RAYNET celebrates 60 years since its formation

How RAYNET began - east coast floods 1953

RAYNET (Radio Amateurs’ Emergency Network), a national group of communication volunteers celebrates 60 years since its formation today (Monday 25 September).

RAYNET provides assistance to the government in times of national or local emergencies, by passing messages when the usual services are overloaded or not available. The group also practices its skills by helping other charities (RAYNET is a charity) with outdoor events.

The North East Manchester RAYNET, which is based in Wardle, often helps Littleborough Lions with their Boundary and Canal walks and more recently helped the Crompton and Royton District Scout group with their Shaw Hope Walk in memory of Ben Fitchett. During the event, RAYNET was asked to assist by providing reliable radio communications for the day.

RAYNET Chairman Cathy Clark said: “The east coast flood of 1953 was a terrible disaster but it precipitated the creation of a group of communications volunteers which, despite advances in technology, is needed now more than ever. With our current unpredictable climate, and the high risk of failure of modern communications networks, RAYNET volunteers can make a crucial difference.”

RAYNET began in 1953 after Britain suffered one of its worst storms in history. 307 people lost their lives on the night of 31 January/1 Febraury when Britain was battered by gale force winds and a tidal surge swept down the east cost. During the storm, Humber Radio was dealing with a distress call from the SS Levenwood which had requested the help of tugs and urgent medical advice.

Radio amateur Reg Hutcheson-Collins (call sign G3AXS) was monitoring the storm and he arranged for a tug to go to the Levenwood’s aid and got medical advice from a local hospital which he passed to the ship's master.

That night, G3AXS answered four distress calls.

At the time radio amateurs were licensed to speak to each other, but were not permitted to pass what is now known as 'third party traffic' so the regulations had been broken.

After the disaster of 1953, the Amateur Radio Licence was amended to allow the passing of third party traffic on behalf of a Government-approved list of ‘user services’, including the police, fire and ambulance, and in November 1953, the RAYNET was formed.

RAYNET now has around 2,000 members nationwide but no paid staff and has provided emergency communication at many major incidents including the Lockerbie air disaster, where up to 200 people a day operated for 10 days until recovery of the 270 dead was complete.

RAYNET members today are dedicated to providing a professional communications service and remain ready to be called upon in emergencies.