|
|
|
|
This presentation concerns but a small subset of national preparedness to face up to potential disasters and emergencies. The country is too large, too vulnerable and has too small a population base and military force to have the luxury to ignore, or worse, reject the potential resources that could be mobilized among its population and, in the context of this presentation, by the Australian Amateur Radio community. This presentation doesn’t ask for too much of Government. What are Australia’s authorities to do? Here follow AussieWinlink’s suggestions: (1) It is for representatives of Australian civil defense authorities and the Wireless Institute of Australia - and its emergency communications arm (WICEN), to be given funds for a study tour to the US and assess the suitability to Australia of the Winlink digital civil defense emergency communication system as is being implemented in the US; (2) As in the US, a grant could be given by the Government to the Wireless Institute of Australia to fund: (a) Preparation of band plans to facilitate more efficient utilization of the available amateur radio spectrum; specifically, to enhance opportunities for digital communications (Just finalized by ARRL for the US); (b) Set up a Winlink digital communication station in the ACT under WIA affiliation; and (c) Train radio amateurs in digital emergency radio communications. (3) As an expression of appreciation for the contribution made by Australian radio amateurs, the Government could abolish the requirement for amateurs to pay annual license fees and taxes (The US Congress approved this more than a decade ago for American radio amateurs.) Official government support for Amateur
radio would be a small investment with a possibly large return for Australia.
|
|
