2011 Armed Forces Day Communication Test

The annual Armed Forces Day crossband event and other special operations are tomorrow, May 14. Again this year, these are a week earlier than the actual observance of Armed Forces Day, which comes during the Dayton Hamvention.

From the Official Bulletin:

The annual celebration features traditional military to amateur cross band communications SSB voice and Morse Code tests. These tests give Amateur Radio operators and Short Wave Listeners (SWL) an opportunity to demonstrate their individual technical skills, and to receive recognition from the appropriate military radio station for their proven expertise. QSL cards will be provided to those stations making contact with the military stations.

MILITARY-TO-AMATEUR CROSS BAND SSB & CW TEST CONTACTS.
Military-to-Amateur cross band operations will take place on the dates/times in ZULU (UTC), and frequencies listed below for each station. Voice contacts will include operations in single sideband voice (SSB). Some stations may not operate the entire period, depending on propagation and manning. Participating military stations will transmit on selected Military MARS frequencies and listen for amateur radio stations in the Amateur bands indicated below. The military station operator will announce the specific amateur band frequency being monitored. Duration of each voice contact should be limited to 1-2 minutes. The following stations will be transmitting on MARS frequencies listed below which are provided as "Window/Dial Frequency" in kHz.
Some stations will use CW to provide the opportunity to check in by Morse Code.

Army Stations
STATION: AAZ (14 May 1400Z - 15 May 0300Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4038.9 kHz LSB 80M
6913.0 kHz LSB 40M
14.402.0 kHz USB 20M
13.996.0 kHz USB 20M
18.211.0 kHz USB 17M
7577.0 kHz CW 40M
13.507.0 kHz CW 20M
7639.5 kHz RTTY 40M
13512.5 kHz MT-63 20M
Location: Fort Huachuca, AZ
Address:
Commander NETCOM/9th ASC
ATTN: NETCOM-OPE-M (MARS) (31)
2133 Cushing Street
Ft. Huachuca, AZ 85616-7070
POC: Mr. Dewayne Smith
DSN: 821-7324
Commercial: (520) 533-7324

STATION: AAC (14 May 1300Z - 15 May 0100Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
3348.5 kHz LSB 80M
7363.0 kHz LSB 40M
13.910.5 kHz USB 20M
27.788.5 kHz USB 10M
Location: Lexington, KY
Address:
HQ 3RD BDE, 95TH DIV (IT) MARS STATION
Barrow Army Reserve Training Center
1051 Russell Cave Pike
Lexington, KY 40505
POC: Barry Jackson, AAR4BZ
Commercial: (859) 227-0137

STATION: ABH (14 May 1600Z - 15 May 2300Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
3350.0 kHz LSB 80M
4441.5 kHz LSB 80M
4792.5 kHz LSB 80M
7360.0 kHz LSB 40M
7721.5 kHz LSB 40M
8040.0 kHz LSB 40M
14402.0 kHz USB 20M
14438.5 kHz USB 20M
14487.0 kHz USB 20M
17443.0 kHz USB 17M
17592.5 kHz USB 17M
20976.0 kHz USB 15M
20558.5 kHz USB 15M
Location: Schofield Barracks, HI
Commander, 396th Signal Company
30th Signal Battalion, 96857
POC: WO1 William Pemberton
Commercial: (808) 655-3387

STATION: WAR (14 May 1200Z - 2400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4020.9 kHz LSB/CW 80M
7314.0 kHz LSB/CW 40M
14438.5 kHz USB/CW 20M
27991.0 kHz USB/CW 10M
Location: Pentagon, Washington, DC
Address:
Pentagon Amateur Radio Club
ATTN: AFDCBT
PO Box 2322
Arlington VA 22202
POC Mr. Gary Sessums
Station telephone:
Commercial: (703) 693-8423 DSN 223-8423

STATION: WUG-231 (14 May 1300Z - 15 May 0200Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4032.9 kHz LSB 80M
7.424.0 kHz LSB 40M
6.826.0 kHz LSB/CW 40M
14.486.0 kHz USB 20M
14.663.5 kHz USB/CW 20M
20.973.5 kHz USB/CW 15M
Location: Memphis, TN
Address:
USACE Memphis District Office
ATTN: Jim Pogue
Public Affairs Office Room B-202
167 N. Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
POC: Mr. Jim Pogue
Commercial: (901) 544-4109

NAVY/MARINE CORPS STATIONS

STATION: NAJ (14 MAY 1200Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)
NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, GREAT LAKES, IL
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4011.5 KHZ LSB/MT63 80M
7376.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14467.0 KHZ USB 20M
21758.5 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: MR. DAVID OUELLETTE/NNN0ASG
6148 WEST CUTLER RD
DEWITT, MICHIGAN 48820
COMMERCIAL: (517) 515-6080

STATION: NBL (14 MAY 1200Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)
NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, GROTON, CT
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4041.5 KHZ LSB 80M
7371.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14391.5 KHZ USB 20M
20623.5 KHZ USB 15M
POC AND ADDRESS: ROBERT VETH, DIRECTOR REGION ONE
4 LANTERN LANE, CHELMSFORD MA 01824-1316
COMMERCIAL: (978) 256-5264

