Call signs in New Zealand

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Call signs in New Zealand are no longer generally used to identify broadcast stations. However, New Zealand's radio stations were once known by their call signs and would usually broadcast their call signs as a number followed by X, Y, or Z, and another letter (e.g. 1YA). Call signs are regulated internationally by the ITU and nationally by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), formerly the Ministry of Economic Development. The ministry is also responsible for providing policy advice to Government on the allocation of New Zealand's radio spectrum to support, efficient, reliable and responsive wireless telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure. [1]

Contents

In 1924, New Zealand was granted the prefix 'Z', [2] and in 1925 the number of licensed amateur(?) reached 100. In 1927, the International Telecommunication Union Conference in Washington (D.C., USA) established internally agreed upon call sign prefixes – New Zealand was assigned 'OZ'. In 1929 this was expanded to the ZK–ZM letter block, with New Zealand opting for the ZL prefix for land based stations. 'OZ' by 1927 was reassigned to Denmark. [3] In 1969 the ZM prefix was allowed to celebrate the Captain James Cook bicentenary. In 1974 the prefix was allowed again to celebrate the Commonwealth Games, as well as in 1989 when the Games returned. In 1981 the ZL0 prefix was allowed for visitors to New Zealand.

Allocations and assignments

The International Telecommunication Union has assigned New Zealand the following call sign blocks for all radio communication, broadcasting or transmission: [4]

Call sign blockAllocation
E5A–E5ZNew Zealand – Cook Islands
ZKA–ZMZNew Zealand

While not directly related to call signs, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) further has divided all countries assigned amateur radio prefixes into three regions; New Zealand is located in ITU Region 3, within ITU Zone 60.

There are 4 possible 2-letter prefixes and 40 2-letter/1-number prefixes available to New Zealand operators based on the ITU blocks (ZK, ZL, ZM and E5). This provides for about 720,000 three-character-suffix call signs and significantly more if numerals comprise either or both of the first two characters of the suffix. A further 18.8 million 4-character call signs are potentially available, as well as considerably more when digits are assigned in the suffix.

Of these prefixes, 1 is currently assigned (ZL) for normal amateur radio operation. ZM can be used in place of ZL for short special events (e.g. contests), and E5 calls are issued in the Cook Islands (both North and South Cooks).

Although ZL1 to ZL4 were previously issued strictly according to the operator's location within New Zealand, that is no longer the case.

New Zealand is assigned DXCC entity #170. Primary callsign suffixes can be from one letter to four letters in the A–Y, AA–YZ, AAA–YZZ and AAAA–YZZZ blocks. Temporary special event callsigns may have five or six letter suffixes.

PrefixesSubseriesPurpose [5] # issuedDXCC Entity #
ZK1–9Niue and Tokelau74#188
E5A–E5ZNorth Cook Island, used to be ZK1/N193#191
E5A–E5ZSouth Cook Island, used to be ZK1/S(incl in N. Cook)#234
ZL1A–Y to AAAA–YZZZNew Zealand2,306#170
ZL2A–Y to AAAA–YZZZNew Zealand1,985#170
ZL3A–Y to AAAA–YZZZNew Zealand1,011#170
ZL4A–Y to AAAA–YZZZNew Zealand664#170
ZL5A–Y to AAAA–YZZZAntarctica1
ZL6A–Y to AAAA–YZZZNZART15#170
ZL7A–Y to AAAA–YZZZChatham Islands6#034
ZL8A–Y to AAAA–YZZZKermadec Islands2#133
ZL9A–Y to AAAA–YZZZSub-Antarctic Territories2#016
ZL10–100Temporary Commemorative Callsigns#170

Use of 'ZM'

The ZM prefix can be substituted for ZL for contests and commemorative events, at the discretion of the licensee.

Single-letter call signs

ZL licence holders may apply for up to one secondary single-letter call sign, such as ZL1W. A "stand-down" period of six months applies in regard to the reallocation of temporary call signs to the same licence holder or club. However, the call sign may be reallocated for further 12-month periods without stand-down, provided the licence authority receives at the time of the application (which must be made prior to the expiry of the then current 12-month period) evidence to the licensing authority's satisfaction that a temporary call sign is being used on a regular basis.

Two-numeral call signs

The E5 prefix for the Cook Islands produces two-numeral callsigns when the separating numeral is attached. The 'E51' prefix is most often used.

