Q: What is a 'User Service'?

A: The phrase 'User Service' is one of those odd (and sometimes confusing) British Government terms. It has come to meam, in relation to RAYNET and Amateur Radio in general, those Government and Non-Government, statutory, and Non-Statutory, organisations and Voluntary Groups, that have been recognised, by the British Government, of having a verified need for radio communications support in times of emergency and crisis. It is to those groups and organisations that we can provide our communications support. For a full list of User Services, please see the bottom of the Licencing Issues page.

Q: I am disabled. Can I join RAYNET?

A: In the vast majority of cases the answer will be "yes". However, it is very difficult to give a definitive answer to this question. RAYNET has many disabled people amongst its members. There are many levels of disability and there are numerous instances where a disabled member can render valuable service to RAYNET. Talk to the local group controller. It is up to you to say what you are capable of doing and where your disability imposes limits on you.

Q: I do not hold an Amateur Radio licence. Is there any point in me joining RAYNET?

A: Definately. While the actual operations undertaken by RAYNET include licenced Radio Amateurs, there's still a lot of tasks that can be undertaken by non-licenced persons, that don't requrire the use of radios. These include logistics, engineering, personnel and information management, and a whole raft of other support taskings - just ask us, and we'll let you how you can help!

Q: You read of accidents happening. What steps does RAYNET take to safeguard its members and others from the consequences of its actions?

A: RAYNET members who are registered with The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network automatically benefit from the protection afforded by central Third Party and Public Liability Insurance policies. Additionally optional Personal Accident Insurance cover, and discounted membership of the ARIS (Amateur Radio Insurance Scheme, for all your equipment) is available to members of the Network. For details, members should refer to RAY~Link, the newsletter published regularly by The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network, and distributed both by regular postal services, and e-mail (to get the e-mail version, you need to be a member of RAYNET, and to have 'opted-in'). Members of all the London Groups are registered with The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network.

Q: What are the age limits for RAYNET members?

A: The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network has two categories of member, Full and Junior. A full member is one who has passed their eighteenth birthday. There is no upper age limit. There are legal reasons why an individual cannot be a full member. The age range for junior members is 14 to 18 years of age. A junior member will automatically become a full member on attaining their 18th birthday. Until that time, they never work on operations or exercises without the presence of at least one supervising full member. Most Network registered groups also follow these age limits and guidelines.

Q: What training will I receive as a RAYNET member?

A: In recent years much emphasis has been put on the quality of training. RAYNET does not know what it will be asked to do in an emergency, since no one incident is quite like another. Prudent groups therefore use events such as fun runs, marathons, cross-country horse events, large bike rides, county shows and the like to train in the sort of skills they believe will be required. Additionally, exercises are being continually developed to test and improve the team management skills. It is recognised that the "It'll be alright on the night" attitude is an unprofessional stance, and doomed to failure. One of the catch-phrases to have emerged from the National Training Team in recent times is "Failing to plan, is planning to fail". We therefore take every opportunity to train for the event that we hope will never come - an emergency.

Q: What support and services from RAYNET, can I expect to see, as a member?

A: The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network is continually expanding and upgrading the services that it provides for its members. Most of the services noted below are made available though the national organisation, to the Groups and membership; but some are provided by the Group as well. These services include:

• Providing an effective Public Liability and Third-Party insurance to Members on RAYNET activities. Further information on Members' Insurance can be sought through RAEN.
• Providing discounted access to the Cornhill Insurance Amateur Radio Insurance Scheme (ARIS) to insure your Amateur Radio equipment, through RAEN (member service).
• Providing an Identity Card, administering a Membership Database and providing periodic reports to aid Zone Coordinators and County Controllers (Through RAEN).
• Provision of a 24-hour Emergency Contact phone number on 0141 621 2121 to back up local contact arrangements for user services (Through RAEN).
• Creation and maintenance of this, and the National RAYNET website (see the links page) (Locally, and through RAEN).
• Provision of an e-mail redirection service to enable members to receive e-mails whilst changing ISP at will (Through RAEN).
• The production of a professional standard slide package aimed primarily at User Services (Through RAEN).
• The collection of high quality video material of RAYNET activities (Through RAEN).
• The production of a National Training Scheme (Through RAEN).
• Running weekend training seminars (Locally, and through RAEN).
• Redistribution of material from similar organisations abroad (Through RAEN).
• Providing Guest speakers/lecturers on User Service functions and training programmes (Through RAEN).
• Providing a Membership Supplies service on both a mail order basis and direct sale at major Amateur Radio rallies (Through RAEN).
• Operating a packet BBS and its associated databases (GB7NRC) (Through RAEN).
• Running a National 80 metre news (Through RAEN).
• Collating and presenting news for transmission via the Packet network and the 80 metre net (Through RAEN).
• Production of a regular newsletter ("RAY~Link") (Through RAEN).
• The control and issue of Talk-through permits for RAYNET Groups (Through RAEN).
• Technical evaluation of components relevant to RAYNET operations (Through RAEN).
• Provision of support and advice to Group officers (Through RAEN).

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