Radio stations are renowned for having original and memorable names. Have you ever thought about the fact that the majority of radio stations end in odd numbers? You may be familiar with radio frequencies like 101.3 FM and 99.7 FM. Have you ever pondered why these stations have odd numbers at the end, though? This essay will examine the significance of this trend as well as its origins.
The early days of radio broadcasting are to blame for radio stations ending in odd digits. The Federal Radio Commission (FRC) began overseeing radio stations in the US in 1927. In the AM band, between 540 and 1600 kHz, and in the FM band, between 88 and 108 MHz, the FRC assigned radio stations frequencies. The FRC soon discovered, though, that numerous radio stations were using the same frequency, which interfered with one another and confused listeners.
The FRC implemented a system of allocating call letters to each radio station depending on their location and frequency to address this issue. Call letters beginning with “W” were given to AM stations located east of the Mississippi River and “K” to those located west of the Mississippi River. Depending on where they were located, FM stations were given call letters that began with “W” or “K”. Following these call letters was a four-letter code, which typically combined the station’s location and a distinctive identity.
The frequency came next, then the four-letter code. For AM stations, the FRC assigned frequencies in odd numbers, such as 540, 1020, or 1060 kHz, and for FM stations, 89.3, 101.5, or 107.9 MHz. In order to prevent interference between stations using adjacent frequencies, this was done. If two stations were given frequencies that were too close to one another, the transmissions from both would be distorted and interfere with one another.
The location of the station determines which states have K&W radio stations, thus that’s the solution to the question. The Mississippi River serves as the reference point for the assignment of the call letters K and W, not the state in which the station is located. As a result, a radio station in Minnesota might have a call sign that starts with K, while one in Louisiana might have a call sign that starts with W.
Finally, it should be noted that “cafeteria” is an American word. It has its roots in the Spanish word “cafetera,” which meaning coffeehouse, and was first used in the United States in the late 19th century. The term “self-serve” was first used to describe a restaurant where patrons may choose their own food from a variety of dishes that were displayed on a counter.
In conclusion, the FRC’s 1920s frequency assigning system is the reason radio stations terminate in odd numbers. By preventing interference between stations using adjacent frequencies, this technique prevented listeners from experiencing distortion and confusion. While K and W call letters are given to stations based on their position in relation to the Mississippi River rather than the state they are located in. Additionally, the term “cafeteria” is American, having first appeared in the late 19th century.