On 28 May 2004 21:38:13 GMT, (Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote:

Subject: MARS IS "Amateur Radio".
From: (Len Over 21)
Date: 5/28/2004 3:58 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

snip

The FACTS are that MARS needs those civilian operators to make the program
work.

For interest's sake, I did a bit of research on the Web, and found the
following information on the home page for the US Military Alliliate
Radio System:

http://www.asc.army.mil/mars/default.htm

******

"MARS is a Department of Defense sponsored program, established as a
separately managed and operated program by the Army, Navy, and Air
Force. The program consists of licensed amateur radio operators who
are interested in military communications on a local, national, and
international basis as an adjunct to normal communications."

"MARS has a long and proud history of providing world-wide auxiliary
emergency communications during times of need. The combined three
service MARS programs (Army, Air Force, and Navy-Marine Corps)
volunteer force of over 5,000 dedicated and skilled amateur radio
operators is the backbone of the MARS program. The benefit of MARS
membership is enjoying an amateur radio hobby through the
ever-expanding horizon of MARS. Our affiliate members' continued
unselfish support of our mission keeps Army MARS Proud, Professional,
and Ready."

Note the phrase "The program consists of licensed Amateur Radio
Operators" above.


******

"How to Join Army MARS

Eligibility

The applicant must -

Be 17 years of age or older. (Signature of parent or legal guardian is
required when an applicant is under 18 years of age.)
Be a United States Citizen or resident alien. (Possess a valid amateur
radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or
other competent U.S. Authority.)
Possess a station capable of operating on MARS VHF and/or HF
frequencies.
Agree to operate a minimum of 12 hours per calendar quarter with 6
hours being on VHF and or HF networks."

Note again the requiremant for participants to be licensed US radio
amateurs.

******

"Benefits of Membership

Add to the enjoyment of your amateur radio hobby through the expanded
horizon of MARS.

Join a group of dedicated fellow radio amateurs participating in
meaningful public service.

Become part of the Army, Navy-Marine Corps, or Air Force MARS
worldwide communications system. There are Army MARS stations in
Japan, Korea, the Trust Territories, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands,
Puerto Rico, Central America, Alaska, Germany, Africa, and the
continental United States.

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. Qualified
Army MARS members may apply for such courses at the Army
Correspondence Course Program web site.

Operate on specially assigned military radio frequencies in voice,
teletype, and packet modes of communications."

Once again, note the references to the amateur radio hobby above.

******

From these paragraphs, and the remainder of valuable information on
this web site, I'd conclude that the MARS program relies upon the
Amateur community to make it work, as it is currently defined.
Without amateur operators, the MARS program would have to affiliated
with some other communications group to carry their traffic.

This thread is, however, hopelessly mired in a battle over semantics.

Is MARS amateur radio? Well, no, No more so than Amateur Radio is
MARS. It is a military radio service, defined and mandated by the
military and operating on military frequencies outside of the Amateur
bands..

But, without amateur operators to affiliate their communications
resources with, the MARS program would not be able to operate as
currnetly defined - it exists as a partnership between the military
operators and their 5,000-plus volunteer Amateur operator
counterparts.

Quite similar to the CFARS program in Canada, and perhaps others
around the world.

Just my $.02

snip

Steve, K4YZ

73, Leo