
                         NSW  WICEN  NEWS
Official Journal of WICEN (NSW) Inc         Autumn 1994

From the Editors Bench......

Hi once again from myself, and all the contributors of the newsletter. Many
things have happened since the "Winter 93" edition of WICEN NSW NEWS, as you
probably guessed, there was no "Spring" edition, this was unfortunate, but if
nobody sends me anything, I have nothing to "edit" and so nothing was produced,
the one or two items I did have have been included in this edition.

Inside... we have exercise reports on SOME of the exercises, I have not heard
how the "EXPO" went, nor numerous other events held in the past 6 months. We
have reports on 2 different Bike Rides, Car Rally report copies of LOTS of
correspondance re the "Bushfires", PLUS (of course) the MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM
!

Last year, a few of our Co-ordinators got to attend the WICEN (Victoria)
Co-ordinators training seminar held at the Victorian Police Academy.

I am sure that the other attendee's (I went in my role as RCO for "HUME in
Victoria) got a lot of benefits out of the seminar, and I have heard rumors
that this years conference at Goulburn will have a few things "borrowed" to
keep us all entertained.

Seriously though, the seminar dealt with many aspects of WICEN's operations &
responsabilities, the latter being bourne out during a "Mock Trial" conducted
by Mr Hal Halenstein, the Victorian Coroner, and all I can say is that I hope I
NEVER have to appear before him in real life !

Okay, Enough from me, now open up the following pages and enjoy yourselves.

73.... Phil, DE VK3XQP
***************************************

President Retires
___--------------

When I took up the position of President of WICEN (NSW) Inc. I said I would
give it two years, if we all lasted that long.

Well, I haven't lasted that long.   I have received medical advice, from two
sources, that I must withdraw, or suffer the consequences. Accordingly, I
have today formally resigned as President and from the Committee.

I would like to record my appreciation of the support, loyalty and assistance
accorded to me by the Committee, and others, during the past couple of years.

I will remain a member of WICEN and will still be active at the Regional level
at least for the time being, and Rosemary and I hope to continue the
associations formed during my time on the Committee.

73,

Bill Allen VK2APN.
***************************************

BBS NEWS
___-----

We have currently 94 verified users on the BBS. Of these approximately 44 are
WICEN members, 28 are Amateurs but not members of WICEN, and 22 are neither
amateurs or members of WICEN.

There have been over 1600 calls made to the BBS since it has been running. I
would hope that by the end of this year we would have more then doubled that,
and that we would have in excess of 150 users.

I would still like to see a lot more members of WICEN using the board on a
regular basis, especially regional co-ordinators.

UPGRADING BBS SOFTWARE

In the next couple of weeks we will be changing  the BBS software. Proboard
will be installed which will replace Maximus as the BBS Software. This will
enable us to improve the services offered on the BBS for all users.

I am always looking for suggestions or ideas on how the BBS canbe of use to you
the members. If anybody has any ideas on any thing that they would like to see
on the BBS please let me know by leaving me a message.


Happy BBS'ing

Brett Wilkinson VK2XMU
Sysop
***************************************

Storm Watch
___--------

Following the severe wind and hailstorms in the Northern Rivers Region in
November, 1992, Leith VK2EA and Norm VK2BBY both joined the Severe Storm Watch
Volunteers set up by the Met. Bureau. As little guidance was available on what
to do, they started experimenting on the detection and tracking of
thunderstorms by radio as well as by visual means.

Equipment was, and still is, the simplest possible, so that any ordinary mortal
could do the same thing with what they had on hand. Although better results
could be obtained with more sophisticated equipment, they are both still using
portable transistor receivers which are capable of tuning down to 150kHz. It
was found that these sets, used with headphones can give accurate bearings on
isolated storm cells by nullifying the static that they generate to determine
the direction.

As a thunderstorm cell builds it emits a peculiar "Hashy" radio noise long
before it starts throwing lightning. Average storms only produce about one
static click per minute, but a rip-tearing one may generate several hundred
perminute, and is an indication of the storms intensity. Of course the listener
has to learn to disregard all the "DX" static and other generators like
electric fences and other appliances.

Norm and Leith are some 70km appart and thus have sufficient separation to
allow accurate cross bearings to be taken. So far they have successfully
tracked nearly every storm that has passed within 300km from Norm's QTH
(Palmers Island, near Grafton) and 100km from Leith VK2EA's QTH
(Goonellabah,near Lismore).

