Radio Operators are our mainstay; almost every member of RAYNET is a Radio Operator. They are licensed by Ofcom as Radio Amateurs and work in accordance with the UK licence conditions.

These are the people who deploy out in the field at events and incidents. They work remotely, at checkpoints on events or as directed by the Net Controller & Incident Commander, when we are deployed to emergency incidents.

The Net(work) Controllers are more experienced Radio Operators who manage the RAYNET network at the event or incident. They make sure everyone is where they are supposed to be, make sure they are safe and critically, manage the radio traffic across the RAYNET network.

The Net Controller is usually entrenched with the event organiser or the Incident Command Team, where they provide the interface between the User Services and the RAYNET team on the ground.

Loggists work alongside the Net Controller at large events and all incidents. The Loggist does not need to be a Radio Amateur; this is an important administrative role that ensures all messages across the RAYNET network are logged.

The Loggist will sit beside the Net Controller, listening to radio traffic, taking notes, and updating the log. They will also assist with passing incoming messages to the User Service and receiving messages that need to be sent on the RAYNET network.

The log is our record of the event and ensures that we can demonstrate that we have passed all messages to and from the User Service and kept our volunteers safe.

Across the RAYNET membership, we have a number of 'specialists' who can provide additional support when required.

This support can be provided remotely or members can be deployed to the event or incident as required.

Many RAYNET groups across the UK have Support Team members; these are people who follow on behind the initial deployment of Radio Amateurs, bringing additional equipment and supplies as required.

At all deployments, RAYNET will set up a VHF & UHF network to allow our volunteer Radio Operators to communicate around the event or incident area.

Temporary cross- and in-band repeaters can often be set up to allow us to work more freely with handheld radios while maintaining the range required for clear, consistent communication with Net Control.

At events or incidents covering larger areas, RAYNET will often utilise the HF frequencies as this gives our volunteer Radio Operators a far greater range.

The HF frequencies are especially useful for events like fell running, cross country events, and long-distance races, where the terrain and the distances can make VHF & UHF more problematic.

RAYNET is authorised to operate temporary in-band and cross-band repeaters. With a suitable location for the repeater, the area covered can be greatly increased.

Many of our volunteer Radio Operators can run temporary repeaters from their vehicles or from a standalone setup.

Many RAYNET groups are licensed to use Business Private Mobile Radio (PMR), which they use alongside their VHF & UHF radios.

Subject to local agreement, the Business PMR radios could also be used by the User Service or event team to allow greater integration between the RAYNET Net Control and the User Service.

Many RAYNET groups can deploy the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) for events.

APRS is an off-grid, Amateur Radio system for reporting data. The data can take many forms, but is mainly used for location reporting. This allows organisers of race or endurance events to see where the front or, possibly more importantly, the back of the field is. As APRS operates on the Amateur Radio bands, it can still work and report even in rural locations with no phone or data signal. The real-time tracking data can be displayed on a screen at the RAYNET Net Control point.

Many RAYNET groups across the UK have their own mesh networks set up. These mesh networks are off-grid and decentralised systems that allow our members to send text messages without needing cellular connectivity.