RAYNET: A Brief History...

RAYNET was formed following the East Coast Floods disaster in 1953, when Radio Amateurs provided emergency communications. At that time, under the terms of the UK Amateur Licence, Radio Amateurs were not permitted to pass such messages for third parties. However, agreement was subsequently reached with the licensing authorities to allow the handling of such third party messages, and the Amateur Licence duly amended. Amateurs may now pass traffic whilst operating on behalf of what are called the "User Services".

The list of User Services that RAYNET can assist with are defined as "Category 1" or "Category 2" responders under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004).

RAYNET Group members are volunteers and give freely of their time and use their own equipment to provide communications assistance at local events such as fun runs, marathons, car rallies and similar events. Participation by RAYNET in these activities provides both a service to the community and the organisers. Such events also provide useful training opportunities for RAYNET members.

RAYNET has helped provide communications at major disasters such as Zeebrugge and Lockerbie, as well as at many local emergencies throughout the country when severe storms, flooding, telephone equipment failures, search and rescue missions and oil spills have all required additional emergency communications.