STATION: NNN0ASF (14 MAY 1200Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)
NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, NNN0ASF
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4014.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7394.5 KHZ LSB 40M 1200-2359Z, 0200-0400Z
7394.5 KHZ LSB PSK31 40M 0000-0200Z
13974.0 KHZ USB 20M 1200-1800Z, 2000-0400Z
13974.0 KHZ USB PSK31 20M 1800-2000Z
20997.0 KHZ USB 15M
POC AND ADDRESS: NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION NNN0ASF
KEN KEEHNER, PO BOX 224, BENNINGTON KS 67422
COMMERCIAL: (785) 488-2241COMMERCIAL: (978) 256-5264

STATION: NNN0CQQ (14 MAY 1500Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)
EX-USS MIDWAY MUSEUM SHIP MARS STATION
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4003.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7351.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14463.5 KHZ USB 20M
20936.0 KHZ USB 15M
POC AND ADDRESS: JOSE GARZA, NNN0XBQ
9789 PASEO MONTRIL, SAN DIEGO CA 92129-3910
COMMERCIAL: (858) 484-0469 CELL: 858-254-0175

STATION: NUW (14 MAY 1500Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)
NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4044.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7381.5 KHZ LSB 40M
13528.5 KHZ USB 20M
20952.5 KHZ USB 15M
POC AND ADDRESS: NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION
MR. DIGGER O'DELL, 260 W. PIONEER FSC BLDG.
NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA 98277
COMMERCIAL: (360) 675-2823 DSN: 820-8038

STATION: NWKJ (14 MAY 1200Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4010.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7348.0 KHZ LSB 40M
14478.5 KHZ USB 20M
20994.0 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: EX-USS YORKTOWN (CV-10)
PATRIOTS POINT MARITIME MUSEUM, SC
C/O FRED HAMBRECHT/NNN0GBS
129 INDIAN TRACE COURT
GILBERT, SC 29054
COMMERCIAL: (803) 657-3602

STATION: NWVC (14 MAY 1200Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4O41.5 KHZ LSB 80M
7389.0 KHZ LSB 40M
13826.0 KHZ USB 20M
20678.5 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: USS LST 325
840 LST DRIVE
EVANSVILLE, IN 47713
POC: PERRY BALLINGER, NNN0VNO
COMMERCIAL: 330-932-8612/330-705-8449

May ALE Hits #3 (FEMA/SHARES)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):


FC0FEM - - - - - Region 10 Comm Mgr
FC0FEM002 - - Region 10 Auxiliary
FC0FEM004 - - Region 10 Auxiliary
FC1FEM - - - - - Region 1 Comm Mgr
FC1FEM002 - - Region 1 Auxiliary
FC4FEM - - - - - Region 4 Comm Mgr
FC4FEM002 - - Region 4 Auxiliary
FC6FEM - - - - - Region 6 Comm Mgr
FC6FEM002 - - Region 6 Auxiliary
FC8 - - - - - - - - Region 8, Denver
FC8FEM - - - - - Region 8 Comm Mgr
FC8FEM002 - - Region 8 Auxiliary
FC8FEM006 - - Region 8 Auxiliary
FR4FEM - - - - - Region 4


Frequencies: 2658, 3341, 4780, 5402, 6809, 7348, 8050, 9462, 10194, 10588, 11108, 11126, 11446, 11485, 12129, 12216, 13446, 13894, 14776, 14885 15708, 16201, 17519, 19969, 21866, and 24526 kHz USB.


SHARES (SHAred RESources, Federal freq pool & interoperability capability for ~20 agencies, plus a heavy participation by MARS):


5QWAFA - - - - - - USAF MARS AFA5QW
9BNAFA - - - - - - USAF MARS AFA9BN
9FAAFA - - - - - - USAF MARS AFA9FA
9TCAAA - - - - - - US Army MARS AAA9TC
AAT3BF - - - - - - USAF MARS AAT3BF, Shares Coord. Stn, DE
AQPNNN - - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0AQP
KGD34 - - - - - - - - NCC, SHARES Coord. Stn, VA
KOG55C - - - - - - Possible FBI, Las Vegas, NV
OARNNN - - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0OAR
OPMHQ2 - - - - - - Unknown US Government
SEJNNN - - - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0SEJ
WWLNNN - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0WWL
YXPNNN - - - - - - USN/MC MARS NNN0YXP

Frequencies: 4490, 4765, 5711, 6800, 7642, 9064, 9106, 14396.5, 15094, and 17487 khz USB.

