The Kent Weald Radio Club, operating under the club callsign MX0KWA, has its roots in the days when CB radio brought local operators together not only over the air, but also face to face.
Over time, the group's interests moved increasingly towards amateur radio, portable operating, field events and special-event stations.
Following its January 2025 meeting, Kent Weald adopted a more informal structure. Rather than operating around paid club membership, the group continues as a gathering of radio enthusiasts who meet socially and organise amateur-radio activities when opportunities arise.
The group also no longer holds its regular meetings at Headcorn Aerodrome, a location with which Kent Weald had been closely associated for many years.
Its principal club callsign remains MX0KWA, and the current QRZ listing continues to be managed by Patrick, G0UXG.
From Headcorn to Field Operations Across Kent
Headcorn Aerodrome occupies an important place in Kent Weald's history.
For many years, members operated special-event stations from the airfield, including GB1HA, combining amateur-radio demonstrations with aviation-related events and charitable fundraising.
In more recent years, the group's activities have increasingly centred on Brenzett, radio rallies, heritage events and informal get-togethers rather than a fixed weekly clubroom.
This reflects the group's current character: less a conventional membership organisation and more a network of radio enthusiasts who come together for particular operating events and social meetings.
Informal Get-Togethers
During 2026, Kent Weald has continued to arrange informal meetings, including get-togethers at the Tenterden Garden Centre Café.
Rather than maintaining a rigid monthly meeting schedule, dates are arranged around field events, rallies and the availability of those taking part.
Anyone planning to attend one of these gatherings should therefore contact the group beforehand rather than assuming that a meeting takes place on a particular weekend.
145 Alive – February 2026
Kent Weald's 2026 calendar included participation around the 145 Alive activity on 7 February, when stations across the UK and elsewhere encouraged greater use of the 2-metre band.
The February event ran from 12:00 to 15:00 local time, with both FM simplex activity and an experimental 144 MHz SSB element.
145 Alive is not a contest. Its purpose is simply to encourage operators to get on the air, make contacts and generate more activity on VHF.
Dover Amateur Radio Club Rally
On 22 March 2026, radio enthusiasts gathered at the Dover Amateur Radio Club Rally at:
Eastry Village Hall
High Street
Eastry, Kent
CT13 0QB
The rally formed part of Kent Weald's wider 2026 calendar of amateur-radio gatherings and provided another opportunity to meet operators from across Kent and the surrounding area.
Airfields on the Air – GB6FLS
One of the group's major spring activities centred on Airfields on the Air.
The special-event callsign GB6FLS was registered from ALG Brenzett for the 2026 event period running from:
4–12 April 2026
Airfields on the Air brings amateur stations onto the air from former and current airfields, landing grounds and other aviation-related locations.
Brenzett's wartime aviation history makes it a particularly appropriate location for an event combining radio and aviation heritage.
Museums on the Air – GB6BAM
Kent Weald returned to Brenzett in June for International Museums Weekends, also known as Museums on the Air.
The 2026 event took place over two weekends:
20–21 June 2026
27–28 June 2026
The group operated GB6BAM from the Brenzett Aeronautical Museum near Ashford.
GB6BAM was formally registered for the international event with Kent Weald Radio Club, with operation listed across HF and VHF and support for modes including CW and digital communication.
Events such as Museums on the Air allow amateur radio to connect with another of the group's long-standing interests: preserving and promoting local aviation and military history.
Newbury Radio Rally 2026
The group's calendar also included the Newbury Radio Rally on 5 July 2026.
Held at the Newbury Showground, close to Junction 13 of the M4, the rally brought together radio traders, clubs, special-interest organisations and amateur operators from around the country.
The 2026 event opened to visitors from 09:00, with general admission priced at £4.
Coming Up: Railways on the Air 2026
One of Kent Weald's most clearly confirmed remaining activities for 2026 is Railways on the Air.
The national 2026 event takes place on:
Saturday 26 September
Sunday 27 September
Kent Weald Group is officially registered to operate:
GB6RHD
from the:
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway
This continues a well-established Kent Weald special-event activation. GB6RHD was also registered for previous Railways on the Air events, linking amateur radio with one of Kent's best-known heritage railways.
Railways on the Air is held on the weekend closest to 27 September, commemorating the anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.
Suggested activity frequencies for the national event include 3.65 MHz, 7.15 MHz and 14.25 MHz.
Other Special-Event Callsigns
Over the years, Kent Weald operators have used or been associated with a number of special-event callsigns, including:
- GB1HA – historically associated with Headcorn Aerodrome
- GB6FLS – Airfields on the Air from Brenzett
- GB6BAM – Brenzett Aeronautical Museum
- GB6RHD – Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway
- GB4KSS – associated with air-ambulance-related activities
- GB6DLB
- GB2CAA – associated with Children's Air Ambulance activities
- GB6DOL – proposed for a possible Dungeness Old Lighthouse activation
Not all special-event callsigns are necessarily activated every year, so operators looking for a particular station should check current announcements before the event.
An Informal Group That Still Gets on the Air
Kent Weald Radio Club today is somewhat different from the conventional image of an amateur-radio club with subscriptions, officers, a permanent clubhouse and a fixed programme of weekly meetings.
Its current structure is more informal.
What has remained consistent is an interest in getting on the air from interesting locations, particularly sites connected with aviation, museums, heritage railways and community events.
That approach can be seen throughout 2026: from Airfields on the Air at Brenzett and Museums on the Air at the Brenzett Aeronautical Museum to the upcoming Railways on the Air activation at the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway.
For those interested in joining a future activation or attending an informal get-together, the best approach is to contact the group directly.
Contact
Patrick – G0UXG
Email: palybl@btinternet.com
Club callsign: MX0KWA
Because Kent Weald now operates as an informal group and event dates can change, visitors and operators are encouraged to confirm arrangements with Patrick before travelling.
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