The MARS mod : Why? (

[@mattstosh6960]

Army MARS is still extremely active in Alaska. I was a former member of such. Three years ago DOD decided that MARS was an excellent backup system to normal Military satellite systems and re-ignited MARS training here in Alaska. About that same time, I acted as a MARS HF relay station transferring messages from the Pentagon to Kodiak Coast Guard station to the Coast Guard Ship Healy stationed in the Arctic / Bering Sea. Everyone learned a lot from the experience.

[@Bombguy83]

Recent General and retiring from the army here at Richardson. Very interested in getting started with MARS in the coming months. KL5IO

[@horsetrainingresources]

My father, K6AXS - SK, was a fighter and bomber pilot in WW2, Korea, etc... When not flying while deployed (and also when home), he would run phone patches for the troops wherever he was. While deployed, he would setup a 3x5 card file for each of the men in his unit with their US phone number, city and state and when he made state-side contacts he would see which of his unit's men were close to that area and have a runner go get them. Art Collins of Collins radio was a great supporter of the troops and hams/MARS units and would provide radios and parts as needed - even putting units on the next courier out if possible. I have a friend that recently retired from the AF and he flew B52's and B1's. He said that when they were headed back to the states after a deployment or sortie, they had a couple MARS frequencies pre-programmed on their HF radios in the cockpit that they could switch to and call for a phone patch to home. There are multiple MARS stations all over the US that still listen for crews in the air and will run phone patches for them. The MARS operators providing this service are unpaid and are required to be available a certain number of hours per month, have a certain level of power and a rotatable beam. 73, K0CKH

[@jackK5FIT]

I stood in line 3 hours in the rain in Vietnam to talk to my wife for a few minutes. There are a couple of local Hams that are still active in MARS and I've told them many times how much I appreciate what they do. Jack K5FIT

[@HyperCadaver]

I made several calls home from the MARS shack while deployed off the Former Republic of Yugoslavia in 93-94. The line outside the MARS shack was long but it was nice to hear voices.

[@timmack2415]

I've been a MARS member for 20+ years. Yes, it requires work, dedication and training, but well worth the effort!!

[@jeffg.445]

What's it like being part of modern MARS? What sorts of traffic do you handle? Do you even do welfare messages anymore?

[@iosonoi.7132]

I'm gen z. My interest started out of just appreciation for the concept of elecromagnetic waves. Now I am looking to joining the HAM community!

[@JohnDoe-zg6fn]

Question: "Why would I want to get a MARS MOD to my radio, wouldn't that void my warranty?" Well, I suppose that is two questions. MARS/CAP MODS on radios opens the radio bands past what the factory restricts them to. With doing the mod you will have access to frequencies that you wouldn't have access to otherwise. Many people do this to open the ability to use GMRS, FRS, and MURS on their ham radios. It would not necessarily void your warranty. I bought an Icom ID-52 from GIGA PARTS and they offer the MARS MOD, for a price, so I went ahead and did it. The radio works great with no issues and GIGA PARTS says that if they do the mod that it will NOT void your warranty. I suggest everybody get this mod in their radios if they can, but have a professional do it.

[@TintagelEmrys]

I would not recommend it to everyone. If you want to listen to the GMRS/MURS freqs, then yes. If you don't, I have accidentally transmitted when I didn't mean to on exiting scan quite a few times, and don't want to do that to, say a police dispatch frequency.

[@timbacchus]

Was a member of AirForce Mars AFA6LE for 30 years. Loved doing it. Much different than Ham nets.

[@jeffvoight6586]

I was the Army side of MARS transmitting from Mogadishu back in the early 90s. Made hundreds of logged phone calls for my fellow deployed troops. I'd warn them not to swear and don't talk about mission stuff and remember to say 'over' and let go of the transmit button when you're done and remember that everybody on the planet can hear you. And, yet, I'd still have to scold people trying to talk dirty with their spouse back home with some poor ham on the other end flipping the transmit switch back and forth whenever he heard 'over'. And, being the unit radio operator, and having a fairly booming voice, and being that I could still listen through a bit of static, I'd always wait for the net to go to heck, kick everybody out for the night, and call my own spouse, punch through some noise for a couple of minutes, and call it a night.

