[ale] [OT] I want to become a ham

[Brian J. Dowd]

More than you ever wanted to know...

US Amateur callsigns all start with W, K or N (assigned by international 
treaty)
The single digit was originally an indicator of the area of the US (4 is 
the Southeast, 1 is New England, etc.) Nowadays the digit is irrelevant.
In the days of Morse code (CW), the shorter callsigns were obviously 
more easily decipherable and therefore more desirable.
Shorter callsigns are usually an indicator of a higher license class or 
greater longevity of callsign.
Usually they are randomly assigned, but with a higher license class you 
are at the head to the line to get a "Vanity" call. I got W1DOC (for 
obvious reasons) since W4DOC is owned by the Atlanta Radio Club.
73,
Brian, W1DOC

>> Is there any significance to the callsigns that are given?  Is KZ3N 
>> more significant than KD4XYZ?  Are fewer letters more significant as 
>> a sign of eldership?(I think I just made that word up)
>>
>> It doesn't matter to me directly because I'm a neophyte; but I'm 
>> curious about the evolution of the tech...
>>
>> Much thanks,
>> CB
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