Raynet activity gives hams the opportunity to demonstrate to the public, and the authorities, the usefulness of amateur radio in a very practical and understandable way.
Activity primarily takes place in the 2 metre and 70 Cm bands whilst HF is also used to supplement UHF/VHF communications. Equipment is readily available for these bands and the frequencies used are those in the UK Band Plan marked as available for use by Raynet
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Raynet was set up following disastrous East Coast floods in 1953. In the intervening period, it has been involved in many major disasters including air crashes at Lockerbie, Kegworth, Stockport and North Yorks.
At international level, amateur radio provides emergency communications in many countries around the world. Some recent examples of international activity include the Zeebrugge Herald of Free Enterprise disaster, the Asian Tsunami, and earthquakes in Mexico and Java. All involved the passing of health and welfare traffic.
Emergency traffic is not limited to voice modes. More and more the user services are looking at modern transmission modes such as data, video and microwaves. Whatever your interest may be in amateur radio, there is an opportunity for you to participate in, and contribute to, the provision of emergency traffic in your locality.
Updated 22 November, 2008 15:04:17 GMT