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NAS Whidbey Navy HF, SHARES, MARS, and Amateur Radio Club Station W7UMX
We Support NAS WI EOC with HF/VHF, SHARES, AF/AMARS Wing/Region 10, ARES/RACES
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NAS Whidbey HF/Amateur Club/MARS Station Support
What is our Navy HF Station Function
Our primary function at NAS Whidbey HF station is to support the NAS Whidbey Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The station is owned by the NAS Emergency Manager.
Our team operates the station using HF and VHF communications for the Navy EOC as well as provide training on HF and VHF communications for Navy Region Northwest EOCs. NASWI HF Station also holds monthly communications tests with all of Navy Region Northwest stations.
NASWI HF Station is also a SHARES and MARS station.
The NAS Whidbey HF Station is funded in part through donations from our team and others individuals who understand how important having a backup communications facility on Whidbey Island is to ensure we are there in the event of an emergency in the United States or just on Whidbey Island. In the event of almost any disaster associated with an Island, loss of phones, cellphones, and internet are emanate.
What is a SHARES Station
We are part of the National Shared Resources (SHARES) program. SHARES supports all government agencies in providing communications when needed such as FEMA communications support for floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, Tsunamis and even to ensure communications during a National Election event.
NAS Whidbey HF/MARS Station is an active SHARES station and typically is a key station every week to ensure communications across America.
What is Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS)?
MARS is a DOD program put in place to provide backup communications for all military.
NASWI HF Station staffing is made up of Military personnel and non-military volunteers in support of department of defense radio communications. As a MARS Station we communicate every day via High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio in order to maintain a high level of readiness and proficiency in operating under all conditions.
Other stations in homes provide backup and support for DOD via their stations at no cost to the government. In order to be considered for the MARS program, individuals must own or have access to High Frequency (HF) Radio Equipment.
What is a Club Station
NAS Whidbey HF Station also has an Amateur Club station license. That allows the station to communicate directly with Amateur radio operators and specifically the ARES/RACES groups as well as FEMA during a local or national emergency. A different set of frequencies and members around the world can communicate with our station. Some of the weekly nets our station may participate in include, but not limited to:
- Alaska Emergency Net
- Washington Emergency Net
- Island County Emergency Net
- Maritime Net