On November 20, 1993 a severe storm hit the small town of Tucabia which is near
Grafton. Of the 100 approx houses in the area, some 70 lost or had significant
damage to their rooves. At least 3 buildings were totally destroyed (including
the local bushfire brigade shed). Norm and Leith recorded their observations
that afternoon.

The storm cell that hit Tucabia was only one of a number of cells that
developed during that afternoon and evening. Most of the cells were trying to
build on a hot day (36 deg) against a Northerly wind. The one that hit Tucabia
was a storm that built up from the moist and lifting air in a strong South
Easterly change. From Lismore (over 100 km away) the cloud was described by
Leith VK2EA as a "Tall pillar of dark cloud, standing vertically and Back-Lit
by incessant and intense lightning. Statick clicks [on the radio] too numerous
to count - estimated at several hundred per minute". Norm VK2BBY stated that
"At no stage in the afternoon was there any sign of a severe cell building up.
The indications were that cells were only local and that there was insufficient
moisture in the atmosphere for sustained cell build up". The building of this
severe storm was very rapid.

Amateur radio is a perfect vehicle for Severe Storm Watch. Plenty of observers
over the coutryside, instant communications and lots of expertise. Leith, Norm
and other Amateurs in the Northern Rivers area also send reports of severe
storms to the University of New England's Geography and Planning Department,who
are also interested in Severe Storms.

If anyone is interested in Severe Storm Watching they can contact Leith VK2EA
at Fiford Ave, GOONELLABAH, 2480 or on Phone 066-242550

Thanks to Leith Martin VK2EA and Norm Bodycote VK2BBY for the information

Greg Wilson, VK2DIL
***************************************

BATEMANS BAY STAGES RALLY
___----------------------

Over the weekend of August 14-15 1993 the Bay Stages Car rally was held in the
hills around Batemans Bay. This is an annual event and is conducted in stages
varying in length from 2 km to some 40km. The participants must drive slowly
between each stage and loose points if they arrive too soon at the next start.
The safety of the event is paramount and is conducted under very stringent
guidelines.

The role of WICEN  in the event is to provide safety and control
communications. There were 19 WICEN operators involved in the event and were
located at the start and finish of each stage.

Because of the large areas to be covered, there were three repeaters used. The
WICEN repeater was used as the prime race net channel. This was located South
of Batemans Bay. The Nowra repeater was re-located to North of Batemans Bay for
the weekend and was used for the secondary net and general use. As a backup,
there was a third crossband repeater from 2 mx to 70 cm for emergency use. All
three were directed nets.

All calls were directed to control. The system worked very well. The messages
handled from the start to control contained the car numbers entering the stage.
This information was supplied by the checkpoint people. The stage finish called
control and (in groups of 5) gave the car numbers and elapsed times. At this
time, the start of the stage would cross off each car number and would know
that the stage was clear. The system worked well.

Most operators were on the prime channel, a few were on the secondary net. On
the Sunday, quite a few stages were transferred to the secondary channel to
reduce the loading on the prime. HF was used on the Saturday but the 40 Mx
channel was weak operating in the skip zone. There was no packet used at all.
In all the communications worked well.

The voice proceedure was such that the messages got through with a minimum of
fuss. The operators were confident and the control operators were very good.
Occasionally, a message was read back - but not often.

Most of the operators spent the Saturday night at the Scout hall where we
enjoyed the time together. It really made for a good weekend. Yours truly had a
problem staying awake so I decided to talk from the sleeping bag. Didn't last
long I was asleep very quickly. At some stage of the night I woke up and heard
this quiet, low snoring coming from a couple of areas. I thought how peaceful
and restful was the sound. I don't know who won the snoring contest (all denied
they snored).

Back on the Sunday to the rally. The event finished about 1500 hrs. Plenty of
time for all to return home.

My thanks to Dave Hawkesworth, "the Mountain man" Steve Johnson on the hill
with the repeaters and to the South coast members for a great week end.

Peter Corkeron (VK2AGB).
***************************************

NSW WICEN News is produced using Microsoft Word for Windows (Version 2.0),
Printed on an Apple Laserwriter II.  Courtesy of the Information Technology
Support Group of the Australian Taxation Office (Albury Branch)

***************************************

City to Surf 93
___------------

The 1993 City to Surf was run on Sunday August 8th with some 42,000 people
running in the event.

WICEN involvement started some weeks before with a meeting with the organisers.
WICENs role this year was slightly changed with more checkpoints along the
route but no officials being followed around.

