Joining MARS (or SHARES)
Tim Logan (NZ7C)
on
September 21, 2004
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I currently have an application in to join the MARS program. I am a middle aged Ham with about 4 years in the hobby. I would like to hear from anyone who is currently in MARS and enjoying positive rewarding experiences (and/or SHARES). I know there are negative feelings as expressed in an earlier thread this month. I'm not looking for more of that. However, I am seeking those who have really found it worthwhile and hoping you will be willing to share your experiences within the last 2 or 3 years. Perhaps if you post your experiences here it will help reinforce people like myself who are looking at Mars for the first time. Thank you in advance for any positive input to this thread.
Tim Logan NZ7C
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Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by W4TYU on September 21, 2004
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I was a member of Army Mars for a number of years and had good experiences. Then some of the nets were moved to a frequency that my rig could not operate. I felt that if I was expected to use those frequencies, I should have been issued a rig. Next came the use of digital modes. They had their own protocol and only a few stations were allowed to use it. Then the CW nets were closed. I moved and could not use SSB and ended up being kicked out of the program.
Things may have changed, I just don't know.
Ole man JEAN
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by N3ZKP on September 21, 2004
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Tim:
I have been a Navy-Marine Corps MARS member for about 7 years now and find I spend almost as much time in MARS activities as I do regular ham stuff. About 30 hours a month on the air is pretty normal for me.
True, ECOM support to DOD is now the primary mission and some don't see the "glamore" in that as they saw in passing MARSgrams. I get just as much enjoyment out of the ECOM stuff as I do passing what some call "real" traffic. To me a message is a message - administrative, exercise, or H&W.
I am currently the Assistant State MARS Director for Maryland/Disctict of Columbia/Delaware and have been the SMD as well as the Assistant for Net Operations.
Ignore the detractors who WILL come out of the woodwork and post. Almost without exception they either (1) have never been a MARS member and so don't know what they are talking about (2) are disaffected former or current members who have a particular ax to grind, like the fella who wrote the previous article. He was insubordinate and was booted out. If I had been his SMD, he would have been gone a whole lot sooner than he was.
One comment about SHARES: one doesn't "join" SHARES. SHARES is a communications network made up of federal agencies, state emergency management agencies, MARS and certain other non-governmental agencies. MARS has about 250 "slots" and those are filled at the discretion of the three MARS chiefs. If you are interested, and can meet the additional techincal demands for equipment, you can apply through your SMD and your service Chief will put you on the waiting list.
Hope this is what you are looking for.
Lon - NNN0OOR / NNN0GAW ONE
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by KG4RUL on September 21, 2004
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I am a relative newcomer to MARS but, I have enjoyed the experience.
As I am hamstrung (no pun intended) by antenna restrictions, I am currently upgrading my mobile capabilities for better MARS operation.
Our local County EOC is providing space to set up an HF operating position. This will enable our tri-county EOC's, which have direct radio links, to have a central location for interface with MARS and thereby to FEMA and other Government agencies.
With the recent spate of Hurricane activity in the Southeast, and here in South Carolina, officials are becoming more aware that organizations like MARS can be a true asset.
Dennis NNN0FAE
NNN0GBS FIFTEEN
KG4RUL
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by N5LB on September 21, 2004
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I joined MARS a few years ago to add something new to my ham radio activities. The computers and the Internet had greatly diminished my "on the air" activity and MARS seemed like a way to rejuvinate the activities.
In general MARS has been positive for me. I've handled some traffic over the years though nothing like volume of decades past. It required me to rethink what I knew about propagation and lower HF antenna systems.
So it increased my "on the air" time and required me to learn and re-learn a bit of science. In other words it met my minimal expectations, and perhaps I've added something to the overall.
MARS does require a commitment of time, commitment to a routine, and a willingness to learn and train on new procedures. Most MARS activity that I am personally familiar with is SSB. Most of my ham activity is CW or digital. Eventually MARS will become more digital which is fine with me.
Give MARS a try.
Lionel N5LB/AAR6IP
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by WD9CYI on September 21, 2004
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I Joined air force MARS last winter. AF MARS nets are all business without chatter. The good thing is that you can join in other service traffic nets (i.e. AF can check into army etc.) You do have to be willing to modify your rig. I bought a new Icom IC-718, and after contacting Icom America was assured that if the modification was done correctly that the warranty would not be voided. Hope this helps.
