AD4GHA

When I was 18, my Father, WA4GHC and I met Les Morrell, A4EZR who worked in my Dad's building.  He told us about Army MARS and said that we could learn a great deal about radio communications as well as get to work with some great surplus equipment. Since Army MARS was the only service who would take amateurs at 18, we both joined in 1964.  As a result of MARS membership, we got interested in RTTy and passed traffic during the Vietnam War.  Our first terminal unit was a Twin city circuit with torroid filters. We started out on 850 hz shift but later went to 170.  We had a model 15, model 19, and a model 14 typing reperforator.  The most unusual piece was a model 14 double headed td.  We learned about making continuous loops, as well as practicing communications procedures.

Later on we used a CV-31 TU which updated our receive copy.

Through my friends in Army MARS, especial T. P. Mathewson, W4FJ, recently a silent key, we made friendships which helped me during my working years.