Outreach

Air Force MARS 75th Anniversary Special Event

Celebrate 75 years of US Air Force MARS operation with an Amateur Radio Special Event in the Technician and General portions of the 160–6 meter bands (excepting 60M) from November 5th 0001Z through November 11th 2359Z using SSB, CW, and digital modes.

This is a certificate only event; no QSLs will be exchanged.

Air Force MARS 75 Years Special Event Amateur Operator Instructions

Timeframe
5 Nov 2023 0000 Zulu to 11 Nov 2023 2359 Zulu
Frequencies
Only Amateur Radio frequencies in the General and Technician band privileges may be used in the 160–6 meter bands. Use of 60 meters is not authorized. Multiple Wings may operate in the same band up or down of event frequencies and bands.
Modes
Voice, CW and Digital Modes (commonly used such as FT8) will be used. Make sure to listen for the special event call signs
Spotting
Please spot your contact and use available spotting software to see where operators are.
Records
All contacts received by AFMARS Special Event Stations must be provided in ADIF format to the event collector daily. Any logging software capable of this format may be used. After November 30th the Amateurs will need to request a certificate.

A Mission Statement PDF Flyer for this event is available for download.

Example Exchanges

Voice
  1. AFMARS Station: CQ CQ THIS IS W1B AIR FORCE MARS 75th SPECIAL EVENT SECOND WING CQ CQ
  2. Amateur Station: W1AW
  3. AFMARS Station: W1AW THIS IS W1B YOU ARE “5 by 9” OVER
  4. Amateur Station: THIS IS W1AW YOU ARE “5 by 9” OVER
  5. AFMARS Station: QSL INFO ON QRZ THANKS FOR THE CONTACT OUT
Digital

CW and Digital mode exchange format will contain the pertinent information.

Event Call Signs

AFMARS OrganizationFEMA RegionCall Sign
1st AFMARS Communications Wing1: MA, NH, VT, CT, MA, RIW1A
2nd AFMARS Communications Wing2: NJ, NYW1B
3rd AFMARS Communications Wing3. DE, MD, DC, PA, VA, WVW1C
4th AFMARS Communications Wing4: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, PR-VIW1D
5th AFMARS Communications Wing5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WIW1E
6th AFMARS Communications Wing6: AR, LA, NM, OK, TXW1F
7th AFMARS Communications Wing7: IA, KS, MO, NEW1G
8th AFMARS Communications Wing8: CO, MT, ND, SD, WY, UTW1H
9th AFMARS Communications Wing9: AZ, CA, NV, HIW1J
10th AFMARS Communications Wing10: AK, OR, WA, IDW1K
Pentagon MARS Station3K4AF
Travis AFB AFMARS Station9KE6UEU
Air Force MARS 75th Annivesary Sample Special Event Certificate

About US Air Force Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS)

MISSION
The United States Air Force Military Auxiliary Radio System provides contingency communications support on behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense and other U.S. Government users in support of their important and diverse national security missions whenever, however and wherever required.
VISION
To support the Department of Defense and U.S. Government as tasked and within our capability by providing first-rate, on-demand contingency communications services that rival far more complex and expensive systems levels of service and quality, and to do so in peacetime or times of national crisis, on an around-the-clock basis, and at no expense to the US taxpayer. Members will use their own resources and contributed time to provide these services.
VALUES
We view our Air Force MARS service as a patriotic duty. We employ our God given talents and resources to meet our operational commitment. At all times we strive to provide communications encompassing the finest traditions of the United States Military and fully embrace the Air Force Core Values of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do. 1

How to join MARS

Would you like to know more?

MARS Website

https://community.apan.org/wg/air-force-military-auxiliary-radio-system-afmars/

MARS Contact

join@afmars-mil.us

  1. “Air Force MARS 75 Years Mission Statement”, Air Force MARS, Accessed November 4 2023, https://community.apan.org/wg/air-force-military-auxiliary-radio-system-afmars/afmars-75-years/m/documents/448521/download. ↩︎