FYI, there has been quite q bit of communication from
Army MARS officials in Michigan to Michigan amateurs. I’ve pasted a copy
of the most recent boilerplate recruiting letter. Although I could pick at the
“we invented it” terminology,” I have no problem with MARS
trying to recruit more hams into the ranks.
Has there been similar effort elsewhere in the
country? I assume AFMARS and NAVMARCORPSMARS also remain active. Are they
doing anything along this line?
I have a couple of earlier pieces of broadcast e-mail
as well as letters to Michigan SM Dale Williams, WA8EFK, if anyone wishes to
see them.
73,
Jim
Subject: //MARS R/REISSUE OF INVITATION TO JOIN MARS LETTER
Don,
Please forward this to all members. They may cut and paste
this into their favorite program for editing and printing. This now includes
the new General class requirement.
Dave
Dear (name and callsign of the person you are sending this
to)
I am (your name and amateur call sign). I am a neighbor of
yours. I am also a member of the
I am contacting you to invite you to join with me to assist
in supporting our nation's homeland security and volunteer disaster support
communication needs.
The
We use radio frequencies outside of the normal
amateur bands to provide emergency communications for the
Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Safety Administration and
many
other governmental organizations and agencies.
We do not replace RACES/ARES in any way.
In fact, many of our members are also members of the
RACES/ARES organizations and even members of the ARRL sponsored National
Traffic System. We are the providers of long distance communications of choice
for nearly all governmental organizations.
We offer the opportunity to use and experiment with the many
new modes such as MT-63, OLIVIA and PACTOR as well as the more traditional SSB
and, yes, even CW modes. In fact, we maintain an automated
PACTOR system that reaches from Qutar to Guam while spanning the entire
All this on government HF and VHF frequencies not available
to amateurs who are not members of MARS.
The modifications to your existing equipment are very minimal
in most cases. Technical help will be provided as will the training necessary
for you to operate and be every bit the professional that is the hallmark of a
MARS member.
Information on the
may contact me directly to discuss this unique and rewarding
aspect of amateur radio.
I look forward to talking to you and working with you on the
MARS frequencies.
Sincerely and 73,
(your signature)
(your typed name)
(your amateur callsign)
(optional phone number)
(optional email address)
(address)
Jim Weaver, K8JE,
Director
ARRL
E-mail: k8je@arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-0142
ARRL -
The Reason Amateur Radio Is!
Members -
The Reason ARRL Is!