wcwells@ucbopal.CC.Berkeley.ARPA (10/07/84)
Ref: CNO WASHINGTON DC 160106Z SEP 84 (NAVOP 106/84, Navy Newsgram 38-84)
The Navy - Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS)
is a Navy Department sponsored emergency communications system
available to military and civilian disaster officials during
periods of emergency. A primarily volunteer organization, MARS is
unique within the Naval establishment. The Commander, Naval
Telecommunications Command is the central coordinator in carrying
out MARS responsibilities.
Although a military system, MARS is closely related to Amateur
Radio. An amateur radio operators license is a prerequisite for
affiliation, and the system relies on the expertise of its 3,000
volunteer amateur radio operators who use Navy telecommunications
procedures. All MARS operations are conducted on military assigned
frequencies.
Although no major communications outages resulted from Hurricane
Diana's erratic activities, Navy - Marine Corps MARS "stood at the
ready" throughout the storm's life. 140 volunteer MARS members from
Florida to Virginia participated, each with their own equipment, for
a total of 3,400 man-hours. The rate for this service, if purchased,
would be more than $100,000.
The National Communications System (NCS), a confederation of federal
agencies and departments established by Presidential Memorandum, is
responsible for ensuring that critical telecommunications needs of
the Federal Government are met during any emergency. Since entering
into a memorandum of understanding with NCS on 17 Nov 83, Navy - Marine
Corps MARS offers organizations providing emergency services a reliable
alternative to costly equipment purchases and personnel assignments.
If you are a U.S. Citizen, age 14 or older, with an Amateur Radio
Operator's license and would like to know more about Navy - Marine
Corps MARS, contact: Chief, Navy - Marine Corps MARS, 4401 Massachusetts
Avenue NW, Washington DC 20390.
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WB6NLL Note: Navy - Marine Corps MARS operates a worldwide RTTY
message traffic system and a ship/shore phone-patch service for
naval personnel afloat and overseas. To participate in Navy -
Marine Corps MARS you will need a station capable of operating
on military frequencies in a least two HF bands (eg. near the
40m and 80m Amateur bands). Since Navy - Marine Corps MARS handles
a lot of RTTY messages you will also want to have a RTTY station
capable of 100 wpm.
Bill Wells, RMC, USNR
Chief MARS Operator, Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region 20
WB6NLL
wcwells@Berkeley.ARPA
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