May ALE Hits #1

US Air Force:

000 - Clg HIK - Unknown USAF
523506 - Wkg MCC - USAF KC-135 #62-3506
ADW - Wkg various - USAF HF-GCS Control, Andrews
ADWSPR - Snd - USAF, Andrews SIPRNET gateway
DL0005DAT - Snd - USAF, E-3B AWACS, data
E31408 - Clg OFF - USAF, E-3B AWACS
HAW - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Ascension Island
HIK - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Hickam AFB, HI
JNR - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, Salinas, PR
JNRSPR - Snd - USAF, Salinas SIPRNET gateway
MCC - Snd - USAF HF-GCS, old "McClellan"
MCCSPR - Snd - USAF, McClellan SIPRNET gateway
OFF - Wkg various - USAF HF-GCS, Offutt AFB, NE
OFFSPR - Snd - USAF, Offutt SIPRNET gateway
PLA - Snd - USAF, Lajes AB, Azores

Frequencies: 4721, 5708, 6715, 6721, 8968, 9025, 11181, 11226, 13215, 13242, 15043, 15091, 17976, 18003, 23337


US Civil Air Patrol:

0004AZCAP - Snd - AZ CAP
0004NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0008WICAP - Snd - WI CAP
0011ARCAP - Snd - AR CAP
043MERCAP - Snd - CAP Middle Eastern Region
060PCRCAP - Snd - CAP Pacific Coast Region
0100NDCAP - Snd - ND CAP
0135ORCAP - Snd - OR CAP
0140NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0303WACAP - Snd - WA CAP
0708NVCAP - Snd - NV CAP
0748MOCAP - Snd - MO CAP
100SWRCAP - Snd - CAP - Southwest Region
9101ORCAP - Snd - OR CAP
9101T2CAP - Snd - Unknown CAP

Frequencies: 3204, 4477, 5006, 5447, 6773, 6806, 7602, 8012, 9047, 10162, 11402, 12081


MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System):

5QWAFA - Snd - USAF MARS AFA5QW
9BNAFA - Clg 9DUAFA, 9KJAFA - USAF MARS AFA9BN
9FAAFA - Snd - USAF MARS AFA9FA
9TCAAA - Snd - US Army MARS AAA9TC
AAT3BF - Snd - US Army MARS, not reversed
OARNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0OAR
SEJNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0SEJ
YXPNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0YXP
WWLNNN - Snd - USN/MC MARS NNN0WWL

Frequencies: 4490, 4765, 5211, 6765, 6800, 7487, 7642, 9106, 11217, 13242, 15094, 17847, 20107, 26812
(Some of these are SHARES, SHAred RESources)

MARS Gets New Name As It Fine-Tunes Mission

MARS has changed its name slightly to "Military Auxiliary Radio System." Also, the US Navy/Marine Corps MARS will not be closing down.

From ARRL:

On Wednesday, December 23, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued an Instruction concerning MARS, effective immediately. This Instruction gives the three MARS services -- Army, Air Force and Navy/Marine Corps -- a new focus on homeland security and a new name: Military Auxiliary Radio System. The Instruction is the first major revision to MARS since January 26, 1988 -- as such, the first revision since the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina, two major events that changed the way Amateur Radio dealt with emergency communications.

...

In the past, MARS had focused primarily on emergency communications and health and welfare support. The DoD's Instruction now directs the three MARS services to provide "contingency radio communications" to support US government operations, DoD components and "civil authorities at all levels," providing for national security and emergency preparedness events. MARS units will still continue to provide health and welfare communications support "to military members, civilian employees and contractors of DoD Components, and civil agency employees and contractors, when in remote or isolated areas, in contingencies or whenever appropriate." MARS must also be capable of operation in "radio only" modes -- without landlines or the Internet -- and sustainable on emergency power (when public utility power has failed); some MARS stations must be transportable for timely deployment.

...

This revision -- which was years in the making -- keeps the Navy/Marine Corps MARS intact; until now, members of this MARS service were concerned that their part of MARS might be terminated by Navy commanders.

Full story is here.

BREAKING NEWS II: Tentative US Navy/ Marine Corps MARS Cutbacks

The following message was transmitted to all stations in mid-May from Chief, Navy/ Marine Corps MARS. It's written in typically opaque military bureaucratese, with references to various DoD directives. As far as I can tell, it describes orders (not yet implemented) to pretty much eliminate Navy and Marine Corps participation. There would still be a Navy/ Marine Corps MARS, but not as we currently know it.

My reading of all this is that the Navy is negotiating, so far unsuccessfully, to get out of new budgetary funding requirements concerning MARS. I seem to perceive all this as a high-stakes bargaining chip. Others closer to the situation seem to agree.

It'll be interesting to watch all this play out. Here's the message, reformatted for blog readability but otherwise unedited:

DE NNN0ASA 040
R 162200Z MAY 2009
FM CHNAVMARCORMARS WILLIAMSBURG VA
TO ALNAVMARCORMARS
INFO ZEN/CHIEF ARMY MARS FT HUACHUCA AZ
ZEN/CHIEF AIR FORCE MARS SCOTT AFB IL

BT

UNCLAS

SUBJ: CHNAVMARCORMARS BCST 03-09

A. DOD DIRECTIVE 4650.2 DTD 26 JAN 1998
B. DOD INSTRUCTION 4650.02 (PROPOSED) NOTAL

1. COMMANDER, NAVAL NETWORK WARFARE COMMAND (NNWC) HAS DECIDED TO 'SUNSET' THE MARS MISSION WITHIN NAVY AS OF 30 SEP 2009. NNWC HAS REQUESTED ALL MILITARY BILLETS AND MY CIVILIAN POSITION BE DELETED AND UNFUNDED AFTER THAT DATE. OPNAV HAS NOT YET APPROVED THIS REQUEST.

