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1-10 of 16 messages
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What is the mission of MARS?
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by N6JSX on July 27, 2008
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To help potential MARS HAMs - how about defining the mission(s). With the advent of cellphones/SAT phone pods being put into combat theaters for the troops the traditional MARS-grams or phone patching for overseas service members is Vietnam era history.
I've heard, the new MARS role is handling "Home Land Security / EMA" traffic. But with new privacy laws I would think MARs messaging would be reduced to trivial very low priority traffic that SAT phones could render faster with privacy. There has been few USA emergencies that wiped out all phones except for the Katrina event.
[I've read that recently most USA emergencies needing comm's - HAMs have been the only viable comm's for the first 24-72hrs. Then when the government finally gets their inter-agency turf squabbling solved they push HAMdom out of the area due to being a security risk, take over with their multi-million dollar commercialized systems.]
Please tell us what is the "new" MARS mission and why should HAMs join MARS making this investment in time and equipment.
Also please list actual MARS mission activation(s) since 9/11 (to counter those that claim MARS just trains to train)?
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by KB1LKR on July 27, 2008
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See: www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/rtf/465002x.rtf
DoD Directive Number 4650.2, Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) Certified Current as of November 21, 2003
In part:
3. POLICY
It is DoD policy to:
3.1. Support the MARS mission to provide emergency communications on a local, national, or international basis as an alternate communications capability.
3.4. Encourage and cooperate with amateur and private communications activities to enhance their military and civil value.
and:
4. RESPONSIBILITIES
4.2.4.2. Provide support to the NCS-Shared Resources high frequencies (HF) program in support of national security and emergency preparedness activities.
4.2.4.3. Assist in effecting normal communications supporting military, civil, and/or disaster officials during periods of emergency.
4.2.4.4. Handle quasi-official, official, and morale voice, data, and message communications traffic for the Armed Forces and authorized U.S. Government civilian personnel stationed throughout the world. As appropriate, establish MARS stations during contingency military operations throughout the world to support morale and welfare traffic.
[perhaps less significant today than in years gone by?]
4.2.4.5. Establish programs to create civilian interest, recruit qualified volunteers, and furnish appropriate training in military communications equipment, techniques, and procedures.
4.2.4.6. Initiate efforts to attain improvement in radio operating techniques and state-of-the-art technology through experimentation and testing.
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by KW9D on July 31, 2008
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To see the official statement of the mission of Navy MARS go to their web site : http://www.navymars.org/ and click on documents. Find the link for NTP8. Find the link for NTP8(d) with chapters separated. Find link for Chapt. 1. Therein find what you asked for.
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by KW9D on August 1, 2008
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Army MARS was activated during hurricane Dolly :
"When Tropical Storm Dolly turned into Hurricane Dolly, various
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications groups, such as WX4NHC at the
National Hurricane Center, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) and the VoIP WX
Net (VOIPWX), began tracking the storm. One other group -- the Army's
Military Amateur Radio Service (MARS) -- also helped out with storm
communications.
According to Texas State MARS Director Dave Martin, MARS leadership
began to track the storm while it was still in the Atlantic. MARS
established a liaison with the Texas Military Forces (TXMF) and the
Texas State Operations Center (SOC). An Alert Notification message was
sent to all MARS members on July 18, informing Texas Army MARS that the
SOC was at full operations and would announce when they would request
full mobilization of all agencies. This decision was made just two days
later and an additional Alert Notification was sent to the membership to
begin emergency net operations on July 22 at 8 AM."
This taken from the ARRL letter on today's date.
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by KA0CBO on August 2, 2008
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Mars is sadly like a fifth wheel on a broken down bicycle.
While we continue to hear how Mars can support many endeavors.
I have seen no involment of any kind what so ever in a long time.
The times when Mars could have been a real asset they have not
been called on at all. Like after Katrina as a very good example.
Until someone with true wisdom gets involved with Mars command it
will continue to sit on the side lines. Regardless of any DOD publication
or statement by any Mars chief to the contrary.
Mars still has a nation wide base of operators that no other organization
has at all, including the ARRL membership and amateur community.
To be a Mars member you must at least have basic knowledge of radio
procedures and traffic handling to be a true active member.
While other organizations have some of this as well. None have it on the level that has always existed only with in the ranks of Mars at all. Most of them do not have the same nation wide command structure that exists only in Mars operations. So Mars is a true asset if it where used as such.
Yes we no long handle the traffic we once served. But shifting gears it
is still a good organization of good, hard working members who’s only
wish is to serve or be allowed the opportunity to serve.
Bud AFA3WS
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by N4CQR on August 3, 2008
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When explaining the mission to new or potential MARS members, it would be beneficial to also include that MARS proceedures should be used only on MARS frequencies.
Leave the, THIS IS!, the OUTs and OVERs and your MARS call out of routine amateur radio communications.
C r a i g
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by W3LK on August 3, 2008
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<< Leave the, THIS IS!, the OUTs and OVERs >>
There is nothing the matter with using OUT and OVER in amateur communications, especially nets. OVER is always appropriate when you finish a transmission and are turning the frequency over to the other station. It's the mark of a well trained operator instead of just some guy with a microphone.
THIS IS, with a short unkey to make sure you are not doubling before you give your call sign, is also common courtesy when checking into a civilian nets. I do agree it's not necessary on every transmission on those nets.
<< your MARS call out of routine amateur radio communications. >>
I've never heard that problem on the air.
Lon - NNN0OOR (Former MDE SMD, Deputy SMD, Assistant For Net Operations)
Southern New England Navy-Marine Corps MARS
Proudly Serving Those Who Serve
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by N4CQR on August 3, 2008
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W3LK: THIS IS, with a short unkey to make sure you are not doubling before you give your call sign, is also common courtesy when checking into a civilian nets. I do agree it's not necessary on every transmission on those nets."
I ran a section net for several years with average Participation of 70 people. With doubling and trippling, it is was lot easier to pick, W4xxx out of a group than 4-5 people saying THIS IS all at the same time. Same situation on a VHF district net.
Re, the use of OVER is OK on HF. But that and OUT used on VHF nets is just aggravating. I guess to me only. OR so it appears. I know you have OVERED, I heard the repeter, beep, toot or what ever.
Re, call sign. I have. But more infrequently than hearing, "Alph Alpha ..... I mean W4xxx"
73
C r a i g
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by W3LK on August 3, 2008
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Craig:
Not so obviously, I was referring to HF nets, not repeater-based nets.
To each his own opinion. :)
Lon
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RE: What is the mission of MARS?
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by N4CQR on August 3, 2008
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Lon, I think we are on the same wavelenght on this. The problem is my inibility to expalin my thoughts clearly.
What ever the case, you are all right in my book. And bring good thoughts to the table.
Have a good week ol' friend.
C r a i g
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