Thanks to all of the activators who helped make this award possible. It has been a lot of fun chasing those intrepid park activators.

Thanks to all of the activators who have helped to make chasing such fun and challenging as well, especially with the poor propagation conditions we have been experiencing of late. I would like to pay a special thanks to the CW operators (morse code) whose activities add to the richness of my experience: VK2IO/P, Gerard; VK3BYD/P, Warren and VK3AFW/9, Ron at Norfolk Island during the WIA Annual General Meeting in 2016. Gerard and Warren show up quite a few times in my log.

Here is my certificate for working 444 references in the World Wide Flora and Fauna program. Note the new format. Compare with Hunter 396 certificate below on 29th November 2017.

I was pleased to receive this award. The river has been a favourite place for us for 48 years of camping, boating, holidaying and playing radio. I have been conspicuously absent from activating in recent times. My last excursion was with Paul, VK5PAS, in November 2017. I do, however, hope to get back to visiting parks. I had a bit of a set-back in December and am not allowed to drive at present. I will be reviewed again at the end of March 2018. My previous review was this week. There is still a problem with the TCXO! In the meantime I am embarking on an exercise program, under medical supervision, to try and reduce the amount of Atrial Fibrillation. Many people have this condition and are not aware of it. So keep active.

I was pleased to make 400 contacts with operators in Australian parks to qualify for this award. Thanks to all of the amateurs who have been such active and avid activators, some travelling great distances to operate from remote and infrequently visited Parks.

I spent some time over the WWFF activation weekend in November chasing some stations: sufficient to bring my total to just over 400 and thus qualify for the 396 award.

I have been very quiet during the months of July and August (in hospital for most of August). I have been unwell and have had surgery. What have I missed the most? Getting out into Parks and operating portable. I have even been unable to chase portable operators but was pleased to gain the certificate for 352 references worked. I am hoping to go portable late September early October. I will say more about this on other forums.