Antennae For The Y2K Bug
Story & Photos by SPC Charles Ames - Posted Nov, 1999
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Two giant antennae have been set up on Camp Murray near the state headquarters building. They will serve as an alternate means of communication should telephones and other communications networks fail. While a precautionary endeavor for Washington National Guard, the ‘tall-ears’ of the HF radio system will also be handy for natural disaster concerns, etc.
"In the event that commercial lines go down, HF is the only reliable form of communication."
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LTC Dennis Malone, the senior Signal Officer for the Washington Army Guard, looks up the impressive height of one of the antenna masts. As he spoke, numerous technicians milled about the massive antennae, busy about the mast, extending it, snapping down cable and inserting rods.
"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Guard Signalmen to work with these systems!" remarked LTC Malone, clearly excited by the sheer scale of the project.
Until recently the antennae lay unused on North Fort Lewis, a remnant from the "Military Affiliated Radio System" or MARS.
The MARS network was intended to provide worldwide communication for the military, and the equipment was long used in that role.
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What MARS is better known for, however, is transmitting short personal messages betweensoldiers stationed around the world and their loved ones back home. The service was free, and was only hindered by having to say "over" at the end of each sentence… easy for the soldier, at times not so easy for the loved ones.
Surprisingly, despite their size, they are not immediately visible from even nearby vantage points, set back from the street behind the old State Headquarters buildings. Still, they easily tower over the surrounding trees. One of the giant antennae will be used as a lifeline to Alaska, the other to the East Coast. Both will remain in place until at least mid-January of 2000. Depending on their functionality, they may be left up beyond that.
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One of the antennae was raised to a height of 80', the other towers 100' into the air!
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