About the Washington State Army Military Affiliate Radio System.

The Washington State MARS membership is a group of very helpful and friendly volunteers. Our activities vary from daily Net activities on HF, to training exercises and finally, communications support in times of local, State, Regional, and/or National need.

The level of involvement by any member is that member's choice alone. The Army MARS minimum requirement is 12 hours per quarter (every three months). This is total time, on-air or off-air. There are those members who give their support by being on daily Nets whenever they have time in their busy schedules. There are other members who are quite dedicated to all things emergency communications related. They go many extra miles and put in many extra hours. The choice is totally the individual's.

Our daily Nets are informative, with training and time for fostering a closer team. Training includes digital mode operation, communications procedures and protocols, and related topics. We conduct emergency communications training exercises throughout the year, providing an opportunity for everyone to get involved in skill-building and mission training.

The U.S. Army MARS is directed and managed by the Department of the Army through the US Army Signal Command located in Fort Huachuca, AZ. The Washington State Army MARS is administered by an assigned State Director and appointed officers.

Each U.S. Army MARS volunteer is required to hold a valid FCC amateur radio license. These volunteers are under no service obligations, but must meet a 12 hour per calendar quarter minimum participation requirement.

• Over 35 members strong and with that a wealth of communication skills and various radio equipment.
  
• Radio operators that are authorized on MARS freq.
  
• State-Wide network technology is used extensively by means of voice and digital modes.
  
• Region-Wide networking capability, also by means of voice and digital modes.
  
• Phone Patch capabilities, and more...
  

• State Director, AAAØWA - Chris McGraw
• State Assistant Director, AAMØWA - Art Coulombe
• State Emergency Operations Officer - AAMØEWA - Drew Noble
• State MARS Administrator, AAMØAWA - Jim Goldring
• State InterOperability Officer - AAMØIWA - Al Mitchell
• State Training Officer, AAM0TWA - Brad Morford

For more information on U.S. Army MARS or for information on how to join Washington State Army MARS, please e-mail or write AAAØWA with your mailing address.

Washington State Army MARS Director
Chris McGraw, AAAØWA
13822 Dolly Varden Lane NW
Bremerton, WA 98312