United States Department of War
Annual "Bring Your Child to Work Day"
Thursday April 23, 2026
Pentagon Courtyard

The Pentagon Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) station conducted a live demo of Contingency Radio Communications as outlined in DoDI 4650.02.

Civilian, military, and contractor personnel assigned to the Pentagon demonstrated portable voice and digital radio operations on HF, VHF, and UHF frequencies, operated off of battery power, erected field antennas, and mentored children in the art and skill of radio communications.

Thanks to the radio operators who volunteered: Gary Sessums-KC5QCN, Joe Shaw-KR4AHM, Matt Skowronski-KJ4PUR, Sean Gallagher-K4KBK, Ron Startzel-KB5LNC, Jack Parker-W4JJ, Stefano Fonda-K4IEW, Josh Brown-KQ4LEV, Richard Strait-AC8AL, and Karen Strait-KD8DHJ.

Operations were conducted using a HF End-Fed Half-Wave antenna, a HF Delta Loop antenna, and a HF 73-foot sloper wire antenna.

HF radio contacts were made with military and amateur stations located around the United States in addition to sending and receiving email messages over radio via Winlink.

Thanks to everyone who visited the portable MARS station set up in the Pentagon Courtyard for the 2026 Bring Your Child to Work Day event.

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