[Boatanchors] MARS PROPERTY PROGRAM

[rayfri]

I would disagree regarding one point that Fred makes...    I have seen 
and screened lots of useful equipment as a MARS member.....
generators, transmitters, antennas, and even amplifiers ....   the 
Harris transmitters and amplifiers are a couple examples.
In fact, just before Collins jumped ship, I was able to force through a 
requisition for one of the Harris amplifers and I have it now.

There is lots of useful operating equipment flowing through the system.  
The problem has been that the chiefs of all three of the MARS branches 
choose to ignore DOD regulations and orders that they will conduct an 
equipment requisition program and they have refused to approve requests 
unless they have been forced to do so.    They havent wanted to spend 
the time required to countersign requisitions and have claimed they and 
the property managers under them have been "too busy with other pressing 
duties" to get around to the paperwork.

Hopefully .. with both AF and Army getting new chiefs, this will change 
.. But early signs are that it wont.   They dont give a damn about what 
the DOD has ordered when it comes to anything about the MARS programs.
Ray  AFA5OA/WA7ITZ


FRED - W4FJF wrote:

>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. 
>
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