I understand this is part of the game already, but it is useless to those who do not know about it, and thus also useless to those who do because no one is in the channel. Perhaps make the client join it by default, like channel 1?

Or bring back the old "Long-range" chat function that was only usable in stations, and appeared similarly to guild, group and system chat:

(faction) [System, Sector] <Friend of Your Faction> Sweet, we're on the same team!
(group) [System, Sector] <Groupmember #2> Woah, look at all the white dots on my radar! Sweet!
(guild) [System, Sector] <Guild Mascot> I need a new costume.
(system) [System, Sector] <Pirate You're Running From> Arrrr.