In order to provide a forum for discussion, news, ideas, experiments and information, plus – most importantly – enabling us to test local-to-medium distance communications and various modes, the RAYNET HF team has set up a regular series of HF Nets. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND USING/TESTING NVIS STRATEGIES ON THIS NET, if possible – fixed station at first, then mobile/portable.
Net Schedule
| Date | Mode | Bands to be tested initially |
| 1st | Voice Modes | 80 or 40m |
| 7th | Voice Modes | 5.2785MHz |
| 14th | Voice Modes | 80 or 40m |
| 21st | Voice Modes | 5.2785MHz |
| 28th | Non voice modes like data or CW | Any Band |
The normal START TIME is 2000hrs (8pm) local,
but if the date falls on a weekend or non-working day (e.g.Public Holiday )
then the Net STARTS at 1400hrs. (2pm) local.
A further description of operating modes and protocols can be found here
Frequency Choice
Frequencies are chosen according to date and time to try and maximise participation in the nets from the list of Frequencies to be found at this link.
The exact band to be used is usually discussed on the Mailing List prior to the net in order to take account of prevailing ionospheric conditions. Whilst an evening net would tend to favour the lower frequencies variations in sunspot activity may result in frequencies higher or lower than these being tested for optimum results.
On the 7th and 21st tests between 5MHz Full license holders take place. All nets generally start on 5.2785MHz USB as this is the Emergency Centre of Activity frequency declared in this band by the RSGB. Dependant upon conditions participants may move to one of the more conventional frequencies on 40m or 80m to see how the new allocation would have fared.
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| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |||
| 1 * 80/40m Net80/40m Net Held at 1400 if this date is a a weekend or Public Holiday. 2000 if a working day |
2 |
3 |
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| 4 |
5 |
6 |
7 * 5MHz Net5MHz Net Held at 1400 if this date is a a weekend or Public Holiday. 2000 if a working day |
8 |
9 |
10 |
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| 11 |
12 |
13 |
14 * 80/40m Net80/40m Net Held at 1400 if this date is a a weekend or Public Holiday. 2000 if a working day |
15 |
16 |
17 |
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| 18 |
19 |
20 |
21 * 5MHz Net5MHz Net Held at 1400 if this date is a a weekend or Public Holiday. 2000 if a working day |
22 |
23 |
24 |
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| 25 |
26 |
27 |
28 * Non-voice NetNon-voice Net Held at 1400 if this date is a a weekend or Public Holiday. 2000 if a working day |
29 |
30 |
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| Category Key | |
| General | |
| Team Nets | |
| GlobalSET | |
| Contests/Activity Periods | |
Calendar developed and supported by Kieran O'Shea
A PDF version of the calendar for 2025 can be downloaded here
Suggested Net Topics
It would provident that some or all of the following topics are covered and re-tested during the RAYNET HF Team Nets:
1. NVIS Comms.Tests :- Fixed-to-fixed / Fixed-to-mobile / Mobile-to-mobile
2. NVIS Antenna Tests:- Both Manufactured / Homebrew – as above
3. Test Various Modes:- Data, Speech, CW, SSTV, FAX, APRS etc.
4. Practice Message Handling:- IARU/RAYNET Voice Message Procedure
5. As far as possible test Long-Distance and Local-to-Medium Distance Comms.