We had 21 checkpoints as well as Start / Tail, Network Control, Ambulance,
Police and a Medical network.

The City to Surf is a Fun Run run over a 14KM course starting in the City of
Sydney and heading out to the beach side suburb of Bondi. Its course runs up
and down several hills culminating in 'Heartbreak Hill' climbing from Rose Bay,
a harbour foreshore suburb up to Vaucluse on the south head of Sydney Harbour
and then turning south along the coast down into Bondi, finishing in front of
the Pavilion at Bondi Beach.

A portable repeater was set up for the event located on a high point at
Bellevue Hill within the run path. There were also several backups available on
the Paddington repeaters (2M and 70CM) as well as the WICEN repeater at
Chatswood and a simplex 2M frequency. The portable repeater was trialed the
weekend beforehand and was found to perform satisfactorily over the course.

On the morning of the run, Brett VK2XMU, the exercise Commander, started in the
city at 05.45 briefing the operators for the three mustering points for the
runners. These were located in the basement of the Waterboard Building in the
City, Sydney Grammar School just south of the Start line and in Hyde Park North
next to the Archibold Fountain.

Brett then travelled out to 1st Vaucluse Scout Hall for a 07.00 briefing for
the rest of the operators at which time he and Eric VK2KUR, his assistant, did
the allocations for the rest of the positions. All positions had been requested
to be manned from 08.15 so that any last minute requests for supplies,
assistance at checkpoints etc could be handled before the run.

During this time, Kevin VK2CKD was setting up the portable repeater up the hill
and it came online at about 08.00. Syd VK2AHF was to be the Net Controller and
he operated from the same site as the repeater.

Fairly shortly after the repeater was set up it became evident that there was a
problem being experienced with it in the form of an interaction with some of
the pagers causing the repeater to be sensitive to high deviation on the
signals received. This was manifested by the signal being chopped by the
repeater. It was found, however, that if deviation was kept low, the repeater
could handle it without any problem  and so it was decided to maintain the
network on it.

The reasoning behind this was that it was not causing undue problems and, as
this was an exercise, it was probably a good thing to have to use a repeater
running under less than ideal conditions. Had there been any real problems
causing messages to be lost continuously, the network would have been switched
to one of the other frequencies. Most operators seemed to have no troubles with
the repeater except for having to be reminded from time to time by Control to
speak more quietly.

This year was also different from previous ones as instead of setting up a
forward control vehicle at Bondi, the Ambulance service ran their control from
their normal Radio Room in the city. WICEN, therefore, had its operator set up
in their Radio Room with a temporary antenna set up on the roof.

At ten minutes before the start of the event at 10.00, Control handed the
network over to Start whose job it was to pass the sound of the start gun over
the network for all to hear. This was achieved after which Start handed the
Network back to Control.

During the run the main traffic was the passing of numbers of leading runners
at each checkpoint and, of course, any emergency traffic.

There was one call to Ambulance from a checkpoint for a runner who collapsed
near the checkpoint with a suspected heart attack and the Ambulance was on the
scene within a few minutes. Despite the quick response, however, the victim was
unable to be revived.

CONCLUSION
Overall the entire operation went off very well. The weather was fairly kind to
us this year, being cool and therefore making for a generally quiet event. All
operators performed well with most traffic being handled quite smoothly.

We had good liaison both before and during the event with the Police and
Ambulance services and, I believe, put on a good show. Network discipline was
good despite the fact that some operators were new to this type of controlled
network picking it up very quickly.

One of the things I would like to see in the future would be the use of 70CM
instead of 2M for the main net. One of our major problems, especially around
large cities like Sydney, is the proliferation of pagers just outside the 2M
band causing a lot of interference, not just to events such as this, but to
everyday operation. This type of interference is totally absent on 70CM and, as
we found out this year, the vast majority of operators do have the facilities
available for that band.

I also believe that having the briefing and debriefing in a hall where people
could sit down and discuss things made it a lot more pleasant and the barbecue
afterwards enabled people to relax and wind down after the event. Hope to see
you all there next year.

To finish up I will quote from a comment made by Syd VK2AHF net controller for
the exercise "I had a great time - rain and all. A few laughs, some real
brain-teasing network queuing, an opportunity to add real worth to a great
community event and the opportunity to catch up with a few old friends. Isn't
that what voluntary work is all about?"

