Hands On Ham Radio on World Amateur Radio Day – A Ham Radio Open House April 18
SARA will be hosting a Ham Radio Open House in conjunction with World Amateur Radio Day April 18. The Stillwater Public Library has welcomed this event and is promoting it on their event calendar for April.
Celebrate World Amateur Radio Day with a hands-on, drop-in event for all ages on Saturday, April 18, from 11 AM–3 PM on the Library Terrace! Local amateur radio enthusiasts from Stillwater Amateur Radio Association will share how ham radios work, demonstrate different types of equipment, and scan the airwaves so you can actually “see” the radio signals all around us. Visitors will have the chance to listen in and even attempt live connections with people across the U.S. and around the world.
This free, family-friendly event is perfect for curious minds of all ages. SARA members enjoy making radio science accessible and fun, from educational sessions and classes, to operating outdoors in parks, trails, and landmarks, and combine electronics and computers in new, experimental radio research projects. They’ll also share details about their exciting upcoming club project: building and launching a radio balloon 80,000 feet into the atmosphere to travel the globe. Stop by anytime during this interactive afternoon of science and discovery!”
We will be looking for volunteers to help with day’s activities. Brian, KB9TBB is leading this event. Final planning will continue at Thursday’s Eyeball QSO session. Please consider joining us plan and execute this wonderful opportunity to promote amateur radio and SARA.
SARA Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday April 15
The Board will meet via Zoom Wednesday evening April 15, beginning at 7:00 PM.
Technician License Prep Class Week 7
SARA’s Spring Technician License Classes continue with Session 7 Thursday evening, April 16, at the Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd Street E, Stillwater, MN 55082, from 6:00 PM to 7:50 PM.
Eyeball QSO Party
The weekly Eyeball QSO Party is at the Stillwater Public Library Margaret Rivers Room April 16th, and then again on April 30th. It will be at the Lake Elmo Public Library Meeting Rooms A & B on Thursday April 23rd. We move the Eyeball outdoors for the summer months with our Radios in the Park series.
Radios in the Parks will return May 14 as we move outdoors to various parks in the area. We’ll begin with the annual New Ham Night at Valley View Park on May 14 and continue through Sept 10. One session this summer will feature the 1st pico balloon launch for SARA. Full schedule will be shared as we get closer to May. I am looking for suggestions for parks to visit this summer.
1st Thursday Technical Topic Nights “Let’s Talk About…”
1st Thursday Technical Topic Night features a technical presentation and discussion based upon the level of interest in the club and the willingness of someone to prepare and lead the session. The sessions are livestreamed via Zoom for those who choose to join the session virtually; and are recorded and posted to the SARA YouTube channel for future viewing and reference.
We are always looking for topic ideas and discussion leaders for future 1TTT nights. If you have a suggestion or are willing to lead a discussion, please let drop me an email at kc0oio2002@gmail.com.
The 1st Thursday Technical Topic Nights are held at the Baytown Township Hall, 4020 McDonald Dr N, Stillwater, MN 55082, beginning at 6:00 PM Central (23:00 UTC).
- May 7, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Antenna Analyzers” led by Joe KCØOIO - June 4, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
Field Day Planning - Aug 6, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Mobile and Portable Show-n-tell” - Sep 3, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Cloud-based logging with Wavelog led by Collin KEØIYN
Amateur Radio Exam Session Thursday April 30
The Stillwater Amateur Radio Association’s volunteer examiner team will conduct an amateur radio license test session on Thursday April 30, beginning at 6:00 PM. The exam session will be held in Auditorium B at Boutwells Landing, 13575 58th Street North in Oak Park Heights, MN 55082.
Preregistration is required. Email SARA’s VE team leader Joe KCØOIO at kc0oio2002 at gmail dot com or call 651 261 0303 to register.
This week’s SARA activities
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout April 12
SARA Repeater 147.060+ MHz (DCS/DTCS 026 Normal)
or connect via WIRES-X to the W0JH-Room 63969
System Fusion digital voice hangout to expand use and familiarity with the digital voice capabilities available on the WØJH repeater. - SARA Evening HF Ragchew
Nightly
20:00 Central (01:00 UTC)
Frequency: 3.813LSB +/- QRM
Alternates: 1.966 MHz +/- QRM (LSB), 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew April 13
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew April 14
7:00 – ~8:00 pm Central (or until we finish!)
SARA Repeater 147.060+ MHz (DCS/DTCS 026 Normal)1stTuesday of each month is Emergency Power Night – participants are encouraged to operate the stations on emergency power.
The Tuesday evening on-air round robin ragchew, featuring the “Ask the Elmer” segment. The group leaders focus on encouraging any and everyone, especially those new to the airwaves, to join the session via the repeater. - Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday April 15
7:00 PM (00:00 UTC)
SARA’s Zoom Meeting Room - Technician License Prep Class Thursday April 16
6:00 PM
Conference Room
Stillwater Public Library
224 3rd Street E, Stillwater, MN 55082 - Eyeball QSO Party April 16
6:00 PM
Margaret Rivers Room B
Stillwater Public Library
224 3rd Street E, Stillwater, MN 55082 - Hands On Ham Radio on World Amateur Radio Day Saturday April 18
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Rooftop Terrace
Stillwater Public Library
224 3rd Street E, Stillwater, MN 55082