[@notsure7874]

If you buy a radio from Gigaparts, and they are able to MARS mod it, the warranty remains intact. Cost varies based on difficulty (they have "levels"). I don't operate out of band, but I do mars mod my rigs - because if it gets REALLY bad, there won't be an FCC anyway. I'm hoping it doesn't get that bad, and I don't think it will - but IF it does ... my gear can operate anywhere within its technical limits. I'm licensed, and I know where I can and can't operate.. It's on ME to operate within those parameters, not some contrived limits placed on the gear.

[@ss95248]

This. A lot of these sad cases will look down on you and assume that you’re up to no good if you don’t have another legitimate purpose (MARS activities etc). My reasoning is I’m just fascinated by these radios and the fact that they _can_ transmit on these frequencies in their natural, unimpeded form. Doesn’t mean I’m gonna transmit on anything other than amateur bands though. (I think if there’s a good reason not to do it, it’s preventing accidental transmits out of band.)

[@brucesteele3052]

Thanks to MARS in Saigon near the MACV compound, I was able to call my family in the States while on RR. What a moral boost.

[@eddy2561]

MARS at McClellan AFB back in the day would open its warehouse to military surplus once a month, on a Saturday as I recall, offering electronic equipment for sale at dirt cheap prices.....for hams, it was like shopping at a candy store!! Dirt cheap military radios that covered the HF bands was my favorite. From my home phone at my QTH in Sacramento I would run phone patches from servicemen to their families in the States /K6SDW

[@czmg22]

I sent messages via MARS during my last deployment to Afghanistan 2012. My family and the relay operators both enjoyed the experience.

[@adamwhite3584]

My CB capabilities are just as good as my ham capabilities. It's my gear, I'll use it how I see fit.

[@blueoxmillworks]

I was a jungle RTO (radioman) in Viet Nam in 1968 and used the MARS project many times for the gunners to have two minuets to talk with home for 2 minuets each during Christmas, it was huge for us... Thankyou ALL... Eric Hollenbeck

[@stevencook4127]

When I was stationed at Elmendorf AFB near Anchorage, Alaska, we lost normal communications with a remote radar station and we activated M.A.R.S. To establish communication. Steven T. Cook, kb9ork

[@BryanTorok]

In what year was that?

[@larryzuravin4226]

I used the Navy MARS from my ship sailing in the Mediterranean Sea in the early 80's. There was usually a big line to the tiny shack. We had about 3 minutes once Mom or Dad accepted the call and were briefed about what they could ask and saying "over"! Good times! KB2WZT

[@charleswoods2996]

I think, (I could be wrong), but when I bought my Icom 7300 from Ham Radio Outlet, they offered the "MARS Mod" for another $40.00 on top of the retail sale price. Of course, I wanted it! But I *think the radio is still covered under warranty. Yet, whenever you download updated software from Icom for the SD card and insert it into the radio, there's that WARNING button at which if there's a malfunction, Icom's not responsible and neither is the retailer you (I) bought it from. And, I like goofing off on CB Ch. 38 LSB with that radio, and the audio and EQ mixers and studio mic, LOL! KD8EFQ/Thumbs up/SUBSCRIBED/73!

[@Jack-df9gy]

Great history lesson! Didn't know about Goldwater and ham radio.

[@kelvin0mql]

I did the MARS mod on my FTdx3000, because the way it supported 60m would not work properly with WSJT-x (for FT8). No direct VFO control in that band. After the mod, FT8 works on 60 just like any other band. Same story for CW via N1MM+. Works perfectly.

[@timbacchus]

Would QSO with Mr. Goldwater on a weekly basis from his office in DC when I was young. I would ask about the weather and he would go off on a tangent about a Senator etc. Scared me some times. We talked each week for about three months. Amazing.

[@evanfinch4987]

I am seriously intrigued by the rant part of this, and I'd love to hear more. How did it scare you? Was it like that someone with that level of power was ranting? Was Daisy Girl right?!

[@KC4LZN]

Early 90's aboard the John Rodgers (DD-983) I was one of the operators for the MARS (NNN0CXD) and loved operating the station, making contact with stateside MARS for phone patches. Always a line down the passageway. Always much appreciated to have that station stateside!

[@robertgiese4913]

I was the MARS officer on my ship in the early ’80s. When I transferred to another duty station all the records remained on board the ship. Now, for biographical purposes, I’d like to find the callsign used on board USS Fox (CG-33). Can you point me in the right direction? So far, my own research has found nothing. TIA 73 Bob K4RDG

[@DaveHough]

Warranties aren't forever. If you have an older rig that's the one you use. Mine is a Yaesu FT-847 I got in 2005. First got involved with Army MARS in '62.