73 . . . . Eric van de Weyer VK2KUR
***************************************

Great Queensland Bike Ride
___-----------------------

Although I am a VK2 member of WICEN, the VK4 WICEN people made me very welcome.
So much so that I had the opportunity of participating with them in the "Great
Queensland Bike Ride" which was run by the same group who are organising the 16
day ride from the Blue Mountains to Melbourne in November / December.

The Great Queensland Ride was over a period of  8 days and covered some 500Km.
It left Cairns on Sunday August 29th travelling to Port Douglas for the day. We
camped at Port Douglas that night and continued on to a place called Kairi just
north of Mossman. This was the second night, and a very wet one it was.  On
Tuesday we continued up the ranges to the Highlands and camped at Mareeba that
night. Wednesday took us on through the highlands to Atherton.

The Thursday was a rest day, so we stayed on at Atherton for the day. On
Friday, with more hills to conquer, we went on to Malanda and survived another
very wet night, followed by a very wet morning. Saturday was mainly a downhill
run through to Babinda (known as the wettest town in Queensland) and it
actively lived up to it's name - but we were all given a roof over our heads
that night.

Finally on Sunday we finished back in Cairns about Midday.  A total of about
500 riders participated, but at Malanda about 100 took the 4 day trek back to
Cairns with the other 400 continuing with the 8 day event.

There was a total of 10 WICEN people who assisted with the communications, 6 of
which participated for the full 8 days. those who took part were:
Bill, VK4XZ; Anne, VK4FAB; John, VK4AFS; Ron, VK4ACZ; Alan, VK4PS; Ted, VK4YG;
Dale, VK4DMC; Jim, VK4CJS & myself, Warwick, VK2JWP, all under the direction of
Ian, VK4ZT.

We were placed at various checkpoints along the route and our job was to report
in after each 100 riders had passed that checkpoint, when any medical staff
(Doctors or Nurses) arrived / departed the checkpoint, when the "Mobile Bike
Repair" car & trailer arrived / departed the checkpoint and finally when the
sweeps had gone through.

It was a very enjoyable event and one of the highlights was we had some 125
Taiwanese riders who came to North Queensland just for this ride. the story
goes that as one of the riders was pushing her bike up Mt Maloy towards
Mareeba, a kangaroo came out of the scrub and knocked her off her bike. What a
tale she would have to take home !

Warwick Paterson (East Riverina)
***************************************

STATE COORDINATOR'S NOTES
___----------------------

SYDNEY BUSHFIRES

Bushfires broke out around  Sydney and in other parts of the state at the
beginning of January 1994. WICEN was activated at about 2.30 pm on Wednesday 5
January with a request from Bush Fire Brigade for Central Coast Region to
establish a link from Spencer  near Wisemans Ferry to Erina (Gosford) due to
telephone failure.  Almost immediately there was a similar request for a link
for SES from Erina to Hornsby in Sydney's north.

Due to the high temperatures the Hornsby repeater had failed on two successive
days but had been restored by Barry White (VK2AAB) but was viewed with some
concern. The President of the WIA (Terry Ryeland VK2UX) was contacted and
requested to restore the VK2RWI voice repeater, which was of the air in
circumstances of which you are all aware.

The WICEN involvement escalated on the Central Coast and members were supported
by thew general Amateur community an Hunter, Mid North Coast, Blue
Mountains/Penrith and Sydney North Regions.


SYDNEY NORTH REGION :

7.1.94  Hornsby WICEN activated, link between Erina,Spencer and Hornsby SES.
Both F3 and Pacific Highway closed,no northern access. Forward Command
established at Lofberg Park (West Pymble).

8.1.94  Operators with gear including portable repeaters unable to get road
access to Erina, RCO Sydney North took essential personnel and equipment from
Brooklyn in own boat to Gosford, returned to brooklyn to find all road access
from Brooklyn cut.

HF link from Brooklyn to Hornsby established but fire later caused evacuation
of all personnel by water  to Parsley Bay.

VK2RWI restored (note re this later)

Link established to Village Green St Ives preparatory to moving major command
post.

9.1.94  Warringah Local Area activated and base established at Terrey Hills.

10.1.94  Operations continued but winding down until finally stand down on
13.1.94.

David (VK2KLX)
==============

SYDNEY SOUTH REGION :

8.1.94  Activated at the request of  SES to link Heathcote Fire Control to SES
HQ being set up at the Heathcote High School.

