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RE:MARS

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Lee Bahr

RE:MARS

I sure hope Elecraft allows thier K-3 to operate on MARS frequencies.
Without this capability, I won't/can't consider owning a K-3. I am the
Air Force Region 4 MARS Director and none of the 250 members in my region
could use Elecraft without this capability.

Lee Bahr
w0vt (AFF4C)

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wayne burdick

RE:MARS

Administrator

Hi Lee,

MARS capability is planned for the K3.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

<[hidden email]> wrote:

>
>
> I sure hope Elecraft allows thier K-3 to operate on MARS frequencies.
> Without this capability, I won't/can't consider owning a K-3. I am
> the
> Air Force Region 4 MARS Director and none of the 250 members in my
> region
> could use Elecraft without this capability.
>
> Lee Bahr
> w0vt (AFF4C)

---

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Greg - AB7R

Re: RE:MARS

In reply to this post by Lee Bahr

Hi Lee,

This is from the FAQ page. I don't think you will have
anything to worry about.

Will the K3 operate on MARS frequencies?

The K3 may be operated outside the Amateur bands, but this
capability is prevented by firmware. We have not yet
worked out the mechanism, but we fully intend to support
such operation, along with the Alaska Emergency frequency
at 5.175 MHz.

General coverage receive filters can be added to the main
receiver and/or the subreceiver. This is the KBP3 option.
The rig automatically selects the narrow ham-band filters
when you're in the ham bands, and the wider filters when
you're in-between ham bands. This option has no effect on
ham-band performance and is extremely easy to install.

Thanks and 73
Greg
AB7R

On Fri, 11 May 2007 11:36:13 -0500
"" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
>
> I sure hope Elecraft allows thier K-3 to operate on MARS
>frequencies.
> Without this capability, I won't/can't consider owning
>a K-3. I am the
> Air Force Region 4 MARS Director and none of the 250
>members in my region
> could use Elecraft without this capability.
>
> Lee Bahr
> w0vt (AFF4C)
>
> _______________________________________________
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Thom LaCosta

Re: RE:MARS

In reply to this post by Lee Bahr

On Fri, 11 May 2007, wrote:

>
>
> I sure hope Elecraft allows thier K-3 to operate on MARS frequencies.
> Without this capability, I won't/can't consider owning a K-3. I am the
> Air Force Region 4 MARS Director and none of the 250 members in my region
> could use Elecraft without this capability.

I remember trying to find out what frequencies the various MARS programs used in
order to determine if I could use the K2 to checkit. My emails explained why I
was asking.

Army Mars never answered

AirForce Mars told me they couldn't give me the frequencies due to security,
but impressed on me that in order to join I had to have equipment that would
operate on their frequencies.

Navy MARS not only wouldn't give me the information, but told me I needed a
modern radio, not some kit, since they did a lot of digital.

It's hard to know if the radio you purchase will operate on the secret
frequencies that you can't learn cause you're not a member and you can't join
cause you don't know if your rig will operate where no one can tell you it
should.

"I'm from the Gubmint, and I'm here to help you."

73,Thom-k3hrn
www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home page,Drake Web Ring,
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Greg - AB7R

Re: RE:MARS

Found this in google.......

Typical MARS Frequencies, take a listen.
- MARS Member 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 communication
needs during periods of emergency. There are also
Technical Nets and Training Nets.
- MARS nets operate in different modes. Many MARS nets
meet between 4000 - 4050 Khz and 7300 - 7400 Khz.
Generally network stations meet during the local
mid-to-late-afternoon and/or early evening hours. You can
identify NAVMARCORMARS Stations by their "NNNØ" prefix.
Army MARS stations are identified by their "AA" (Alpha
Alpha) prefixes, while Air Force MARS stations have the
unique "AF" (Alpha Foxtrot) prefix.

Thank you for stopping by. We look forward to hearing from
you.

Sincerely yours,
Bo G. Lindfors, NNNØASA
Chief, Navy-Marine Corps MARS

Not very specific....but get's you in the ballpark.

73
Greg
AB7R

On Fri, 11 May 2007 12:59:05 -0400 (EDT)
Thom LaCosta <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On Fri, 11 May 2007, wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> I sure hope Elecraft allows thier K-3 to operate on MARS
>>frequencies.
>> Without this capability, I won't/can't consider owning
>>a K-3. I am the
>> Air Force Region 4 MARS Director and none of the 250
>>members in my region
>> could use Elecraft without this capability.
>
> I remember trying to find out what frequencies the
>various MARS programs used in order to determine if I
>could use the K2 to checkit. My emails explained why I
>was asking.
>
> Army Mars never answered
>
> AirForce Mars told me they couldn't give me the
>frequencies due to security,
> but impressed on me that in order to join I had to have
>equipment that would
> operate on their frequencies.
>
> Navy MARS not only wouldn't give me the information, but
>told me I needed a modern radio, not some kit, since they
>did a lot of digital.
>
> It's hard to know if the radio you purchase will operate
>on the secret frequencies that you can't learn cause
>you're not a member and you can't join cause you don't
>know if your rig will operate where no one can tell you
>it should.
>
> "I'm from the Gubmint, and I'm here to help you."
>
> 73,Thom-k3hrn
> www.zerobeat.net Home of QRP Web Ring, Drakelist home
>page,Drake Web Ring,
> QRP IRC channel, Drake IRC Channel, Elecraft Owners
>Database
> www.tlchost.net/hosting/ *** Web Hosting as low as
>3.49/month
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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W2AGN-2

Re: RE:MARS

In reply to this post by Lee Bahr

[hidden email] wrote:
>
> I sure hope Elecraft allows thier K-3 to operate on MARS frequencies.
> Without this capability, I won't/can't consider owning a K-3. I am the
> Air Force Region 4 MARS Director and none of the 250 members in my region
> could use Elecraft without this capability.
>
> Lee Bahr
> w0vt (AFF4C)
>

I feel the same. My K2 hits the ~4 Mhz freqs just fine. I have checked into nets
running just 10W with the K2. Would be nice if the K3 would hit some of the
"oddball" frequencies in the 2-3 Mhz range.