2. ALL THREE MARS SERVICES HAVE OPERATED UNDER THE MANDATE OF REF A, WHICH IS STILL VALID. REF B IS A PROPOSED UPDATE TO REF A AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING COORDINATED BETWEEN DOD AND THE THREE SERVICES. REF B INCREASES THE SERVICES REQUIREMENT TO SUPPORT THE MARS PROGRAMS WITHIN THEIR SERVICE. ARMY AND AIR FORCE HAVE AGREED TO THE CHANGES BUT NAVY (OPNAV) HAS ASKED TO BE LET OUT OF THIS REQUIREMENT. THIS NEGOTIATION IS STILL IN PROCESS AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE RESOLVED.

3. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF NNWC DECISION TO 'SUNSET' THE MARS MISSION, I AM FORCED TO INITIATE ACTION TO CLOSE DOWN NAVY-MARINE CORPS OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES BY 30 SEP 2009. ACCORDINGLY:

A. AREA DIRECTORS WILL TRANSFER ALL MEMBERSHIP RECORDS TO HQ NLT THAN 31 JUL 2009. WHEN RECORDS HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED, STATE DIRECTORS WILL SEND ALL MEMBERSHIP RELATED MATTERS DIRECTLY TO CHNAVMARCORMARS VICE THE AREA DIRECTOR.

B. AREA DIRECTORS WILL CLOSE DOWN THEIR OFFICES AND TURN IN ALL EQUIPMENT TO DRMO NOT LATER THAN 30 SEP 2009.

C. NONE OF THE EQUIPMENT AT THE AREA DIRECTORS STATIONS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO ANY MEMBERS. THE EQUIPMENT MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER OFFICIAL NAVY ORGANIZATIONS (LIKE MWR OR SPECIAL SERVICES) TO HELP EQUIP OR START UP MILITARY RECREATION STATIONS. THESE TRANSFERS WILL BE APPROVED BY HQ ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

4. IF NAVY'S REQUEST TO BE DELETED FROM REF B IS NOT APPROVED, THERE WILL BE A NAVY-MARINE CORPS MARS PROGRAM BUT IT WILL NOT HAVE AREA DIRECTORS (THEY WILL HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED). ALL MEMBERSHIP CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE HANDLED BETWEEN THE STATE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF, NAVMARCORMARS DIRECTLY. AREA DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND AREA STAFF POSITIONS WILL BE RETAINED TO COORDINATE FREQUENCY MATTERS, TRAINING, ETC.. ALL OPERATIONAL MATTERS WILL BE HANDLED BY STATE AND REGION DIRECTORS.

5. I WILL INFORM YOU AS SOON AS I FIND OUT THE FINAL RESOLUTION OF NAVY'S REQUEST TO 'SUNSET' NAVY-MARINE CORPS MARS.

BT
NNNN

2009 Armed Forces Day (Pt. 2: SECDEF Message)

PART II. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MESSAGE TEST VIA DIGITAL MODES.

The Secretary of Defense message will be transmitted via digital modes including RTTY, PACTOR, AMTOR, PSK-31, MFSK and MT63 from the stations listed below, including frequencies, mode, and date/time in Zulu (UTC). All frequencies are listed for center of intelligence. Offset as appropriate for your TNC. Sound cards modes will use standard factory settings (Note: Not all stations may necessarily operate on all the frequencies listed, depending on propagation and available equipment.)

Army Stations
STATION: AAZ (HQ Army MARS and Western Area Gateway, Fort Huachuca, AZ)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
6988.0 kHz RTTY 10 May/0110Z
PACTOR FEC 10 May/0130Z
MT63 10 May/0220Z
PSK-31 10 May/0250Z
14402.0 kHz RTTY 10 May/0110Z
PACTOR FEC 10 May/0130Z
MT63 10 May/0220Z
PSK-31 10 May0250Z

STATION: WAR (Pentagon MARS Station, Washington, DC )
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
6988.0 kHz Olivia 09 May/1700Z and 2300Z
MT63 09 May/1715Z and 2315Z
14440.0 kHz PACTOR FEC 09 MAY/1730Z
RTTY 09 MAY/1745Z
4020.9 kHz PACTOR FEC 09 MAY/2330Z
RTTY 09 May/2345Z

STATION: AAV
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
3243.5 kHz MT63 10May/0030Z
7358.5 kHz RTTY 10 May/0100Z

