KJIB |
Portland, Oregon |
E sailing term (original licensee Bernie Seitz's homage to San Francisco's KABL) |
Paul Schindler |
|
KFRC |
San Francisco, Calif. |
S Keep Freely Radiating Cheer |
Herb Caen, "Don't Call It Frisco" |
|
KVAN |
Vancouver, Wash |
L City of License |
Paul Schindler |
|
KBPS |
Portland, Oregon |
O B)enson P)olytechnic S)chool, later Portland Public Schools, now owned by a foundation |
Paul Schindler |
|
KLIQ |
Portland, Oregon |
E sound of a radio being turned on |
Paul Schindler |
|
KKEY |
Portland, Oregon |
E/S The key to good listening |
Paul Schindler |
|
KISN |
Portland, Oregon |
E "k) i) s) sin) g. Sister station to McLendon's WIFE in Indianpolis; Portland billboard said we've been KISN your wife, Indianapolis billboard said "We've been kissing your WIFE" |
Paul Schindler |
|
KATU-TV |
Portland, Oregon |
E K-2 (channel 2) |
Paul Schindler |