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CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
It was more common in the U.S. than here - early station call signs that had only three letters. They don't get issued there anymore and that's what makes old timers like WGR, WGN, WSM, KYW and the old KHJ so rare. They've been grandfathered in and no one can get a three piece I.D. anymore.
As I understand the rules, they were only allowed for CBC stations here. Some - like CBF Montreal and CBK in Regina - are still around. But when CBL in Toronto moved off 740 for 99.1 it became CBLA. Which is what makes CHU so unusual. A government shortwave station that wound up with one of those rare three letter call signs.
I'm not sure, but outside of the CBC, I think it may be the only one left with so few letters in its official name. When I was a kid and fooling around on SW, I remember thinking, "If only we could add an "M" - then it would be CHUM!"
Its disappearance means another end of an era in Canadian broadcasting. I always found its frequencies hard to get, and WWV was easier. But I'm still sorry that it will be disappearing.
By the way, the National Research Council has its own so-called atomic clock on the web, which is easily accessed. You'll find it here.
- paterson1
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
You are right there aren't many private stations with three letter calls. One would be CKY in Winnipeg. As an AM station CKY at 580 was known as KY58 for many years. The AM station moved to FM and CKY FM is still around known as Kiss 102.3.
- RadioAaron
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
I believe CKY is the only private station with a three letter call.
- RadioActive
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
Yes, thank you. I had forgotten about CKY. One of the true rarities in Canadian radio - a commercial station with only three letters. And in the 60s and 70s, a very successful one.
(Chart courtesy The Manitoba Music Museum.com)
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Thread Starter- andysradio
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
I sorrily miss the CKO radio network
- ED1
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
There was also CKX-AM/FM/TV in Brandon, Manitoba. The AM station flipped to FM in 1999 and became CKXA-FM, and CKX-TV shut down in 2009.
CKX-FM in Brandon is still on the air. Both CKX-FM and CKXA are owned by Bell Media.
Last edited by ED1 (May 24, 2026 6:50 pm)
- turkeytop
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
andysradio wrote:
I sorrily miss the CKO radio network
Me too.
After all is said and done, more is usually said than done.
- RadioAaron
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
There was also CKX-AM/FM/TV in Brandon, Manitoba. The AM station flipped to FM in 1999 and became CKXA-FM, and CKX-TV shut down in 2009.
CKX-FM in Brandon is still on the air. Both CKX-FM and CKXA are owned by Bell Media.
Didn't know about CKX! So there are two; both in Manitoba.
- mace
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
Regarding the CBC, With CBM- Montreal, CBO-Ottawa, CBW-Winnipeg, CBV-Vancouver, I always wondered why Toronto wasn't assigned CBT, which seemed logical to me. Instead Toronto got CBL. The L apparently stands for Great Lakes.
- andysradio
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
Regarding the CBC, With CBM- Montreal, CBO-Ottawa, CBW-Winnipeg, CBV-Vancouver, I always wondered why Toronto wasn't assigned CBT, which seemed logical to me. Instead Toronto got CBL. The L apparently stands for Great Lakes.
Vancouver is CBU. Quebec City is CBV.
- Saul
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
I'd love to apply for a station with calls as CIA
- mace
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Re: CHU Is A Rare Three Letter Canadian Call
Regarding the CBC, With CBM- Montreal, CBO-Ottawa, CBW-Winnipeg, CBV-Vancouver, I always wondered why Toronto wasn't assigned CBT, which seemed logical to me. Instead Toronto got CBL. The L apparently stands for Great Lakes.
Vancouver is CBU. Quebec City is CBV.
Sorry. That was a typo. Should have proof read before sending.