Five- and six-letter call signs

Temporary callsigns may be issued with up to 6-letter suffixes, such as ZL1ABCDEF. Such callsigns may be allocated for up to 12 months, typically for special events and notable anniversaries.

Allocation of temporary call signs in the ZL10 to ZL100 Series

A licence holder with a primary or secondary callsign in the ZL1 to ZL9 series may be allocated, as a temporary callsign for a period not exceeding 3 months, a ZL10 to ZL100 prefix to commemorate their anniversary as an active amateur (or the establishment of the club). For example, the holder of ZL1WZZ celebrating 40 years in amateur radio may be allocated, for a 3-month period, the callsign ZL40WZZ. [6]

Nomenclature

Radio dials like this one from a vintage Philco (circa 1953) included New Zealand call signs. Philco-401-NZradio1.jpg
Radio dials like this one from a vintage Philco (circa 1953) included New Zealand call signs.

All radio stations call signs started with ZL, although this was excluded when broadcast.

The number referred to the geographical area:

1 North Island north of Taupō
2North Island south of Taupō, Nelson and Marlborough
3 South Island north of the Waitaki River, excluding Nelson and Marlborough
4South Island south of Waitaki River

The first letter referred to the type of station:

XPrivate commercial stations
Y Radio New Zealand non-commercial stations
Z Radio New Zealand commercial stations (now part of New Zealand Media and Entertainment)

For private stations, beginning with X, the final letter in the call sign was usually the first letter of the name of the station or the name of the town the station was based in or simply a letter chosen by the station.

For non-commercial stations beginning with the letter Y, the four main centres (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin) had YA stations, the second largest centre at the time was typically assigned a YZ station such as 3YZ in Greymouth and 4YZ in Southland, this was for National Radio. For other regions the final letter was typically the first letter the location. The Concert Programme in the four main centres was assigned YC and at this stage only broadcast in the main centres though the Concert Programme was relayed onto other stations during evenings.

The last letter was either the first letter of the location, (e.g. 1ZH in Hamilton and 4ZG in Gore) or was assigned in order with ZB going to the four main centres (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin) and ZA going to the second largest region at the time such as 1ZA Taupo, 2ZA Palmerston North, 3ZA Greymouth and 4ZA Invercargill.

This system of allocating call signs was for AM radio stations only; the very few FM radio stations that were operating had 3 letters in the call sign, the first number remained the same. Radio stations that were originally on AM but began broadcasting on FM often kept the AM call sign name or an additional letter was added to the existing call sign name. Some examples are 2ZM in Wellington became 2ZZM (but at this point branded as ZMFM) and 1XX in Whakatane became 1XXX but remained branded as One Double X. Call signs for these stations were often abbreviations of the stations' brand names. The FM call signs assigned to Concert FM usually followed the format of the area number, the first letter of the city or region and then the letters CP (Concert Programme), for example 1ACP in Auckland and 4DCP in Dunedin. National Radio was not broadcasting on FM when stations were allocated call signs so no call signs were ever allocated to National Radio's FM frequencies.

List of call signs

The following is a list of some of the call signs assigned to radio stations prior to 1990 when New Zealand stopped assigning call signs to radio stations.

Region 1

AM stations

Radio stations that originally broadcast on an AM frequency.

