From: richardm@runx.oz.au (Richard Murnane)
Subject: Re: WICEN again
Organization: RUNX Un*x Timeshare.  Sydney, Australia.
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 92 20:59:03 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.105142.23163@runx.oz.au> ycomputr@runx.oz.au (Mark Cheeseman) writes:

> Now for a general question - what's WICEN like? I'd considered joining for
> some time, but not having much in the way of portable/mobile gear at the 
> moment, I couldn't see much point. Probably the only chance most amateurs
> get to put something back into the society which continues to give us valuable
> spectrum space.

What's WICEN like? Jeez - have we got all night? :-) The "community payback"
aspect to WICEN is a major motivating factor, particularly in country areas,
where they're not as well served by paid emergency services. The government
recognises the value of the service in such situations (trivia time!: in
"Management of the Radio Frequency Spectrum - an Economic Analysis", one
of the world's truly dry and boring documents, on page 20, it says "Some
indirect social benefits are gained as they can provide an extra means
to transmit and receive distress signals. Three of the CB radio channels
are reserved for emergency use and amateur users pass on distress signals."
Rivetting stuff, eh?)

But one aspect we haven't been pushing too much of late is that being in
WICEN is also a lot of fun! There's a lot of more energy at most WICEN
meetings and events than I've experienced at normal amateur club meetings.
Looked at as a club (of sorts), WICEN is a hell of a lot more active than
any other organisation, with events every weekend in various parts of the
state (just speaking for NSW).

For the uninitiated, these events are training exercises which double
as a community service for other organisations, such as the MS Society,
riding clubs, you name it. So we help raise the public image of Amateur
Radio, in the process.

Next week, for example, WICEN is providing field communications for the
International Six Day Motorcycle Enduro in the Broken Back ranges around
Cessnock, a several day horse enduro (the details of which escape me for
the moment :-), early next month the Variety Club of Australia annual
"Bash" cross-country 4WD race will use WICEN comms; there's the 2MMM-FM
triathalon on Sydney's Northern beaches in November, cave rescue exercises,
canoe races, and lots more (listen to the weekly WIA broadcasts for news
of these and others). Or read the broadcast transcripts in aus.radio...

From WICEN's point of view, these events are valuable training exercises
in controlled nets and traffic handling, as well as operating in the
bush without external support, but they are quite enjoyable too.

Well, Mark, it's great that you have considered joining in the past - the lack
of portable equipment makes a refreshing change from the "years ago.."
excuse that I usually hear :-) It needn't be a barrier, however, as often we
use base gear for the control station, or equipment provided by the
organisations running the various event. Of course, you can usually
borrow equipment as well.

The best way to start is to take part in a WICEN exercise (there's plenty
to choose from these days :-) Either Dave and I can find one to suit you or
anyone else on the net. I hope you'll give it a go...

73 de Richard VK2SKY
-- 
Richard P. Murnane                     Every time I read the Sydney Morning
Internet: richardm@runx.oz.au          Herald cartoon page, I am reminded that
UUCP:     uunet!runx.oz.au!richardm    that I've become an institutionalised
Packet:   VK2SKY @ VK2RWI.NSW.AUS.OC   bankie: I now find "Bristow" funny...
From: Andrew.McColm@f543.n635.z3.fidonet.org (Andrew McColm)
Sender: acsnet@csource.oz.au