Rich WI9NDY/AFA1CY
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by NA4IT on September 21, 2004
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I have been a MARS member for a few months, and have to admit, first time I checked into a MARS net, I was scared to death. And I have been a net control op for several amateur nets for years!
The training is a little tough, but very good. Operating in MARS is serious, as operation is very formal. But, I believe I am a better operator for joining, and will strive to stay involved.
As for pluses, well, try 2 sessions of technical net that teach you how to homebrew your own Hustler style resonators...not mention traffic handling.
MARS is a good program, BUT, not for the light hearted or someone who is not dedicated.
Also, as a side note, I noticed a lot of posts here include the MARS callsign. Not recommended.
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Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by N8QGC on September 21, 2004
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Tim,
I joined Michigan ARMY MARS back in the spring and I felt a lot like you. I think that a lot of it is what you put into it. I usually spend about 30 hours a month checking into nets which will decrease starting this month with family comittments.
I generally enjoy it and feel that it is a worth while organization, but again it's all about what you do or don't put into it.
It helps of course if you have good state leadership as we do here in Michigan.
Good luck and 73 de John N8QGC/AAR5TX
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Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by KD4FUN on September 21, 2004
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Hi Tim I have to agree with a lot of the previous postings in that MARS requires some effort and dedication. I was a previous NAVY / Marine Corps Mars member in Virginia for about three years and enjoyed the net discipline. Protocols and procedures are mandatory. I have read with amusement the negative postings recently as well. I was obivious that the majority of the writers had never been in the MARS program. When I first joined MARS we handled a lot of Phone Patch traffic and written messages from the deployed active duty members. Now the active duty members have satellite phones and Email avaliable so the focus has shifted to Ecomm which has always been a part of the MARS program anyway. I currently have an application on file with the North Carolina NAVY-MARINE CORPS MARS Director to rejoin MARS. If you join MARS stay active!! you wont be disapointed.
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by WA4MJF on September 21, 2004
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I have been in Army MARS 40 some years. I am
curently retired member (Special Status/
Life Member).
One positive thing was that after my 6 months
in the bush as a 11B in the 199th Inf Bde,
I got to the second half of my tour at
a MARS station. Much better!
Over the years I got tons (literally of
equipment). When I was in High School, I would
go to COL Ted's (long time VA SMD)place in my Buick SW and take all the
stuff he did not want. :-)
I passed a lot of traffic, was a ASMD, on the
Chief's Staff, screener, etc, etc.
However, just as my Army days came to and
end so did my Army MARS days. Life has taken
new directions.
Anyhow, you get out of MARS, as anything else,
as much as you put in and want to get out of
it.
BTW, unlike the Army where you retire and you're
out after age 60 (before then, they don't call
it retainer pay for nothing :-) ), in Army MARS
in order to keep your goodies you stay in and
sign an accountability sheet once a year. So
although I'm still technically a member, my
only requirement is to let them know that I'm
still breathing, still a ham, still at the
same address and sign the sheet from the Logisitics
people once a year.
73 de Ronnie
AAR4LG (Ret)
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by K5FNI on September 21, 2004
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NA4IT said:
Also, as a side note, I noticed a lot of posts here include the MARS callsign. Not recommended.
==
Why not? Have MARS call signs become a protected secret, along with homeland secrecy?
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by WA4MJF on September 22, 2004
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There was a concern back in the ole days
that USSR's Bears could home in on the
radio signals, because they were associated
with our ham calls. Mine was AD4MJF and
later ACM4MJF. That is why in an emergency only
two freqs were used on the AM BC band.
Going to the calls not associated with
your ham call deprived the Soviets of being
able to know where the station was.
I don't know that I believe all this, but
this is what we were told many, many moons ago.
Anyhow, regardless of how it came about the USSR
and its manned bombers are a relic of the Cold
War so it really doesn't matter if anyone knows
what my MARS callsign is.
73 de Ronnie
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Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by K5XS on September 22, 2004
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Tim,
I have a good bit of experience with MARS, but chose a while ago to devote my energies elsewhere.
My sense of the current state of the program is that it is a functioning entitity of committed individuals, but--as several pointed out in the other thread you referenced--it is seemingly in search of an operational mission.
