The Philip B. Petersen Collection Broadcast February 20, 1991

     The sudden deployment of U.S. Forces to Saudi Arabia has greatly increased the need for servicemen and women to keep in touch with their families and loved ones at home.  This need is met by the Military Affiliate Radio Service, known as MARS.
     At Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, radiotelephone calls from Saudi Arabia are switched directly to their folks at home.

"Does mom know she can use the new APO box numbers that I told her about?  Over."
"I think so.  Over."
"OK.  Well I was just checking with you guys.  Make sure you tell Daphne and the girls that I called and I'm doing OK and if I get a chance I'll give them a call next week sometime.  I'll be near a phone most of the time next week.  So, put mom back on the line.  I'll talk to you later.  Over."
"I love you.  Over."
"This is your mother.  Over."
"Well mom, I've got to go.  I just wanted to give you guys a holler.  Let you know I'm OK.  I'll try to get a chance to call you next week sometime.  So tell Daphne and the girls that I called and I said I love them and I'll just talk to you later.  Over."
"We love you very much, son.  And we just pray for you and miss you and we're all OK.  We love you and just keep those cards and letters coming, OK?  Over."

     Normally, these are collect calls but GTE/Sprint and MCI waived the toll charges.
The primary purpose of MARS is to provide morale, health and welfare support to the troops and their families.  The Fort Monmouth MARS station is one of 17 authorized by our government to operate into Saudi Arabia.
     Over 90% of the operation is conducted by radio amateurs who volunteer as a public service.  For over 45 years, the MARS operation has been keeping servicemen and women around the world in touch with their families and loved ones.  Hundreds of other radio amateurs use their stations at home to relay messages from the MARS network.
     Gerry Silverman, WB2GYS, the MARS Coordinator, said, "Normally the Fort Monmouth MARS was making about fifty calls a week to other overseas operations.  That has increased to 385."  Chief operator Bill Dixon, N2CXX, has about 12 others helping with the extra traffic load.
     At first, the signal from Saudi Arabia was marginal.  The Jersey Central Power and Light Company donated and installed five 90-foot poles that support a 710-foot diamond-shaped antenna, designed by Bob Bissett, ND2L, that beams the signal to Saudi Arabia.
     Gerry Silverman said, "We have the strongest signal over there and Desert Storm is our top priority."

February 20, 1991

** Broadcasts recordings preserved and presented here by Mr. Robert Buss and Mr. Bernie Ricciardi, Phil's friends and fellow Marconi Chapter 138 QCWA members **

Page updated January 24, 2004  page created June 11, 2001