N7TQZ

It has been a while since I did anything with this site. Stay tuned for future updates!

For those new to Amateur Radio

The world of Amateur Radio (better known as "ham" radio), is a lot of fun and offers quite a range of interests. Amateur TV, Packet radio, Morse Code, and Voice communications are just a few of the things we can do. Hams provide emergency communications in disasters, search and rescue missions, and many other events. Ham radio is very different from CB. First we must pass written exams and, if we elect to have priviledges on the high frequency (HF) bands, pass a morse code test. We are authorized radio frequencies based on the class of license held. Before April 2000, classes were, in order: NOVICE, TECHNICIAN, GENERAL, ADVANCED, AND EXTRA. After April 2000, the classes changed to TECHNICIAN, GENERAL, AND EXTRA. The code requirement was reduced from 13 Words Per Minute (WPM) for General / 20 WPM for Extra to 5 WPM for the General / Extra class. Call signs are issued once you pass the exam.

A little about me

My name is George Ftikas and I have been licensed since July 1991. I took my Novice class at W2USA. My Novice call was KB7NWS. A day after I received my license in the mail, I went to take my Technician test. I opted to change my callsign. I sometimes wish I had kept that call. I continued to upgrade and now carry an Extra Class license. My call is N7TQZ. I opted to keep this call because of my trip to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. I was given the callsign KG4QZ and operated from December 1991 to February 1992. I worked all 50 states and 22 different countries from there. I was the only Active Duty Army HAM on the island at that time. When I returned, I met a lot of people on the HF band that recognised my call of N7TQZ ( I had them QSL to my home call while I was in Cuba ) and decided to keep it.

I am the host of the W2USA Friday Nite Net - 146.43 MHz at 9:00 PM, the sysop of the W2USA BBS on 145.09 MHz, and the editor of Sound Waves, our newsletter. I also am the W2USA Home Page caretaker.

I am also involved with the Military Affiliate Radio System, or MARS, with the callsign of AAR0GZ. MARS, in a nutshell, passes traffic for emergency situations, health and welfare for soldiers and families overseas, and phone patches for the soldiers overseas. We are involved with a lot of other organizations, such as DOMS, FEMA, Red Cross, and the other military branches.

I also work with the Pierce County Search and Rescue TAC-1, Tactical Area Communications. We provide communications for the search teams out in the field for the Pierce County Sheriff.

Amateur radio is a fun and rewarding hobby. Get involved in the art of radio and your local radio club! If you are in the Fort Lewis, Washington area look me up!