Kansas Army MARS is a volunteer group of Amateur Radio operators, most of us civilians, who train regularly to provide emergency communications capability for our communities and our country. We offer a reliable long haul and last mile communications resource for local, state, and Federal disaster response and relief agencies.

     CLICK HERE to read ARRL news about Army MARS mission modernization.

     In November, 1925, the Army Amateur Radio System (AARS) was initiated by a few dedicated pioneers in the United States Army Signal Corps, led by Captain Thomas C. Rives. His original intention was to enlist the talents of volunteer Amateur Radio operators to train soldiers in the then-new technology of radio. Captain Rives also aimed to improve radio equipment through research and development.

Operating during a MARS / TSA exercise.
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      During the years 1925 through 1942, AARS functioned more or less as an extracurricular activity of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, its scope being necessarily limited by the meager budget of the pre-World War II depression years. The best available figures indicate that as of the 7th of December, 1941, there were approximately 60,000 FCC licensed Amateurs within the United States and its possessions. Some 5600 of those Amateurs were members of the AARS. About 20% of the pre-World War II AARS members eventually entered the service of their country either in the Army or in a civilian capacity.

     The AARS organization continued until the United States entry into World War II, at which time Amateur Radio operators were denied the use of the radio spectrum. The activities of AARS were suspended until 1946 when, once again, AARS was allowed on the air.

      The organization functioned as AARS until the creation of the Military Amateur Radio System in 1948, which was later renamed the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS). At that time Army MARS was joined by the newly formed Air Force MARS, reflecting the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a separate service. In early 1963, Navy-Marine Corps MARS was established.

     Pursuing a critical emergency mission, MARS relies on civilian and military members to be ready in case of emergency or disaster, trained and prepared to provide essential communications support services.

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