Thanks for being interested in Army MARS. A friend may have described MARS in glowing terms, but we want you to get an honest picture of the MARS program - the reality of being a member of MARS.

MARS is an organization of the Department of Defense (DOD). It's mission is to provide emergency and/or disaster communications assistance for military or civil authorities as an alternate to normal communication facilities. It also provides information to the Directorate of Military Support (DOMS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) and Shared Resources (SHARES) a cross Federal Agency national communications system on emergencies/disasters through direct participation. MARS is a point to point High Frequency (2-29mhz) emergency communications system.

MARS prepares for its mission by conducting daily training nets during which members practice handling traffic and train in the MARS operating methods. MARS operating is much more structured than the amateur system, it's goal is to have everyone use a standard military-type procedure. This reduces traffic handling time and increases accuracy. Traffic and training is handled using voice and digital modes.

While there are enjoyable aspects to being a MARS operator, the first motivation should be service. Enjoyment will come from the satisfication of putting your equipment, time and expertise to good use as well as significantly improving your traffic handling communication skills. As you gain experience, net control and staff positions become available to further enhance your capabilities and responsibilities.

At first you receive a temporary station license issued by the Department of the Army under authority of the National Telecommunications and Information Agency. A valid FCC Amateur license is required to obtain a MARS callsign and license. You will also receive manuals which provide operating rules and regulations and message handling procedures. Within six months of receiving your temporary license, you must complete an open book exam and demonstrate your ability to operate in a MARS net and handle traffic. Upon successful completion of the exam and demonstration of your operating ability, you will be granted a permanent station license which runs concurrently with your Amateur Radio station-operator license. Most MARS nets are training nets, critiquing of procedure is ongoing and is considered constructive criticism utilized to improve your operating abilities.

High Frequency operation is the backbone of Army MARS operation. You are permitted to join with VHF equipment only in areas supporting VHF training nets, but must be operational on HF within one year of joining. With VHF equipment only, you are at a disadvantage because the majority of the nets operate on HF. Your Amateur equipment may require modification because all MARS operation is on frequencies outside the Amateur bands. You are responsible for the modification of your equipment. E-mail capabilities are not required, but are an asset because all adminstrative traffic, both State, Area and Heaquarters is disseminated by e-mail.

It is suggested that you listen to some Army MARS nets to get some idea of how they operate. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO JOIN THE NET BECAUSE THEY ARE OPERATING ON FREQUENCIES OUTSIDE THE AMATEUR BANDS! Try listening just above the 75 meter band between 5 and 8PM or Sat/Sun mornings around 9 to 10AM.