Call signStation LocationOriginal AM frequencyCall sign MeaningNotes
1XAAuckland1476AMRadio Hauraki—holder of the first comm. licence
1XBAuckland950AMRadio Bosom - later became Radio B then subsequently bFM. March 1975.
1XCCoromandel1030AMC = CoromandelRadio SAM - Short term station run in 1978. Frequency changed soon after to 1170AM. In 1980, 1XC was assigned to Radio Contact in Hamilton - a station at the Waikato University. Now Radio Rhema Tauranga 540AM.
1XDAuckland1476AMRadio Trackside
1XGAuckland1251AMRadio Rhema
1XHHamilton1310AMH = HamiltonCommenced 1949 - became 1ZH in 1968. In 1988, 1XH was reassigned to Radio Rhema in Hamilton on 855AM.
1XIAuckland1332AMI = Radio iOriginally Radio i and later Easy Listening i, known as Easy Mix before the network closed down in 2012
1XKTauranga1440AMNow Moana Radio
1XMMount Maunganui702AM
1XNWhangarei970AMN = NorthlandStarted in 1949. In 1981, 1XN was issued to a short term station called Radio Nambassaland which ran for 5 days during the Nambassa Festival at Waitawheta, near Waihi. Now Radio Pacific Rotorua 1548AM.
1XPAuckland1593AMP = Radio PacificThe original Radio Pacific station, now LiveSport.
1XTTauranga1368AMT = Tauranga Village Radio 1XT
1XWHamilton954AMW = WaikatoOriginally issued to R. Waikato as the third private licence in mid-1970. R. Waikato became R. Pacific 954 AM. then LiveSport, later TAB Trackside. SENZ now uses 954 AM. How the call sign ever switched to Rhema's "The Word" on 576 before calls were abolished is mysterious.
1XX Whakatane1242AMWhat began as 1XX/R. Whakatāne now uses the slogan/brand One-Double-X.
1YAAuckland756AMRadio NZ National network, located at 74 Shortland Street New Zealand's first purpose-built public radio facility that was later the site for New Zealand's first official television broadcast in 1960 and is now home to The University of Auckland's Gus Fisher Gallery. As a protected heritage feature, the transmitter mast remains on the roof
1YBAucklandCommenced in 1923. Became 1ZB in 1933.
1YCAuckland882AMC = ConcertFormerly used for Radio NZ Concert programme
1YDAuckland1250AMCommenced Jan 1926. Became 1YQ in June 1926.
1YEKaikohe981AMRadio NZ National network
1YKKaitaia837AMK = KaitaiaRadio NZ National network
1YQAucklandCommenced June 1926. Became 1ZQ August 1926.
1YTTaupō1314AMT = TaupoRadio NZ National network, was 1ZT's frequency, then used as 1YT, this frequency is no longer used, now on 101.5FM
1YWHamilton1143AMW = WaikatoRadio NZ National network
1YXWhangarei837AMRadio NZ National network. Originally 1YX in Auckland - July 1933 - then became 1YC September 1948.
1YZRotorua1188AMRadio NZ National network
1ZATaupō1494AMOriginally on 1500 when founded in 1964, Radio Lakeland rebranded as Classic Hits 96.7 in 2001 and The Hits Taupo in 2014.
1ZBAuckland1080AMOriginally 1ZB and then Newstalk 1ZB now Newstalk ZB (the first Newstalk ZB station)
1ZCRotorua1350AMOriginally on 1520, Radio Geyserland moved to 1350 in early '65, rebranded as Rotorua's Classic Hits 97.5 in 1993 and The Hits Rotorua in 2014
1ZDTauranga1008AMOpened simply as 1ZD/1000, Radio B.O.P. rebranded as Classic Hits 95 BOP FM in 1993 and The Hits Bay of Plenty in 2014. Now Newstalk ZB.
1ZEKaikohe1215AMRelay of Radio Northland programme which is now The Hits Northland
1ZHHamilton1296AMH = HamiltonOriginally 1XH/1310 and later ZHFM rebranded as Waikato's Classic Hits 98.6 ZHFM in 1993 and The Hits Waikato in 2014
1ZJAucklandCommenced November 1930 - close December 1938.
1ZKKaitaia1026AMK = KaitaiaRelay of Radio Northland programme which is now The Hits Northland
1ZMAuckland (originally Manurewa)1251AMM = ManurewaOriginally 1ZM or 1251ZM. Classic Hits 1251 from 1987 to 1989. Frequency taken over by Radio Rhema in 1989 with Classic Hits 1251 moving to 97.4FM rebranded as Classic Hits 97FM.
1ZNWhangarei1026AMOriginally Radio Northland, Classic Hits Northland from 1993 and The Hits Northland from 2014
1ZOTokoroa1413AMOriginally Radio Forestland, Classic Hits Forestland 96.4 from 2001 and The Hits South Waikato from 2014.
1ZQAucklandCommenced August 1926 - closed March 1933.
1ZRAucklandCommenced December 1930 - closed December 1933.
1ZSAucklandCommenced January 1931 - closed June 1934
1ZTTurangi1386AMT = TurangiRelay of Radio Lakeland, rebranded as Classic Hits 96.7 in 2001 and The Hits Taupo in 2014.
1ZUTaumarunui1512AMKing Country Radio from 1966, rebranded as Classic Hits King Country Radio in 2001. Closed down in 2010.
1ZWTe Kuiti1170AMW = WaitomoOriginally Radio Waitomo - became Classic Hits Radio Waitomo, subsequently renamed back to Radio Waitomo - station closed permanently in 2005.

