AAR4CSS - Army MARS Station
Serving the US Armed Forces
The AAR4CSS MARS Station is sponsored by the Silver Springs Radio Club with the support of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.
Amateur Radio operators interested in being licensed as MARS operators should contact Bill Britt, KQ4UJ.
MARS' Mission
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Provide Department of Defense sponsored emergency communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal communications.
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Provide auxiliary communications for military, civil, and/or disaster officials during periods of emergency.
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Assist in effecting normal communications under emergency conditions.
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The Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) is an official Department of Defense and Department of the Army sponsored communications system. Therefore, it has official status, is assigned missions and functions, and authorized the use of assigned military radio frequencies.
- Army MARS is directed and managed by the Department of the Army through the United States Army Signal Command and is a world-wide organization. It is comprised of both military and civilian personnel. In fact, the majority are civilian volunteers.
- Each volunteer Army MARS member is required to hold a valid Amateur Radio license from the Federal Communications Commission. These volunteers are under no service obligation, but must meet a 12-hour per calendar quarter minimum participation requirement. A volunteer may resign from Army MARS at any time without difficulty or prejudice by simply submitting a written resignation.
Directions to the MARS Station Site from Maricamp Road:
Go South East on FL-464 (Southeast 17th Street) toward Southeast 25th Avenue, and continue to follow 464 East to Silver Springs Shores. One lifht past the Sheriff Station, turn right onto Emerald Road and follow Emerald Road to Cypress Road (turn right). Continue on Cypress Road to Oak Circle (turn right) and follow Oak Circle until you see the White Sign for Silver Springs Radio Club MARS Station (AAR4CSS) at 161 Oak Circle, Ocala, FL 34472-3160.