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What is Raynet?

      The Radio Amateur Emergency Network

   Welcome to the web pages of Broadland and North Norfolk RAYNET  

RAYNET is a non-commercial voluntary organisation formed of radio amateurs who give freely of their time, expertise and use of their equipment in providing highly effective and reliable radio links enabling communications for their user services, which include: -

 the police

 the fire and ambulance services

 health authorities

 government departments

 public utilities

 the county emergency planning officer.

 

Through the above authorities RAYNET is able to supply either direct or back up facilities for additional organisations such as the HM Coastguard, the WRVS, St. John Ambulance, the Red Cross and similar groups interfacing with the emergency needs of the public.

 

Broadland and North Norfolk RAYNET members hold their equipment at instant readiness for any sudden call out. They possess radios and ancillary equipment independent of the mains electricity supply in the form of both mobile and portable transmitters and receivers, batteries, antennas, and all supplies to ensure self-sustainability for prolonged periods. They have members with four-wheel drive vehicles and boats, capable of navigating off-road accesses, beach routes, broads, rivers and seas to the afflicted sites, people and communities. A caravan containing a fully equipped mobile control unit is also available for transporting to any specific site where it may be needed.

RAYNET teams are regularly called out on many sudden real emergencies and exercises simulating rail, road and air crashes, chemical and nuclear hazards, oil spills, missing people searches, threats to the public, flooding hazards, surge tide alerts and other unforeseen disasters. These events have often involved thousands of member man hours and over fifty operators working with the user services in structured groups under the guidance of County, Regional and Group Controllers and the authorities.

 

Regularly Broadland and North Norfolk RAYNET supply vital communications for many public and social events such as carnivals, rallies, marathons, public events, county shows, sponsored walks, fun runs, races and cycle rides, all on the proviso that a user service is involved.

 

Broadland and North Norfolk RAYNET regularly conduct their own exercises and tests to ensure the continuity of their capabilities and to test their equipment under simulated emergency conditions from mobile and portable locations and their home stations. Members provide a complete message handling service and are fully trained in passing accurate information. Reliable and effective communications by HF, VHF and UHF radio are available for both nominal and long distance links using voice, data and television to provide reliable contact beyond the range of mobile telephone networks, normal radio systems, at difficult locations and under adverse conditions. Repeaters can be deployed to coordinate communications between remote groups. All RAYNET equipment is rapidly adaptable to meet the requirements of virtually any situation.

 

Broadland and North Norfolk members meet ‘on the air’ every Monday at 21.00 (9.00pm) on 144.650 MHz FM. You are welcome to join them in these nets. A transmitting licence is required for such participation, but those without callsigns are equally welcome to join RAYNET to provide vital assistance by driving, mapping, logging and generally assisting the radio operators.

 

Broadland and North Norfolk RAYNET are seeking volunteers to replace some of our older members now retiring. If you wish to join Norfolk RAYNET, please refer to the Contact us tag and send an e_mail to the controller in your area who will send you an application form.  When your application for RAYNET membership has been completed and approved by the controller, you will receive a photo-identity card, a full listing of members and a call-out list with the local RAYNET ‘telephone tree’. You will also have the availability of high visibility tabards and clothing, person and vehicle insignia and further essential information.

 

Membership of RAYNET is free of any fee or charge. Free insurance is available to any participant below seventy years of age. All that is needed from you is your support and enthusiasm.

 

 

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Pat Gowen G3IOR