[MRCA] Fwd: EXERCISE NOBLE SKYWAVE

Mon Oct 5 18:13:42 EDT 2020

The military types from the Maxwell Mafia refuse to understand that if they wish to have a robust MARS program, THEY need to acquire coms gear that is compatible with what is generally being used by civilian operators, not the other way around. MARS really started dying when some egghead in charge decided it was a good idea to make MARS to use gear compatible with modern military gear, and then  come up with coms standards that were too expensive for civilians to meet on there own. No wonder the  MARS program is dying. 

Mark D. 
WW2RDO

“In matters of style, float with the current. In matters of Principle, stand like a rock. “.   -   Thomas Jefferson 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 5, 2020, at 12:05 PM, Doran Platt <jeepp at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> My 2 cents... I was in MARS in the late 50's, up until I left active duty in the late 60's.  Back then it was fairly easy to get up to speed and amateur equipment, using xtal control, was not an issue.  I was also in the CAP (for 60 years).  Unlike MARS, CAP in the 80's elected to demand NTIA compliant equipment, certs being provided by the equipment manufacturer.  No cert, no ops.  Of course, and as Patton opined, "Well, they have their schedules and I have mine".  Some of us used equipment that was not officially compliant but nevertheless was entirely usable and compatible in the RF spectrum.  Within CAP, I was also in the FEMA SHARES program (as are a number of individual MARS members).  I enjoyed the SHARES hot operations as they were conducted during actual emergency conditions, like hurricanes and other National and regional situations.  MARS does have a rigorous training regimen and one must have the time and attention to go through the training program.  If one has the time, patience, and dedication, give it a try.  Unlike years ago, there is generally no opportunity to regularly get surplus equipment, any more, but them's the breaks.  
> Jeep K3HVG
>> On 10/05/2020 10:57 AM Gene Smar via MRCA <mrca at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> I was a recent member of Army MARS in Maryland and I concur with Alex’s summary of benefits of membership.  If there were ever a group that could be called “professional Amateurs”, in my opinion it would be MARS operators.  Multiple daily nets on frequencies from 2 MHz up into high HF offer plenty of opportunity to learn on-air discipline – getting the message through quickly without a lot of “Uh, um, soooooo…” 
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>>  
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>> I voluntarily left the organization after nearly a year of membership because I had trouble getting my station to operate on MIL-STD 188-110, the DOD’s digital waveform standard.  It’s not the technology, it’s me.  I also have trouble with PSSK31, etc.  If I could succeed in getting -110 operating at home, I’d sign up for another try with Army MARS. 
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>> 73 de
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>> Gene Smar  AD3F
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>>  
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>> From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Alex J Rokowetz via MRCA
>> Sent: Monday, October 05, 2020 9:42 AM
>> To: JEFF CICCONE <kg2bz at comcast.net>; Military Radio Collectors Association <mrca at mailman.qth.net>; Ray Fantini <RAFANTINI at salisbury.edu>
>> Subject: Re: [MRCA] Fwd: EXERCISE NOBLE SKYWAVE
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Hi all,
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>>  
>> 
>> 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).
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>> But, as I wrote... you will get to serve your country, state, and/or local community in a way that is fun... RADIO.  
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>> IMHO, during recent years MARS has undergone a transformative change for the better and is definitely much more than what it used to be. 
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>> My 2 cents.  Others may have differing viewpoints.
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>> Best 73 to all,
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>>  
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>> Alex K2AJR
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>> Alexander J Rokowetz
>> 
>> (516) 551-2498
>> 
>> belarok at yahoo.com
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>> https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderrokowetz/  
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>> On Monday, October 5, 2020, 08:53:52 AM EDT, Ray Fantini <rafantini at salisbury.edu> wrote:
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>> 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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