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Author Topic: Joining MARS  (Read 7190 times)

KC0LET

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Joining MARS
« on: February 05, 2004, 12:34:05 AM »

I actually have several questions here.  First off, I am interested in joining Air Force MARS, and I was curious about the age limit. I know there is a long thread about this below, but I just want to be sure before I contact the region three officials where I live.

One part of the region three website lists the age limit as 17, and elsewhere it says 18.  I thought I would ask here before contacting the officals and sounding like a fool.

Second, I was listening to the primary USAF MARS phone patch freq. yesterday, and I heard a patch made to a DSN number.  I didn't think MARS stations had access to the DSN, I thought possibly the MARS station was on a base, as it doesn't seem like indivduals should have access to the DSN.  Just out of curiosity, could someone shed some light on this?

I don't know if you can discuss this, but I also am curious about how MARS callsigns work.  I see people listed with several callsigns. For example at this website http://www.grm.net/~w0lw/mars/officials.htm is a list of Region three officals, each with two callsigns. What is the purpose of all the different callsigns?

Thanks, Evan KC0LET
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N3SKO

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Joining MARS
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2004, 10:38:55 PM »

Evan -

I am an Army MARS member, but I think that I can answer some of your questions.

Multiple callsigns - Every MARS member receives a distinctive call sign.  Individual Air Force MARS members start with AFA, Army with AA, Navy with NNN. The numbers what follow indicate the Region.  Club and military stations also receive calls.  The second callsign indicates that the individual occupies a billet (AKA, position) within the organization.  For example, I have the following calls assigned to me:

AAT3BF   - individual callsign
AAM3O    - Emergency Operations Officer, Eastern Area
AAA3DE   - Delaware Army MARS Director
AAA9AC   - Army MARS Automation Coordinator

Each service has a different scheme for the assignment of billet calls.

The age thing.  I would assume that AFMARS is the same as Army - we will accept 17 year old members with a parent or guardian's signature.  Without it, you must be 18 to join.  We do, however, accept Auxiliary members who are younger.

73 and best wishes in your MARS experience,

john
W3JKS/AAT3BF/AAM3O/AAA3DE/AAA9AC
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NC3Z

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Joining MARS
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2004, 08:11:14 PM »

MARS PP Operators can call the local AFB operator and request to be connected to the DSN circuit.

Gary AFA1PU/AFF1MD/AFF1M
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