[@maikerumine]

MARS mod = open 11 meters on a ham rig. Radio is radio is radio. :)

[@lyfandeth]

Many MARS mods consist of literally "cut the green jumper wire" so depending on your radio, it should be simple and without any warranty quibble. That jumper is intentionally installed to make this easy.

[@KE5ZZO]

My ic7300 and ftm7250d mod was remove a 0 ohm resistor..

[@lyfandeth]

@@KE5ZZO That's the other way some companies do it. The surface mounted resistor is cheaper than a jumper wire, accomplishes the same thing, is just harder on old eyes.(g) A real craftsman would just unsolder one leg of the resistor and lift it up at that end, keeping it for future use. Most of us take a diagonal cutter or XActo knife and just crumble the resistor. Black cat, white cat, all same. Catch mice. [Chairman Mao]

[@junyangxx]

@@lyfandeth That sentence was from Deng, not Mao. :)

[@la7yka]

I never knew the history of MARS before now. Thank you for a great introduction. Best 73's.

[@davecasler]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@extreme978]

Dave, you forgot to mention about older radios and the 60 meter band. The 60 meter band did not exist through the 90;s, so in order to operate there, you must do a mars/cap. I believe that's why there's been an explosion of modded radios on the market. A lot of older hams really frown on mars mod radios, but really, what does it matter? If someone wants to use their radio for cb, I could care less.

[@M0RMY]

I have all my radios "expanded" it's a no brainer. Of course I stick to ham band regulations but why buy an expensive bit of kit and put restrictions on it? You never know. World events now would agree. Of course in the UK - MARS is an incidental topic.

[@kefrh]

On the "how / warranty" part of the question I guess you could contact the manufacturer but a better answer is that if you want a mars mod without impacting warranty, the major retailers offer it as an add on at purchase. Ham Radio Outlet, Gigaparts etc. It's right there on most product pages for a +$35 to $50 charge. If you want to do it yourself, just google it. The steps for most popular radios are online. If it's a hardware mod, the steps are there, if it's a software mod, the steps are there. As far as "why" I'm pretty sure that the reality of people who decide they want a mars mod isn't for mars. It's people who want to use HF radios for CB or dual band radios for GMRS. Feel free to comment that's against FCC regulations.. but I already know. I'm not sharing my opinion on whether you should or not - I'm sharing the reality that this is the most likely reason people get a mars mod.

[@JarlSeamus]

Wayyyyyyyyyyyy back in the day, when I was on a Navy Ship, we used MARS phone to talk to home. I was newly married when Desert Storm broke out (in 1991) and MARS made it possible to talk to my new wife from the middle of the ocean. What a great contribution to Service Men everywhere.

[@justsayingforafriend7010]

What ship? I was a Mars operator on every ship I was on then. Ran thousands of calls on my free time. BM1 USN ret.

[@JarlSeamus]

@@justsayingforafriend7010 USS Bainbridge, CGN-25 out of Norfolk. 1988-1993 Was an STG then now an HM1(FMF) RET

[@billjames3148]

1980 called home from SUBIC R.P. Mom and DAD were surprised but dad said Thanks. Mars at Subic had a patch for the jacket that was really cool looking , woda shuda couda.....Thanks for the video.

[@charlietuna1355]

When I was active duty AF I used MARS to communicate home from overseas. No internet then.

[@charlesstephens3660]

Of course a lot of people do the "MARS" mod to transmit on CB or other freqs out of the ham bands. I was once a Navy Marine Corps MARS operator which has been decommisioned. I served for 10 years. When I was in Vietnam I used MARS to phone home. Now our warfighters have internet and cell phone coverage on the battle field. All of my HF radios are modified except my newest rig. It was a great service but in my opinion probably not relevent today.

[@dreupen]

You missing the main reason why people are performing a MARS mod now a days. It opens up the radio to the marine bands.

