Equipment Resource Page
Introduction
This page highlights best practices for equipment used by CARES, CERT, and Citizen Corps.
This page will be updated as additional material is identified.
Amateur Radio
The following table describes the top 4 HTs used by CARES members. Based on the January 2020 HT Survey, there were another 22 different models also owned with Yaesu being the most popular (31 owned), followed by Kenwood, Wouxun, Icom, Radio Shack, and Std Horizon. Operating an Amateur Radio in the Amateur Radio Service requires an FCC license.
| Mfgr | Model | Bands | Type | #Owners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yaesu | FT-60 | 2m/440 | HT | 19 | NiMH+AA tray |
| Kenwood | TH-F6 | 2m/220/440 | HT | 5 | Li-ion, dual-recv |
| Baufeng | UV-5R | 2m/440 | HT | 3 | Li-ion |
| Yaesu | FT-65 | 2m/440 | HT | 2 | Li-ion, rev-SMA, C4FM |
FRS
The following table describes the FRS equipment used by CERT members. Operating an FRS Radio in the Family Radio Service DOES NOT require an FCC license.
| Mfgr | Model | Bands | Type | #Owners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola | T5410 | FRS | HT | 2 | 0.48W |
| Motorola | T600/T605 | FRS | HT | 10+ | 1.3W/0.4W; City ARK plan |
| Motorola | T7400 | FRS | HT | 2 | 1.0W/0.3W |
GMRS
The following table describes the GMRS equipment used by CARES and CERT members. Operating a GMRS Radio in the General Mobile Radio Service requires an FCC license.
HT's| Mfgr | Model | Bands | Type | #Owners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | GXT1000 | GMRS | HT | 7 | 0.5W/5W, Rptr |
| Motorola | MR350R | GMRS | HT | 2 | 0.5W/1.5W, Rptr |
| Midland | GXT800 | GMRS | HT | 1 | Replaced by GXT1000 |
Mobiles
| Mfgr | Model | Bands | Type | #Owners | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | MXT115 | GMRS | Mobile | 9 | 5W/15W, Rptr, City ARK plan |
| Midland | MXT275 | GMRS | Mobile | 2 | 5W/15W, Rptr |
| Midland | MXT400 | GMRS | Mobile | 1 | 5W/40W, Rptr |
- Rptr = supports GMRS repeaters
Videos
Reports
Presentations
Upcoming Activities
7 Dec 2022, New Member Orientation
A short introduction to CARES. 7pm-8pm, Location TBD
5 Jan 2023, Drill Prep
Topic: Prep for the January Alt911 Field deployment, 7:30pm, Zoom
21 Jan 2023, ALT911 Exercise
Field deployment with packet and voice message passing, 8:30am to 12:00pm