From this time to 12.1.94 Wicen provided radios with operators for the Relief
Vehicles in the area and for some vehicles performing evacuation duties in the
COMO area.

Telecom had installed multiple telephone lines into the school command post
which relieved the interlinking form SES HQ,the Miranda telephone exchange was
running at full capacity and could have overloaded at any time, so the WICEN
link was of vital importance.

To bring the tragic loss of many people closer to home, the family home of
Julian VK2ZVG was destroyed in the Como-Jannali area whilst he was out with
WICEN. Hope you are getting back on your feet now.

Kevin (VK2CKD)
==============

BLUE MOUNTAINS / PENRITH REGION :

This Region was on constant standby and coordinated a survey for a link between
Cessnock, Wilberforce, Wyong, Erina and Hornsby, the link was not needed but
was prepared.

Jim VK2KVD had the dubious distinction of leaving his Blue Mountain home to
work a 12 hour shift at Erina on 6.1.94 and due to fire closing roads returned
64 hours later, being a true intrepid WICEN member and mindful of delays he
gathered up his wife and returned to the fray in the Central Coast.

Alan (VK2YYJ)
=============

HUNTER REGION :

Hunter Region was not directly activated but provided staff and support
facilities to Erina.

Pauline (VK2GTB)
================

MID NORTH COAST REGION :

This Region was not directly activated but supplied two non WICEN members to
the Erina base.

Richard (VK2CHC)
================

CENTRAL COAST REGION :

Considerable activity in this Region, from the first activation. a Command Post
was set up in the SES headquarters and WICEN provided operators with equipment
to many SES and other vehicles which were pressed into service without radio.

During a power failure at the site for a significant time the WICEN system was
the only one completely operational, and Ray VK2TV did good work keeping all
base stations of the services in operation.

A feature of this operation was the request for WICEN to provide operators for
the Helicopter control at Gosford football ground which had eight choppers
working from it, this was for the whole activation and two Wicen Members worked
continually until 14.1.94 on this duty.

The full details the Central Coast debrief are not yet to hand but will be part
of the basis for the comments and recommendations for the next issue.

A pat on the back for Phil Greentree (VK2IW) who, when some SES men made
disparaging comments about the condition of WICEN overalls after about 7 days
in the field, particularly galling because they have extras available to them,
obtained from SES an order for an extra pair for EVERY amateur who worked at
Erina.

Sydney North did likewise but it was unfortunately too late and the books had
closed before Sydney South could participate.

Other members and friends worked as operators in various SES control rooms and
some assisted Bush Fire Headquarter at Rosehill as telephone operators.

Hunter, Mid North Coast and Blue Mountains /Penrith maintained appropriate
numbers of members on standby for callout and relief of other Regions.
Commitment of staff in the heavily engaged regions wa arriving at the point
when significant numbers would have to be relieved.

This forward planning is a credit to all RCO's, also in these circumstances it
would be irresponsible to commit all resources, particularly from areas which
at any time may have had escalation of their own situation.

SUMMARY OF STAFFING

DAY      ERINA     SY. NTH.       H'COTE.     HUNTER     BM/P       TOTAL

WED  5     6          2              -           -         -          8

THU  6     7          5              -           5         -         17

FRI  7    11         15              -           -         2         29

SAT  8    20         21              6           -         -         47

SUN  9    33         30             16           -         -         79

MON 10    25         20             10           -         -         55

TUE 11    37         22              7           -         2         68

WED 12    32         14              -           -         2         48

THU 13    15          8              -           -         2         25

FRI 14     8          -              -           -         -          8

SAT 15     8          -              -           -         -          8

                                      TOTAL                         392

These results show a gratifying response from all concerned, approximately
5000 Hours were worked and almost 35 Amateurs attended who were not WICEN
members The recommendations from all debriefings will be circulated as soon as
all are in and collated, first impressions confirm the view that the Emergency
Services will not call in assistance until a situation has deteriorated
considerably, and that despite RCO's contacting them for two days prior to
activation they still have little appreciation of WICEN's capability.
============================

THE VK2RWI 7000 REPEATER
___---------------------

The WIA NSW Div. has circulated all members with a pamphlet with a series of
totally untrue accusations against WICEN and myself as SCO. I feel members
should have an explanation of this and to reinforce our position I have
included copies of correspondence with the Institute. (Not in DATA copy)

Members may judge for themselves whether the action of that body was that of
a responsible organisation in the circumstances, and that the President is a
member of the Bush Fire Brigade.

