KL7AIR Military Club Station - Supporting the MARS Program as ALM7CAA!
News you can use-
By Ron Keech, State Director
Training is a constant theme in the MARS Program, due to the expanding mission requirements training is paramount to being prepared. In order to stay current this training plan includes recurring training and annual recertification. Soon the minimum license requirement for membership will be a General Class FCC Amateur License instead of the current Tech License. Those two changes will demonstrate we are more than just a bunch of Hams playing with radios. It will show dedication and proficiency in emergency operations. We are not "professional radio operators" we are Emergency Operations Operators. We have been trained and tested to meet the operational needs of those agencies who request our help. We have completed the FEMA Emergency Response Courses for example. Meeting the FEMA requirements to support them and the Dept of Homeland Security. We work with Regular Army, National Guard Units, TSA and local municipalities. Under the guidance of the Chief, Army MARS (CAM) we practice how we will operate. If you are interested in joining this team welcome, but let me advise you. There is a level of commitment required, do not sign up lightly. You are going to be tested, you are going to have to be active. Failure to maintain at least the minimum level of participation will result is dismissal from the program. Yes we operate on VHF, but HF is our bread and butter. You attest that you have a working HF station when you sign up, failure to participate on HF is grounds for dismissal. Some latitude is given in cases where people have obstacles that prevent them from being on HF regularly. Such as restrictions an antennas where they live. That being said there are other locations where a MARS Member can get on HF it just takes a little effort on the members part. Ask another MARS member, use a club station or see if another Amateur in your area would let you operate from there on occasion. If you are a good operator that Ham may let you operate from that station in a crisis as well.We operate both voice and data modes, HF Mail is the next hurdle we are working on in Alaska. Keep in mind before you sign up that the program normally cannot provide equipment to a volunteer member. Yes there are programs within reach like SHARES that helps but those are not the normal process for the average member. If you have an operational HF station that you operate on the Ham Bands then with minor modifications you can be operational on MARS. Digital HF Mail requires PACTOR I capability, if you shop around TNC's like the Kantronics Plus and AEA PK-232MBX are available with the required firmware on auction sites and for sale elsewhere used. I am not trying to scare anyone off, I am trying to make sure you understand we are not a club nor are we a bunch of Hams playing with radios. We are Proud, professional and Ready!
Click here for the MarsGram form in PDF.
Alaska is the Great Land!
What is MARS?
The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is a Department of Defense sponsored program, established as separately managed and operated programs by the Army, Navy-Marine Corps and Air Force. MARS members are volunteer licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in providing auxiliary or emergency communications to local, national and international emergency and safety organizations, as an adjunct to normal communications.The primary concept of MARS is to meet the requirements of training for any communications emergency. To this end, organization, methods and facilities must be adequate to meet any emergency requirements and must be flexible in order to provide for rapid expansion. Normal methods must be such that only minor changes will be required when shifting to an emergency status.
Mission
* To provide Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications.
* To provide auxiliary communications for military, civil, and/or disaster officials during periods of emergency.
* To assist in effecting normal communications under emergency conditions.
The Benefits of ARMY MARS Membership
Add to the enjoyment of your amateur radio hobby through the expanded horizon of MARS.Become part of the Army, Navy-Marine Corps, or Air Force MARS worldwide communications system. There are MARS stations in Japan, Korea, the Trust Territories, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Central America, Alaska, Germany, Africa, and the continental United States.Increase your communications skills and capabilities. Selected correspondence courses in communications - electronics subjects are available free to MARS members from their respective affiliated service after completion of six months active membership. Qualified Army MARS members may apply for such courses at the Army Correspondence Course Program website.Operate on specially assigned military radio frequencies in voice, teletype, and packet modes of communications.Join a group of dedicated fellow radio amateurs participating in meaningful public service.Affiliate with the service branch of your choice and become part of the professional military communications family.Gain a feeling of being associated with a military mission and contributing to the welfare and preparedness of the nation.Participate in regulated, disciplined radio nets with structured lines of organization and very specific operating rules.
History of Army MARS Program
In November, 1925, the Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) was initiated by a few dedicated pioneers in the United States Army Signal Corps led by Capt. Thomas C. Rives. His original intention was to enlist the talents of volunteer Amateur Radio operators as a source to train soldiers in the then new technology of radio as well as pursuing radio research and development to improve radio equipment within the Army. His efforts were very successful.This organization continued until the United States entry into World War II, at which time radio Amateurs were denied the use of the air. Therefore, the activities of AARS, as it was known, were suspended until 1946 when, once again, AARS was allowed to go back on the air. During the years 1925 through 1942, the AARS functioned more or less as an extra curricular activity of the U. S. Army Signal Corps, its scope being necessarily limited by the meager budget of the pre-World War II depression years. The best available figures indicate that as of the 7th of December, 1941, there were approximately 60,000 FCC licensed Amateurs within the United States and its possessions. Some 5600 of those Amateurs were members of the AARS. About 20% of the pre-World War II AARS members eventually entered the service of their country either in the Army or in a civilian capacity. The U. S. Army recognized the great importance of reactivating the AARS to train vitally needed communications personnel at a relatively inexpensive direct cost to the U.S. government. Therefore, in 1946, the AARS was reactivated and functioned as such until the creation of the Military Amateur Radio System in 1948, later renamed the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) with Army MARS and the newly formed Air Force MARS reflecting the creation of the Air Force as a separate service. In early 1963, the Navy-Marine Corps MARS was established.MARS has grown in all of the services throughout the world. It relies on civilian and military MARS members to be available in case of emergency or disaster to provide communications support. At such times, MARS needs all of the support it can provide. Amateur Radio, collectively with MARS, has made its mark in American history. Each year provides new evidence of the important role it plays in the service of the nation.