Air Force Stations
STATION: AIR-2 (Scott Air Force Base)
Frequency Mode Broadcast Date/Time
7831.1 kHz RTTY 09 May/1930Z
MT63 09 May/2030Z
MFSK 09 May/2100Z

14877.1 kHz RTTY 09 May/2130Z
MT63 09 May/2230Z
MFSK 09 May/2300Z

Navy/Marine Corps Stations
STATION: NAV (HQ NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, WILLIAMSBURG, VA)
FREQUENCY MODE BROADCAST DATE/TIME
7346.5 KHZ RTTY 75 BAUD 09 MAY/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0010Z
MT63 10 MAY/0040Z
14480.0 KHZ RTTY 75 BAUD 09 MAY/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0010Z
MT63 10 MAY/0040Z

STATION: NAV3 (NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX)
FREQUENCY MODE BROADCAST DATE/TIME
7393.0 KHZ RTTY 09 MAY/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0010Z
MT63 10 MAY/0040Z
13975.5 KHZ RTTY 09 MAY/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0010Z
MT63 10 MAY/0040Z

STATION: NAV4 (NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, GREAT LAKES, IL)
FREQUENCY MODE BROADCAST DATE/TIME
7375.0 KHZ RTTY 10 MAY/0240Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0310Z
MT63 10 MAY/0340Z
14468.5 KHZ RTTY 10 MAY/0240Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0310Z
MT63 10 MAY/0340Z

STATION: NBL (NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, GROTON, CT)
FREQUENCY MODE BROADCAST DATE/TIME
7370.0 KHZ RTTY 09 MAY/2340Z
PACTOR FEC 10 MAY/0010Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0040Z
14393.0 KHZ RTTY 09 MAY/2340Z
PACTOR FEC 10 MAY/0010Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0040Z

STATION: NPL (NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, SAN DIEGO, CA)
FREQUENCY MODE BROADCAST DATE/TIME
7350.0 KHZ RTTY 10 MAY/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 10 MAY/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0340Z
14465.0 KHZ RTTY 10 MAY/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 10 MAY/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0340Z

STATION: NUW (NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION, NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA)
FREQUENCY MODE BROADCAST DATE/TIME
7380.0 KHZ RTTY 10 MAY/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 10 MAY/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0340Z
13530.0 KHZ RTTY 10 MAY/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 10 MAY/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 10 MAY/0340Z

SUBMISSION OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TEST MESSAGE ENTRIES.
Transcripts of the RTTY, PACTOR, AMTOR, PSK-31, MFSK and MT63 receiving test should be submitted "as received". No attempt should be made to correct possible transmission errors. Provide time, frequency and call sign of the military station copied, including name, call sign, and address (including ZIP code) of individual submitting the entry. Ensure this information is placed on the paper containing the test message. Each year a large number of acceptable entries are received with insufficient information, or necessary information was not attached to the transcriptions and was separated, thereby precluding issuance of a certificate. Entries must be sent to the appropriate military address as follows:

a. Stations copying Secretary of Defense message transmitted from AAZ/WAR/AAV send entries to:

Armed Forces Day Celebration
Commander NETCOM/9th ASC
Armed Forces Day Celebration
Attn: NETC-OPE-MA (MARS) (31)
Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-5000

b STATIONS COPYING SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MESSAGE TRANSMITTED FROM
NAV, NAV-3, NAV-4, NBL, NPL OR NUW SEND ENTRIES TO:
ARMED FORCES DAY CELEBRATION
CHIEF, NAVY-MARINE CORPS MARS
CHEATHAM ANNEX BLDG 117
108 SANDA AVE
WILLIAMSBURG, VA 23185-5830

c. Stations copying Secretary of Defense message transmitted from AIR-2 send entries to:

Armed Forces Day Celebration
AFCA / Chief, AF MARS
203W Losey St
Scott AFB, IL 62225

2009 Armed Forces Day (Pt. 1: Crossband Tests)

This one usually brings out some good military/ MARS stations. They do it the week before so people can go to Dayton.

------

ANNUAL ARMED FORCES DAY CROSSBAND MILITARY/AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TEST (09 MAY 2009)

The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are co-sponsoring the annual military/amateur radio communications tests in celebration of the 59th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day (AFD). Although the actual Armed Forces Day is celebrated on Saturday, May 16, 2009, the AFD Military/Amateur Crossband Communications Test will be conducted 09 May 2009 to prevent conflict with the Dayton Hamvention (15-17 May 2009), which is the same weekend as the actual Armed Forces Day.

The annual celebration features traditional military to amateur cross band communications SSB voice tests and copying the Secretary of Defense message via digital modes. These tests give Amateur Radio operators and Short Wave Listeners (SWL) an opportunity to demonstrate their individual technical skills, and to receive recognition from the Secretary of Defense and/or the appropriate military radio station for their proven expertise. QSL cards will be provided to those stations making contact with the military stations. Special commemorative certificates will be awarded to anyone who receives and copies the digital Armed Forces Day message from the Secretary of Defense.

