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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!


Wildland Fire Exercise Planning starts with SCCFD

Bat Chiefd Jason Faralski

1 Mar 2018

It was apparent that last year's wildland fires throughout California were a wake-up call that was hard to miss. So, with the Tubbs Fire and Thomas Fire still fresh in our minds, the CARES' Spring exercise will be a Wildland Urban Interface Fire that threatens our City.

To kick off the first of 3 training events on this topic, Santa Clara County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Falarski lead an informative session on how wildfire works, the risks we face in Santa Clara County, and what we could expect if one did occur (See the presentation here). Both CARES and CERT joined in to hear the details, with an excellent Q&A session that went into further detail. In short, there is a risk, and we need to be prepared for it.   


Citizen Corps completes the Zone 4 Assessment

Zone 4 Safety Briefing

Posted by Jim KN6PE, 11 Feb 2018

Its clear that in the event of an emergency, checking on each other and our neighbors is critical to ensure the City can get the right help to those in need. This was the scenario with Lawson ARK as the target for this year's Cupertino Citizens Corps Zone Assessment exercise.

Originally planned for last October (cut short due to smoke from the wildland fires), CARES, CERT, and MRC members responded and staffed several teams that were deployed throughput the surrounding neighborhood to put eyes on every residence.

The key take-aways from this event is a recognition that, with sufficient participation from all of Citizen Corps, we can perform a complete city assessment within a reasonable amount of time. And this will be just what the city will need to speed the recovery.   


Cross-band repeaters... what's the opportunity?

28 Dec 2017

This was the question that came out of our December CARES meeting. Judy KK6EWQ lead the membership in a terrific discussion on the what's, how's, and when's of cross-band repeaters. See the the presentation here for the details.

The aspect of the presentation that was most interesting was the live demo using a Kenwood TM-V71 in cross-band repeat mode. With one side of the room on a VHF channel and the other side on UHF, we had a chance to not only see how the mode works, but also get to hear the self-Identification feature that the V71's have built in.

So, what's the opportunity? The picture on the right says it all... CARES will include a cross-band repeater test deployment as part of its May 2018 field exercise. This should confirm for us whether we have a new tool for our toolbox.   


Heroes Run -- Making a difference

Event crest

Posted by SCVMC, 21 Dec 2017

Everyone needs a hero, and the annual November Heroes Run certainly provides heroes and more for kids who are cared for in Santa Clara Valley Medical Center’s children's health programs.

As in past years, the run was organized by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and the VMC foundation. This year more than 1,000 people participated and raised more than $50,000 for children's health services. Donations from the Heroes Run go to kids in our care.   


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Upcoming Activities


23 Mar 2024, CCC Hands-on Radio
Follow-on FRS/GMRS radio use, familiarization, and simple practice, Monta Vista ARK, 10:00a to 12:00p.   

30 Mar 2024, Big Bunny 5K
For this annual public service event, CARES needs net controllers, field responders and a shadow. 7:30 to 10:30 am   More Details...

4 Apr 2024, General Meeting
Topic: TBD, St Jude Parish Hall, 19:30 to 21:00   

2 May 2024, General Meeting
Topic: TBD, St Jude Parish Hall, 19:30 to 21:00   

18 May 2024, MRC Exercise
Minimal CARES participation (Field and NCO) and traffic. Location, Time TDB.   

6 Jun 2024, General Meeting
Field Day Prep, St Jude Parish Hall,19:30 to 21:00   

22 Jun 2024, ARRL Field Day
Tentative: Memorial Park | Parking lot behind Quinlan Center, 10185 N Stelling Rd. 08:00 to 17:00