PART OF OUR LOCAL HISTORY
Supporting Golcar Lily Day
The original Kirklees RAYNET group was involved in local events including Golcar Lily Day. That community connection is part of the history we bring into this new chapter.
Visit Golcar Lily Day REFORMED OCTOBER 2026
Kirklees RAYNET: Local people.
Vital connections.
Officially reformed in October 2026, Kirklees RAYNET is back. Local radio amateurs are building a new chapter in volunteer communications for our community, with participation in events starting in 2027.
RADIO AMATEURS’ EMERGENCY NETWORKKirklees · West Yorkshire
LOCAL GROUP · NATIONAL NETWORK
Part of the wider RAYNET family.
Kirklees RAYNET is our local group within the wider RAYNET structure — bringing a national spirit of voluntary communications to our own community.
ROOTED IN KIRKLEES
Huddersfield · Dewsbury · Batley · Spen Valley · Mirfield · Holme Valley · Colne Valley
01 / WHO WE ARE
Back together.
Looking forward.
Kirklees RAYNET has been officially reformed by radio amateurs from across the Kirklees area.
Our original branch was officially disbanded in 2010. In October 2026, a group of us came together to bring it back — building on a shared interest in radio and a desire to put our skills to use for the community.
The reformed branch brings together radio amateurs from Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society and Yorkshire Mesh Radio Club, alongside others across Kirklees.
2010
Original branch disbanded
OCT 2026
Kirklees RAYNET reformed
02 / OUR PURPOSE
Radio skills.
Community spirit.
RAYNET is a voluntary communications service. Its groups bring people and radio skills together to support communications when they are needed.
Community communications
Developing a local group focused on practical communications and community resilience across Kirklees.
Learning & preparation
Building our skills through shared knowledge, practice and preparation as the reformed branch develops.
Working together
Connecting local radio amateurs and volunteers, with an interest in supporting community events and communications needs.
03 / LOCAL ROOTS
Across the towns.
Beyond the hills.
From the towns of the Spen Valley to Huddersfield and the surrounding valleys, our branch brings together people across Kirklees, West Yorkshire.
We’re at the start of this new chapter. Our first focus is bringing people together and preparing to take part in events from 2027.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. NATIONAL CONNECTIONS.
A local group.
A wider network.
RAYNET brings together local groups across the UK. Local groups are autonomous and governed by their members, with regional coordination and national support through RAYNET-UK.
Our focus is Kirklees. Our shared purpose connects us with the wider voluntary communications community.
How RAYNET groups work04 / GET INVOLVED
Help shape
what comes next.
Interested in radio, practical technology or supporting your community? There’s more to RAYNET than operating a radio.
You don’t need an amateur radio licence to be interested in joining. Technical, organisational and support skills all have a place.
hello@kirkleesraynet.org For membership, volunteering and general enquiries.A few things to know
Do I need a radio licence?
No. RAYNET welcomes people with a range of skills, including non-licensed volunteers. A licence is required for activities that involve operating amateur radio equipment under your own licence.
Is the branch up and running?
The branch was officially reformed in October 2026. We’re bringing people together and developing our plans. We will start taking part in events from 2027. Meeting and activity details will be published when confirmed.
Can you support our event?
We will start taking part in events from 2027. Email hello@kirkleesraynet.org to discuss your event. Each request will be considered against planning requirements and volunteer availability.
Is event communications support free?
Our members volunteer their time, but providing communications support has costs. Event organisers are expected to make a donation to support the group’s work. We will discuss an appropriate donation with you during planning, taking account of the scale and duration of your event and the support involved.
Where can I find out about RAYNET?
Visit RAYNET-UK’s national website for information about the organisation, membership and its voluntary communications work.
COMMUNICATIONS FOR YOUR EVENT
Keeping people
in the picture.
Radio communications can help event control stay in touch with people positioned around a route or site. We welcome discussions about community events across Kirklees from 2027.
Depending on your event and what we can agree during planning, support may involve:
- Passing messages between checkpoints and event control.
- Relaying updates from key locations around a route or site.
- Helping organisers share information when mobile phone coverage is limited.
We will discuss your requirements, locations and volunteer availability before confirming what the group can provide.
FROM ENQUIRY TO EVENT
Plan with us early.
- Tell us about your event
Send the date, location, timings and a route or site plan, along with the communications you need.
- Discuss the arrangements
We will consider the practical requirements and our availability, and discuss the suggested donation.
- Confirm the plan together
Any agreed support, operator positions, timings and contact arrangements will be confirmed before the event.
Event organisers remain responsible for event management, risk assessments, stewarding and first aid arrangements. Our role is communications support.
Talk to Kirklees RAYNET ↗This website is for general information and membership interest. It is not monitored for emergency assistance.