📻
Radio
Portable voice and data capability using appropriately licensed radio services.
Founding-stage volunteer organisation
Resilient communications for when normal systems are not enough.
UKRCS is being built to provide trained volunteers, portable communications, field networking, incident IT and resilient power to support communities and organisations during disruption, exercises and suitable public-benefit activities.
Important: UKRCS is not an emergency service and does not replace 999, 112,
police, fire, ambulance, local authorities or telecommunications providers.
About UKRCS
Use the best available technology, not just one technology.
UK Resilient Communications Service is an independent volunteer initiative focused on practical communications resilience. Our approach is technology-neutral: use fixed internet when it works, cellular when it is useful, satellite when terrestrial services fail, radio where lawful and appropriate, and local/offline systems when no external network is available.
We are designing UKRCS around trained operators, tested procedures, documented call-out processes, portable infrastructure and graceful fallback when systems fail.
Capabilities
What UKRCS is being built to provide
🌐
Field networking
Temporary wired and wireless networks for operational and partner use.
🛰️
Satellite
Independent connectivity where terrestrial backhaul is unavailable or unsuitable.
💻
Incident IT
Managed laptops, local services, logging, mapping and offline operational tools.
🔋
Resilient power
Battery-backed communications power, charging, DC distribution and endurance planning.
👥
Trained operators
Volunteers who deploy, operate, log, troubleshoot and safely recover communications systems.
Volunteer
Help build UKRCS Unit 001.
We are looking for people interested in communications, networking, IT, radio, resilient power, logistics, training, governance and community resilience.
- Communications Operator training
- Radio, networking, IT and power specialist pathways
- Exercises and practical field deployments
- Governance, administration and logistics roles
Request support
Communications support for suitable organisations.
Once operational, UKRCS will consider requests from charities, community organisations, voluntary-sector partners, local authorities, event organisers and other appropriate bodies.
Immediate danger?
If there is an immediate threat to life and normal emergency communications are available, call 999 or 112.
Support UKRCS
Help us create the first deployable communications unit.
Our current founding target is approximately £10,000 to establish governance, training, insurance, equipment, exercises and Unit 001 operational readiness.
Discuss sponsorship or support£2,500Organisation formed
£5,000Unit 001 build
£7,500Operational readiness
£10,000Full Year 1 target
FAQ
Common questions
Is UKRCS an emergency service?
No. UKRCS is a volunteer communications-support organisation and does not confer statutory or emergency-service powers on members.
Do I need an amateur radio licence to volunteer?
No. Some radio activities require relevant licensing, but UKRCS also needs networking, IT, power, logistics, training and governance volunteers.
Can UKRCS replace normal internet or mobile networks?
No. The aim is to provide resilient alternatives and temporary communications support when ordinary services are unavailable, degraded or unsuitable.
Can I call UKRCS instead of 999?
No. Where normal emergency communications are available, use 999 or 112 for immediate threats to life.
Contact