AIR FORCE MARS: Providing the Reins of Command--in Emergencies

Page Last updated on Sunday, 15-Jun-2008 19:21:16 EDT

The MARS Seal

The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is a Department of Defense (DOD) sponsored program, established as separate managed and operated programs by the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The program consists of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in military communications. They contribute to the MARS mission providing auxiliary or emergency communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications. The MARS program is authorized under DOD Directive 4650.2.

In November 1925, the Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) was formed by a few dedicated pioneers in the United States Army Signal Corps. This organization continued until the start of World War II when operations were suspended. Army amateur radio was authorized to resume operations in 1946 and the Army Amateur Radio System was reactivated and functioned as such until 1948 when the Army and Air Force established the Military Amateur Radio System, later renamed the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS). In 1962, the Navy-Marine Corps MARS program was launched making MARS a joint service program.

• Provide Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications.
• Provide auxiliary communications for military, civil, and/or disaster officials during periods of emergency.
• Assist in effecting normal communications under emergency conditions.
• Create interest, and furnish a means of training members in military communications procedures.
• Provide a potential reserve of trained radio communications personnel.
• Handle morale and quasi-official record and voice communications traffic for Armed Forces and authorized U.S. Government civilian personnel stationed throughout the world.
• Conduct an appropriate Amateur Radio program as a part of the annual celebration of Armed Forces Day.

The applicant must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be a United States citizen or resident alien.
• Possess a valid amateur radio license issues by the Federal Communications Commission
• HF digital capability. Currently USAF MARS uses PACTOR I and the two computer sound card modes, MFSK16 and MT 63. Priority will be given to applicants having HF digital capability
• Possess a station capable of operating SSB on at least the three Region 3 MARS HF frequencies.
• All new members will have equipment that meets USAF MARS stability and emission purity specifications prior to joining AF MARS. Current FCC type accepted amateur equipment and NITA compliant equipment meet these specifications.
  NTIA equipment compliance information is available at:
  HF Equipment Compliance Report -
  ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/equipment/hf_equipment.cfm
  VHF-FM Equipment Compliance Report - ntc.cap.af.mil/comm/equipment/equipment.cfm
• Not join or belong to more than one MARS service at the same time.

MARS members must agree to operate in accordance with the rules and regulations governing MARS as follow:

• A minimum of 12 hours participation per calendar quarter with 6 hours in their primary HF assignment.
• Participate in a training program designed to acquaint the member with military communication procedure.
  
  

• Add to the enjoyment of your amateur radio hobby through the expanded horizon of MARS.
• Become part of the Air Force MARS worldwide communications system.
• Increase your communications skills and capabilities. Selected correspondence courses in communications-electronics subjects are available free to MARS members from their respective affiliated service after completion of six months active membership.
• Operate on specially assigned military radio frequencies in voice, teletype, PACKET and other digital modes of communications.
• Join a group of dedicated fellow radio amateurs participating in meaningful public service.
• Gain a feeling of being associated with a military mission and contributing to the welfare and preparedness of the nation.
• Participate in regulated, disciplined radio nets with structured lines of organization and very specific operating rules.
• Participate in the MARS Excess/Surplus Equipment Program after 6 months active membership. Issue of equipment is based on availability of equipment, and possible assigned mission of individual activity. The granting of MARS membership to an individual or activity does not in itself convey an automatic right or entitlement of the recipient to receive or demand MARS property.

MARS members stations meet periodically in scheduled networks on military frequencies outside of the amateur bands. There are various types of networks and each accomplishes a specific goal. For example, administrative networks to take care of much of the day-to-day management of the program; traffic networks which exist solely to pass third party traffic; and of course, emergency networks which are established to provide for communication needs during periods of emergency. There are also technical nets and training nets. MARS nets operate in different modes. Although high frequency (HF) single sideband (SSB) voice is predominant, there are RTTY, VHF, PACKET, other digital modes and even slow scan TV nets.

MARS networks operate on frequencies assigned to the U.S. military. These frequencies are often far removed from the Amatuer bands. Most commercially available equipment must be modified to transmit on these frequencies. Information and guidance on making modifications to many commercially available units is available to licensed MARS operators. Region 3 activities are normally conducted on 3308 KHz, 4517 KHz and 7305 KHz. The primary operating mode will be USB. Various digital modes such as MFSK16, MT63 and Olivia will also be used.

To join USAF MARS in Region 3 complete the electronic application form or send a request for application forms to:

E-mail: afca.mars@scott.af.mil
or,  (Conventional mail)
Allen.Eiermann
Chief Air Force MARS
Air Force Communications Agency (AFCA-ESLM)
203 W LOSEY ST RM 3100
SCOTT AFB IL 62225-5222