Liaison with 2 (NC) Signal Brigade

The liaison with 2 (National Communications) Signal Brigade had resulted in two inter-operability tests taking place. In the event of the army being requested to assist the civil authorities during a major emergency 2 (NC) Signal Brigade would be tasked to provide the communications required. If there had been widespread communications failures, it is likely that RAYNET would already be assisting local authorities.

The prime objective of the exercises was to investigate if and how the two organisations could work together in such circumstances.

A one day interoperability exercise was held at in February that successfully demonstrated that communication between the two organisations was possible using HF 5MHz SSB and VHF (70MHz) FM.

This led to an invitation for RAYNET to participate in part of the 2 week training event for TA Signal Regiments that was held during September. During the two weekends when we attended TA personnel were briefed on RAYNET and all members of radio detachments had the opportunity to establish communication with the RAYNET Control station on both HF and VHF and to send and receive exercise traffic that was pertinent to their exercise scenario.

The debriefing process from the September exercises is still in progress and it is hoped that a more detailed report will be included in the next issue of Ray-Link.