Good evening all, unfortunately we have been advised that there will not be
a Battle of the Beasts event (the mountain bike race in the Southern Namadgi
Park) held this year. So sad news for those who have enjoyed assisting in the
last couple of years Batle of the Beast events. However, there will be a "Call
of the Beasts" event which is an endurance obstacle race held on 08 November
2014.
The organisers have asked for our support again this year to assist in the
provision of an admin/safety/emergency traffic net. The event is run around a
hill on the Caloola farm - simplex comms back to the HQ is borderline due to the
terrain, so we will put in a lightweight portable repeater on the hill and run
on 70cm or the UHF commercial frequency (WICEN commercial equipment would be
provided to operators if we use the commercial frequency).
This email is not calling for vounteers this far out (we will be asking in
probably early October), but just a heads up for those interested.
As to other WICEN activities, we have well and truly entered the mid year
lull in activity - we have no confirmed requests for support until roughly
October, so enjoy the time off and take the opportunity to get your gear ready
for the the busy season later in the year.
===============================================
From WICEN NSW we
have the following invitation to WICEN ACT / CRARC members to an exercise to be
held in a yet to be disclosed location about 2.5 - 3 hours travel time from
Canberra. The NavShield exercise is a great activity for those people who
like to get out "bush" and play radio along with "Bush Camping".
Hi
WICEN Members
This is a call for expressions of interest to
participate in the provision of communications at the 2014 NavShield Event being
conducted on 5th & 6th July 2014
As usual, the location is
embargoed from general distribution and will be provided to those placing
an expression of interest.
I can advise though, that the location
is around 2.5 hours travel, generally to the South, from the Sydney
CBD.
This year I will be the WICEN Event Commander, assisted by
Deputy Commander Jan VK2FEB who is training up as an event
commander.
Detailed planning is not yet complete, but we are aiming
for the following staffing at up to 5 sites.
Base
A
repeater site
Radio Checkpoints x 3
This year some of the
checkpoints may be accessible for 2WD. The Base site certainly will
be.
Some members have made enquiries regarding the need for the
recently introduced VRA Induction qualification, to attend
NavShield.
The WICEN State Committee has provided the following
guidance, from the recent Committee Meeting, for WICEN events in general,
and which will apply to NavShield.
Training Policy
-
Some time was spent discussing the impact on WICEN of the State
Rescue Board (SRB) and VRA policies in connection with requiring
certain competency based training (CBT) before operators were allowed to
be deployed.
- It was decided that, for the moment, WICEN will
apply the policy that any WICEN team leader must hold VRA induction or
higher. Other members deployed with that team leader are considered
trainees. Expect that this requirement will be ratcheted up as the SRB and
VRA issue more detailed requirements for support squads.
- A team
leader includes a WICEN commander, a checkpoint leader, a person deployed
in the field alone (a team of one), etc.
- Currently 33 WICEN
members have completed VRA induction requirements
In accordance
with this policy, I am asking for those who hold the Induction
certification to attend, as well as those without. This will mean that we
will need to juggle the mix of people at each site,
but I don't see
this being a problem.
This year we will be encouraging the use of
digital modes such as Psk31 for data transmission, but it will not be
mandatory.
Participants will need to provide both 2m & 70cm
radios (mobile / 25W or similar, and deployable away from your car), mast
and antennas, on a team basis. Radios & antennas for commercial
frequencies will be supplied by WICEN.
If you are interested
in participating, please advise me via email:
mal.alexander@bigpond.com Would it be possible to
advise in your email. the following:
VRA
Induction yes / no
4WD
or 2WD
Portable
Mast yes /
no
Portable Batteries yes / no
2m
radio
yes / no
70cm
radio yes /
no
Some members have already sent in an expression of interest,
however, could you please resend with the brief questionaire
above.
I will endeavour to hold a Site Survey early to mid
June.
Regards
Mal
Alexander
VK2YVA
===============================================
Could
I ask that if anyone does participate that they let Phil and myself know via the
VK1 WICEN email address (
wicen@crarc.ampr.org) please.