Saw this information posted in a CERT Facebook group. This is being circulated by Radio Relay International, one of several citizen volunteer groups that have suggested various plans to establish a national emergency channel. I may be wrong but I am not personally aware of any planned local monitoring of FRS frequencies.
This is where being a licensed ham radio operator comes into play. Ham radio operators are encouraged to get on the air and check in, in our case, with SCARES on their repeater. Nowadays folks are probably better off dialing 911 on their cell phone, or texting an emergency contact in a different State. It couldn’t hurt to keep some FRS radios in your disaster kit, but don’t count on it being a lifeline.
Jus a reminder that this Saturday there will be a “ham cram” FCC licensing class for those wanting to be amateur radio operators. We never have enough ham radio operators at CERT exercises so this is a good opportunity to add to your preparedness skillset.
Already have your license? When was the last time you used your radio? Consider joining the South County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (SCARES) group to learn all about using ham radio for emergency communications. Did you know that each of our CERT cities has a monthly radio net?
Belmont CERT’s current radio-in-a-box received a much needed upgrade recently. The upgrade now allows the radio, and the lithium phosphate (LiFePo4) battery, to operate via solar power. Unfortunately (or fortunately) in the course of the mods it was discovered that the original battery was no longer charging properly. Thanks to the Tim Wong CERT grant funding, components were procured to upgrade the existing radio unit AND to build a second one. This will result in each Belmont trailer being equipped with a portable ham radio capability.
We MUST check 2 forms of ID, one must be a picture ID. You MUST have your FCC FRN available for the license application, the application can’t be processed without it.
You MUST obtain an FRN (FCC Registration Number) in order to obtain an amateur radio license.(FCC FRN Requirements Info https://www.fcc.gov/rofrn)
For those of you who don’t have a sponsor, leave that part blank, we will help you locate a sponsor at the session.
If you have a current amateur Radio license and are planning to upgrade, please bring a copy of your current license that we can keep to send in with your upgrade package.
If you wish to take the Extra exam, you MUST study prior to the session. The question pool is too large to cover in one day of study. Feel free to join us for additional study and bring your study materials. The exam fee is $14.00.
The building will be open at 8:00 AM and we will start sign-in then. The session introduction will start promptly at 8:30. Please don’t be late, if you miss the orientation it will be extremely difficult to catch up.
I recently acquired a new handheld transceiver (HT), a used Kenwood TH-D74, to upgrade my capabilities (and to have a nicer display that is easier to read). The D74 will replace the used TH-D7 that I got in August 2019, that unit replaced the used TH-G71 that I got in July 2017 shortly after I got my FCC license. Used radios are a great way to obtain high quality gear like Kenwood. These radios are built solidly, sound great, and are easier to program in the field than other brands. Sadly the TH-D74 was the last HT that Kenwood produced before a 2020 fire at a chip supplier factory ended that product line for the company.
A Blog for the Peninsula CERT Community 