I N T E R O F F I C E M E M O R A N D U M Date: 10-May-1991 15:46 HST From: 1843rd EI Group 1843EIP Dept: 1843 EIG/EIP Tel No: DSN 315-456-1107 TO: Remote Addressee ( _INFO-HAMS@UCSD.EDU ) CC: Remote Addressee ( _DLS@GENRAD.COM ) Subject: Intro to MARS (somewhat long) Diana Syriac asked, so I thought I'd post this for everybody's benefit: The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is a Department of Defense sponsored program, and each military department (Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marine Corps) runs its own MARS program. You can only join one at a time. The MARS mission is to provide Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a local, regional, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal military communications. It also provides auxiliary communications for military, civil, and disaster officials during periods of emergency. The MARS program also provides morale and quasi-official record and voice communications traffic for Armed Forces and US Government personnel stationed around the world. The requirements to become a MARS affiliate are as follows: 1. Be 14 years old or older (parental consent required under age 17). 2. Be a US citizen or resident alien. 3. Possess a valid amateur radio license (Note: Novices must upgrade within 12 months of entry into the program; how new Techs will be handled hasn't yet been decided :-(! ). 4. Possess a station capable of operating on MARS HF frequencies. 5. Be able to operate the minimum amount of time for each quarter (12 hours/quarter for Army and Air Force; 18 hours/quarter for Navy). The benefits of MARS membership are: 1. Being part of a worldwide communications network supporting vital US interests, and contributing to the welfare and preparedness of the nation. 2. Increasing your radio skills by specialized training and participation in structured traffic nets. 3. Operating on specially-assigned military frequencies using SSB, RTTY, CW, and packet. 4. Participating in the MARS Excess/Surplus Equipment Program after six months of membership. OK, that's the official line, now here's my pitch: I've been in the USAF MARS program since September 1985, and have had a blast passing traffic, participating in military open houses, and other activities. Some MARS affiliates get together and operate Field Day and other contests, so your activity isn't necessarily limited to military activities. The 12 hours/quarter requirement may sound like a lot, but it works out to just 1 hour a week. With today's solid state rigs, getting on the oddball frequencies isn't a problem at all -- that's why you see "MARS capable" or similar wording in many equipment ads. The Excess Equipment program can yield some real gems and, quite frankly, some real junk; however, hunting the stuff down is half the fun! Before Novice Enhancement, MARS was a good way for Novices and Techs to get on HF SSB; it still serves the same purpose, although you'll never be able to work DX on a MARS net like you can on 10 meters. The May and June 1990 issues of "CQ" also have information about MARS. So you think MARS may be right for you -- here's how to get more information and membership application forms (USAF MARS only -- I don't have the addresses for the other services): 1. Contact the Chief of Operations of the Communications Squadron or Group at the Air Force base nearest you, or 2. Write to: Chief, US Air Force MARS TIC/DLTXM Scott AFB, IL 62225-6001, or 3. E-mail me at 1843EIP "AT" HICKAM-EMH.AF.MIL. 73, Jeff Miller, WD6CQV/KH6 (not for much longer, the 610 to change to NH6?? is in the mail....) AFA8JM/AFF8A/AFF8P (USAF MARS!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Additional info on mars. -n8emr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here is some addresses for thos who are interested in joining ARMY MARS. R 300001Z JUL 91 FM CHIEF ARMY MARS AAA9A TO ALL ARMY MARS MEMBERS AND STATIONS WORLDWIDE GRNC BT UNCLAS SUBJ: MARS BCST 23-91 1. ITEM 33. MAIL ADDRESSES: CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS FOR CONUS ARMY MARS DIRECTORS ARE AS FOLLOWS: CONUS MARS DIRECTOR CDR 7TH SIGNAL COMMAND ATTN: ASQN-OP-PM-A FORT RITCHIE MD 21719-5010 EASTERN AREA MARS DIRECTOR EASTERN AREA MARS ATTN: ASQN-OP-PM-EA FORT DETRICK, BLDG S-10 FREDERICK MD 21701-5002 CENTRAL AREA MARS DIRECTOR CENTRAL AREA MARS ATTN: ASQN-OP-PM-CA FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX 78234-5000. WESTERN AREA MARS DIRECTOR, WESTERN AREA MARS ATTN: ASQN-OP-PM-WA FORT LEWIS, WA 98433-5000. 2. RETURN ADDRESS: MAIL ADDRESSED TO OTHER MARS MEMBERS, MESSAGE ADDRESSEES, AND MARS OFFICIALS WILL HAVE THE APPROPRIATE AREA MARS DIRECTOR'S ADDRESS AS THE RETURN ADDRESS. MAIL ADDRESSED TO THE MEMBER'S AREA MARS DIRECTOR WILL USE THE CONUS MARS DIRECTOR'S ADDRESS AS THE RETURN ADDRESS. THE RETURN ADDRESS AND THE TO ADDRESS MUST NEVER BE THE SAME. RELEASED BY ROBERT L. SUTTON CHIEF ARMY MARS de Roland KA2RC@KJ6WO.SUBIC.PHL.OC or ASQP-NBF@ZAMA-EMH1.ARMY.MIL or 1SG Roland Cowan 1141st U.S. Signal Bn UNIT 45012 Box 1258 APO AP 96343