Helping People Connect with HAM Radio: MARS Military Affiliate Radio System 1970's communication

Comments · 91

• RI

  @ricardosuarez8023 · 4 years ago

  Thanks for posting. <br>One cannot compare this to the internet. However, listening to the voice of your loved ones over radio noises and static is a feeling that no modern technology can give you.

  15

• LA

  @laser31415 · 5 years ago (edited)

  My grandfather was an amateur radio operator and MARS during the Korean War. &nbsp; My mother remembered people coming over regularly to talk to their sons overseas. &nbsp; He had his shack out back instead of a room in the house.

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• FA

  @faumnamara5181 · 5 years ago

  I used to speak to my father who was at sea in the early 80s just like this, but it was Scottish coast guard that handled the call patch. It was called a Link Call.

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• PE

  @petepeters1639 · 5 years ago

  I was a MARS radio operator at AI8AC (US Air Force at Cam Ranh Bay, RVN from July 1970 to July 1971. We were the Gateway station for Air Force MARS in Vietnam and South East Asia. We received our incoming messages via RTTY (Radio Teletype) from AK1AIR in Alaska. Those messages were then relayed to in-country (Vietnam) and to other Air Force South East Asia MARS station by voice. We ran many phone patches over the years and during the years I was stationed at AI8AC. I have a photo of myself and my station supervisor - photo taken by the Stars and Stripes newspaper - but never published. &nbsp;If I could post that picture I would do so. I also received a Certificate of Appreciation from U. S. Army General Creighton Abrahms - MACV Commander of Vietnam. Also a Letter of Appreciation from General Trogden, U.S. Air Force Commander. This was not a job but a labor of love. &nbsp;I am now an FCC Licensed Amateur Radio Operator (N8HIS).

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• JI

  @jimchandler6744 · 2 years ago

  I ran many phone patches as a volunteer operator at AI8AB, Bien Hoa, during 1968. It felt good to help the other guys out.

  2

• RO

  @rohnkd4hct260 · 5 years ago

  I was ARMY MARS for over 5 years. &nbsp;Had fun and learned a lot. &nbsp;AAR4JA &nbsp;Out

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• SA

  @samsungtelevision695 · 5 years ago

  This channel is wonderful. &nbsp;The selection of material, the really high quality film transfers, overall “aesthetic” / vibe: all top notch

  13

• GI

  @GiGiGoesShopping · 4 years ago

  We used to use this from the PMO in Bermerhaven, Germany. No charges. It had to be limited to 20 minutes or less.

  4

• RV

  @rvgmissionary · 4 years ago

  Wow! To think my own dad worked MARS in a MARS in Nam 68-69!!

  3

• JI

  @JimBeshears · 5 years ago

  I was the radio tech for our base survivability unit. &nbsp;We had the KWM2A and linear amps, had a dipole tape antenna for it. &nbsp;It was a lot of fun going out and setting up the equipment so the operators could pass traffic to Barksdale. &nbsp;Loved working on the KWM2A ham set.

  9

• PH

  @phoneticau · 5 years ago

  50 years ago professional &amp; amateur commuications was about the same

  4

• JT

  @jthampshire · 5 years ago

  I was a MARS volunteer in Korea, 1974-75. I was in the 2079th Com Sq and we had all the gear. Our Sq Commander, Major Hall was a ham (K0SSE) so we got great support. Senator Barry Goldwater, also a ham, would place calls for us at no charge. Those were the days.

  3