This correspondence may also help to convince any other Amateurs who might feel
that this attack is justified.

In addition to the correspondence enclosed I provide for members the following
explanation.

1.    amateurs, known to be WICEN members, discussed 'cooking up' a demand from
      WICEN to have it (the repeater) put back on air"

Throughout the reputed faction fighting within the Divisional Council, WICEN
NSW has kept aloof from alignment with either faction. I have no knowledge of
such a plot and in no circumstances would have supported it.

2.    "-- He belligerently demanded Terry (Ryeland) VK2UX have the 2m Dural
      repeater put back on air, but as he was unable to confirm that it was
      officially required---"

The request was from the State Co-ordinator of WICEN to the President of the
WIA NSW Division at a time when there had been bushfires burning for two days
around Sydney, Both Central Coast and Sydney North Regions had been activated.
This was asked for by the Regional Coordinators from both Regions.
As members know, the entire station at Dural had been closed on ALL frequencies
, WICEN's only need was for the Voice Repeaters.

The Secretary (Roger Harrison) VK2ZTB phoned later and advised that for reasons
of possible interference from irresponsible people and a legal threat, together
with "advice from the SMA" to the institute,(but would not name the officer who
gave the "advice") that the repeater would not be restored but WICEN could use
the site for a portable repeater.

At about 8.30 PM that night the President (Terry Ryeland)  phoned and stated
that the repeater would be restored. This DID NOT occur.

3.    "--Over the following two days, John Howard repeated his demands and
      added threats about action against the Institute-"

No threats of any sort were made against the Institute or any member.

Several conversations were held over the next two days with the Secretary where
he was assured that if there were legal implications WICEN would approach both
the Minister and the Director of SES if necessary, to ensure no liability for
WIA during this period.

Comments relating to WICEN being "unprepared" are totally rejected, the WICEN
portable repeater was committed in the Hunter Region. All other facilities were
in place.

The Dural repeater was finally restored about 6 PM Saturday 8 January THREE
DAYS after the initial request and was IMMEDIATELY used to cover low signal
areas in the Hornsby repeater's pattern.

It is well known that the willingness and capability of Amateurs to respond in
an emergency is an important point in any negotiations about spectrum use and
band retention.
===============

FM 828's
___-----

Enclosed is a copy of a clipping from "THE AUSTRALIAN" page 18  on 10 January
1994, you will see my letter to the Institute  thanking them for obtaining all
these radios for WICEN and requesting details of collection and offer to
distribute. NO REPLY HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

The facts are, that as many members will know, 30 radios were delivered to
HUNTER WICEN at a meeting at Westlakes Club recently. We have no knowledge of
any others and the President has advised the RCO Blue Mountains/ Penrith that
for an additional 20, negotiated with TELECOM prior to the donation WICEN WILL
HAVE TO PAY THE INSTITUTE and that the WIA Council has approved the billing.

I regret that, believing that the Institute would honour its implied obligation
I advised the RCO Hunter to distribute the radios and this has been done.

John Howard, SCO.
****************************************

WICEN Uniform & ID Supplies:

WICEN Uniform Epaulet Slides                          $14.00 a pair
WICEN Badge                                            $4.00 each
WICEN Magnetic Car Sign                                $9.00 each
WICEN T-Shirt                                         $10.00 each
WICEN "Bib"                                            $8.00 each **
WICEN Banner                                          $22.00 each
Green & Silver Reflective Hat Band                     $4.00 each
Green & Silver Reflective tape (45 mm wide)            $7.00 per Metre
VRA Badge                                              $4.00 each
VRA Tie                                               $17.00 each
Metal VRA Hat Badge                                    $8.00 each
VRA Car Sticker                                           80c each
VRA Green Hard Hat                                    $15.00 each

** - Bibs can only be purchased by REGIONS to be used by personnel without
uniforms or by non-WICEN people.

The above items are available from the WICEN (NSW) Inc. Supplies Officer,
Pauline Jones (VK2GTB) Phone :(049) 498 786,  Fax: (049) 498 843
or by mail to: 1A / 142 Kalaroo Road, REDHEAD NSW   2290.

Overalls are best purchased direct from your local Overall / Uniform supplier
in plain White and dyed with PEACOCK GREEN dye which can be purchased from
Chemists. King Gee Pants, shirts etc again from your local Uniform or Work Ware
Supplier. The Dress Hat is Ackubra Style in Dark Tan available from stores like
K-Mart.