I think you'd find in most MARS groups a collection of bright people. I'd also have to say I believe there is a concentration of people focused (fixated?) on process and procedure, and in some cases they show a bit of control behavior. Surely that's appropriate in some situations, but I sometimes wonder if groups like MARS don't draw people who may have not gone as far in a military or other career as they thought they deserved, and as a result enjoy being in charge a little too much. Recruiting for some seems to be an opportunity to bring in a few more followers so the leaders can have more people to lead. I know that must sound like pop psycho babble, but I've thought about it a bit and have come to that conclusion.
But it surely is a harmless if not worthy cause, and if you can get past what may be a different kind of social structure, you can likely have some fun.
73,
Bernie Skoch
K5XS
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by N2LJD on September 22, 2004
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I'm not a MARS member, but as a Coast Guardsman who was deployed to remote parts of Alaska and was able to keep in touch with the family "in CONUS" (CONtinental US) via MARS I'll always have a warm spot in my heart for guys like Rick Henry, the Coast Guard Communications Warrant Office who was also a ham and our link to "the real world." Yes, e-mail etc. has pretty much reduced MARSgrams to history, but just as ham radio isn't obsolete, MARS isn't obsolete and still serves a purpose. If it didn't the military would eliminate it in this era of "minimal/optimal manning" "do more with less" and so on ad nauseum.
73 and good luck!
Joe
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by N3ZKP on September 22, 2004
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<< Why not? Have MARS call signs become a protected secret, along with homeland secrecy? >>
No, but there are some members who feel that publishing a MARS call sign will somehow subject them and their families to a greater risk of personal attack by terriorists. I will not comment on their fears, but will say I, personally, worry more about the drunk on the highway hitting my car that I do a terriorist kidnapping my family. To each his own fears.
One further thought - despite what some MARS members have posted on eHam, the Chief, Navy-Marine Corps MARS has not promulgated any instructions forbidding the display of MARS call signs in public or on non-government web sites, that I have ever seen.
Lon NNN0OOR / NNNOGAW ONE
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by WTF52 on September 22, 2004
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Hi Tim,
I've been a member of Navy/Marine Corps MARS for a little over three years now, and it's been a rewarding experience. MARS offers valuable training, a chance to associate with a bunch of great, dedicated people, and best of all, an opportunity to use your talents to contribute the the mission and serve your country. There is a participation requirement, but it is quite reasonable and easily met. I would highly recommend it.
73
Dwight NNN0TPR/NNN0ASI EIGHT
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Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by N9PVW on September 22, 2004
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I agree with the above post. You get what you put into MARS. Mars is not for everyone, if you can't handle commitment and the willingness to learn, MARS is not for you. We train, train and train. Our procedures are right from the military. If you have been in the service you know what I'm talking about. MARS will help you to become a better radio operator. I also put about 20 to 30 hours a month into MARS. The requirement is 12 hours per quarter.
As far as digital goes, we utilize Pactor everyday and other modes of digital.
As for myself, I enjoy being a MARS member, I feel that I owe this to the silent members of the past. I'm not going into detail, but will say that Vietnam played a big part in me being a member.
At present I'm a Zone Coordinator and also the Emergency Operations Office for Louisiana Army MARS.
Dick AAM6ELA/AAR6PL
N9PVW
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Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by AD5JN on September 23, 2004
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I joined MARS a few years ago. I enjoy the formality of AF MARS. During net free time talk to who you want. Better yet sign up for net control. If there is not a net going on set up a schedule to do some digital, SSTV or whatever. MARS has changed is function over the years. Very few phone patches ect. Mostly ECOM support to DOD. The training is not that hard. You will need to devote some time to the HF nets and be able to modify your radio for the MARS Freqs. I have received equipment that I would have never had the opportunity to use. Have fun!
Ronn
AD5JN / AFA4FR (AFMARS)
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by K6KR on September 24, 2004
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I was in Navy Mars in the 60's, and rejoined in the 90's because I enjoyed CW nets. Then NAVMARS dropped CW, and I dropped out of NAVMARS.
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by SWL_HAM on September 24, 2004
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"publishing a MARS call sign will somehow subject them and their families to a greater risk of personal attack by terriorists."
So... publishing your regular Amateur Radio call signs doesn't?
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by N1EY on September 25, 2004
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Hello to all MARS members,
I would still like to know if your
participation in MARS actually involves
some actual emergency communication
opertions. Everyone on EHam has seen
the post by a fellow, which listed the
posts of the actual activity performed
in the last 5 years. Even ARES had
a very limited participation in the
aftermath of 9/11, which consisted
primarily of work for NGO's.
