[Scan-DC] Joining MARS

[Gary Mitchelson - N3JPU]

Well with the upcoming Armed Forces day, it reminds me to put out a
request to the DC area members who are hams to see if any of you are
interested in joining the MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System).

The Military Affiliate Radio System is a Department of Defense sponsored
program, established as separate managed and operated programs by the
Army, Navy, and Air Force. 

The program consists of licensed amateur radio operators who are
interested in military communications. They contribute to the MARS
mission providing auxiliary or emergency communications on a local,
national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal
communications. 

MARS members stations meet periodically in scheduled networks on
military frequencies outside of the amateur bands. There are various
types of networks and each accomplishes a specific goal. For example,
administrative networks to take care of much of the day-to-day
management of the program; traffic networks which exist solely to pass
third party traffic; and of course, emergency networks which are
established to provide for communication needs during periods of
emergency. There are also technical nets and training nets. MARS nets
operate in different modes. Although high frequency (HF) single sideband
(SSB) voice is predominant, there are RTTY, VHF, PACKET, other digital
modes and even slow scan TV nets. You may not join or belong to more
than one MARS service at the same time.

MARS Mission:

Provide Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a
local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal
communications. 

Provide auxiliary communications for military, civil, and/or disaster
officials during periods of emergency. 

Assist in effecting normal communications under emergency conditions. 

Create interest, and furnish a means of training members in military
communications procedures. 

Provide a potential reserve of trained radio communications personnel. 

Handle moral and quasi-official record and voice communications traffic
for Armed Forces and authorized U.S. Government civilian personnel
stationed throughout the world. 

Conduct an appropriate Amateur Radio program as a part of the annual
celebration of Armed Forces Day.


Also as a MARS member you have the opportunity to participate in FEMA
exercises on FEMA frequencies, and also have an opportunity to become
authorized as a NCS (National Communications System, Department of
Homeland Security) SHARES station.

As a MARS member you will also be able to receive Government equipment
such as radios and test equipment. As a personal note this system does
work. Last month all the MD/DC members requesting received PRC-128
(30-88,134-174Mhz) radios.

If you are interested please visit the MD/DC MARS website I developed. I
am the MD/DC USAF State MARS Director. If you are interested in one of
the other services, or are from VA I can put you in contact with the
appropriate official.

Thanks,
Gary

Gary Mitchelson
N3JPU Montgomery Co. MD  FM19
http://www.mitchelson.org/

USAF MARS and SHARES station AFA1PU
Maryland/DC USAF MARS SMD AFF1MD
MD/DC MARS homepage http://www.mdmars.org