It's time to celebrate. We have cracked 60 contacts, lucky 60th call-sign was Reg, VK6BQQ, who runs the Friday Night Technical Net each week. He's been running that for well over 500 weeks, that's 10 years - some way to go before we have F-troop on that scale - Hi Hi.

If you'd like to check in next week feel free to tune to 146.700 MHz, VK6RAP and join in.

Every week since June there has been a local 'net that is open to all callers, but specifically intended for new-comers to Amateur Radio. The 'net is called F-troop and it runs every Saturday from 8:00 to about 9:00 on the VK6RAP repeater.

Since our first F-troop, we've had contacts with 34 stations across the metropolitan area. The format is simple, relaxed and you're encouraged to join in and key your microphone.

Yesterday we talked about building antennas, how to check an SWR meter and dummy loads.

As the host of F-troop, I'd also like to thank those stations with more experience who take the time to join in and share the benefit of their experience - without you, F-troop would just be a kindergarten without any teachers.

So, feel free to listen in, better still, don't be shy, join in and participate. If you're unsure how to actually do that, the frequency for the VK6RAP repeater is 146.700 MHz FM and the input frequency is 146.100 MHz. If you've not set your shiny new transceiver up for repeater use, visit the Hills Amateur Radio Group web-site at harg.org.au and click on the F-troop link. If you're furiously scribbling, the frequency to listen on is 146.700 MHz in FM and the website is harg.org.au.

We've been running F-troop on the Tick-Hill repeater for about a month and the turn-out has been excellent! During that time some F-troopers have contacted me directly indicating that they'd like to participate as well and that they have trouble getting into the repeater. In addition, my QTH is now behind the hill I was previously living on-top-of, so a discussion was had and it was concluded that 8:00am on Saturday morning on the Rolystone repeater would be a suitable alternative.

As of 16 July at 8:00am (0:00 UTC), F-troop will be held on VK6RAP, 146.700 MHz FM with an input frequency of 146.100 MHz.

As fate would have it, I'll be in the middle of the VK6 Portable Field-day on the Harvey Estuary, so I won't be able to host the first F-troop at this new time and place, but Miles, VK6MAB has graciously offered to be the host.

If you're a Foundation license holder, or if you'd like to welcome Foundation licensees into Amateur Radio, please feel free to join in.

Onno, VK6FLAB