Kallsskilt

Kallsskilt is the Swedish term for a callsign, the unique alphanumeric identifier assigned to a transmitting station or individual in radiocommunications. A kallsskilt is used to identify the operator during radio transmissions and in logging, logging, and QSL exchanges. The concept is used across various domains, including amateur radio, aviation, maritime, and broadcasting.

Internationally, kallsskilt are allocated under guidelines from the International Telecommunication Union and are issued by national regulatory authorities. In Sweden, the supervision and allocation of callsigns fall under the regulatory framework of the Post- och telestyrelsen (PTS). Callsigns typically consist of a country prefix that indicates the nation and a suffix that uniquely identifies the station or licensee. For example, a Swedish amateur radio callsign might look like SM0AAA, where SM indicates Sweden and the following characters identify the individual operator or station.

Structure and usage vary by domain. Amateur radio callsigns are issued to licensed operators and may reflect license class or geographic region. Aviation and maritime callsigns are assigned to aircraft, ships, or operators to ensure clear identification in air and sea communications. Special event or temporary callsigns may be issued for contests, commemorations, or field days.

Acquisition and management involve licensing, renewal, and potential reallocation of callsigns if a license is revoked or a new operator assumes the station. Callsigns remain a core element of regulatory compliance, operational safety, and international coordination in radiocommunications.