[MRCA] Fwd: EXERCISE NOBLE SKYWAVE

[Alex J Rokowetz]

Hi all,
For me three benefits immediately come to mind.  I am sure there are many more:   
   - The biggest benefit for me is service to ones country, state, or local community.  
   - They will help you help yourself to become a better radio operator.  You will develop WAY more valuable radio skills than you ever thought possible including encryption procedures, operating as or interfacing with a relay station, running a structured net, operating within a structured net, tasking, information collection and reporting, message formatting, exercises, Automatic Link Establishment (ALE), interfacing with other agency stations, voice procedures, digital capability and messaging, etc. etc. etc.   

   - You will meet and network with other strong radio operators in your region/area.    

Yes, you will have to show up correct with your own modern gear, PC, and internet if you want to be an individual member (not required by you if you join as a military unit, club member, or agency member a you will use their stuff).  Yes, you will have to commit to a certain amount of time each quarter.  Yes, you will have to bust your backside until you become a proficient MARS member with all the required skills (at least I had to bust mine).

But, as I wrote... you will get to serve your country, state, and/or local community in a way that is fun... RADIO.  
IMHO, during recent years MARS has undergone a transformative change for the better and is definitely much more than what it used to be. 
My 2 cents.  Others may have differing viewpoints.
Best 73 to all,
Alex K2AJR
Alexander J Rokowetz(516) 551-2498belarok at yahoo.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderrokowetz/  
 

    On Monday, October 5, 2020, 08:53:52 AM EDT, Ray Fantini <rafantini at salisbury.edu> wrote:  
 
 
CFARS/MARS Participation: The only civilian operators eligible to participate in Ex NS20are licensed HAM operators who are also members of CFARS or US MARS.
 
Makes it somewhat limited on who can play or not. Think I briefly looked at MARS requirements a couple years back and at that time it looked like a huge amount of work for no visible return, noticed a lot  of volunteer stuff has gone that way with all sorts of background checks and the like that you the volunteer have to pony up for.  I know Red Cross is requiring a full background check these days.
 
Perhaps someone who is already a member of MARS can enlighten me on what the benefits are?
 
  
 
Ray F/KA3EKH
  
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