FM stations

Stations that originally broadcast on an FM frequency or existing stations that were assigned a new call sign after beginning broadcasting on FM.

Call signStation LocationCall sign MeaningNotes
1KCCNorthlandOriginally KCC FM, now More FM Northland.
1MJKAucklandMJK = MagicUsed for Magic 91FM in Auckland. Station no longer operating and frequency used for 91ZM
1ROQAucklandUsed for 89 Stereo FM. Station no longer operating and frequency used for Newstalk ZB
1STUAucklandSTUdent radioUsed for 95bFM Auckland
1ACPAucklandA = Auckland CP = Concert ProgrammeUsed for Radio New Zealand Concert
1KIWWaikatoKIW = KiwiUsed for 89.8 Kiwi FM. Station no longer in operation and frequency used for 89-8ZM
1WCPWaikatoW = Waikato CP = Concert ProgrammeUsed for Radio New Zealand Concert
1GEYRotoruaGEY = GeyserlandUsed for Radio Geyserland, became Rotorua's Classic Hits 97.5 in 1993 and The Hits Rotorua in 2014
1KISTaupōUsed for KIS FM Taupo, now More FM Taupo
1TRRTaupōT = Taupo RR = Radio RhemaRadio Rhema Taupo

Region 2

AM stations

Radio stations that originally broadcast on an AM frequency.

Call signStation LocationOriginal AM FrequencyCall sign MeaningNotes
2XALevin1602AMOriginally assigned to 1200 in Whānganui, which became 2ZW. Call sign then allocated for Radio for the Print Disabled, based in Levin
2XGWellington1503AM, now on 972AM.Call sign allocated for Radio Rhema.
2XMWellington1161AMM = MaoriOriginally for private station 1180/Gisborne till the owner's death in early 60's, when 1180 became 2YW. Call sign allocated to Te Upoko O Te Ika on the former 2ZM frequency
2XOWellington1233AMCall sign allocated when BBC World Service was on air in Wellington in the 1990s, frequency now used by Radio Live
2XPWellington711AMP = PacificCall sign allocated to Radio Pacific's Wellington frequency, now B Sport
2XQWellington1323AMCall sign that was allocated for Radio Aotearoa when on the air in early 1990s in Wellington
2XSPalmerston North828AMOriginally used for 2XS, Call Sign for 2XS became 2XXS after switching to FM. 2XS used for Magic 828 & 98.6FM which is now The Breeze Manawatu
2XXKapiti1377AMOriginally 2XX now More FM Kapiti
2XWWellington1080AM then 891AMW = Wellington or Radio WindyOriginally Radio Windy now The Breeze Wellington
2YAWellington567AMRadio NZ National network
2YBWellington783AMCall sign used for Access Radio Wellington
2YCWellington657AMC = ConcertFormerly used for Radio NZ Concert programme
2YMPalmerston North1449AMRadio NZ National network
2YXNelson1116AMRadio NZ National network
2ZAPalmerston North927AMOriginally 2ZA, rebranded Manawatu's Classic Hits 97.8 ZAFM in 1993, rebranded as The Hits Manawatu in 2014.
2ZBWellington1035AMOriginally 2ZB, now part of Newstalk ZB
2ZCNapier1278AMOriginally Bay City Radio, rebranded as Hawke's Bay's Classic Hits 89.5 in 1994, rebranded as The Hits Hawke's Bay in 2014
2ZDMasterton846AMOriginally Radio Wairarapa became Classic Hits Wairarapa 90.1 in 2001 and The Hits Wairarapa in 2014.
2ZEBlenheim1539AMCall sign was originally used for the Blenheim frequency of Radio Marlborough, which became Classic Hits Marlborough 96.9 in 2001 and The Hits Marlborough in 2014. Today a station in Eketahuna called 2ZE operates. The E = Eketahuna, this station is a private station was never part of Radio New Zealand's Commercial group of stations.
2ZFPicton1584AMCall sign for Picton frequency of Radio Marlborough, known as Classic Hits Marlborough 96.9 since 2001 and The Hits Marlborough since 2014.
2ZGGisborne945AMG = GisborneOriginally 2XG/1160, 2ZG The Coaster, became Gisborne's Classic Hits 90.9 ZGFM in 1993, rebranded as The Hits Gisborne in 2014.
2ZHHāwera1557AMH = HaweraOriginally as a relay station for Radio Taranaki, Radio Taranaki began broadcasting on 90.0FM in 1991 and became Taranaki's Classic Hits 90FM in 1993 and The Hits Taranaki from 2014. The 1557AM frequency was used for Newstalk ZB from 1993 to 2005 and is now used for Coast.
2ZKHawkes Bay765AMStarted as 77ZK or Radio Apple, frequency later used for local station 96FM and now used for ZM
2ZMWellington1161AMM = MusicNow part of ZM
2ZNNelson1341AMN = NelsonOriginally 2XN/1360. Used for Radio Nelson which became Nelson's Classic Hits 90FM in 1993 and The Hits Nelson in 2014.
2ZPNew Plymouth1053AMP = New PlymouthOpened as 2XP/1370 in the late 40's .Became 1ZP Radio Taranaki. Radio Taranaki began broadcasting on 90.0FM in 1991 and became Taranaki's Classic Hits 90FM in 1993 and The Hits Taranaki from 2014. Frequency has been used for Newstalk ZB since 1993.
2ZWWanganui1197AMW = WanganuiOpened as 2XA/1200 in the late 40's Originally used for 2ZW which later became River City Radio. Station became Classic Hits River City FM in 2001 and The Hits Whānganui from 2014.

