To      : All Emergency Management Agencies
      From    : Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network
                Australia
      Information for inclusion in this fortnightly Bulletin
      should be sent by one of the following methods :-

      Postal  : WICEN, P.O. Box 106, Mitcham, Victoria, 3132
      InterNet: vk3tp@csource.oz.au
      FidoNet : Paul Walton @ 3:632/404
      Packet  : vk3ur@vk3bbs.vic.aus.oc
      Voice   : Paul Walton (03) 754-8646 (A.H)


WICEN.048           OBSERVATIONS ON WICEN                   8/5/94


       These  observations  were  provided by  Peter Corkeron from Sydney South
Region WICEN.

       Speaking to a few  Amateur  Radio  Operators  over the last months, I
see that there is a  negative attitude that has appeared concerning WICEN.

       This  observation is that  WICEN is a para-military band of Amateurs who
are one cut above the ordinary operator. That he is a gift to the emergency
groups and that he will let all know that HE IS GOOD. (He is a cowboy)

       WICEN is a group of Amateur operators who  now are required to meet
certain standards to  conform  with the  State  Rescue and Emergency  Services
act  1989. A  distress or  urgency call may be made on any frequency. When a
distress or urgency message is heard all operators should be prepared to
accept. (DOC72 Part 4).

       In the case of distress or urgency  messages, WICEN can use any
frequency or repeater. BUT it is  just as well to know how far we can go and to
know what responsibilities are attached.

       The WICEN operator firstly is an Amateur Radio Operator who has to live
and  share the  hobby with other operators. He/she use the hobby for community
service either in times of disaster and in exercises.   These   exercises  
usually   consist   of  supplying communications for sporting events.

       It  is  important that we do our work quietly, effectively,and
courteously. Not only do we wish to have the  emergency people on our side but
we NEED our fellow operators on our side.

       If we are conducting an  exercise or we are operational, we must be
courteous. If possible, contact the owners of the repeater and ASK if it is OK
to use the repeater for WICEN use as it is the best  one at the  time to do the
 job.  Editor's note : It is very important to contact the repeater owners as
they may  have decided to perform maintenance on the equipment just when you 
want to use it.

DO NOT "take over" a repeater or a commonly used frequency. DO NOT demand that
the repeater be cleared for WICEN use only.

       If  an  operator  comes  on  the  frequency and unknowingly places a
call, and the  frequency is not busy, call him in and say HI. Let him know, in
a  quiet manner, that  WICEN is active on the frequency  and  please  go ahead
and use the  repeater. "We  would appreciate it if he  could keep his  overs
short ( not necessarily his contact) in case there is WICEN traffic."

       With the right attitude and choice of words it is  possible to control a
situation without inflaming and upsetting people.

       In  the  case  of a big incident, there  will  be plenty of traffic and
plenty of volunteers. It  will be  unnecessary to call for a clear  channel as
the  ordinary  operator will  only be  too pleased to  vacate the  channel to
permit " WICEN to  get on  with their marvellous work". In the case of an
accident down  the road,we all know how quickly the channel is  cleared or
limited for the emergency traffic. No fuss, no bother.

REMEMBER:
*      Where possible. use a repeater on a normal WICEN frequency. *      Stay
away from busy channels.
*      Be courteous to your fellow hobbyist.
*      No need to be secretive about the frequencies used.
*      Use WICEN procedures when working WICEN operators. Speak in
       a conversation style when talking to others.
*      Be prepared to speak with an  outside caller in a  friendly
       manner without taking too long.
*      WICEN is there to support the  relevant organisations to do
       their task. We are not there to "take over" or to "show how
       many  prowords we know " or  to give  the  impression  that
       "look! Aren't we good!"

       Treat  your  fellow Amateur with respect and he will return the
compliment.

Regards

Peter CORKERON (VK2AGB)
Administration Officer
Sydney South