W5YD is one of the oldest, continuously active amateur radio clubs in the United States. It has its origins as the amateur radio station 5YD . This permit was issued to Mississippi A&M by the U.S. Department of Commerce in January 1920. The “W” was later added to MSU’s callsign when the federal government brought all American stations into compliance with international agreements on radio station identification. W5YD operates from its campus station and can often be found in the digital sections of the HF bands.