Civil Air Patrol Re: [MilCom] MARS Repeaters?

[Ken]

Hello Larry & the group:

I really can't comment extensively on MARS since I don't really follow their 
activities, other than to say any time I have monitored HF or local VHF it's 
been boring "chatter" / typical ham related communications.  Although Al's 
(FL) posts do seem to indicate that at least some stations perform HF phone 
patches for military aircraft.

SOAP BOX ON!!!

Historically during WW II, I think that Civil Air Patrol aircraft on off 
shore patrol duty actually bombed a German UBoat.
see:  http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Air_Power/CAP/AP32.htm & 
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/about/our_history.cfm

I think if monitoring hobbyists closely monitor Civil Air Patrol aircraft 
they'd be surprised as to CAP's current activities.  Overall I have to give 
them a mighty salute.. These are volunteers  who donate their time, money, 
and other resources (they don't get reimbursed for everything) in supporting 
the USAF and other government agencies in their homeland security/defense 
roles, aircraft/persons searches, disaster relief,  emergency transportation 
of vital supplies, etc.  (see: http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeID=5181 )

I have to disagree with you on this one Larry -- CAP's beginning was in 
defending the country -- why not have the same mission today? and if you can 
get financial or "in kind" equipment, including radio equipment why not go 
for it? (you can bet that every other level of government & numerous vendors 
have stepped on the "Homeland Security" money wagon!!!!)

SOAP BOX OFF!

Military related Frequency/usage information has ALWAYS had at least an FOR 
OFFICIAL USE ONLY restriction.

I agree with you that  with the advent of "close call"/"signal stalking" 
capabilities as well as very fast searching scanner capabilities, it's 
relatively easy to find new frequencies!  Radio scanning/monitoring 
hobbyists have to take the inititiave in their geographic areas to discover 
what military frequencies are active!

Well got to get ready to go on my voluntary sector patrol of the KCEF fence 
line -- BTW I'm still waiting for my DHS grant for new radio equipment!!! 
(definitely want to get something with encryption so all those noisy 
monitoring hobbyists won't be able to listen in -- but I guess I have to use 
my digital cellphone until the grant comes through -- actually couldn't most 
activities do the same????)  :) ;)

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Van Horn, N5FPW" <n5fpw at brmemc.net>
To: "Frank Cardenas" <fcsdga at gmail.com>
Cc: "MILCOM" <milcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 11:51 AM
Subject: Re: [MilCom] MARS Repeaters?
snip..snip..

>
> The MARS and CAP freqs aren't classified Frank. They are FOUO (For 
> Official Use Only) which is not a security classification. I got burned on 
> the same thing, but in print. Duh huh!!! Semantics for sure, but there is 
> a difference. ;-))
>
> <SOAPBOX ON>
..snip..snip..
> Of course, the biggest argument has to be and will remain, why should 
> civilian agencies like CAP and MARS have or need these levels of security 
> to begin with? They say because they are doing DHS missions. If they are 
> doing DHS missions why? I am outraged that these groups are doing these 
> sensitive DHS missions. That should be left to fulltime government 
> employees, not civilians and teenagers.
>
> This is just more 9/11 paranoia and ways for MARS/CAP to fund their 
> programs by jumping on the DHS funding gravy train. Sorta like the $36,000 
> of DHS grant money spent to protect Kentucky Bingo parlors from terrorist 
> attack? Nope I am not joking here. It also justifies keeping a cold war 
> relict like MARS around sucking down precious HF/VHF/UHF spectrum 
> frequencies.
>
> Hell, next thing you know we will be arming them all up and moving them 
> out (ATAMO). ;-))
snip..snip..