Army Military Auxiliary Radio System

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 11:49:55 -0400

Are any group members also members of the MARS program? If so, what are your experiences with the system?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 2:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:39:04 -0400

Although I'm not member of the MARS program, I had used their services in the past, before the days of Inmarsat.

Response by SSG John Mendyka made Apr 27 at 2015 4:16 PM

SSG John Mendyka — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:16:29 -0400

Our BDE is working with the MARS program now. I strongly recommend all BDE and higher units get on board and practice better HF procedures.

Response by SGT Scott Napier made Apr 29 at 2015 12:15 PM

SGT Scott Napier — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:15:29 -0400

I used to work at a MARS station at Fort Sam Houston, that is a pretty amazing program. Learning how HF radios work and how to build field expedient antennas are truly invaluable skills that transfer to a lot of other technologies. Heck, just understanding how real radio wave propagation works and getting to see it in action is a pretty amazing thing.

Response by MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA made Apr 29 at 2015 1:52 PM

MSgt Hal Weeden, MBA — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:52:02 -0400

I was in Air Force MARS a little over 20 years ago. At the time there was little traffic to pass. I was the only AF MARS station in a 200 mile stretch of Virginia and Tennessee, and I only remember receiving one message to pass, and it required a long-distance telephone call (anyone remember those?) for me to pass it, but I was glad to pay the toll. I initiated a few pieces of traffic to my sister and others, but they were never delivered. I dropped out of the program in 1995.

I understand MARS has gone through major changes since those days. Please don't rely solely on my experience to make a decision about MARS participation. When I finally decide to retire for good (can't live on my military retirement alone), and have more leisure time, I plan to investigate MARS again.

73,
WB4E (ex-AFA2WH, YI9B4E)

Response by CPO Scott Smith made Apr 29 at 2015 9:41 PM

CPO Scott Smith — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 21:41:13 -0400

I was, some 35 years ago while a student at NAS Millington, TN. I had my own Navy/Marine Corps MARS call sign (can't remember for the life of me). I did work traffic but then got busy building quals and making rank. We did have a station on the USS Coral Sea(CV-43) that was quite busy during the world cruise in 1983. It was quite interesting working traffic after leaving the San Francisco Bay area to Hawaii, the Aleutians through West Pac and all the other locations in between till new home port in Norfolk, VA.
I was in the Helo squadron onboard and flew off and back to San Diego. I actually got to work aeronautic mobile from the aircraft with the HF onboard on the way home but that's another time.
I last did training with a helicopter detachment on HF about 3 years ago down south. I'm a civil service avionics tech rep these days, my self and the det OIC (O-4) were the only 2 in the bunch with any experience. After I helped them finish the original problem what else did I have to do but eat, sleep and train till I left the ship? :)
73,
WB9TIO
transplanted 9 lander in So Cal land of wild fires.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 11:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 23:36:37 -0400

Thanks to all who responded. Your answers are very interesting and informative. I am a current Amateur Radio Operator and have just recently joined the Army MARS program. I am very excited about learning from everyone and contributing what I can.

73

KF5ZSR
AAR6DA/T

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2016 6:09 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 18:09:13 -0500

If you want to try out your rigs tell me when your on and ill cq with you

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 16 at 2016 6:52 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 18:52:34 -0400

I was KC4USV (McMurdo Antarctica). Actually most of the work was up in the ham bands as there was more phone patch capability we could tap, hence I was good to go having a Ham license as well. It was a lifeline when the technology we have today and then wasn't available. No phones, just snail mail which was a 4-6 week proposition. MARS relevance faded with the introduction of cheap commercial options. Every now and then I'll tune around the MARS bands but suspect given the infrequent use, the FCC will likely reallocate.