AB8AU

Bearcat

Old Reliables - 9^th Infantry Division, 9^th Signal Battalion

US Army MARS

(Military Affiliate Radio System)

Vietnam 1967

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The Army AB8AU MARS radio station was located at 9^th Infantry Division Headquarters, Camp Bearcat, just north of Saigon. I operated at station AB8AU for approximately two months before being transferred to AB8AZ at Dong Tam.

Camp Bearcat 9^th Infantry Division Vietnam

Bearcat 1967

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9^th Infantry Division MARS Staff

Captain Jackson Moss and Master Sergeant William Lee

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MARS Chain Of Command:

LTC Charles F. Lindberg was the Commander of the 9th Signal Battalion (not shown in any pictures).

CPT Jackson Moss was the commanding officer of the 9^th Infantry Division, “A” Company, 9^th Signal Battalion

MSGT William Lee (W6RDH) was the NCO in charge of both the AB8AU Bearcat and AB8AZ Dong Tam MARS stations until December of 1967, when he transferred back state side. Master Sergeant Lee was the person who hired me as a MARS operator.

MSGT Lee’s replacement was MSGT Harry Chichester (K7OUG) who became the new NCO in charge of the 9^th Infantry Division MARS stations until 1969.

SGT Lloyd Strong was AB8AU Station Chief, SP5 Dick Higgenbothum was alternative.

SGT Gene Harris was AB8AZ Station Chief, SGT Brian Jewhurst was alternative.

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AB8AU Bearcat Operators During 1967:

Operators at AB8AU, from left to right

PFC Tom Boza, SP4 Ken Walsh, SP4 Ed Banasiak, SGT Lloyd Strong, SP5 Dick Higgenbothum

MSGT Harry Chichester, CPT Jackson Moss, MSGT William Lee

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Master Sergeant William Lee (W6RDH) at operating position #1.

Collins S-Line with 30L-1 RF amplifier

This picture was taken looking through the customer window from the lobby into the radio station.

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PFC Tom Boza (WA8NSH) at operating position #2

Collins S-Line with 30L-1 RF amplifier

Note: We even had a Vibroplex ™ Morse code paddle at this operating position

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14-30 MHz 6 element yagi antenna at 60 feet above ground	MARS station Christmas Tree 1967
PFC Tom Boza (WA8NSH)	SGT Gene Harris Station chief of AB8 Alpha Zulu Covering up the U in Alpha Uniform
MSGT Harry Chichester (K7OUG)	CWO Grantam (W4OSG)

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Continue to:

PAGE 1-of-8 PAGE 3-of-8

or

Choose one of the following direct web page links:

Page 1 MARS Introduction	Page 2 AB8AU Bearcat	Page 3 AB8AZ Dong Tam	Page 4 Dong Tam Navy
Page 5 AB8AZ Dong Tam Inside Shack	Page 6 AB8AU/AB8AZ Mobile Introduction	Page 7 AB8AU/AB8AZ Mobile On the Road	Page 8 Conclusion Summary

Feel free to email me any comments, suggestions, or just to say hello

VietnamMARS@ne7x.com

73s Tom NE7X