[Elecraft] OT: Now: shipboard callsigns, was: W vs K broadcast station callsigns,

[Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-717-1197]

It turns out there are TWO ways you can get a 4 letter call for a
shipboard station-
You can have a licensed radiotelegraph station, OR
you can have small boats with permanent radio installations.
In 2014/5 I got OLIVER HAZARD PERRY the callsign KOHZ by citing that rule when
we did our original application, and installed radios in our small boats.

And as lagniappe, when BOUNTY was foundering in late October of 2012,
the master was licensed as KD4OHZ, and we used the Winlink station on board
with his callsign to communicate with the USCG by email.
I've always wondered if the former callsign was related to the latter. since
both boats were in the same category as sailing school vessels, and someone
at the FCC picked up on that.  But probably not.
73, doug