[@g0fvt]

Most of my HF rigs I have "expanded", over the years ham allocations have changed. Being in the UK MARS has no significance but of course when I want to investigate how a specific radio is expanded I do put "MARS MOD" into the search engines. Many of the popular rigs are customized for different markets, my ancient FT817 when manufactured only covered 100kHz of the 40m band, did not cover 60m at all and would not cover the extra chunk of the 2m band that I have a licence variation for. "Expanding" the rig did have some downsides, the radio no longer automatically knows where to use a repeater shift on VHF/UHF. On some radios it is advisable not to use high power on 60m. (transmit bandpass filters not optimized for the band). Some rigs have been trashed by poor soldering skills, so best make sure that whoever does it is competent. Most dealers will do it for you at modest cost.

[@stevewarner8880]

The FEMA/Homeland Security HF program is called SHARES for shared resources is a program of communication for local/state/federal agencies to communicate via HF in times of emergency. The frequencies are similar to MARS, just outside the ham bands

[@W9HJBill]

I'm a member of ARES as well as HEARS (I may look into MARS) and I get MARS mods on all my radios. Two were done at the dealer (I had to pay like $45 to $60) and are warrantied. I have several other radios that that I did the mod myself. Personally, any radio that I keep, gets a mod ... warranty or not.

[@dougtaylor7724]

I recall people talking about having a 120 dollar phone call back during Vietnam. The usual bill was 8 to 12 dollars and they made 70 dollars a week. Times have changed.

[@JOSEFHOPE-o7q]

Back in 1998 while I was in the Coast Guard, stationed on the CGC Polar Star, I was able to make a Christmas MARS call from Antarctica. It was great to hear my families voices.

[@kc2tbag]

It is used by USCG AUXILIARY for nets.

[@Porco_Utah]

Mars Mod ( TX from 1.5M to 30 M plus ) can be useful , if you are using your HF radio as transverter to VHF, UHF frequency. need continuous coverage in HF band. AG6JU

[@TheSzalkowski]

If you do not know what the mod is, then you do not need it. I have been on both sides of MARS phone patches while I was active duty and again after I retired. With email and current day technology, the use case for MARS has dropped greatly but still exists.

[@Alex-tt9jx]

I think regardless if your a member or not of MARS this is still a good idea to open your HF rig. Your radio will be ready in case of an emergency and not locked to the amtaeur radio bands.

[@VE9ASN]

Another informative video, thank you. I'll admit I haven't yet watched all of your HUNDREDS of videos, so I ask have you made one specifically on the WARC bands? Thanks and 73.

[@davecasler]

Yes, I think so. I must've at some point.

[@janecaldwell4223]

I can remember well the hysteria my Mother would display when we contemplated a long distance call.....My question is I am looking at a Kenwood 950GS which has the Mars mod as well as the VGS-1. I am starting out in Ham radio and wonder if this transceiver with the mods would complicate my learning curve. Thanks for the Barry Goldwater information regarding his phone patches. A true American character in every respect.

[@toml.8210]

In 1960, you could buy a 2 bedroom house with a full basement, garage and an acre of land for $10,000! A sedan cost about $200

[@joeb3300]

A NEW sedan, like the Chevy Impala, cost ~$2000. And yes, our house cost $12,000. And home heating oil cost $0.07/gallon on sale. But a 20-minute phone call across the county might run $17.

[@KC9RXP]

Your call sign cracks me up every time I hear it. Love it.

[@Siskiyous6]

You can end up with a lot of radios in a Jeep, I found MARS Mods to be a wise way to get around some pretty silly regulations, some of the silliest of regulations, and there is a huge competition for regulation to be silly. All tyrannical societies find ways to get things done despite the rules. It is dangerous to bow to regulatory schemes.

[@clems6989]

WTF are you talking about.....

[@BryanTorok]

@@clems6989 Well, some Hams are interested in trying out the resurgence in CB radio (11 meters) without having to buy another radio. Some CBers would like to have a better quality radio with SSB and perhaps a bit more than legal power but still have a clean signal. Neither is legal, but if done discretely in the privacy of one's own home, very easily done and the authorities are none the wiser.

[@ExtremeSquared]

@@clems6989 Using your existing non "type-accepted" equipment to interface with other peoples' GMRS equipment.

[@BryanTorok]

Even in the early days of cell phones, long distance calls cost extra and calls from outside one's home area or one's home network (roaming) were a dollar per minute. The cell system, along with the Internet, Skype, Voip, and Zoom have certainly changed things.

