Why do nearly all american radio stations have a 'k' in their initials? What does it stand for?

Question

For examples see:
http://www.web-radio.com/st_ne.cfm
This is just for one state!

Answer 1

"The procedures for assigning call letters have their origin in the earliest days of radio. Blocks of initial letters were assigned to various countries following the London International Radiotelegraph Conference of 1912. The letters W, K, N, and A were assigned to the United States. W and K were used to designate commercial broadcasters, while N and A were allocated to military users of the radio spectrum. The initial letters C and X were assigned to Canada and Mexico, respectively, and are still used today to identify Canadian and Mexican television stations.

The first U.S. radio stations were allowed to select their own call letters beginning with either a W or a K. Also, early radio stations could select either a three-letter or a four-letter combination. Later, around 1928, the Federal Radio Commission formalized rules which required that all stations use four-letter combinations. Further, those stations east of the Mississippi were required to use an initial W while those stations west of the Mississippi were required to use an initial K."

You can read more about this at the website listed below.

Answer 2

They don't. Read here:

The United States federal government began licencing radio stations in late 1912, and from the beginning it has assigned call letters starting with K and W to commercial and broadcasting stations. Moreover, from the start the policy has been that stations in the west normally got K-- calls, while W-- calls were issued to stations in the east. (Initially ship stations were the reverse, with W assignments in the west, and K in the east).

Answer 3

Radio stations in the western US start with K, the east start with W. I think the cut off is the Mississippi river. I don't know for sure why they did that but my guess is so that they wouldn't run out of call signs.

Answer 4

Stations east of the Mississippi use W while those stations west of the Mississippi use a K."

Answer 5

okay. you know what? when you get an answer, let me know, will ya, lav? i've been wondering that, too.

Answer 6

no, they all have a W in them

Answer 7

no actually it's 'M' (aM / fM)!

NO? OK I'LL GET BACK TO WORK.