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Radio Stations Trivia Quiz

The history of Radio Station call letters has always fascinated me. I hope you enjoy these interesting pieces of American Radio History.

A multiple-choice quiz by pcaskie. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
pcaskie

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
357,938

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
248

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What did the call letters WLS stand for when the ratio station was started? Hint

We Love Springfield

World's Largest Store

It was just randomly assigned by the FCC

We Listen Sometimes

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Question 2 of 10

2. Located in the heart of Cattle Country, KCOW is a radio station in what community? Hint

Abiliene, TX

Alliance, NE

Cheyenne, WY

Denver, CO

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Question 3 of 10

3. Many companies in other arenas licensed radio stations in the early days. What was the call sign of the National Life and Accident Insurance company's radio station? Hint

WNLA

KIND

WIVE

WSM

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Question 4 of 10

4. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has always had a general rule that radio stations on the east coast should begin with a W and those on the west coast with a K.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. Where is the radio station WING located? Hint

Kittyhawk, NC

Seattle, WA

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Dayton, OH

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Question 6 of 10

6. WSOY is located in Decatur, IL.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Why was the call letters WOW chosen for an Omaha, NE station? Hint

The license was owned by Woodmen of the World

The owners were Mutual of Omaha and they wanted to advertise the Wonders of Wildlife

The owners wanted to tell people how great Omaha was

The call letters were a tribute to Wonderful Omaha Women

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Question 8 of 10

8. Where would you find the radio station WSUB? Hint

Norfolk, VA

Bremerton, WA

Connecticut

Jacksonville, FL Metro area

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Question 9 of 10

9. WHUB was named to call attention to a economic trading area. Where is it located? Hint

Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa

Cookeville, TN

Louisville, KY

West Lebanon, NH

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Question 10 of 10

10. Why does WACO exist in Waco, TX? Hint

The license pre-dated any boundary rule

They asked for and received special permission from the Federal Government

They moved the license from New Jersey

WACO doesn't exist.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What did the call letters WLS stand for when the ratio station was started?

Answer: World's Largest Store

The Radio Station's original license was filed by Sears and Roebuck who used the call letters as a bit of self-promotion. In those days, they really were the World's Largest Store.

2. Located in the heart of Cattle Country, KCOW is a radio station in what community?

Answer: Alliance, NE

KCOW is the AM Station of Alliance, NE.

3. Many companies in other arenas licensed radio stations in the early days. What was the call sign of the National Life and Accident Insurance company's radio station?

Answer: WSM

Located in Nashville, TN and home to the Grand Ole Opry, WSM was indeed started by the National Life and Accident Insurance company and the call letters stood for We Shield Millions.

4. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has always had a general rule that radio stations on the east coast should begin with a W and those on the west coast with a K.

Answer: False

This has been the general rule since 1923. The original rule located the dividing line at Texas and New Mexico. In 1923, the boundary changed to the Mississippi River. Some radio stations predated either rule and changes in the boundary and the movement of licenses have created some variation in this otherwise basic rule.

5. Where is the radio station WING located?

Answer: Dayton, OH

WING is a station in Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation.

6. WSOY is located in Decatur, IL.

Answer: True

Located in soybean country, WSOY began as a farmer's information station.

7. Why was the call letters WOW chosen for an Omaha, NE station?

Answer: The license was owned by Woodmen of the World

The license was owned by Woodmen of the World. It has become a highly desirable call sign that works great for advertising.

8. Where would you find the radio station WSUB?

Answer: Connecticut

Located in the New London-Groton area of Connecticut which is a primary home to the U.S. Navy's sub fleet, WSUB is a low wattage station.

9. WHUB was named to call attention to a economic trading area. Where is it located?

Answer: Cookeville, TN

Cookeville is the Hub of the Upper Cumberland in middle Tennessee and south central KY. Located along I-40, Cookeville is 80 miles from Nashville and 100 from Knoxville.

10. Why does WACO exist in Waco, TX?

Answer: They asked for and received special permission from the Federal Government

WACO is one of the few examples of a request for a boundary exemption. The owners asked for and received permission to use WACO instead of a required K beginning.

Source: Author pcaskie

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
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