Now, my races team is involved with
the EMA. The guys are slowing
getting CERT training. Another
CERT team in the adjacent town
has responded to emergencies such
as a toxic spill.
The talk of a disaster and the
requirement of MARS to take over
the things sounds questionable.
Has any traffic or tactical
communications occurred due to
the hurricanes?
We didn't have anything as such
in 1land. However, FEMA had
requested fellows with the CERT
training to head to Florida. The
director sent five fellows to
help.
So I really would like to know
what MARS has actually done.
Practicing in drills is one thing.
If one is practicing in drills
for 6 or 7 years without any
sort of de minimus activation,
then I would say MARS is totally
unnecessary. EMA and Races here
has been searching for people.
We suffer from a lack of volunteers.
Nor do I understand the concept
of MOU's with several select
civilan agencies. MARS is not
allowed to do anything unless
they receive an order, correct?
Thanks
Bill
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Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by KD9KC on September 25, 2004
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I was a member of Army MARS for 25 years. For a number of years in a number of places, I found it was a very good organization and provided a necessary service to the soldier. BTW, I was a soldier for 20 of those years. And I (and the XYL back home) provided that link between my unit and the families from a number of locations both safe and dangerous. When not deployed, I held a number of state appointed positions. Some months I had up to 60 hours of participation on the air and/or administrative time.
Then MARS took a turn. Long before 9-11, Army MARS made changes that I thought should never have been made. My biggest gripe was adding yet another level of MARSGRAM. A LOWER priority. And assigning that to soldier traffic. In my mind, the program lost its roots. If the M in MARS didn't stand for MILITARY anymore, then just what was it?
After a few years of frustration, and realizing that the program had lasted beyond its useful life, I resigned the half-dozen positions I held, turned in any equipment they wanted back, and resigned from MARS.
Unless things have changed back, my opinion stands. MARS has outlived its useful life. However, to see that - you would have needed to have been a member back in the days when the M in MARS stood for something. Hmmm... maybe it still does. MISC starts with M.
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by W0FMS on September 27, 2004
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I was in Army MARS for a few years. I thought the training aspects were good, but I really didn't have the time to do the same monotonous stuff over and over and over again for years on end. When actual emergencies did occur, our participation was limited to almost nothing-- only things like "after action reports", etc. Morale traffic I was handling was like maybe 2-3 messages a YEAR! So, don't think you'll do much message passing for the troops...
I decided that for the amount of free time MARS was taking up, it wasn't worth it to me. I joined initially to get the training, and to that end the training was quite useful.
But when traffic didn't increase at all post 9/11/2001 I decided that, frankly, I had better things to do with my time and resigned as well. About that time I moved to a new QTH and would not have been able to make the minimums for several months, anyway.
I do think those who are still in Army MARS are quite dedicated and that the program is still somewhat useful, but the military under utilizes it.
If things ever pick up, I'd be willing to re-join. I did make sure I left on good terms. Maybe when I get closer to retirement age...
In my case I don't think the fact that I was 1/2 the age of all the other members helped either, but that's an entirely different story..
Fred W0FMS (ex-AAR7DV)
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Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by N6JSX on September 27, 2004
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OK, you want positives - good. I would like to know WHY a HAM would want to join MARs? What is the MARs mission(s)? Phone patches are history - ECOM reports can be gotten by NOAA or other government bodies over SAT's that are far more reliable than our frequencies.
Please explain the current mission and how HAM radio fits into the future MARs missions.
I've asked Navy MARs recruiters at Dayton and they could not tell me. We can't pass classified traffic, health and welfare will be handled through ARES/Red Cross, national/state desasters will be handled through EOC local government radios, phones, or RACES.
I'm already a volunteer for my County EMA/Homeland Security, County RACES/ARES, County Fire HAZMAT, and SkyWarn. I see a real need and purpose for these services. What would I do (other than drill, drill, drill) with MARs?
If you can give me a REAL functional mission that is "needed" I'll sign up otherwise I'll give my services where it counts the most! Thank you.
Kuby, N6JSX /8
X-USN frocked CPO
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by KC8VWM on September 28, 2004
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"Mars is not for everyone, if you can't handle commitment and the willingness to learn, MARS is not for you. We train, train and train."
I think there is a more valid point made here. While I appreciate the time, effort and the ongoing training aspects, I am left wondering if that is all there is to this service.
