Good N Numbers For Uniqueness

[snopercod]

Originally Posted by Steve N.

The pump will work with whatever you put into it.

Yeah, but if you crash due to fuel exhaustion, you'll want to prove that you gassed up.

[Canadian_JOY]

In Canada we have the challenge of having only letters to work with. I've noticed our registration (VLF) seems to get particularly clearly enunciated by ATC. Our other aircraft (JOY) is another one that controllers seem to spend some time clearly enunciating. I like that as it makes it difficult to miss a radio call.

[snopercod]

Here's one I kinda' like:

[RV7A Flyer]

Originally Posted by iaw4

I prefer a call sign that does not sound too much like many others...alpha one charlie is not ideal, because each letter appears frequently in the data base.

It's also not a valid callsign in the US:

NA1C

Guess I don't get what you're doing, other than a simple frequency analysis. If the stated goal is "one that doesn't sound like too many others", then you need to define a distance function (metric) on the space and then find the callsigns that maximize the distance between neighboring "points". While it might be an interesting mathematical problem given the constraints on callsign formation, beyond that, I'm kinda...meh...not sure what the point is.

But to each his own.

[thompsonbr87]

Some character combinations just seem to roll off the tongue easily while other seem very "clunky".

-1EM vs -6XQ

I'll take -1EM all day. But if you want something unique, pick the one that makes it sound like you just tossed a handful of Scrabble tiles into your mouth!

[iaw4]

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer

It's also not a valid callsign in the US:

NA1C

Guess I don't get what you're doing, other than a simple frequency analysis. If the stated goal is "one that doesn't sound like too many others", then you need to define a distance function (metric) on the space and then find the callsigns that maximize the distance between neighboring "points". While it might be an interesting mathematical problem given the constraints on callsign formation, beyond that, I'm kinda...meh...not sure what the point is.

yes, it assumes about equal distance across words and letters. I presume the aviation alphabet was chosen to make letters not too near one another. could be wrong.

I had not expected to start a long thread. I just wanted to note this for others picking call signs. They can do with it whatever they wish.

[rv7boy]

It’s not just letters that can be confusing.

Some number combinations confuse even the controllers. I’d say less than 10% of controllers understand my number on initial contact if I say it like I’m supposed to.
“November Seven Niner Fife Niner Niner.”

One controller made a suggestion, and even though it’s not by the book, it works most of the time.

“November Seven Niner Fife Nine Nine.”

I hope I never own another airplane that has a Nine in the N number.

[Steve Melton]

Sometimes I call unicom and ask if my mike has an echo. Especially if I'm in the Christmas mood. I must be getting there.

[RV7A Flyer]

Originally Posted by iaw4

yes, it assumes about equal distance across words and letters.

LOL...I don't even know what you mean by this.

I presume the aviation alphabet was chosen to make letters not too near one another.

"Aviation alphabet"?

[gyoung]

Originally Posted by rv7boy

It?s not just letters that can be confusing.

Some number combinations confuse even the controllers. I?d say less than 10% of controllers understand my number on initial contact if I say it like I?m supposed to.
?November Seven Niner Fife Niner Niner.?

One controller made a suggestion, and even though it?s not by the book, it works most of the time.

?November Seven Niner Fife Nine Nine.?

I hope I never own another airplane that has a Nine in the N number.

I feel for you. Repeating digits seem to trip up controllers. My Navion is N5221K and my hangar partner's is N4428K. Both of us get stumbles and misreads from the repeating digits. Oddly, when we're flying separately we get the similar callsign warning because of 21K and 28K but it never causes an issue. Only occurs when they have to use the full reg number.