MILITARY-TO-AMATEUR CROSS BAND SSB & CW TEST CONTACTS.
Military-to-Amateur cross band operations will take place on the dates/times in ZULU (UTC), and frequencies listed below for each station. Voice contacts will include operations in single sideband voice (SSB). Some stations may not operate the entire period, depending on propagation and manning. Participating military stations will transmit on selected Military MARS frequencies and listen for amateur radio stations in the Amateur bands indicated below. The military station operator will announce the specific amateur band frequency being monitored. Duration of each voice contact should be limited to 1-2 minutes. The following stations will be transmitting on MARS frequencies listed below which are provided as "Window/Dial Frequency" in kHz. Some stations will use CW to provide the opportunity to check in by Morse Code.


Army Stations
STATION: AAZ (09 May 1400Z - 10 May 0300Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4038.9 kHz LSB 80M
6913.0 kHz LSB 40M
14.402.0 kHz USB 20M
13996.0 kHz USB 20M
18211.0 kHz USB 17M
7577.0 kHz CW 40M
13507.0kHz CW 20M
7639.5 kHz RTTY 40M
13512.5 kHz MT-63 20M
Location: Fort Huachuca, AZ
Address:
Commander NETCOM/9th ASC
ATTN: NETCOM-OPE-M (MARS) (31)
2133 Cushing Street
Ft. Huachuca, AZ 85616-7070
POC: Mr. Dewayne Smith
DSN: 821-7324
Commercial: (520) 533-7324



STATION: AAC (09 May 1300Z - 10 May 0100Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
3348.5 kHz LSB 80M
7363.0 LSB 40M
9180.5 MT63 USB 30M
13910.5 kHz USB 20M
Location: Lexington, KY
Address:
HQ 1st BDE, 100th DIV (IT) MARS Station
Barrow Army Reserve Training Center
1051 Russell Cave Pike
Lexington, KY 40505
POC: Barry Jackson
Commercial: (859) 227-0137

STATION: ABH (09 May 1600Z - 10 May 2300Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
3195 kHz LSB 80M
3360 kHz LSB 80M
4440 kHz LSB 80M
4466 kHz LSB 80M
7360 kHz LSB 40M
7720 kHz LSB 40M
8040 kHz LSB 40M
8094.5 kHz LSB 40M
14483.5 kHz USB 20M
14489.5 kHz USB 20M
17443.0 kHz USB 17M
17592.5 kHz USB 17M
20978.0 kHz USB 15M
20559.0 kHz USB 15M
Location: Schofield Barracks, HI
Commander, 396th Signal Company
30th Signal Battalion, 96857
POC: WO1 William Pemberton
Commercial: (808) 655-3387

STATION: ALM (09 May 1600Z - 10 May 2300Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
13741.5 kHz USB 20M
4003.0kHz LSB 80M
7317.0 kHz LSB 40M
Location: Fort Wainwright
Commander, 507 the Sig Co, 99703
POC: CW4 Roderick Mitchell
507th Signal Company
Commercial: (907-353-0082

STATION: WAR (09 May 1200Z - 2400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4020.9 kHz LSB/CW 80M
7504.0 kHz LSB/CW 40M
13512.5 kHz USB/CW 20M
20518.5 kHz USB/CW 15M
Location: Pentagon, Arlington VA
Address:
Pentagon ARC
PO Box 2322
Arlington VA 22202
POC CAPT Rick Low, USN
Station telephone:
Commercial: (703) 693-8423 DSN 223-8423


STATION: WUG-231 (09 May 1300Z - 10 May 0200Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4032.9 kHz LSB 80M
7.360.0 kHz LSB 40M
6.826.0 kHz LSB/CW 40M
14486.0 kHz USB 20M
14663.5 kHz USB/CW 20M
20973.5 kHz USB/CW 15M
Location: Memphis, TN
Address:
USACE Memphis District Office
ATTN: Jim Pogue
Public Affairs Office Room B-202
167 N. Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
POC: Mr. Jim Pogue
Commercial: (901) 544-4109


STATION: AAV (09 May 1300Z - 2000Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4038.9 kHz LSB 80M
7360.0 kHz LSB 40M
13963.5 kHz USB 20M
FORT MONMOUTH NJ
POC WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS
DIRECTOR REGION 2
N2LMU@JUNO.COM

Air Force Station
STATION: AIR (09 May 1200Z - 2400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4517.1 kHz USB 80M
6996.1 kHz USB 40M
13985.1 kHz USB 20M
20737.6 kHz USB 15M
ROBERT WILLIAM STROH, A1C, SCORB, USAF
GLOBAL SYSTEM RADIO OPERATOR
89 CS/ 89 ASG
ANDREWS AFB, MD
DSN: 858-3109
COMM: 301-981-3109



STATION: AIR-2 (09 MAY 1200Z TO 2400Z)
Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4590.1 KHZ USB 80M
7540.1 KHZ USB 40M
13993.1 KHZ USB 20M
POC: Mr. AL EIERMANN
ADDRESS: AFCA / AF MARS
203W LOSEY ST
SCOTT AFB, IL 62225
COMMERCIAL: (618) 229-5963

