Submitted by VK2YJS on

WICEN NSW, is a communications support squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association.

Due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) WICEN has cancelled participation in all but emergency activations, and moved meetings to its amateur and non-amateur radio resources, including DMR.

The HCC Committee has decided to continue preparing for the 2020 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. The event, and WICEN’s support, will only occur if all of government requirements for "Return to Sport" can be met.

WICEN has been running check-in nets twice daily, with the last this evening. These are being replaced by a weekly broadcast and net, each Sunday evening. The broadcast is at 1800, and a check-in net at 1830. On the 1st, 4th and 5th Sundays this will on the Chatswood 2m repeater, with callbacks on the Kurrajong High-band repeater. On 2nd and 3rd Sundays the Kurrajong - Berowra 70 cm FM system, and callbacks via DMARC Talkgroup 3810.

Training in the use of chainsaws will be provided on the 3rd to the 5th of July. This primarily regards safely clearing fallen timber.

Members are also encouraged to take advantage of the free courses offered by the Office of Emergency Management, at: https://www.emtraining.nsw.gov.au/

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 is moving all events, including lectures, online or on-air. The group is shortly recommencing the support of car rallies, via the provisions of equipment and advice. The first is the NSSCC "Rally of the Bay" on July 4th. Tomorrow is the Reconciliation Day Holiday in the Territory. For more info visit: http://www.crarc.ampr.org or the CRARC Facebook page.

WICEN Victoria - The weekly net is on each Tuesday at 8:30 pm, on 3.6 MHz. Their first event back may be Ballarat's Eureka Rally on August 22nd and 23rd. WICEN Victoria's website, which includes a couple of propagation indicators, is: http://vic.wicen.org.au

Submitted by Julian Sortland VK2YJS, on behalf of the WICEN State Management Committee.