FM stations

Stations that originally broadcast on an FM frequency or existing stations that were assigned a new call sign after beginning broadcasting on FM.

Call signStation LocationCall sign MeaningNotes
2NRGNew PlymouthNRG = EnergyAssigned to Energy FM when station began broadcasting. Station branded as More FM Taranaki.
2ZZPNew PlymouthP = New PlymouthAssigned to Radio Taranaki when station began broadcasting on FM, 2ZP used for AM frequency. Station branded as Taranaki's Classic Hits 90FM from 1993 and The Hits Taranaki since 2014.
2HCPHawkes BayH = Hawkes Bay CP = Concert Programme Radio New Zealand Concert
2BAYHawkes BayBAY = Radio Hawkes BayOriginally used for Radio Hawkes Bay which became HOT 93FM and later More FM Hawke's Bay
2ZZKHawkes BayOriginally used for 77ZK Radio Apple as 2ZK, FM call sign was 2ZZK and station was later branded as Greatest Hits FM96 and later Classic Rock 96FM. Station was replaced with Radio Hauraki and later ZM.
2SONHawkes BaySON = Son FMUsed for Son FM
2MCPManawatuM = Manawatu CP = Concert Programme Radio New Zealand Concert
2MMMManawatu Radio Control
2MZMManawatuM = Manawatu ZMOriginal call sign for ZMFM when relay from Wellington was established. Later replaced with 2QQ FM in 1989 and then reverted to 91ZM in 1997.
2XXSManawatuUsed for 2XS FM in Palmerston North after switching to FM now More FM Manawatu
2ZZMWellingtonM = MusicCall sign used for ZMFM Wellington after switching to FM
2WCPWellingtonW = Wellington CP = Concert Programme Radio New Zealand Concert
2VUWWellingtonVU = Victoria University W = Wellington Radio Active
2FFFNelsonUsed for Fifeshire FM, now More FM Nelson
2NCPNelsonN = Nelson CP = Concert Programme Radio New Zealand Concert
2STABlenheimUsed for X-Static FM, 89FM Easy FM, now The Breeze Marlborough

Region 3

AM stations

Radio stations that originally broadcast on an AM frequency.

