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. Also, see How to pick a FRS Radio for details.
| Mfgr | Model | Bands | Type | Max Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola | T480 | FRS | HT | 1.8 | |
| Motorola | T600/T605 | FRS | HT | 1.3 | 28 in ARK kits |
| Motorola | T260 | FRS | HT | 1.0 |
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 | Max Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | GXT1000 | GMRS | HT | 5.0 | |
| Radioddity | GM-30 | GMRS | HT | 4.9 | programming SW required; Rptr |
Mobiles
| Mfgr | Model | Bands | Type | Max Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | MXT115 | GMRS | Mobile | 5W/15W | used in City GMRS ARK Kits, Rptr |
| Midland | MXT275 | GMRS | Mobile | 5W/15W | Rptr |
| Midland | MXT400 | GMRS | Mobile | 5W/40W | Rptr |
- Rptr = supports GMRS repeaters
Videos
Reports
How to pick a FRS Radio
CCC, April 2023. This is an informal recommendation on picking a FRS and GMRS radio for Cupertino Citizens Corps service.
Presentations
Communications Refresher and Radio Basics
CCC, 13 April 2023. Updated introducion to Citizen Corps radio use.
Communications Refresher and Radio Basics
CCC, 30 March 2022. Introducion to Citizen Corps radio use.
Disaster Communications - Topics for Incidents
CCC, 2 March 2022. Communication Topics from Incidents; What happens on the days after.
Upcoming Activities
5 Feb 2026, General Meeting
Winter Storm Comm Drill Prep; St Jude Parish Hall,19:30 to 21:00
21 Feb 2026, Field Communications Exercise
Winter Storm Communications Exercise, start from home, 8:00am to 12:00pm
5 Mar 2026, General Meeting
Topic: TBD & Exercise Debrief; St Jude Parish Hall,19:30 to 21:00
7 Mar 2026, Big Bunny 5K
For this annual public service event, CARES needs a net controller, field responders and a shadow. 7:00am – 10:30am. More Details...
2 Apr 2026, General Meeting
Topic: TBD; St Jude Parish Hall,19:30 to 21:00
7 May 2026, General Meeting
Topic: TBD; St Jude Parish Hall,19:30 to 21:00
4 Jun 2026, General Meeting
Field Day, 4-July Prep, 4-July Fireworks PSA; St Jude Parish Hall,19:30 to 21:00
27 Jun 2026, ARRL Field Day
Tentative: Memorial Park | Parking lot behind Quinlan Center, 10185 N Stelling Rd. 08:00 to 17:00
4 Jul 2026, Forth of July Fireworks
Provide communication to/from 3 viewing venues to net control at Incident Command Post