Raynet

Raynet (The Raynet Amateurs Emergency Network) is a national body of radio amateurs who are pledged to provide communications in times of emergency and disaster. Some Groups like Medway Raynet are affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) while some groups are independant of the RSGB.

How Raynet Started.

Raynet was formed on the initiative of the Radio Society of Great Britain in 1954, following the spontaneous help provided by radio amateurs to shipping and local authorities during the 1953 east coast floods disaster.

At the time Ministers were sceptical whether radio amatuers could play a useful role in an emergency. The floods forcefully made the point that they could, and subsequently the authorities amended the amatuer radio licence to authorise the handling of disaster and emergency traffic for third parties.

Under the terms of the amateur radio licence, amateurs are not usually permitted to pass messages for third parties, but an agreement was reached which authorised this procedure while working for a 'User Service'. The list of 'User Services' has been increased and now includes the British Red Cross Society, the St. John Ambulance Brigade, Chief Emergency Planning Officers, or any UK Police, Fire or Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard, Health Authority, Government Department or Public Utility.

How can I join Raynet.

Raynet is open to anyone who is interested and willing to make an active commitment. First and foremost you must be ready and available (within reason) to participate in both emergency and User Service events, and be prepared to devote time to training. You do NOT have to be a licenced Amateur as there are many support roles that are needed in the running of a communications service.

Raynet members come from all occupations and usually have an agreement with their employer that they will be released for duty if required in much the same way as volunteer fire fighters and lifeboat crew members.

Who Do we Work For ?

A special section of our licence permits us to pass messages on behalf of various bodies called 'User Services'. These are any United Kingdom Police force, Fire or Ambulance service, Health Authority or Government Department, Chief Emergency Planning Officers and HM Coastguard, the British Red Cross Society, the St John Ambulance Brigade, the St Andrew's Ambulance Association, the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, the Salvation Army and the Utility Services.

If you would like to find out more information please send your details to our Membership Officer by filling in the form reached via Membership Enquiry and we will send you further details.

Alan Stanley Medway Group Controller

to be continued..........