Communicator IV (C4) – Equipment

Listed below are the various levels building up to a Communicator IV credential.  The equipment needed evolves over these various levels. We show this as an easy progression in building your go-kit.

If you wish to ‘go it alone’, please just follow the required items from the Santa Clara County ARES/RACES go-kit form.  (Go Kit Checklist)

Saratoga Basic Kit – Able to check into K6SA weekly net (no deployment)

  • 2m/70cm dual-band handheld radio
  • Programmed to K6SA
  • Notepad / pens
  • Modified Mercalli (Mike-Mike) Scale

Saratoga Participant Kit – Able to participate in nets and drills (no deployment)

  • Programmed to K6SA and simplex channels
  • Cigarette lighter adapter for HT
  • Charged batteries for 2 hours operation
  • Mike-Mike Summary Form (min 2)
  • ICS 213 Message Form (min 10)
  • ICS 214 Unit Activity Log (min 5)
  • ICS 309 Communications Log (min 5)

Saratoga Intermediate Kit – Able to participate in nets/drills. Able to deploy locally

  • 2m/70cm dual-band mobile antenna (mag mount, window mount or existing mobile antenna)
  • Radio user manual or cheat sheet
  • Earbud or headphones minimum; headset, earbud/mic, or speaker/mic/earbud, or similar recommended
  • Charged batteries for 4 hours operation
  • Power cord adapters – connect HT to power sources:
    • Powerpoles
    • Cigarette lighter socket
    • Vehicle battery terminals
  • Coax adapter: connect HT to coax
  • Cell phone & charger and/or cigarette lighter adapt.
  • CA Driver’s license or CA-issued ID card
  • Amateur Radio license
  • Saratoga DSW
  • Clipboard (covered type recommended)
  • Notepads (standard or waterproof)
  • Safety vest, ANSI Class 2, safety yellow/lime yellow
  • Sturdy, closed-toe shoes (no sandals)
  • Long pants (no shorts)
  • Hat (broad brim recommended)
  • Seasonal jacket / rain gear
  • Food and water for 4 hours

Saratoga Journeyman Kit- Able to participate in nets/drills and support in EOC

  • Charged batteries for 8 hours operation
  • Personal Gear: Vehicle (Reliable operating condition, Fueled – minimum ½ full at all times, or 100+ miles for EVs)
  • Money (paper and coin) – in case ATMs are down
  • Watch or clock
  • Flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries for 12 hours
  • Food and water for 6 hours

Communicator IV Credential Level Kit

  • Current SCCo Voice Frequency List
  • Modified Mercalli (Mike-Mike) scale
  • Emergency county and city telephone contact list
  • Cell phone
  • Water (16 oz.)
  • Charged batteries for handheld radio for 12 hours (min. 3000 mAh)
  • Spare fuses
  • 25 feet of 50 Ohm coaxial cable
  • R – Small backpack, vest, chest harness or other similar method for carrying HT while operating portable
  • R – 2m/70cm mobile radio (separate/removable from vehicle), 25W minimum, Dual-receive, cross-band repeat
  • R – Radio user manual or cheat sheet
  • R – Headset (stereo recommended for VFO per ear) w/ inline, handswitch or footswitch PTT
  • R – Battery for 12-hours operation (20 Ah min.; 26 Ah rec.)
  • R – Power cord adapters – connect mobile to power sources:
    • Powerpoles
    • Cigarette lighter socket
    • Vehicle battery terminals
  • R – Powerpole splitter or fused distribution panel
  • R – Spare fuses
  • R – Coax adapter: connect mobile radio to coax
  • R – Min. 25 add’l feet of 50 Ohm coaxial cable w/barrel conn
  • R – Extension cord, 3-wire, 3-6 ft., multi-outlet
  • Coax adapters: connect coax to existing antenna jack:
    • BNC plug (male) & BNC socket (female)
    • UHF plug (PL-259) & UHF socket (SO-239)
    • N-type plug (male) and N-type socket (female)
  • R – 2m/70cm dual-band magnetic or window mount antenna
  • R – 2m/70cm high gain HT antenna
  • R – 2m/70cm dual-band portable base antenna (e.g. roll-up J-pole or other)
  • R – Portable mast (elevates antenna base min. 10 ft.)
  • R – Tripod or other self-supporting base for mast plus weights
  • R – Window clip antenna mount (for non-metallic vehicles)
  • R – Equipment: Tools:
    • R – Duct tape
    • R – Electrical tape
    • R – Nylon Tie-Wraps/wire ties
    • R – Utility knife
    • R – Small multi-tool or tool kit
  • Equipment: Operating Position:
    • Sign(s) for operating position
    • R – Lighting for operating position
    • R – Rope or Dacron cord (50’)
    • R – Folding chair
  • County Emergency Responder ID card (DSW Card)
  • If issued: SCCo ID badge, city badge, Credential Qual card
  • Paper or offline maps covering all Santa Clara Co.
  • Compass or GPS
  • R – Maps of antenna locations (if available)
  • R – City, county or other detail maps
  • Santa Clara County Forms (complete set, required quantities)
  • Phone message pad (2-part style recommended)
  • County Performance Standards (Required for Cred. Oper.)
  • SCCo Voice and Packet Frequency Lists
  • DEC/ADEC and city EC telephone contact list
  • Police/Fire direct dial phone numbers
  • Vehicle jumper cables or portable jump starter battery pack
  • R – Trash bags
  • R – Whistle
  • R – Work gloves
  • R – Sunglasses
  • R – Sunscreen lotion
  • R – Insect Repellent
  • R – Safety glasses
  • R – Mask (NIOSH-certified N95 or better)
  • Food and water for 12 hours
  • R – Small cooler or ice chest
  • R – Personal First Aid kit
  • R – Hand soap and/or sanitizer