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 c ..read more

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 ..read more

Additional information for the class ..read more

Using the American Radio Relay League ARRL search tool, here are the remaining 2023 training sessions planned for the Bay Area ..read more

Link to information and how to sign up for this session ..read more

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 ..read more

The Fee is $35.00 for this session, pay at the session, cash or check. This covers the cost of the study materials and the W5YI Examination Fee. $14.00 W5YI Exam Fee $21.00 BAEARS Session Fee Make checks payable to: Ross Peterson. Bring the sign-in form (click here) and check or cash with you. Please don’t mail or fax them in. 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 amat ..read more

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 ..read more

Upcoming “ham cram” class for those that have always wanted to be a radio operator. Being a ham operator is a great skillset to have for CERT members ..read more

The topics of discussion during this month’s Zoom meeting were: With the State reopening and lifting most pandemic restrictions, many events are filling the calendar Consideration for consolidating Skills Day into a one day event on Saturday, awaiting approval from SMCFD Foster City will not be having a 4th of July celebration National Night Out will be Aug 3, locations in Belmont are still TBD Red Cross “Sound The Alarm” smoke detector event 8/14 in all three cities Chili Cookoff in San Mateo Central Park on 8/28, CERT will have a chili booth in the competition Disaster Preparedness Da ..read more