call sign

Broadcast station designation

A call sign is an identifying name or code assigned to a radio operator, aircraft, military unit, or broadcast station.

Pilots and air traffic controllers use call signs for identification: United 429, you are cleared for landing.

In military and amateur radio contexts, call signs may be alphanumeric codes or chosen nicknames: His call sign was Maverick.

aviation

squawk

Harsh grating bird cry

tail numberAircraft identification code
flight numberAircraft journey identifier
ATCAviation traffic service

air traffic control · transponder · cockpit · pilot · aircraft · radar · tower · airspace · flight plan · approach

identifier

handle

Part for gripping

nicknameInformal substitute name
aliasAdopted false name
monikerInformal designation for someone

pseudonym · tag · username · designation · code name · identity · recognition · personalization · branding · uniqueness

military

tactical

Strategically planned

squadronMilitary aviation unit
platoonSmall infantry formation
encryptedTransformed into cipher

coordinates · recon · battalion · operation · transmission · comms · intel · code · regiment · brigade

Categories

broadcastingbroadcasting, TV, radio, television, news
radioFM radio, crystal set, AM radio, radio station, radio broadcast
signalssignaling, waved, nodded, gestured, blinked
identifiersidentifier, title, rank, license, permit
military communicationsradio, walkie-talkie, radio operators, morse code, encrypted message
police radio10-4, APB, BOLO, copy, copy that

Opposites

identifier type

call signpersonal name

Individual's identifying title

legal name · given name · full name · birth name · real name

communication mode

call signradio silence

Absence of broadcast communication

anonymity · silent running · unidentified · going dark · anonymous

Family

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G