Questions for our American friends

[wisenheimer]

Originally Posted by DTravel

I suspect the "four dot" labeling is so it can be sold anywhere without needing new labeling in different languages.

That's what manufacturers will tell you, but it is mostly for people who can not read any language.

Ah, dammit, this book's got words. You know, those people.

[Dr Pepper]

Originally Posted by Sir Honkers

It doesn't matter. I've always found lighting the right burner was a matter of trial and error.

Must be tricky trying to light an electric stove......

[Trip]

Originally Posted by bombermouse

I have owned and shopped for stoves in the US for over 50 years. This is the first picture of one with the controls behind the burners I've ever seen. This is not at all the norm.

Never saw it before either. I would not purchase.

[wisenheimer]

Originally Posted by Frovo

While watching HGTV this question crossed my mind:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F..._stove_(1).jpg
vs.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...E_3430_(2).jpg

Why have many (not all) US stoves their controls behind all the pots and pans? This seems to be a little bit dangerous. Is it because of the big turkeys?

This is what a little rest can do for me; I can see better.

The front knob stoves are the dangerous ones. Adults can reach over the top of the stove to adjust the knobs. Children can reach the front of the stove and do things they shouldn't be doing.

Aren't there enough dangers for little ones in the house without an additional method to start a house fire?

[Frovo]

Most modern stoves have a built-in child lock so that kids can turn the knobs but nothing happens.

[bowlinggreen]

Originally Posted by bombermouse

I have owned and shopped for stoves in the US for over 50 years. This is the first picture of one with the controls behind the burners I've ever seen. This is not at all the norm.

I took my mother shopping for stoves awhile back, and a lot of the stoves had controls way back on the back panel.

I think this is supposed to keep kids from playing with the stove controls, but it's hell on old people with creaky joints and bad vision, like my mother.

All too easy to stick your arm someplace hot while fumbling for the burner knob.

Never did get her that stove.

A somewhat bad idea, like childproof medicine caps. Which I have to go over and open for her sometimes as well, so she can put the pills in her pillbox. Pay attention to your brats, discipline them and smack them when necessary, and you won't have to worry about them getting into shit. Allowing natural child-play curiosity has its limits. I was taught not to touch Mom's stove or play with the drain cleaner at an early age.

Lawyers are dictating these extremes of safety, with their lawsuits. Try and buy a gas can without all sorts of safety gizmos on it these days. You pay a lot more for all the safety crap on it.

[redsquirrel]

Why do American radio stations have names consisting of four letters? (I assume there are certain combinations of letters they don't use!)

[Bokow]

Originally Posted by redsquirrel

Why do American radio stations have names consisting of four letters? (I assume there are certain combinations of letters they don't use!)

According to Wikipedia, US stations began as three letter callsigns in the early 1920s. However, in 1922 the Federal Communications Commission began assigning four letter callsigns due to the number of startup stations, but 3 letter callsigns still trickled out, less and less. The last 3 letter station assigned was WIS 560-AM (since 1986, WVOC) in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1930.
Currently, the only time 3 letter callsigns are assigned is when the petitioning station (including FM radio and TV) has a historical relation to the AM radio station which originally used that call sign.

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by Bokow

According to Wikipedia, US stations began as three letter callsigns in the early 1920s. However, in 1922 the Federal Communications Commission began assigning four letter callsigns due to the number of startup stations, but 3 letter callsigns still trickled out, less and less. The last 3 letter station assigned was WIS 560-AM (since 1986, WVOC) in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1930.
Currently, the only time 3 letter callsigns are assigned is when the petitioning station (including FM radio and TV) has a historical relation to the AM radio station which originally used that call sign.

There's also some slight geographical significance: all stations east of the Mississippi River begin with "W", all stations west begin with "K".

There's still a few 3 letter callsigns out there-- WLS and WGN in Chicago, for example.

[Arturo2nd]

Originally Posted by Decadence

There's also some slight geographical significance: all stations east of the Mississippi River begin with "W", all stations west begin with "K".

There's still a few 3 letter callsigns out there-- WLS and WGN in Chicago, for example.

There are fond memories of the "mighty 1090" XERB blasting Wolfman Jack out at 10,000 watts.

We still have a KGO in the Bay Area.