Day-to-day operations in which RAYNET is involved can range from a local running event requiring 3 or 4 operators to something of national scale and importance, requiring in excess of 90 operators. Many of these events pass without incident and are great fun, particularly at the checkpoints, but the potential for problems is ever-present, and this must never be forgotten.
The larger events, such as youth night hikes, put RAYNET in a position of handling vital safety details as to the whereabouts of teams etc. and, on instructions from the organisers, can find itself at the sharp end of searches or helping in the co-ordination of a rescue.
Often, the events require a team of 8-10 operators, and at this level many of the operations are handled.
The operations carried out by RAYNET provide an excellent training ground for the hobby in general (which, after all, is the reason we have the licence in the first place!) as we use almost all modes and bands available to us.
- Voice – Backbone of most operations
- Data – For fast, accurate messages
- Fast Scan TV – To give control ‘Eyes’
- HF Bands – (Better known to some as Short Wave) Providing local, national & international links
- VHF Bands – On a range of bands allowing separation of event management and day-to-day operations, over medium distances
- UHF Bands – Local area event management & wide area repeaters
- SHF Bands – High-speed data networking
RAYNET is allowed to operate temporary cross & in-band repeaters on the VHF & UHF bands. These greatly extend the range we can cover and, therefore, allow us to be more flexible in the help provided to the User Services.
Because of the wide variety of operations the organisation is involved in, it is very flexible in its approach, drawing on a large pool of experience and equipment to cover almost any task.
RAYNET members are regularly found providing communications services at events such as:
- Marathons
- Cycle Races
- Triathlons
- Car rallies
- Yacht races
- Tall Ships Race
- Overnight Hikes
- Endurance Hikes
