Air Force MARS: Emergency Communications скачать в хорошем качестве

Air Force MARS: Emergency Communications

Join us for an insightful presentation by Kenneth Klann (AFA5KK/AA8CI) of Air Force MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio Service). Learn about MARS's mission to provide contingency radio communications for the Department of Defense in support of national security. This presentation was given at the March 2025 Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) meeting. The presenter gave an in-depth overview of the Air Force MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System) program at the Dayton Hamvention, tracing its origins from 1925 to its modern-day role in supporting military communications. He shared his personal journey from early ham radio operator in the 1970s to his involvement with Navy and then Air Force MARS, emphasizing the program's enduring legacy and its vital role in linking deployed service members with their families, especially during conflicts like Vietnam. The talk honored figures like Senator Barry Goldwater for their contributions and highlighted historic MARS stations, including the Pentagon site. The presentation covered current Air Force MARS operations, including their integration into the Department of Defense’s global communications infrastructure. The audience was introduced to modern tools and protocols such as the MIL-STD 188-110A waveform, MARS Terminal software, and typical station configurations. It also addressed training requirements, membership qualifications, and technical aspects like NVIS and folded dipole antennas. The presenter emphasized that while MARS has shifted from its traditional phone patch roots, it remains a critical Title 10 asset, ready to provide contingency communications across a variety of missions.