W1YTQ - my grandfather’s call sign

written January 25, 2023

My call sign, W1YTQ, first belonged to my grandfather Fred William Bean. I applied for and was assigned W1YTQ by the FCC on January 21, 2023.

Fred served his country as an officer in the US Army Signal Corps from 1942-1946. He was assigned to communication/cryptographic work in Burma and India. He continued with the Military Affiliate Radio Systems (MARS) until he retired as a US Army Captain in 1988.

My interest in amateur radio was sparked by my grandfather Fred Bean

I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with my grandfather at a young age and those memories include the constant sound of radios and scanners in the background. Amateur radio was the social network before social networks. He was active in his local club and always had friends reaching out to him over the air.

Fred was a man of many talents. He was a high school industrial arts teacher by profession. He printed his own QSL cards from an illustrated plate of his own design and manufacture. As you can see he was a fairly good artist. If another radio operator made an HF contact with Fred Bean, he would stamp out a new card and send it to them in the mail.

I am humbled to be operating as W1YTQ and think of my grandfather every time I announce myself on the air.

I’ve mounted the QSL stamp plate and a card in a frame for display in my home.

I have many fond memories of working with him on his farm. We’d spend many hot summer days haying his fields and working on projects.

My grandfather’s radio club

addendum September 25, 2023

Nine months after writing this post members of my grandfather’s radio club, the Pine State Amateur Radio Club invited me to join their Facebook group.

When I joined, a post in their group read, “Many of us older club members remember Fred. It’s good to see that his grandson now is W1YTQ. “Good good”, as Fred used to say.”

Many of us older club members remember Fred. It’s good to see that his grandson now is W1YTQ. “Good good”, as Fred used to say.

I’m not sure they were aware that their invitation and post to the club page were both written on his birthday, September 23rd. Good good