Call signLocationOriginal AM FrequencyCall sign MeaningNotes
3XAChristchurch1260AMA = AvonRadio Avon, this station merged with C93FM which was closed down in 2001. FM frequency was replaced with network station Solid Gold. Solid Gold was rebranded as The Sound in 2012.
3XGChristchurch1575AMRadio Rhema Christchurch
3XPChristchurch1413AMStill operating today as Radio Ferrymead
3YAChristchurch675AMRadio NZ National network
3YCChristchurch963AMC = ConcertFormerly used for Radio NZ Concert programme
3YWWestport1458AMW = WestportRadio NZ National network, still broadcasting on 1458AM
3YZGreymouth918AMRadio NZ National network, FM only now
3ZAGreymouth747AMUsed to broadcast Radio Scenicland which became Scenicland FM in November 1992, then West Coast's Classic Hits Scenicland FM in 2001 and The Hits West Coast in 2014.
3ZBChristchurch1098AMNow part of Newstalk ZB
3ZCTimaru1152AMOriginally Radio Caroline, became Classic Hits 99FM in 1995, South Canterbury's 99FM in 1997 (after leaving the Classic Hits network) and Classic Hits 99FM in 2001 (after rejoining the Classic Hits network) and The Hits South Canterbury from 2014.
3ZE Ashburton873AMOriginally 3ZE, became Ashburton's Classic Hits 92.5 ZEFM in 2001 and The Hits Ashburton since 2014.
3ZMChristchurch1323AMM = MusicNow part of ZM
3ZOTwizel1485AMTwizel call sign for relay of Radio Caroline programme, discontinued in the 1990s.
3ZRReefton1521AMR = ReeftonUsed to broadcast Radio Scenicland which became Scenicland FM in November 1992, then West Coast's Classic Hits Scenicland FM in 2001 and The Hits West Coast in 2014

FM stations

Stations that originally broadcast on an FM frequency or existing stations that were assigned a new call sign after beginning broadcasting on FM.

Call signStation LocationCall sign MeaningNotes
3CCPChristchurchC = Christchurch CP = Concert Programme Radio New Zealand Concert
3CCTChristchurch Plains FM
3FMXChristchurchUsed for C93FM Christchurch, station no longer in operation and frequency used for Solid Gold
3RDUChristchurchUsed for RDU-FM
3ZZMChristchurchM = MusicCall sign used for ZMFM Christchurch after switching to FM

Region 4

AM stations

Radio stations that originally broadcast on an AM frequency.

Call signLocationOriginal AM frequencyCall sign MeaningNotes
4XACentral Otago531AMA = AlexandraOriginally Radio Central now More FM Central Otago
4XCQueenstown1359AMOriginally Resort Radio now More FM Queenstown
4XDDunedin1431 and 1305 AMD = DunedinThe very first radio station in New Zealand Radio Dunedin
4XEWanakaRadio Wanaka
4XFSouthland1224AMF = Foveaux RadioOriginally Foveaux Radio and later Foveaux FM now More FM Southland. The 1224AM frequency has been used to broadcast LiveSport since 2007.
4XISouthland1548AMI = InvercargillOriginal frequency for Radio Rhema Southland used for tests in 1987
4XLSouthland1404AM Radio Rhema Southland
4XO Dunedin1206AMOriginally known as 4XO now More FM Dunedin
4YADunedin810AMRadio NZ National network
4YCDunedin900AMC = ConcertFormerly used for Radio NZ Concert programme
4YQQueenstown1134AMQ = QueenstownRadio NZ National network and was once used as a relay of the 4ZB programme.
4YWAlexandra639AMRadio NZ National network and was once used as a relay of the 4ZB programme.
4YZSouthland720AMRadio NZ National network
4ZA Invercargill864AMUsed to broadcast 4ZA, began broadcasting on 98.8FM in 1991. 4ZA became known as Classic Hits ZAM since 1993 and The Hits Southland since 2014. The 864AM frequency has been used to broadcast Newstalk ZB since 1994.
4ZBDunedin1044AMOriginally 4ZB. Became ZBFM when the station began broadcasting on 89.4FM, rebranded as Classic Hits 89FM in 1993 and The Hits Dunedin in 2014. The 1044AM frequency has been used to broadcast Newstalk ZB since 1994.
4ZGGore558AMG = GoreOriginally Hokonui Radio or 4ZG now known as Hokonui Gold
4ZWOamaru1395AMW = WaitakiOriginally Radio Waitaki. Began broadcasting on 89.4FM in 2001 coinciding with the rebrand as Classic Hits Radio Waitaki. Became The Hits Oamaru in 2014. The 1395AM frequency has been used to broadcast Newstalk ZB since 2001.

FM stations

Stations that originally broadcast on an FM frequency or existing stations that were assigned a new call sign after beginning broadcasting on FM.