[@ocsrc]

One of the greatest things about ham radios especially back in the 80s and 90s, was that you could use direct entry frequency entry and back then the radios were either Crystal or serial programmed using RSS. And some of them had a dip switch when you disassemble the radio you flip the switch and programmed it and then flip the switch back and reassembled it which was really difficult But a ham radio you had the ability to directly enter the frequency in the keypad. Incredibly some of the manufacturers had a very easy modification of cutting a single wire or removing a single diode or resistor to open the entire receive range to transmit on as well So for the first time you had a radio that you could enter any frequency the radio did and transmit So for a low band 20 to 54 MHz you could enter any frequency VHF you could get 136 to 174 UHF you could get 440 to 470 Nowadays it is just a dream to have these radios that were the ultimate figment of our imaginations back in the 70s and 80s and 90s to literally have a radio that does from 18 MHz to 1.3 GHz and we can enter any frequency and transmit and we can put any ctcss tone including custom tones as well as DCS custom tones This just is ridiculous that we have radios now that for 40 dollars we have an am-fm radio that does all of that Prior to the Chinese companies that came out 10 years ago on the market the radios were very expensive A single band VHF handheld radio was $200 A dual band was 350 A tri-band was almost 500 some of the really cheap Chinese radios you can get for $20 that do everything and more of what the tri band and radios did Incredibly I got a DMR MOTOTURBO DUAL SLOT true direct entry digital tri-band radio from one of these companies and they don't make them or they don't sell them in America but I got one of these and it was 70 dollars What I have been begging these companies for is a scanner because now I know they make the DMR dual-slot radios and the phase 2 digital is almost identical to the DMR dual-slot And they could easily make a scanner that does 18 MHz to 1.3 GHz FM and am DMR analog phase 1 and 2 digital simulcast And they could make this for less than $100 Which would be the equivalent of a $700 Uniden scanner Just as these companies crushed the ham radio handheld market they can do the same thing for the scanner market I keep asking and I hope by next year to have one of the prototypes of at least DMR and phase 2 digital simulcast If they can add Open Sky and NXDN that would be a dream That would compete with a $900 Uniden scanner As an analog scanner the 20 dollar radios are okay. the biggest thing is programming is a little bit more difficult than an old-style analog scanner and the speed of the scanning is slower And they don't have the banks and ease of use that an old analog scanner has I still have a bunch of analog scanners that cost me $500 when they came out Nowadays they're worth about ten bucks And because all of the cities and counties that have Phase 2 digital have encrypted all of their activity it really isn't worth it to spend $700 for a scanner But $70 absolutely It's shocking to see that the radio cost about $5 to make And just like the Nike sneakers that they charge $1,500 for that cost $5 to make the greed is just sickening Some of the same factories that make the Kenwood radios make a commercial ham radio brand and they make the knockoff Chinese radios Just as the factories that make the Nike sneakers make the $10 sneakers that use the exact same materials

[@KE5ZZO]

As usual dave gave WRONG info all manufacturers state a mars mod done by the owner of the gear does NOT void the warranty’s

[@twigglykevin]

Did a mars (out of band tx) on my ftm200 to be able to call kms on logging roads.

[@loctite222ms]

In some modern radios, the MARS mod appears to be simply removing the transmit frequency restraints. I've often heard it called broadbanding. My latest new radio was available from the dealer with an extra cost for the "MARS" mod. I've seen a least one KZbinr demonstrating this broadbanded radio on 11 meters. I have mixed feelings about this modification and decided not to do it. On the one hand it would be nice to have the added frequency capability in a life-or-death emergency and operating qrp, it would be unlikely I'd have an issue using it on 11 meters. It would be nice to have multiple service capability in a single box, especially in mobile situations. FCC feels differently about this, and I ultimately decided it wasn't worth it

[@jimjungle1397]

That's a misnomer. The MARS modifications are different from the general coverage transmit modifications. The MARS modifications only extend some of the HF amateur bands. Some radios can transmit on the MARS frequencies without any modification.

[@toml.8210]

This sounds like what you see on the MASH TV show: they call home by routing the call through one or two ham operators.

[@behnkem1]

Once the warranty ran out on my IC-718, I did the MARS mod, via one of the 100's of websites that tell you how to do it on pretty much any modern radio. My IC-718, being a radio that started it manufacturing many years ago, did not come with 60M, so the modification allowed me to operate on that band. I was also a MARS member for about 1 year and quit, due to issues with disabilities that my wife has. Great video!

