The Radio Amateur's Emergency Network (RAYNET) is a national body of radio amateurs who are pledged to provide communications in times of emergency and disaster. The North East Hampshire Group is one of around two hundred groups around the UK.

North East Hampshire RAYNET members, come from all occupations and usually have an agreement with their employer, that they will be released for duty if required in much the same way as volunteer fire fighters and life boat crew members.

RAYNET has provided communications at disasters such as Zeebrugge and Lockerbie, as well as at many local emergencies when storms, flooding, telephone equipment failures, search and rescue missions and oil spills have all necessitated additional emergency communications. Overseas work is also undertaken with RAYNET providing disaster relief communications, usuallyfor the Red Cross. News of families in overseas areas hit by hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters can be passed on quickly to relatives in this country.