Official Sponsorship
The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is an official Department of Defense and Department of the Army sponsored communications system. Therefore, it has official status, is assigned missions and functions, and authorized the use of assigned military radio frequencies.Army MARS is directed and managed by the Department of the Army through the United States Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command and is a world-wide organization. It is comprised of both military and civilian personnel. In fact, the majority are civilian volunteers. Each volunteer Army MARS member is required to hold a valid Amateur Radio license from the Federal Communications Commission. These volunteers are under no service obligation, but must meet a 12-hour per calendar quarter minimum participation requirement. A volunteer may resign from Army MARS at any time without difficulty or prejudice by simply submitting a written resignation.
How to Join Army MARS
Eligibility
The applicant must -
* Be 17 years of age or older. (Signature of parent or legal guardian is required when an applicant is under 18 years of age.)
* Be a United States Citizen or resident alien. (Possess a valid amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or other competent U.S. Authority.)
* Possess a station capable of operating on MARS VHF and/or HF frequencies.
* Agree to operate a minimum of 12 hours per calendar quarter with 6 hours being on VHF and or HF networks.
* Submit Monthly Participation Reports using the approved format.
* Submit as required Essential Elements of Information (EEI) Reports. (currently requires some alignment)
Text Version of the format.
* Complete the Basic Training within 6 months of joining the program.
Types of Membership
There are four types of membership -
* Individual Membership: A privately owned VHF and/or HF radio station, licensed by the FCC and/or host authority, operated by an individual who is a member of and licensed by Army MARS.
* Club Membership: A radio station licensed in MARS that is established, operated, and maintained by volunteers under the auspices of a properly constituted military and/or civilian amateur radio club.
* Auxiliary Membership: Auxiliary membership is designated for non-operators who perform a support function.
* Military Unit Membership: Military unit MARS stations are operated and maintained under the auspices of a military command, and are authorized on the table of distribution and allowances/table of organization and equipment (TDA/TOE). Military station categories include active Army, Reserves, National Guard, and Corps of Engineers.
Alaska MARS Scheduled Nets-
VHF Nets - Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 1830 hrs local (Alaska Time).
HF Nets- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday begin at 1900 hrs local (Alaska Time).
Interested in joining us?
Contact one of the following for information:
[Ron Keech, State Director ALM7AK]
[Glenn Hansen, Deputy Director ALM7DAK]
[ vacant , Administrative Officer ALM7AAK]
[ Don Bush, Emergency Operations Officer ALM7EAK]
[Larry Yerks, Training Officer ALM7TAK]
Or any ARMY MARS Member!
[David Stevens, ALM7BD]
[Mike Perry, ALM7BT/T]
[Rod Mitchell, ALM7AQ]
[Brian Corty, ALM7BL]
Heather Hasper, ALM7BO]
[Charles Haller, ALM7BR]
[Paul Williams, ALM7BS]
[Paul Carter, ALM7BU/T]
[Other Sites of Interest]
A little bit more about MARS...
MARS has a long and proud history of providing world-wide auxiliary emergency communications during times of need. In order to maintain operator proficiency and ensure network and system integrity and effectiveness during emergencies, the MARS program provides morale messaging services for members of the Armed Forces stationed around the world. This is done free of charge.Most morale messages are simple text messages called MARSgrams. These messages are relayed around the world from members of the Armed Forces and eligible federal government employees to their friends and families. The radio operators of MARS relay these MARSgrams over military and civilian radio networks to and from overseas locations. Once the messages have been relayed to the geographical regions of the addressees, volunteer and military radio operators deliver the messages by telephone or mail at DoD expense. The average delivery time for typical MARSgram messages is 12/48 hours depending on location.Depending upon location and availability of equipment, MARS also offers service members the opportunity to place free phone calls home from overseas, from military aircraft, and from ships. This is accomplished by connecting phone lines to radio equipment with the radio link acting as the long-distance carrier. This process is called, "phone-patching."The morale messaging services of MARS play an integral role in maintaining the effectiveness and integrity of the MARS program, ensuring that the MARS program is ready in times of crisis. Alaska Army MARS stands Proud, Professional, and Ready.
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Site created and maintained by
Ron Keech, ALM7BC
Last Updated June 19 2009