[@1shARyn3]

When I lived in Japan, they were charging $25 per minute for a landline call; so, yes, we used MARS

[@armadilllo]

My brother would make reel to reel tape recordings and send them home from Vietnam. He died the day he was to be discharged, I still have his tapes.

[@donaldsmith3048]

The Civil Air Patrol has frequency near the Ham bands. The mod for the IC7300 cost about $50 by some dealers. It is removing a diode about the size of a grain of rice. It opens up the transmitter to cover everything from below the 160 meter to above the 6 meter bands. But it is not a good idea to go very far from the ham bands because that is what all the tuning is for.

[@dougearnest7590]

I was hoping he would cover CAP in this video, as I'm new to both CAP and Ham Radio. I'm ready to take the plunge and get a 2-meter radio and got excited when I saw the MARS Mod also included CAP, but I have no idea what that involves. You mention 160 to 6 meter bands, but I presume the mod for a 2 meter radio would enable the VHF frequencies - and I guess we also have to know what those frequencies are?

[@donaldsmith3048]

@@dougearnest7590 The IC7300 doesn't cover 2 meters. But CAP has HF also. I don't remember what it is, but it is near the 80 meter band. Or the one we used for our Florida wing net is. If you do that to your radio then you need to be sure that you are not outside the frequency that you are allowed.

[@bigguyprepper]

@@donaldsmith3048 if you go into the members only communications section of E-services you can get a frequency list, which does span from 2-30Mhz

[@bigguyprepper]

@@dougearnest7590 you would have to complete ICUT as well as another module inAXIS and talk to your Wing DC and if they approve you might get your radio programmed.

[@donaldsmith3048]

CAP Civil Air Patrol also has frequencies near the HAM bands. Both HF and VHF bands. They have the 2nd largest privately owned radio system next to ARRL I worked with them for some time years ago. With your airplane you may want to look into them. 73 W4DES

[@jacuswoczega9180]

Thank You. First time someone give mi full image of MARS, now I understand in many countries has not sense. It is pure US idea. I.e. one of my transceivers bought used, i was surprised, was unlocked, which is only problem for me while listening public services. YT is full of "mars", "unlocking", mostly from Asia

[@2WR464]

I purchased a used 7300 with the mars mod. On 11 meters I can only get 30 watts out of it on am and 35 on SSB with the output turned up. Is this normal or is something wrong with the radio ? I thought it should do 100 watts. Thanks for all you videos

[@craigd1275]

The MARS mod may also unlock 11 Meter (CB radio) and Marine VHF frequencies that can be used in a life or death emergency. Aircraft VHF is AM, and most modern VHF radios only do FM, so you can't use Airband in an emergancy. P.S. from what I understand a person can use any frequency in a LIFE or DEATH emergency. .

[@happyhome41]

SNIP: "I was just married and had other things to do" - I remember those days . . . Thank you.

[@GenXPertChannel]

The MARS "shack" at Andrews AFB was the next office over from mine. Now that I'm a retired communicator, I'm wondering how dead these programs really are- or if I should do them since I have about a dozen or so FEMA ICS classes already done. I've been critical in the past of some local hams who run around claiming how important they are for emergencies, with strobe lights and lots of decals... except we mostly replaced them with cell phones (and yes, I recell all too well what happened to cell phones in DC with 9/11). So- the critical question is... does this really seem like something worthwhile to do? My dual band is a vintage Icom that came with the MARS/CAP mod from the vendor. I am very familiar with ACP-121 (it was my bible at one point) as well as ICS and years and years of running tactical comm for the USAF. What's your opinion of the program?

[@jeffperonto3234]

Thanks for the clarification

[@fernandoscrenci3895]

Having a Mars Mod , is Like having a Mars Bar with caramel and Nuts !! It's Great!!

[@davidtolmie8142]

I got my ham General ticket some years back with the intention of using it for boating nets. I've yet to do so, but I'm thinking of finally getting a decent ham HT (or mobile) to get on a local ham VHF boater's net. I was thinking of getting a MARS mod done to the VHF at time of purchase, so the VHF could serve as a backup to my marine (part 80) VHFs. The MARS modded ham VHF would only be used in emergency ("life & property") and only if both the ship station and the marine HT were non-operational. Can you think of any downside to doing this?

[@sammiller6631]

There are downsides but people get irrational when it comes to "life & death" imagined ideas and never want to listen.

[@chrisberentson3736]

I just Desoldered the #4 jumper on my VX6R, and now I can’t hear anything from the speakers or adjust my volume/frequency with the knob. Thoughts?

