RAYNET is a voluntary organisation of licensed radio amateurs who are pledged to provide communications in times of emergency and disaster by giving their free time, expertise and equipment.
Under the terms of their amateur radio licence, RAYNET members may only pass third party messages on behalf of a 'user service', which are any UK Police force, Fire & Rescue service or Ambulance trust, HM Coastguard, Local Authority Emergency Planning Officers, any health authority, any government department, British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, St Andrew's Ambulance Association, WRVS, Salvation Army and Any utility service.
RAYNET was formed following the disaster caused by the east coast floods in 1953, when radio amateurs spontaneously provided emergency communications. At the time, ministers were sceptical whether radio amateurs could play a useful role in an emergency, but the floods forcefully made the point that they could and the amateur radio licence was subsequently altered to authorise the handling of disaster and emergency traffic for third parties.
Radio Amateurs must pass an examination administered by the Radio Society of Great Britain on behalf of Ofcom, covering electrical theory, antennas and propagation, interference and licensing conditions. There are currently three types of licences, Foundation, Intermediate and Full. In certain circumstances, every British radio amateur is permitted to pass emergency traffic, only RAYNET trains and organises regularly for such events.

If you wish to join South Wiltshire RAYNET please contact the South Wiltshire Controller. You do not need to be a Licensed Radio Amateur to join our group or take part in any of our activities, you must however be at least 14 years of age and have a parent's or guardian's consent if under 18 years of age.