Add to the enjoyment of your amateur radio hobby through the expanding
horizons of FLORIDA ARMY MARS.
Become part of the Army, Navy-MarineCorps, or Air Force MARS worldwide
communications system. There are MARS stations in Japan, Korea, the Trust
Territories, Phillipines, Hawaii, Panama, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico,
Central America, Alaska, Germany, Africa, the continental United States
and in many other parts of the world.
Increase your communications skills and capabilities. Selected correspondence
courses in communications-electronics subjects are available free to MARS
members after completion of six months active membership.
Operate on specially assigned military radio frequencies in voice and
digital modes of communications.
Join a wonderful group of dedicated Florida radio amateurs participating
in meaningful public service.
Affiliate with Florida Army Mars and become part of our professional
military communications family.
Gain a feeling of being associated with a military mission and contributing
to the welfare and preparedness of the nation.
Participate in regularly scheduled HF and VHF nets with structured lines of
organization and specific operating rules. Currently, in Florida Army Mars,
three HF nets are held daily. VHF FM nets are held three times a week on
the South Florida Mars repeater. For digital fans Packet and PSK31 interest
and activity is high.
You can also participate in the MARS Excess/Surplus Equipment Program after 6
months of active membership.
In November, 1925, the Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) was initiated by a
few pioneers in the United States Army Signal Corps.
The original intention was to enlist the talents of volunteer Amateur Radio
operators as a source to train soldiers in the then new technology of radio,
as well as pursuing radio research and development to improve radio
equipment within the Army.
This organization continued until the United States entry into World War II,
at which time radio amateurs were denied the use of the air. Therefore, the
activities of AARS, as it was then known, were suspended until 1946 when,
once again, AARS was allowed to go back on the air.
During the years 1925 through 1942, the AARS functioned more or less as an
extra curricular activity of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, its scope being
necessarily limited by the meager budget of the pre-World War II depression
years.
The best available figures indicate that as of the 7th of December, 1941,
there were approximately 60,000 FCC licensed amateurs within the United
States and its possessions. Some 5600 of those were members of the AARS.
About 20% of the pre-World War II AARS members eventually entered the service
of their country either in the Army or in a civilian capacity.
The U. S. Army recognized the great importance of reactivating the AARS to
train vitally needed communications personnel at a relatively inexpensive
direct cost to the U.S. government. Therefore, in 1946, the AARS was
reactivated and functioned as such until the creation of the Military Amateur
Radio System in 1948, later renamed the Military Affiliate Radio System
(MARS) with Army MARS and the newly formed Air Force MARS reflecting the
creation of the Air Force as a separate service. In early 1963 the
Navy-Marine Corps MARS was established.
MARS has grown in all of the services throughout the world. They rely on
our civilian and military MARS members to be available in case of emergency
or disaster to provide communications support. At such times they need all
of the support MARS can provide. Amateur Radio, collectively with MARS,
has made its mark in American history. Each year provides new evidence of
the important role Amateur Radio with MARS plays in the service of the
nation.
Simple! You must be 18 years of age, or older (17 with your parent's
signature.) You're a United States citizen, or resident alien. You
have a valid amateur radio license (any class) issued by the FCC.
You agree to operate at least 12 hours per calendar quarter, with 6 hours
being on our HF or VHF nets in any mode
You must be willing to comply with the regulations prescribed for
participation in the FLORIDA ARMY MARS program.
After being accepted, you'll be issued a MARS station license and a
MARS call sign. (This license expires on the same date as your amateur
FCC license and is renewed at the same time.) Upon acceptance you're
provided documents that contain policy and operational information.
You will be required to complete a Basic Training Course within six
months of being accepted. Don't worry, it's an "open book" test, you
take it at home and it's easy!
