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Author Topic: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ  (Read 60924 times)

PLANKEYE

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ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« on: October 11, 2017, 07:11:22 PM »

I know a little about the MARS program from back in the day but now days you can get a modern HF rig from gigaparts or others and have the MARS/CAP mod done before you get it for like 50 bucks.  They do it for you.  My question is why would you have this mod done?  Are you a MARS operator and if so please tell me how active this program is regarding ham radio.  Does it open the radio up to TX where it could not before and if so what freq or is it wide open?  Just 100 watt HF rigs I'm talking about though.  Do you need to PROVE you are a MARS operator to have this done prior to shipping.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you.         
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WD8DBY

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2017, 06:32:01 AM »

I know a little about the MARS program from back in the day but now days you can get a modern HF rig from gigaparts or others and have the MARS/CAP mod done before you get it for like 50 bucks.  They do it for you.  My question is why would you have this mod done?  Are you a MARS operator and if so please tell me how active this program is regarding ham radio.  Does it open the radio up to TX where it could not before and if so what freq or is it wide open?  Just 100 watt HF rigs I'm talking about though.  Do you need to PROVE you are a MARS operator to have this done prior to shipping.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you.         

Legally, you should only have the mod done if you authorized to operate out of band.  Some vendors will only do the mod if you prove you are a MARS member.  The MARS programs will issue a letter or an authority to operate which you can show the vendor.  Realistically, many vendors do the mod without verification putting the liability for legal operations on the radio purchaser.  Vendors incorrectly label the mod as MARS/CAP, however, CAP does not allow part 97 modified radios to be used on their networks. 

Army and AF MARS have very active programs providing contingency HF communications support to the Department of Defense.  We train for the "worst day scenario" four times a year.  During these exercises, MARS members reach out to the amateur radio community to help in providing county status reports as well as weather observation reports for select national and international airports.  The next bad scenario exercise is coming up 4-6 Nov 2017. 

If you are interested in more information for MARS, you can go to www.usarmymars.org.

v/r

Paul     
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NK7Z

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2017, 06:41:25 AM »

Legally, you should only have the mod done if you authorized to operate out of band.
This is not correct, it is not illegal to own or modify a transmitter for use outside of the Amateur bands.  It is however illegal to operate a transmitter outside of your legal FCC authorization.  There are few exceptions to this, but there are a few.  Most are based on health and safety issues.
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Thanks,
Dave
Amateur Radio: RFI help, Reviews, Setup information, and more...
https://www.nk7z.net

PLANKEYE

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2017, 04:55:38 PM »

Thank you for the info and I'm glad the MARS program is still up and running.  From my limited experience/exposure to the MARS program they always helped our service members in a professional and positive way.  Thanks again for the information.     
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KK2DOG

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2017, 04:02:35 PM »

Also, some radios need the MARS mod simply to get on 60 meters.
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NK7Z

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2017, 04:04:17 PM »

Don't forget NTIA compliance as well.
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Thanks,
Dave
Amateur Radio: RFI help, Reviews, Setup information, and more...
https://www.nk7z.net

N9AOP

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2017, 03:02:05 PM »

MARS does not need NTIA compliance.  CAP does.
Art
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NK7Z

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2017, 03:03:43 PM »

MARS does not need NTIA compliance.  CAP does.
Art
When I was in MARS it did...  Did they relax that?
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Thanks,
Dave
Amateur Radio: RFI help, Reviews, Setup information, and more...
https://www.nk7z.net

WD8DBY

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2017, 05:09:30 PM »

MARS does not need NTIA compliance.  CAP does.
Art
When I was in MARS it did...  Did they relax that?

Art, in the NTIA Red Book, para 7.3.9 calls out the exemption for MARS and SHARES which allows us to use part 97 modified radios for HF.  However, we do not have the same exemption for VHF.

v/r

Paul
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N9AOP

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2017, 02:02:55 PM »

Thanks Paul, I knew that was there but I couldn't put my finger on it soon enough.  BTW, looking forward to 17-4
Art
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ND6M

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2017, 04:56:16 PM »

Also, some radios need the MARS mod simply to get on 60 meters.

>>>THIS<<<

and it is starting to look like the 60 meter freqs will be changed AGAIN.

My (non modded) PRO III now can only be used on 3 of the original 5 60 meter channels. :-[

Also, I am hearing a lot about a 15 KC VFO type section of 60 meters too
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N4GKS

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #11 on: November 24, 2017, 04:42:15 AM »

Being a ham you can modify any equipment. Using it is another story. Use your common sense, if you have any that is. Don’t know of a single radio that a ham with any skill couldn’t do the MARS mod. But, 90% of who do the mod have no skill and do it to talk on 11 meters. Don’t try and fool anyone saying you don’t. ;D
« Last Edit: November 24, 2017, 04:49:01 AM by N4GKS »
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N4GKS

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #12 on: November 24, 2017, 04:52:37 AM »

If 20% of the guys looking to do the MARS mod did it for MARS, then they would be overflowing with members. Most do it for 11 meters. Don’t kid yourself saying it’s not true.
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KC2QYM

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2017, 12:18:26 PM »

Hi PLANKY....are you acting just like a newbie in this post or a seasoned, experienced ham?...are you a ham is a better question.

"Why would you have this mod done?"...
Because you are a MARS member participating in nets.  Do you plan to join MARS or just jerk everyone's chain?

"Are you a MARS operator and if so please tell me how active this program is regarding ham radio?" 
...Huh? Ham radio operators join MARS; "how active?" If you are a member of MARS I guess you're active. What is the real question?

"Does it open the radio up to TX where it could not before and if so what freq or is it wide open?"....Why yes, that's the objective but In other words, does the mod just expand the band edges or totally open the radio for transmit? Isn't that what you meant to ask?

PLANKY, are you going to join MARS???  If not, do you just want to have the capability to have fully open transmit?  Why?

All this false naiety really....
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K5AJ

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RE: ARE YOU FROM MARS? PLEASE READ
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2018, 10:30:16 AM »

hmmmm .

In the event of a full-blown zombie apocolypse
of the magnitude of the TV shows Z-Nation or Walking Dead,
then maybe the urge to transmit out of band can be
rationalized.  

Such a scenario would be no NTIA, no FCC,
no government, and zombies are beating your door
down, then transmitting a distress call out of ham bands
might be forgiven, or not even noticed.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2018, 10:33:04 AM by K5AJ »
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