Navy/Marine Corps Stations
STATION: NAV (09 MAY 1200Z - 09 MAY 2330Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4010.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7348.0 KHZ LSB 40M
14478.5 KHZ USB 20M
20994.0 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: HQ NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION NAV CHEATHAM ANNEX BLDG. 117
108 SANDA AVE
WILLIAMSBURG, VA 23185-5830
POC: BO LINDFORS
COMMERCIAL: (757) 887-4494 DSN: 953-4494

STATION: NAV3 (09 MAY 1200Z - 10 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4014.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7394.5 KHZ LSB 40M
13974.0 KHZ USB 20M
20997.0 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION NAV3
9035 OCEAN DR SUITE 3A
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78419-5234
POC: ITSC (SW) BROWN
COMMERCIAL: (361) 961-5002 DSN: 861-5002

STATION: NAV4 (09 MAY 1200Z - 10 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4011.5 KHZ LSB/MT63 80M
7376.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14467.0 KHZ USB 20M
21758.5 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION NAV4
615 PREBLE AVE
CAMP BARRY, BLDG. 153
GREAT LAKES, IL 60088-2850
POC: ITC (SW/AW) STEPHEN ANDERSON
COMMERCIAL: (847) 688-3787 DSN: 792-3787

STATION: NBL (09 MAY 1200Z - 10 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4041.5 KHZ LSB 80M
7371.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14391.5 KHZ USB 20M
20623.5 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION
4 LANTERN LANE
CHELMSFORD MA 01824-1316
POC: ROBERT VETH, DIRECTOR REGION ONE
COMMERCIAL: (978) 256-5264

STATION: NPL (09 MAY 1500Z - 10 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4003.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7351.5 KHZ LSB 40M
14463.5 KHZ USB 20M
20936.0 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION
937 NORTH HARBOR DRIVE
SAN DIEGO, CA 92132-5100
POC: ITC (SW) TIGHE
COMMERCIAL: (619) 532-1490 DSN: 522-1490

STATION: NUW (09 MAY 1500Z - 10 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4044.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7381.5 KHZ LSB 40M
13528.5 KHZ USB 20M
20952.5 KHZ USB 15M
ADDRESS: NAVMARCORMARS RADIO STATION
260 W. PIONEER FSC BLDG.
NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA 98277
POC: MR. DIGGER O'DELL
COMMERCIAL: (360) 675-2823 DSN: 820-8038

Armed Forces Day SECDEF Message This Saturday

From Army MARS:

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MESSAGE TEST VIA DIGITAL MODES.
The Secretary of Defense message will be transmitted via digital modes including RTTY, PACTOR, AMTOR, PSK-31, MFSK and MT63 from the stations listed below, including frequencies, mode, and date/time in Zulu (UTC). All frequencies are listed for center of intelligence. Offset as appropriate for your TNC. (Note: Not all stations may necessarily operate on all the frequencies listed, depending on propagation and available equipment.)

Army Stations

STATION: AAZ (HQ Army MARS Gateway, Fort Huachuca, Arizona)

6988.0 kHz
RTTY 11 May 0110Z
PACTOR FEC 11 May 0130Z
MT63 11 May 0220Z
PSK-31 11 May 0250Z
14402.0 kHz
RTTY 11 May 0110Z
PACTOR FEC 11 May 0130Z
MT63 11 May 0220Z
PSK-31 11 May 0250Z

STATION: WAR (Pentagon ARC/MARS Station, Arlington, Virginia)

6988.0 kHz
RTTY 10 May 1700Z
RTTY 10 May 2300Z
MT63 10 May 1715Z
MT63 10 May 2315Z
14440.0 kHz
PACTOR FEC 10 May 1730Z
PACTOR FEC 10 May 2330Z
Olivia 10 May 1745Z
Olivia 10 May 2345Z
Stations copying the Secretary of Defense message transmitted from AAZ/WAR should send their entries to Armed Forces Day Celebration, Commander NETCOM/9th ASC, Attn: NETC-OPE-MA (MARS) (31), Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-5000.

Air Force Stations

STATION: AIR-2 (Scott Air Force Base)

7831.1 kHz
RTTY 10 May/1930Z
PACTOR 10 May/2000Z
MT63 10 May/2030Z
MFSK 10 May/2100Z
14877.1 kHz
RTTY 10 May/2130Z
PACTOR 10 May/2200Z
MT63 10 May/2230Z
MFSK 10 May/2300Z

Navy/Marine Corps Stations

STATION: NAV (HQ NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, WILLIAMSBURG, VA)

7346.5 kHz
RTTY 75 baud 10 May/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0010Z
MT63 11 May/0040Z
14480.0 kHz
RTTY 75 baud 10 May/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0010Z
MT63 11 May/0040Z

STATION: NAV3 (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX)

