WICEN NSW, is a communications support squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association. Due to COVID-19, administrative and training functions have been moved on-air or online.
While the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic has been cancelled Arrow, the Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation still needs support. Details are at: http://www.canoeclassic.asn.au
Likewise, Trek for Timor Blue Mountains is now a "virtual" event; the upside being it is possible to take a sponsored walk in any location. Details are at: http://trekfortimorbm.org.au
The Volunteer Memorial Day 2020 is on Sunday, October 11th, at 11 am. COVID-19 means this is an invitation only event, instead streamed online.
Members have been experimenting with JS8CALL to pass short text messages, on Monday evenings, supported by a Google Meeting. Details are on the calendar in the VRA email system. The software is available at: http://js8call.com/
WICEN has a weekly net, each Sunday evening. The main net is at 1800, and a secondary check-in net at 1830. On 1st, 4th, and 5th Sundays the main net will be on the Chatswood 2m repeater at 1800, followed by the (non-Amateur) Kurrajong VHF High-band repeater -R52 TAC 7 using Time Slot 1, at 1830. On 2nd, and 3rd Sundays the Kurrajong - Berowra 70 cm FM system will be used, followed by a net on the DMARC Talkgroup 3810, also Timeslot 1, at 1830.
All repeaters at Chatswood are now fully operational.
Members are also encouraged to take advantage of the free courses offered by OEM at: https://www.emtraining.nsw.gov.au/
Members are sought for various logistics and administrative tasks, such as repeater management and asset management.
WICEN hopes to be at the CCARC Field Day at Wyong on February 28th, 2021.
For Facebook users, there is an official WICEN NSW page; and an informal national WICEN group.
WICEN ACT is part of the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club. The club has moved events such as lectures, online or on-air. The Brookvale Horse Enduro on October 11th has been cancelled. The LCCC "Monaro Stages Rally" on the 31st, supported via the provision of equipment and advice. The BMSC "National Capital Rally" is November 28th and 29th.
For intending Amateurs in the ACT or the surrounding "Capital Country", and those who wish to upgrade, CRARC has its Foundation licence course, and all-level Australian exams, on November 21st and 22nd. For more info visit the group's website: http://www.crarc.org.au or the CRARC Facebook page.
WICEN Victoria - The Baw-Baw is now April 21st, 2021, subject to confirmation. Their weekly net is on each Tuesday at 8:30 pm, on 3.6 MHz. WICEN Victoria's interesting website is: http://vic.wicen.org.au
Submitted by Julian Sortland VK2YJS on behalf of the WICEN State Management Committee.