About Us
RAYNET was formed in 1953 following the severe East Coast flooding to organise the valuable resource of Amateur Radio operators for community support. Today, with around 1700 members nationwide, we provide emergency communication assistance to local resilience forums and on hundreds of community and charity events annually. Our operators have access to a wide range of radio bands and equipment, enabling us to provide a unique range of robust resilient emergency communication services to our user services and the wider voluntary and faith sectors.
Tailored - Resilient - Reliable - Radio
Power Shedding
Planned systematic power shedding does not present the same issues as a total area wide blackout. Rota Load Disconnection blocks will be introduced and switched off in turn, on a ‘rota’, for a period of three hours. If the level of electricity shortfall increases, more blocks will be switched off. Cordless phones, phones via a switchboard, normal internet and email are likely to fail immediately. Mobile phone cell sites [2 hrs], battery satellite phones [5 hrs]. However it is anticipated that arrangements put in place by the Merseyside Resilience Forum, Blue light, and other partners will cope with these three hour geographically rotated power disconnections. Airwave has adequate contingency fallback provision.
RAYNET provides resilient PBR Repeaters [auto 3+ hrs backup] as well as equipment for each Local Authority and the Merseyside Resilience Forum Partners [12v / vehicle power backup]. RAYNET Control has 24/7/365 [12v and mains backup], and fibre to the premises with uninterruptable power supply on router and phone.
RAYNET provision is built into the Merseyside Resilience Plan and we have access to contact details for all the appropriate agencies. If required to do so RAYNET will operate a controlled net for themselves and convergent radio amateurs offering their services.
If activated Merseyside RAYNET will provide a daily bulletin, and contact point for other Radio Amateurs on Merseyside [144.650 MHz at 8.00am UK clock-time every morning]. Operational nets will be allocated other frequencies. 144.650 will be the equivalent of an emergency traffic calling channel. For further details please contact the County Co-ordinator G8WHR (QTHR)
Emergency Contact
Category 1 and 2 Emergency Service
Providers should use the protocols and contact details in the MRF Contacts Directory,
or in an emergency situation if these fail – by telephone via our National
24-hour Emergency Contact number: 0303 040 1080
In the event of an extended National, or
large local area, power / communications outage licensed Radio Amateurs
wishing to volunteer their services within their local community should
listen on 144.650MHz analogue FM and call in when appropriate. Merseyside
RAYNET has a resilient radio link and contact point with the Local
Authorities and will be able to co-ordinate offers of help with
identified needs.
There are two RAYNET Groups on Merseyside, Wirral and Liverpool and we are always looking for new members. [www.wirral-raynet.org.uk] [Liverpool details being updated]
If the contact form below does not recognise your default email client please email the County Coordinator alec.wood@raynet-uk.net direct