[@jamesscott4444]

Ya, desolder the bridge on pad #5. Both 4 and 5 need to be "open"

[@martins3474]

I MARS modded my Icom 706MK2g, My Icom IC-718, and my Icom IC-7000 for the 60 meters ham band. Only the IC-7000 already had the 60 meter band but then the Channelized frequencies changed. So I did the mod. From that point on the firmware downloads change the frequencies to conform to our Bands. Non MARS ops don't need to do the mod now.

[@matthewhackman5153]

I believe the recommended practice is to send your radio (or order it modified) to the manufacturer, and they will modify your radio without voiding your manufacturer's warranty. I know of no other way. I If I were only an amateur radio operator, I would not bother with the modification, which could be of no benefit. Join your local ARES and RACES. But if you are interested in providing backup communications to the federal government, explore the Civil Air Patrol, the Military Auxiliary Radio Service (Army or Air Force), to support DOD, or SHared RESources (SHARES) supporting DHS. These are just some of the opportunities amateur radio operators have to help their country in case of a communications emergency.

[@barndweller4573]

I do not do this but the people I know that do the MARS mod (and Civil Air Patrol (CAP)) mode now a days do it so they can operate CB on the HF Gear.

[@1958johndeere620]

I'm not a cb'er, have no interest in listening to the idiots that ruin it for normal users, but as a ham operator I have nothing against cb'ers using high end clean transmit gear instead of garbage transmitters bleeding all over the bands. I have mine modd'ed and can say I have never used it out of band, but I can if I need to.

[@2wrdr]

Doesn't the "Mars Mod" do more than open up "Mars Freqs." on some radios. Example I would like to utilized obtain GMRS license and access on an existing ham radio. Perhaps "MARS Mod" or "CAPS MOD might do this?

[@jamesseaman2950]

People overlook the FCC type acceptance requirement. It's a violation of USA FCC rules to use ham gear in the maritime mobile service, GMRS or CB which is not FCC type accepted for those services.

[@jimjungle1397]

Amateur radio is about modifying radios the way the operators want them. The radio companies sell filters and audio processors that have to be soldered to the circuit boards inside the radios. I don't think that has anything to do with warranties, but it might, depending on the country.

[@hjc4604]

When I was in the Phillipines in 1981-82, It was $3 per minute to call home the the Baltimore, MD area.

[@Stenn333]

As Dreupen stated here some months ago, my interest in the so-called "MARS mod" is to open up band operation to the Marine and possibly aircraft frequencies in case I need to broadcast a stronger MAYDAY while sailing off-shore.

[@jamesseaman2950]

That's a move which is senseless and is putting your life at risk. The US Coast Guard ceased monitoring HF SSB calling channels early last year and now only monitors HF GMDSS. You would be better served purchasing a GMDSS capable radio or registering an EIPRB. Both make us of data to indicate your identity and position. Better off using technology designed for worldwide automated 24/7 watch keeping rather than relying on ham radio to save your life.

[@Stenn333]

@@jamesseaman2950 ...I think you're missing the point....I already own the radio....the mod is simple....just another optional communication channel....not primary emergency use.

[@ticinparker5848]

The U.S. Coast Guard (and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary) actively use the MARS system. K6TME Ticin.

[@notsure7874]

I'm gen X - toward the end of gen X, also possibly called a "Xennial" (1977) - and I remember VERY clearly long distance charges, they were a thing until around 2000 or later.

[@CapeCodCNC]

Giga parts, HRO and other dealers will do it for you when you buy it. I had it done on the FT-DX101 I just got.

[@floid33556]

The mars mod also opens up things like cb and GMRS frequencies on some radios.

[@JohnMackay-kn3rl]

The ability to use my FT 70D on GMRS frequencies is a good safety improvement.

[@markharrison1160]

How long is the warrantly? Not long enough and with the internet it is less likely to be really needed unless you are are stuck at sea. Not sure of their current abilities as it has been a minute since I was on a cruise.

[@adventureseeker9800]

Thats a nice manual typewritter back there! Im picturing the younger crowd asking, what's a typewritter? 😀😀

[@btaylor1948]

I was in Navy MARS back in the late '60s during the Nam war. I lived in Glendale, CA and really never had much activity out my way. So I did lose interest after I got married in the '70s. Bob, WB6TIS

[@jptrade8575]

I want MARS if I ever need it. I hope I never do. But still want it available.

