Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network

 
WICEN is a group of people, the majority of which hold an amateur radio licence and who volunteer their skills to assist various organisations by providing communications in times of need. Currently our resources are offered to the NT Emergency Service and Australian Red Cross although it is not limited to these.

For more information, please read the WICEN Station Information Document.

WICEN is an Australia-wide organisation with each state and territory being a division. These divisions offer a variety of services such as voice and data communications on HF, VHF and UHF to a variety of groups and organisations but primarily during disasters.

In the NT, we are a communications resource assisting NTES. Our tasks include providing operators for cyclone shelters and any other tasks requested within our capabilities.

The expectations of you as a member of WICEN would be:

♦ to keep your equipment in a condition that can be used by you if necessary to participate in training exercises. These are necessary to practise some procedures not normally encountered in amateur radio generally. You will be advised when these are to occur.

♦ to participate in the WICEN Training programme. This provides you with a variety of skills to assist you in becoming a useful member, and

♦ to be a reliable team member of  WICEN.

Training would involve perhaps several nights training depending upon what skills you already have. This is in addition to exercises where you receive on-the-job training. There are no meetings as such, information being disseminated at DARC meetings, by e-mail, Activity Instructions and newsletters.

It is not essential that you have any radio equipment or even have an amateur licence. The demand for operators is greater than that for equipment. There is a AUD $10 joining fee which covers the name badge and folder.

Further information can be obtained from Trevor Connell, VK8CO.