If you try to follow the second link embedded in the form
letter, delete the last two letters “or” before doing so – they are not part of
the URL but form the next word in the sentence.
Dave
From: K8JE
[mailto:K8JE@ARRL.org]
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 11:44 PM
To: arrl-odv
Subject: [arrl-odv:17600] Army MARS letter to Michigan Amateurs
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 Michigan Army Military Affiliate
Radio System also known as Army MARS.
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 Michigan Army MARS program is open to holders of
the general class amateur radio operator licenses. Michigan MARS will be
providing training to upgrade those members and potential members to the
amateur General class license.
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 United States.
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 Michigan Army MARS program and an
application form can be found at http://www.miarmymars.com or
http://www.netcom.army.mil/mars/or you
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 Great Lakes Division
5065 Bethany Rd.
Mason, OH 45040
E-mail: k8je@arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-0142
ARRL - The Reason Amateur Radio Is!
Members - The Reason ARRL Is!