[@scottcampbell7944]

I don’t transmit outside of the ham bands. But I wouldn’t own a radio that is artificially restricted to only ham frequencies. Who knows what may happen?

[@jodylaneyAA4XT]

Dx,hro and giga parts all do mars mod and it does not void warranty Ranges from 35.00 to about 70.00 Depending on radio

[@dobermanguy9437]

I think the Mars mod is an awesome thing to do to your radio I know lots of ham operators and all of the ham rigs a owned have the Mars mod the way I look at it you can talk on the CB and listen to the hand bands once you get your ticket now you have the best of both worlds just get the right antenna for the ham frequencies I don't see a problem with that everyone does it

[@geraldscott4302]

I am a USMC veteran (1977-1981) but never had anything to do with MARS. I did the MARS mod to my Icom IC-718 simply so I could use it on the 11 meter band. Is that legal? No. But I am a very considerate person, I go out of my way to avoid causing any interference (though with todays digital everything. HF RF interference is nowhere near as common as it used to be) and I like using 11 meters. Remember it is legal for a novice and a technician to use up to 200 watts on 10 meters. 10 meter and 11 meter frequencies are so close together there is no difference as far as interference is concerned.

[@mortimersnerd801]

... twas once an 'og' myself Dave... VE7OG... but seriously, you hear a ton of guys on 27.450 or thereabouts, likely using modded FT 891's... or in my case you can hear them on the little SDR Xeigu G90... which apparently can also be 'opened up'... suspect most radios can. Has this been good? Well can't really see the harm in it... and chicken banders have been working in and out of band ever since it was formed.. remember those modded FT 101's back in the 80's and 90's? Worked Barry Goldwater just once when I was mobile so long ago; have been a ham since I was 15. Richard VA7AA/XE1

[@tittiger]

Very disappointed that you did not include MARS mod instructions for the IC2730a! Other channels have shite for instructions..

[@ejmills991]

Most HF rigs which have general coverage on receive can also be made to be general coverage on transmit. Normally just the case of snipping some diodes or removing a link. I've done this mod to all my HF rigs, but have never had a reason to Tx outside the ham bands. Only did it for CB (when it was illegal in the UK 😆) on 27MHz AM to give some local idiots who were annoying me some grief🤣

[@jamesseaman2950]

I've heard of some people doing the MARS/CAP modification to better work with transverters using an IF in the 10-meter band, but the vast majority of MARS mods only serve to enable illegal CB operators and people who think that regulations don't apply to them.

[@anthonymarino4260]

thanks for the info

[@lomgshorts3]

I am a Navy Marine Corps MARS member. We did not just go away when we were "decommissioned" by the Navy. We are limited to the Amateur Frequencies because our frequencies were reallocated to Army and Air Force MARS, but we are still operating, and still available for use by our respective service. I did briefly become an Air Force MARS member, my call sign is still active even after three years of non operating as an Air Force MARS member, but I still ckeck in on occasion. I teach Amateur Radio at our Church in Alabama, and encourage MARS participation. However, we have allied ourselves with local emergency services, buy our own equipment, and contribute our own time when needed. We are still available for Air Force MARS use. We are very highly trained in emergency preparedness, and emergency communications no matter which frequency is needed. That is why the "MARS mod" is recommended to our members. When life or property is in danger, the FCC Rules and Regs go out the window until the danger has passed. Any frequency can be used to complete the emergency from 1.5 Mhz to the 70cm band. We even use 11M for CW practice since the FCC has abandoned regulating that service. Great conditions for real world practice among the myriad AM heterodynes. We may have been abandoned by the U.S. Navy, but we are still here. Those who are not SK "operators".

[@sammiller6631]

How many people have MARS modded their radio without serving in the military?

[@ryanbumann5357]

i think it's 16 or 17. not exactly sure

[@sammiller6631]

@@ryanbumann5357 I thought a MARS mod was a must for every hamsexy radio whacker.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

Some folks do the mod to operate on cb

[@DonzLockz]

I imagine that the MARS thing is a US only service.🤔

[@paulhill2920]

Nope

[@mikemcdonald5147]

i always thought as hams we were allowed and encouraged to work on our own devices and that it wouldnt void the warranty? I guess not so?

[@demizer1968]

We used to let crewmen call home for family emergencies