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
5 Mar 2020, General Meeting
Topic: introduction to Amateur Packet Radio. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, **EOC, City Hall**
2 Apr 2020, General Meeting
Topic: Alt911 Update. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Social Room, Quinlan Center
11 Apr 2020, Big Bunny 5K
CARES support for this annual family friendly 5K run/walk. 7:00am to 11:00am. More Details...
7 May 2020, General Meeting
Topic: Power & Comm Outage Drill Prep. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, **EOC, City Hall**
16 May 2020, Field Communications Exercise
Details: TBD, 8:00am to 12:00pm
4 Jun 2020, General Meeting
Field Day, Forth of July Event Prep. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Social Room, Quinlan Center
27 Jun 2020, Field Day!
National Amateur Radio event that promotes emergency communications preparedness. Location TBD, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
4 Jul 2020, Fireworks Event!
CARES, CERT, and MRC support for Cupertino's annual Fireworks event. 4:45pm to 11:00pm. More Details...
3 Sep 2020, General Meeting
Topic: TBD. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Social Room, Quinlan Center
1 Oct 2020, General Meeting
Topic: TBD. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Social Room, Quinlan Center
24 Oct 2020, S.E.T. Field Comm Exercise
Details: TBD. 8:00am to 12:00pm
5 Nov 2020, General Meeting
Topic: TBD. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Social Room, Quinlan Center
7 Nov 2020, 5K Run
Sponsored by the SCC SO, FD, Valley Medical. Details TBD. More Details...
3 Dec 2020, General Meeting
Year-end Review. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Social Room, Quinlan Center