If individuals are going to get any satisfaction out of being a part of this service, then there needs to be an evaluated revision in the expected "return" on their personal investment.
MARS needs a new "purpose" and a new sense of direction, if the intention is to continue with this service.
Don't get me wrong, I think MARS is a well oiled machine and I have a lot of respect for those involved in it.
It is just that I see this once great service slipping away. When this happens - before too long some military official is going to start asking if the program should continue.
I feel the program will become obsolete if something isn't done in the immediate future to inject positive change and new life into this valuable resource.
Charles - KC8VWM
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by WTF52 on September 30, 2004
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Hmmmm, sounds like the comments to this article are divided into two components: (1) Those who support MARS and are actively involved in its mission, or, (2) Those non-supporters who dropped out or don't belong because they feel MARS isn't doing anything for THEM.
Dwight
NNN0TPR
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by WA4MJF on September 30, 2004
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Dwight, and don't forget me
3) Retired Army MARS (technically,
Special Status/Life Member)
:-)
73 de Ronnie
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by N6JSX on September 30, 2004
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And those that need to be convinced (or informed) of what the MARS goals/missions are - to intrege them into becoming a member.
Why should I become a member?
What would I do?
Does MARS have "real" purpose?
Will my efforts make a difference?
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by WA2K on October 2, 2004
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I have been a member of mars for 12 years. it's rewarding
if you can handle it. there are some who can be distructfull and some that will go to the end to help you
I joined because my Grand Daughter was in the Air Force
comunication, I was never military always in civilian management.so if you can handle yourself you can join.
there are some adjustments you have to make to your rig but it's no big deal and on the digital it's also good
you can't know unless you try you will find more + then -
with MARS
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by KC4SJC on October 6, 2004
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MARS 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.
In 1994 while stationed in USAFE, we had a meeting with DoD officials as to the "viability" of AF MARS. It did not go well, hence only Army MARS is left in EUCOM. With the advent of the internet, VOIP, satellite communications, and other modern integrated comm (e.g. APCO 25 and its successors), quick reaction packages, etc., MARS does very little of what it used to. Phone patches over the holidays was a favorite amongst the troops until...0.04 cents a minute to the USA from practically anywhere in USAFE/USAEUR from a dozen telecom providers.
It really is a shame! Space based "anything" provides a single point of failure for global communications. There's no protection for space based assets since space is not "weaponized" to protect those assets!
MARS can still provide a viable alternative to current communications, but, alas, many are unaware of its existence, much less its use as a serious "work around". For sure there's still "some" activity into AO's that lack sophisticated comm infrastructure, but....
...Ask around. Has anyone done any "real" missions directly under MARS? Too bad too...considering how much work was done with what amounts to DRMO salvage!!!
KC4SJC, ex AFA7DC, ex DA2DC
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by WD9FUM on November 2, 2004
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Hi Tim,
I've been a ham since 1977 and recently joined Navy-Marine Corps MARS within the past few months. I joined because I found it to be a way to help serve our country after 9/11 ( I got out of the Coast Guard in 1982 and I was too old to re-enlist). You can't go wrong by joining MARS. You'll meet a lot of great people who share your interests in electronics and radio and also share a sincere desire to serve America and "serving those who serve." What a great way to honor and help the members of our armed forces!
73 de WD9FUM
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RE: Joining MARS (or SHARES)
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by WA2JJH on April 17, 2006
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Thank you. I will join. Tnx fer all info.
I was once invited to teach electronics for R.O.T.C.
It fell through. However if another opportunity presents it self....I WILL BE GLAD TO DO SO.
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by W1GFD on April 17, 2006
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Dear Tom.
As an AF MARS member for over 3 years and the State Emergency Coordinator for Maine along with being regional ALE Coordinator and assistant regional digital manager I can tell you this about MARS, it is a great organization, yes it is true that our primary mission has changed from that of moral, health and welfare messages to ECOM support for the DOD however this is a positive change and a response to a changing world. There are many different types of nets to participate in multiple modes ranging from ALE to PACTOR and even sound card modes; AF MARS has a very active phone patch network providing phone patches for all military aircraft.
As many others have mentioned here MARS requires dedication and discipline in that you have a training period and you must adhere to proper radio procedures but I can say for me all in all MARS has been a very positive and rewarding venture.
73
Sean
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