MARS/CAP mods

[eorange]

How many pills ya gonna use for that FT1000MP?

 

[prcguy]

ex-lax comes in pill form. I would suggest two.

How many pills ya gonna use for that FT1000MP?

 

[cavmedic]

Amateur radio in the U.S. has had privileges on the 60m channels since 2003. It's hard for me to imagine that there have been many radios brought to the amateur radio market in the past 19 years that haven't been capable of transmitting on the assigned 60m channels without modification. Yes, I understand that there may be many older radios in use that require modification to transmit on 60m.

I wonder if there might be some lack of knowledge at work here. I routinely see people online complaining that new Icoms don't have 60m capability. They make this false assumption because there's no 60m button on the radio. Like the Yaesu's you mention, the radios can, in fact, transmit on 60m and if you want easy access to the 60m channels, you can program them into memory. I just checked two of my later-model Icoms and they can transmit from 5.255 to 5.405 MHz without modification...no "MARS mod" needed.

Twice in the past week, I've seen current-model Icoms advertised for sale complete with photos that show the radios tuned to CB channels. Gee, you suppose these radios have been modified and are capable of transmitting on frequencies not assigned to amateur radio? You s'pose the owners swear by §97.405? Or, is it a case of "it's my radio, I'll do whatever I want with it"?

The radios are PRESET with the frequencies/modes in the non changeable memories. That does you no good, when you are using a data port on the radio and the radio must be switched to " DATA" mode to trigger that particular " input" The radios will NOT transmit when using those memories when you change the mode. Perfect example is my Yaesu 3000 with the built in sound card, or my 891's when using a signal link fed into the data port.

It may not be an issue with those who acoustically couple via a mic or use a mic input, but those of us who only use the back panels, the radio MUST be " MARS MODIFIED in order to transmit on 60 meters using the DATA-U, DATA-L , RTTY , or RTTYU mode on the Yaesu radios.

 

[1Charlie4]

Does anyone have a good contact number for someone within the MARS program? The membership guide has a phone number that’s automated and extremely basic. I’ve got some questions regarding the use of MARS and would like to get some info. I’ll put one of them here for others that may be in the same shoes as me.

First off, currently not licensed, will be getting licensed/getting a radio soon. Without getting into specifics, I’m currently in the Air Guard and my job requires the use of Manpack/ handheld radios (Harris/ Thales).

For my job, I am always utilizing multiband/ multi waveform capable radios and said freq ranges/ waveforms. As well as for military operations, we are also utilized during DOMOPS (Domestic Operations) I.e. National disasters and such. The radio I am looking at, a website lists the option for a MARS mod. I am contemplating this, so that if anything happened and I didn’t have access to my Mil radios (since I can’t keep a CCI capable radio at home), I could still communicate.

The main question is this: would I be able to use the MARS modded radio in an official capacity until I was able to link up with our equipment guys to get one of my Harris/ Thales radios. Or, despite being qualified/ authorized to utilize FAPs for military use, would I still have to be a member/ authorized user under the MARS program?

Information and/or a POC would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

[AK9R]

The main question is this: would I be able to use the MARS modded radio in an official capacity until I was able to link up with our equipment guys to get one of my Harris/ Thales radios.

Probably not. If your employer wants you to have a radio, they'll issue you one. A modified amateur radio may or may not meet your employer's requirements. I would not take a chance using an unapproved radio.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the official Army MARS website: US Army MARS

 

[prcguy]

To my knowledge, the USCG AUX is the only US Govt sponsored group that allows a modified HF amateur radio on Govt freqs, all others require Part 90 radios. For VHF and above the USCG AUX does require Part 90 radios.

Probably not. If your employer wants you to have a radio, they'll issue you one. A modified amateur radio may or may not meet your employer's requirements. I would not take a chance using an unapproved radio.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the official Army MARS website: US Army MARS

 

[1Charlie4]

Really appreciate the responses! Think I’ll just pass on the MARS mod. My early thought process was it could be helpful in a pinch, but it’s seems like there’s a lot of unknowns that I feel could make more problems than good.

 

[ladn]

Really appreciate the responses! Think I’ll just pass on the MARS mod. My early thought process was it could be helpful in a pinch, but it’s seems like there’s a lot of unknowns that I feel could make more problems than good.

Hypothetically, you could purchase your own commercial "Part 90" radio in the appropriate band and frequency range and with proper permissions, have it programmed to your wing's frequencies. This can be a rather costly and complicated endeavor, so it's probably best to heed @AK9R 's advice and have a radio officially issued to your by your unit.

