Welcome to Cupertino ARES/RACES
This site is operated by and for Cupertino Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CARES) members interested in emergency preparedness and amateur radio communication. Visitors are welcome to check us out.
What's News!
A different kind of Field Day
Posted by Darryl KI6LDM, 4 Jun 2020
In recent years, California has seen a series of destructive wild fires, mud slides and other related disasters. One critical component of being prepared for such events is communications. For instance, during last year's PG&E PSPS events, vital communication infrastructures ‐‐ cell phone, Internet and land lines -- failed during the power outage.This is where the CARES comes in. On Saturday, June 27th, CARES will be participating in this year's Amateur Radio Relay League sponsored Field Day; a national contest and test of our ability to operate under adverse conditions. Unfortunately, due to COVID‐19, we will not be setting up in public but will be participating virtually.
However, if you are interested in listening to Field Day communications, check out the KFS WebSDR HF receiver, a live stream of the Amateur HF bands as heard on the Pacific Coast. We hope to see you again at next year's Field Day!
Update 20 Jun: Details for CARES participants: Presentation Slides, 2 meter Band Plan, and Field Day Packet which includes the rules, details, and more. More Details...
COVID19 -- County Snapshot
Posted by Jim KN6PE, 31 May 2020
Update: June 28: Here's the snapshot of Santa Clara County cases as of this evening. These 2 graphs are derived from the county report-out from Santa Clara County Public Health.Activated! PSPS Event
Posted by Jim KN6PE, 8 Oct 2019
The City of Cupertino activated Citizen Corps to respond to a Public Safety Power Shutdown (PSPS) event that impacted 15% of Cupertino residents. CARES provided ICP and communications support for an information outreach effort performed by CARES, CERT, MRC, and City Staff. The mission: ensure affected residents were aware that a power outage was eminent and describe the services that the City was offering. A flyer was left at all 3300 residences with more details.In Cupertino, the power outage started at about 11:00pm on 9-Oct-19 Wednesday night. By 2:00pm Thursday, power was restored. The short duration of the outage was good news for everyone impacted given the outage was expected to last for up to 7 days.
This event helped validate several of our processes, procedures, and training that we have in place. It also helped uncover some areas that needs work. See the After Action Report submittal to the City. More Details...
PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutoff
Posted by Jim KN6PE, 5 Sep 2019
The Emergency Management news over the summer was all about PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) plans. While PSPS is a new concept to Northern California, it is nothing new down south. Naturally, understanding the risks and implications of a PSPS event to the SF Bay Area was a big topic.At the CARES September general meeting, Bob N6IM lead the membership through PG&E's PSPS program and a review of what it means to the City, Cupertino Citizens Corps, and CARES. If there is good news in any of this: the difference between a PSPS event and an Earthquake is that we will know a PSPS is coming; our response will be similar.
Check out the presentation here and the new PSPS Resource Page for additional links.
Upcoming Activities
3 Sep 2020, General Meeting
Topic: TBD. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Teleconference
1 Oct 2020, General Meeting
Topic: Fall Drill Prep. 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Teleconference
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, Teleconference
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, Teleconference