although three-letter call letters were still available when the station was started, "wrva" was chosen since (w) r va was short for richmond, va. wrva was launched at 9:00 p.m. on november 2, 1925. known initially as "edgeworth radio", it was owned by larus and brother company, a tobacco company operating as the "house of edgeworth." the radio station was originally put on the air as a public service 2 nights per week.