Call signStation LocationCall sign MeaningNotes
4SKIQueenstownUsed by Q92 FM Queenstown, now The Breeze Queenstown
4DCPDunedinD = Dunedin CP = Concert Programme Radio New Zealand Concert
4SAODunedin Radio One
4ZZBDunedinCall sign used for 4ZB FM frequency, station branded as ZBFM after switching to FM, followed by Classic Hits 89FM in 1993 and The Hits Dunedin in 2014.
4SCPSouthlandS = Southland CP = Concert Programme Radio New Zealand Concert
4KYGInvercargillKYG = Knox Youth GroupCrossfire FM - a short term broadcast during 1990 by a city youth group.

Maritime Radio

Coastal radio stations operated by the New Zealand Post Office to serve shipping traffic were allocated callsigns consisting of the ZL prefix and a single letter. The only remaining coastal station as of 2018 is Taupo Maritime Radio ZLM, operated by Kordia on behalf of Maritime New Zealand. [7]

Call SignStationPeriod of OperationNotes
ZLA Awanui Radio 18 December 1913 – 10 February 1930 [8] NZA until 5 July 1912, then VLA until 31 December 1928
ZLB Awarua Radio 18 December 1913 – 30 August 1991 [9] VLB until 31 December 1928
ZLC Chatham Islands Radio 18 September 1913 – 30 August 1991 [10] VLC until 31 December 1928
ZLD Auckland Radio 24 October 1912 – 30 September 1993 [11] NZK until 5 July 1912, then VLD until 31 December 1928
ZLM Taupo Maritime Radio Unknown, but still in operationOperated remotely from Maritime Operations Centre, Avalon, Lower Hutt [12]
ZLQ Scott Base January 1957 – March 1992NZPO (Later Telecom New Zealand) provided HF voice & telex links to New Zealand until commissioning of Satellite Earth Station in 1992 - ZLQ still used for local, deep field & back up intercontinental HF SSB communications [13]
ZLW Wellington Radio 26 July 1911 – 30 September 1993 [14] NZW until 5 July 1912, then VLW until 31 December 1928
ZLX, ZLZ Himatangi Radio 9 November 1953 – 30 September 1993 [15]

See also

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Call signs in Europe are not formally used for broadcast stations.

Call signs in Oceania are currently voluntary in Australia radio and TV station, and were previously compulsory in New Zealand. In both countries, stations like 2GB and Newstalk ZB continue to use parts of the call signs in their branding.

Call signs in Canada are official identifiers issued to the country's radio and television stations. Assignments for broadcasting stations are made by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), while amateur stations receive their call signs from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Conventional radio and television broadcasting stations assignments are generally three, four or five letters long and almost exclusively use "C" call signs; with a few exceptions noted below, the "V" calls are restricted to specialized uses such as amateur radio.

Call signs in the United States are identifiers assigned to radio and television stations, which are issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and, in the case of most government stations, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). They consist of from 3 to 9 letters and digits, with their composition determined by a station's service category. By international agreement, all call signs starting with the letters K, N, and W, as well as AAA-ALZ, are reserved exclusively for use in the United States.

Call signs in United Kingdom include a three letter country code, and a series of letters and numbers.

Broadcast call signs are call signs assigned as unique identifiers to radio stations and television stations. While broadcast radio stations will often brand themselves with plain-text names, identities such as "cool FM", "rock 105" or "the ABC network" are not globally unique. Another station in another city or country may have a similar brand, and the name of a broadcast station for legal purposes is normally its internationally recognised ITU call sign. Some common conventions are followed around the world.

References

  1. Radio Spectrum Management
  2. http://www.nzvrs.pl.net/ccc/Orbell/milestones%20etc.pdf
  3. "International Prefixes Starting With Letters". Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  4. International Telecommunication Union country call sign assignments Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "PIB 46 Radio Operator Certificate and Callsign Rules EDITION 009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  6. "New Zealand Radio Operator Certificate and Callsign Rules Part B, Section 4". Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  7. Radio Handbook (PDF) (Fourth ed.), Wellington, New Zealand: Maritime New Zealand, 2016, p. 47
  8. "Awanui Radio ZLA". maritimeradio.org. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  9. "Awarua Radio ZLB". maritimeradio.org. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  10. "Chatham Islands Radio ZLC". maritimeradio.org. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  11. "Auckland Radio ZLD". maritimeradio.org. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  12. "Taupo Maritime Radio ZLM". maritimeradio.org. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  13. http://www.comnap.aq/atom
  14. "Wellington Radio ZLW". maritimeradio.org. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  15. "Himatangi Radio ZLX/ZLZ". maritimeradio.org. Retrieved 27 May 2018.