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
4 Jul 2022, Forth of July PSE
CARES, CERT, and MRC support for Cupertino's annual Fireworks event. More Details...
3 Aug 2022, New Member Orientation
A short introduction to CARES. 7pm-8pm, Location TBD
1 Sep 2022, General Meeting
Alert capability of the NOAA Weather radio system, 7:30pm, Zoom
6 Oct 2022, General Meeting
Topic: TBD, 7:30pm, Zoom
2 Nov 2022, New Member Orientation
A short introduction to CARES. 7pm-8pm, Location TBD
3 Nov 2022, General Meeting
Topic: TBD, 7:30pm, Zoom
1 Dec 2022, General Meeting
Topic: Exercise Review (?), Year in Review, 7:30pm, Zoom