Amateurs and Afghanistan: MARS on the Job

N1IN writes "FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. —Army Special Forces troops on duty in Islamabad, Pakistan, “and other undisclosed locations” have begun keeping in touch with home through the phone-patch service operated by MARS members, according to headquarters of the Army Military Affiliate Radio System.





The service makes it possible for deployed troops to call back to the United States from areas where commercial connections are not feasible or simply nonexistent. Specially trained amateur radio operators in MARS provide the connection between military shortwave stations deployed overseas and the telephone system at home.



MARS members in all three services — Army, Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps — are now gearing up for greatly expanded phone-patch operations as the holidays approach.



During the Vietnam War, phone patches were a major source of comfort to families and service members alike, and the MARS organization responded again during Operation Desert Storm.



Phone-patching has taken on new life over the last several years as Special Forces members deployed on peacekeeping missions to Kosovo, Macedonia, West Africa and other areas lacking regular or affordable phone service.



Often the calls originate from battery-powered backpack transceivers with a power of 20 watts or less, but hams using ordinary amateur radio gear and antennas are usually able to make a workable connection.


Even the more sophisticated base military stations have their problems — one overseas communicator reported that turning on a linear amplifier tripped the circuit breakers on the local power system.


“Most of our contacts lasted less than 15 minutes and were to the wives,” said a communications sergeant recently returned from a three-month Special Forces mission in Africa. “All the guys wanted to make sure everything was running smoothly in their absence.


“For the guys making calls to their wives, they did not like the idea of talking on the open airways. They got accustomed to the idea and started using the phone patch more and more.


“There were a few cases where some problems came up at home,” he said. “Other wives had to go to the rescue of one woman who was experiencing a major problem. All I can say is that MARS saved the day.”


Successfully completing a patch gives a big lift to the amateur in the middle, too. “You never know who you will meet on these (high) frequencies,” said one East Coast MARS member. “This is evident from the picture I received of the portable (backpack) HF (high-frequency) station I spoke with in West Africa. The operator was pictured sitting under a tree with his radio speaking with CONUS (continental United States).


“You and I belong to an elite group privileged to transmit signals to places without regard to political or geographical boundaries,” this ham said. “It is a privilege to serve as an Army MARS phone-patch operator.”


Phone-patch training nets are regularly conducted for MARS members. Any amateur interested in joining should conduct the state MARS director.

— Bill Sexton"