 

[prcguy]

Owning and operating an opened up radio is kind of like owning a gun. You have to know yourself and weight the possibility of having an accident vs being comfortable that accidental out of band operation will never happen. If you decide its not for you that's great, at least you thought about it and acted appropriately. I'm comfortable with owning wide open radios and many others are too.

Really appreciate the responses! Think I’ll just pass on the MARS mod. My early thought process was it could be helpful in a pinch, but it’s seems like there’s a lot of unknowns that I feel could make more problems than good.

 

[KD7RJC]

Just want to vent. I was hoping that if I ordered a new Anytone D578UV or the related Alinco DR-MD500 or MD520 new from Ham Radio Outlet that they'd be willing to set the radio mode to 14 for me as a condition of the sale, basically the digital equivalent of a MARS/CAP mod that others have said their local HRO retail locations have been happy to do on other radios. Called them up today to ask, they said no, "we don't do programming".

I wasn't thinking of this as programming, but I did expect that as an authorized retailer that appears to be approved to service the equipment that they'd be a little more willing. But I guess not.

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

Just want to vent. I was hoping that if I ordered a new Anytone D578UV or the related Alinco DR-MD500 or MD520 new from Ham Radio Outlet that they'd be willing to set the radio mode to 14 for me as a condition of the sale, basically the digital equivalent of a MARS/CAP mod that others have said their local HRO retail locations have been happy to do on other radios. Called them up today to ask, they said no, "we don't do programming".

I wasn't thinking of this as programming, but I did expect that as an authorized retailer that appears to be approved to service the equipment that they'd be a little more willing. But I guess not.

It’s trivial to do yourself, you only need an easily available software application to do it.

 

[KD7RJC]

It’s trivial to be yourself, you only need an easily available software application to do it.

I was under the impression that it was done through the front panel and required a code that may or may not have been changed compared to earlier shipped batches of the radio.

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

I was under the impression that it was done through the front panel and required a code that may or may not have been changed compared to earlier shipped batches of the radio.

Nope. Google “AT_options”. Download app, open it, plug in the radio and make whatever changes you need. Do this first before programming it as it makes it easier.

 

[KD7RJC]

Nope. Google “AT_options”. Download app, open it, plug in the radio and make whatever changes you need. Do this first before programming it as it makes it easier.

I know I'm getting a little off-topic here, but since you have the D578UV, was there anything in particular that made it more attractive than the similar Alinco offerings?

 

[KD8DVR]

"Opening up" a transmitter isn't illegal until you transmit, at least in this country.

But opening up a transmitter is de facto evidence you are going to transmit.

 

[N4KVE]

Just want to vent. I was hoping that if I ordered a new Anytone D578UV or the related Alinco DR-MD500 or MD520 new from Ham Radio Outlet that they'd be willing to set the radio mode to 14 for me as a condition of the sale, basically the digital equivalent of a MARS/CAP mod that others have said their local HRO retail locations have been happy to do on other radios. Called them up today to ask, they said no, "we don't do programming".

I wasn't thinking of this as programming, but I did expect that as an authorized retailer that appears to be approved to service the equipment that they'd be a little more willing. But I guess not.

Technically, they’d be breaking the law since the radios were FCC approved for importation in the mode they’re in now. And since they're in the radio business, they should know better. But once it’s been delivered, you can get it to mode 14 yourself, & the store hasn’t broken any laws.

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

I know I'm getting a little off-topic here, but since you have the D578UV, was there anything in particular that made it more attractive than the similar Alinco offerings?

I got an 868 years ago because I needed a good part 90 radio for work and was also looking at getting my ham ticket. If I find a brand of something I like for anything, it’s becomes my “standard”, so I got the 878 radio when it came out and the 578 as well, since I wanted built in GPS for APRS. I can also easily move my settings between the radios so they works similarly.

 

[mmckenna]

they should know better.

Exactly.

Which explains why some HRO's will do it, and some won't.

 

[prcguy]

But opening up a transmitter is de facto evidence you are going to transmit.

This makes no sense. Like you added fat tires and a spoiler to your car and now you will break all the speed laws. Or you got a high capacity magazine for your rifle and now you are going to commit mass murders. Or you made a silly post like this so your obviously...

Never mind.

 

[mastr]

Never mind.

"Never mind" is absolutely correct. There will always be people who believe that their self perceived need for a radio that will transmit in places where they are not authorized somehow overrides FCC/NTIA requirements and various federal, state and local laws. And there will always be people who simply cannot believe that it is possible to possess a modified radio along with the self control needed to stay out of systems/frequencies which one is not authorized for.