John W2AGN/NNN0FBB
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Dan Barker

RE: RE:MARS

In reply to this post by Greg - AB7R

My very first Field Day was using the call AA4U for the CW tent. (Omni C,
upside down Bencher for the southpaw, etc.). Interesting. I wonder what else
in a call makes it MARS vs Southeast Amateur Extra?

Dan / WG4S

<snip>
You can
identify NAVMARCORMARS Stations by their "NNNØ" prefix.
Army MARS stations are identified by their "AA" (Alpha
Alpha) prefixes, while Air Force MARS stations have the
unique "AF" (Alpha Foxtrot) prefix.
</snip>

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Doug Smith-9

RE: RE:MARS

On Fri, 2007-05-11 at 13:36 -0400, Dan Barker wrote:
> My very first Field Day was using the call AA4U for the CW tent. (Omni C,
> upside down Bencher for the southpaw, etc.). Interesting. I wonder what else
> in a call makes it MARS vs Southeast Amateur Extra?

Actually, I think the ARMY MARS callsign prefix is AAR then a number and
then a suffix. So, chances are no one mistook your field day operation
for a mil station. Especially not with the upside down bencher!

Regarding Thoms earlier question, most military comm planners *assume*
your equipment can operate on any frequency between 1.6 (maybe 2.0) and
30 MHz. The equipment they are familiar with does exactly that. They
don't think in terms of bands of frequencies but, rather, a multitude of
discrete channels within the HF spectrum. Many of them are probably not
even aware there is equipment that isn't completely frequency agile.

73,
-Doug, W7KF

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Bob Nielsen

Re: RE:MARS

The MARS callsigns have changed a bit over the years. At one time
they used prefixes which are now allocated to amateur radio.

Bob, N7XY
ex- AF6SWE - Air Force Mars (~1954), N0KHM - Navy Mars (~1968)
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Jozef Hand-Boniakowski

Re: RE:MARS

Indeed they did. My Navy MARS callsign used to be N0HNG.

Jozef
WB2MIc

Bob Nielsen wrote:

>
> The MARS callsigns have changed a bit over the years. At one time
> they used prefixes which are now allocated to amateur radio.
>
> Bob, N7XY
> ex- AF6SWE - Air Force Mars (~1954), N0KHM - Navy Mars (~1968)
> _______________________________________________
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>

Doug Person

Re: RE:MARS

In reply to this post by Bob Nielsen

Interesting to see some old Navy Mars call signs. Been a long time...

Doug - K0DXV - Ex-Navy Mars N0EOC

Bob Nielsen wrote:

Lee Bahr

Re: RE:MARS

In reply to this post by Lee Bahr

My first Army MARS call was: A9DRC and my ham call was W9DRC back in 1956
or 1957. Then I joined Navy MARS and my MARS call was N0JAN. Later it
became NNN0JAN. Then I joined AF MARS and became AFA4CM. Then I got my
region official call AFF4C.

For those that might want to know. MARS got started in November 1925. The
program was called ARMY AMATEUR RADIO SYSTEM (AARS). Then the service got
reactivated in 1946 right after WW-II. In 1948 the program got split up
into an Army MARS program and a Air Force MARS program. Later in 1962 the
Navy Marine Corps MARS program got launched. You have to be 18 years or
older to join a MARS program and you can only be in one of the MARS
programs at any one time.

It is correct the mission of MARS is changing but it is becoming very
involved with national disasters. The Army MARS program is taking the lead
on this. I might add, the Air Force program has been doing MANY phone
patches each and every day for B-52 pilots.

Lastly, there is a program called SHARES whereby any government station be
it local government or state government or national government can apply to
join this organization. Once per week the SHARES appointed stations check
into region and national HF nets. (This occurs on Wednesdays). Being a
member of a MARS organization qualifies you to apply for acceptance into
SHARES. The idea behind SHARES is to allow a common meeting place where
all aspects of government can find a place to MUTUALLY meet and pass
traffic among themselves and be able to talk to one another.

Lee, w0vt, AFF4C
US Air Force Region 4 Director

> [Original Message]
> From: Doug Person <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Date: 05/11/2007 8:17:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] RE:MARS
>
> Interesting to see some old Navy Mars call signs. Been a long time...
>
> Doug - K0DXV - Ex-Navy Mars N0EOC
>
> Bob Nielsen wrote:
> >
> > The MARS callsigns have changed a bit over the years. At one time
> > they used prefixes which are now allocated to amateur radio.
> >
> > Bob, N7XY
> > ex- AF6SWE - Air Force Mars (~1954), N0KHM - Navy Mars (~1968)
> >

Thom LaCosta

Re: RE:MARS

On Fri, 11 May 2007, wrote:

> into region and national HF nets. (This occurs on Wednesdays). Being a
> member of a MARS organization qualifies you to apply for acceptance into
> SHARES.

Andm is it safe to assume that SHARES also uses secret, we can't tell ya till ya
join, but to join you have to certify that you have equipment that will operate
on the frequencies we won't tell ya till ya join.

The idea behind SHARES is to
allow a common meeting place
where > all aspects of government can find a place to MUTUALLY meet and pass
> traffic among themselves and be able to talk to one another.

But I thought that was taken care of by getting government employees to become
hams so they can practice.

Thom

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