Raynet meets Cabinet Office representatives

Under the terms of the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the RSGB and The Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network, The Network is designated the lead agency in consultations with the Cabinet Office's Civil Contingency Secretariat.

In order to improve the Government’s understanding of the role of Raynet, representatives from the Emergency Planning Team of the Radio Amateurs’ Emergency Network recently met with the Central Sponsor for Information Assurance (CSIA) which is a unit of the Cabinet Office and which works with partners in the public and private sectors, as well as its international counterparts, to help safeguard the nation's IT and telecommunications services.

RAEN Chair, Cathy Clark, G1GQJ, and her team gave a presentation on the capabilities and current resources of Raynet and in turn learned about the Government Contingency operations requirements. The main areas where Raynet could assist were agreed.

This initial meeting was considered by both parties to be a worthwhile exchange of ideas, and future meetings will include the use of Raynet as part of the communications contingency in support of Continuity of Government, how CSIA can help Raynet discuss projects with agencies it would be working with in times of emergency, how mutual training can be undertaken, licensing matters, and the use of chosen frequencies.

The RSGB is also talking to the MoD through Ofcom with regard to interference being experienced on the 2m band primarily in Northern Ireland. These discussions are ongoing

Source: GB2RS News - Courtesy of the RSGB

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