7393.0 kHz
RTTY 10 May/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0010Z
MT63 11 May/0040Z
13975.5 kHz
RTTY 10 May/2340Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0010Z
MT63 11 May/0040Z

STATION: NAV4 (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, GREAT LAKES, IL)

7375.0 kHz
RTTY 11 May/0240Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0310Z
MT63 11 May/0340Z
14468.5 kHz
RTTY 11 May/0240Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0310Z
MT63 11 May/0340Z

STATION: NBL (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, GROTON, CT)

7370.0 kHz
RTTY 10 May/2340Z
PACTOR FEC 11 May/0010Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0040Z
14393.0 kHz
RTTY 10 May/2340Z
PACTOR FEC 11 May/0010Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0040Z

STATION: NPL (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, SAN DIEGO, CA)

7350.0 kHz
RTTY 11 May/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 11 May/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0340Z
14465.0 kHz
RTTY 11 May/0410Z
PACTOR FEC 11 May/0440Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0510Z

STATION: NUW (NAVMARCORMARS Radio Station, NAS WHIDBEY
ISLAND, WA)

7380.0 kHz
RTTY 11 May/0240Z
PACTOR FEC 11 May/0310Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0340Z
13530.0 kHz RTTY 11 May/0410Z
PACTOR FEC 11 May/0440Z
AMTOR FEC 11 May/0510Z

SUBMISSION OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TEST MESSAGE ENTRIES.

Transcripts of the RTTY, PACTOR, AMTOR, PSK-31, MFSK and MT63 receiving test should be submitted "as received". No attempt should be made to correct possible transmission errors. Provide time, frequency and call sign of the military station copied, including name, call sign, and address (including ZIP code) of individual submitting the entry. Ensure this information is placed on the paper containing the test message. Each year a large number of acceptable entries are received with insufficient information, or necessary information was not attached to the transcriptions and was separated, thereby precluding issuance of a certificate. Entries must be sent to the appropriate military address as follows:

a. Stations copying Secretary of Defense message transmitted from AAZ send entries to:
Armed Forces Day Celebration
Commander NETCOM/9th ASC
Armed Forces Day Celebration
Attn: NETC-OPE-MA (MARS) (31)
Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613-5000
b. Stations copying Secretary of Defense message transmitted from NAV, NAV-3, NAV-
4, NBL, NPL or NUW send entries to:
Armed Forces Day Celebration
Chief, Navy-Marine Corps MARS
Cheatham Annex Bldg 117
108 Sanda Ave
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5830
c. Stations copying Secretary of Defense message transmitted from AIR-2 send entries
to:
Armed Forces Day Celebration
AFCA / Chief, AF MARS
203W Losey St
Scott AFB, IL 62225

Details of the amateur crossband transmitting test are here.

US Army Corps of Engineers QSL Opportunity

From Jim Pogue:

Once again, station WUG-231 will offer a special QSL card for SWLs only who hear our station during the ANNUAL ARMED FORCES DAY CROSSBAND MILITARY/AMATEUR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS TEST this Saturday, 10/11 MAY 2008.

Any SWL worldwide who hears us is invited to send a reception report and receive our special commemorative QSL card. This will be different than the one amateurs receive for any contacts they make with us.

You may send your report directly to me at the address below. No return postage is necessary. Frequencies are also listed below. Good luck and I hope to hear from you.

STATION: WUG-231 (10 May 1300Z - 11 May 0200Z)

Frequency Emission Amateur Band
4032.9 kHz LSB 80M
7.360.0 kHz LSB 40M
6.826.0 kHz LSB 40M
14486.0 kHz USB 20M
14663.5 kHz USB 20M
20973.5 kHz USB 15M

Location: Memphis, TN
Address:
USACE Memphis District Office
ATTN: Jim Pogue
Public Affairs Office Room B-202
167 N. Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103-1894

POC: Mr. Jim Pogue
Commercial: (901) 544-4109

[Editor's note: the annual Armed Forces Day crossband tests are done a week before AFD, so as not to conflict with the Dayton Hamvention.]

Some MARS and SHARES ALE Hits

Copied in California during the 12/28 drill.

MARS = Military Affiliate Radio System. SHARES = SHAred RESources, a Federal interoperability pool and special net administered by National Communications System.

043NCS Natl. Comm. System, sounding on 9106 and 11217 at 1944 and 2143 UTC. Sounding on 11217 and 9106 at 2243.

ANCOPS Unk agency, sounding on 11217 at 2144, 2214, and 2315. Also sounding on 3349 and 17487 at 2144.

YXPNNN US Navy/Marine Corps MARS, sounding on 7642 at 2204.

KULNNN USN/MC MARS, sounding on 11098.5 at 2306.

6DUAFA US Air Force MARS, calling 6NEAFA, at 2332.

Note: The funny backwards MARS addresses are per interoperability committee REF A adopted some years ago, in which unique station identifiers occupy the first three characters (the ones passed in the standard ALE version 1 ID field as opposed to DAT words). YXPNNN=NNN0YXP. 6DUAFA=AFA6DU. And so on.