[QCWA] Callsign history question

[J HARVEY CHASE]

I started in radio in 1928 in St. Louis. (Not amateur radio, just building 
regenerative BC receivers). Very soon after that, 1929 or so. I met some 
licensed hams (W9DUD Wells Chapin and W9DOE - name escapes me) Both these 
had QSL cards showing call signs with NU prefix. I remember their explaining 
to me that for a sort time, before the W prefix became mandatory NU was used 
by US hams to avoid confusion in DX contacts. I don't recall how long this 
practice was in vogue. I might add that it was my contact with these 
gentlemen that encouraged me to study for and pass the general class amateur 
license exam (the only one available to beginners)) in 1931, at age 16. And 
I was issued W9CLT -- There was no zero call area at that time. I also have 
in my possession a QSL card from the original holder of  my current call 
sign  that is of a unique design: it has the call "4TG" in black ink with 
the "W" overprinted in red ink.
--Harvey W4TG
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Tucker" <w7wll at arrl.net>
To: <qcwa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 11:13 PM
Subject: Re: [QCWA] Callsign history question


> It was effective 1 October 1928. At that time all stations had to preceed
> their call with a W. It was done in accordance with Section 2, Paragraph 
> d,
> Article 14 of the 1927 International Radiotelegraph Convention held in
> Washington DC. The instructions were contained in a letter sent out to all
> radio amateur licensees by the Department of Commerce, Radio Division
> through each of its separate Office of Supervisor of Radio locations.
>
> Don W7WLL
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lew M" <n2rq at optonline.net>
> To: <qcwa at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, December 19, 2011 6:06 PM
> Subject: [QCWA] Callsign history question
>
>
> When did national callsign designations with prefix letters begin?
>
> For example, 2ANU (~1909) became W2ANU, for the club station at Erasmus 
> Hall
> High School in Brooklyn, NY.  2CLE (~1909) became W2CLE, for the club
> station at Stuyvesant High School in NYC.
>
> When did the practice of issuing new callsigns with W begin?
>
> Thanks.
>
> 73, Lew
> N2RQ at arrl.net
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