[Boatanchors] MARS PROPERTY PROGRAM

[FRED - W4FJF]

Hi Group,
   The MARS property program died about 12 years ago. It still exists on paper, but the communications equipment declared "excess" to a command is either sent to a "friendly" foreign power (free gratis) after a depot level maintenance, or is scrapped and reclaimed for its base metals. I asked my superior about this, and he explained that he hasn't seen a useful piece of equipment or standby generator in years. What was available was missing vital irreplaceable parts, or stored in the weather, and rendered useless. The few useful transceivers or amps are a rare find, and usually given to the few MARS stations that exist on military bases. So, if we do not supply the necessary equipment out of our own pockets, we do not have the opportunity to help out the men and women who serve in the many foreign lands.
   Just think of all the quality communication equipment we payed for as taxpayers being broken up for scrap, or given away to foreign countries who didn't pay a thin dime for it. Its enough to make you weep. Things may be a little different in the Army or Air Force MARS, but I doubt it.
        TNX FM FRED - W4FJF, 73
AMATEUR RADIO IS A NATIONAL RESOURCE, NOT "JUST A HOBBY". NAVMARCORPSMARS MEMBER,"PROUDLY SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE".
A FOOLS PARADISE IS A WISE MAN'S HELL.