SARA This Week Nov 6 – Nov 13
Good morning from the North Shore!
About the time this bulletin is going out to you, the intrepid and hearty SARA team is setting up at the Split Rock Lighthouse State for the last day of on-site operation “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
Here’s SARA’s happenings this week.
Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event
The SARA Team will wrap up the WØJH “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald” Special Event Station from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park today Nov 6, 2022. This is the 47th anniversary of the sinking of the Fitzgerald near Whitefish Point, MI during an infamous Lake Superior storm.
The WØF Special Event operation from your own QTH will also be active today and again Thursday Nov 10. WØF has been secured for exclusive use by those working from home stations, for any mode, any band, any time.
SARA has use of the WØF special event callsign through Nov 12. This presents an opportunity to be “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald” on the actual November 10 anniversary for a special day as WØF from member locations. The SignUpGenius page includes that date for band/mode timeslots. Time slots for the 10th run from 7:00 AM CST (1300 UTC) through 5:59 PM (2359 UTC). They are 1-hour slots. We can have multiple WØF on the air at the same time, although only one for each band/mode/timeslot combination. Sign-up is now open to all members who wish to join our annual “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald” special event.
Monthly Meeting Nov 12
The SARA Monthly Meeting is Saturday November 12. ARRL Dakota Division Director Bill Lippert ACØW will join us in-person and will provide an update on the ARRL and the Dakota Division. The meeting will also be streamed via ZOOM.
Eyeball QSO Party Nov 10
There will be Eyeball QSO Parties at the Stillwater Public Library Nov 10 and 17.
There will be no Eyeball QSO Party Thanksgiving Day, Nov 24. A special Thanksgiving “Virtual Manhattan Project” via Zoom is on the calendar for Friday evening November 25. The Zoom link will be provided closer to the date.
VE Exam Session November 17
The SARA Volunteer Examiner team is conducting an amateur radio exam session on Thursday Nov 17. The session will be in Auditorium B at The Gables at Boutwells Landing, 13575 58th Street North, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 beginning at 6:00 PM. Pre-registration is encouraged, email N0DRX@hotmail.com if you plan on testing that evening. Exam fee is $15. Please note that Boutwells Landing is a senior residential care facility and facemasks are required in common area of the building.
SARA CW Study Group
SARA is organizing a Morse Code study group. If you are interested in learning Morse Code, already do some CW operating and want to brush up your skills or are an experienced CW operator who would like to assist others getting started, this cooperative learning experience is for you.
We are planning to kick things off in late November with an initial informational meeting, followed by four weekly study group sessions. Since this is study group, and not a class, content and structure of sessions will be tailored to the needs of the group, and success will be largely dependent on level of commitment by each participating member. Study group sessions will be held via Zoom meeting, and each session will include practice time as well as review of CW learning resources and various aspects of equipment used by CW operators.
If you would like to join the SARA CW Study Group (or if you have questions about the group), send an email to K0GW or W0GAF at their email addresses below. Please include a brief description of your current level of CW experience or operating skill (Beginner, 5 WPM, etc.). We’ll add you to the list and will begin communicating details to the group.
TNX ES 73 DE,
K0GW Greg – K0GW at arrl dot net
W0GAF Bob – W0GAF at me dot com
The video recording of our October 8th, 2022 monthly meeting featuring the “Learning Morse” presentation is available on the SARA YouTube Channel. Here is the direct link: https://youtu.be/w5chAIBRkGw. You can also view our meetings archive through the SARA Monthly Meetings playlist. The link can be found below in the SARA Connections section.
SARA POTA Challenge ’22
Less than 2 months remain in the SARA POTA Challenge ’22. This has proven to be a great activity for SARA. Hunters and activators alike enjoy getting on the air and working POTA parks. The Fall season is a great time to visit parks across the region!
Be sure to check POTA spots regularly for activations.
SARA POTA Awards are planned for both activators (most parks, activations, QSOs) and hunters (most QSOs). The prizes and distribution plan are being finalized by the Challenge team and will be reviewed as we get closer to the end of the year. A special “SARA POTA Challenge ’22” Awards Show is planned for the February 2023 meeting of SARA. It should be fun – will there be a red carpet and all the glitz and glamour of the Emmies and Oscars? You’ll just have to be there to see.
The Legends and Leaders divisions for hunters were created to reinvigorate hunters. Those with 500 Hunter QSOs move into the Legends division. We have seen a renewed push within the Hunter ranks since we raised the bar in late August! It looks like we will have a few more joining the Legends when October’s numbers are posted. Leaders still have a chance to claim top spots in their division. Contacts with all POTA stations count. It doesn’t get any easier for hunter credits as only the activator needs to submit their activation log. Be sure to sign up for an account at parksontheair.com.
This week’s SARA activities
SARA’s on-air and virtual activities are a great way to stay connected with others. These activities provide healthy social contact while maintaining personal distancing.
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout Nov 6th
19:00 Central (00:00 UTC)
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 Top Band Ragchew
Nightly
20:00 Central (01:00 UTC)
Frequency: 1.966 LSB +/- QRM or around 3.820 to 3.826 MHz (depending on QRM).
Due to poor local propagation, the SARA Top Band Crew may QSY (move) to 75m. Look for us AROUND 3.820 to 3.826 MHz (depending on QRM). This change is temporary until the 160m and 75m band conditions change.
Alternates: 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew Nov 7
08:15 Central (14:00 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Nov 8
7:00 – ~8:00 pm Central (or until we finish!)
SARA Repeater 147.060+ MHz (DCS/DTCS 026 Normal)
The Tuesday evening on-air round robin ragchew
An HF Afterglow follows with the Top Band Ragchew on 160 meters - SARA General License Study Class Thursday Nov 10
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Lake Elmo Public Library Meeting Room. 3537 Lake Elmo Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042
- SARA Eyeball QSO Thursday Nov 10
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Conference Room, Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rdStreet N, Stillwater, MN 55082 - SARA 2nd Saturday Breakfast Nov 12
7:30 AM
Perkins Restaurant, 2050 Frontage Road, Stillwater, MN 55082 - SARA Monthly Meeting Saturday Nov 12
9:15 AM
Auditorium A, The Gables at Boutwells Landing, 13575 58th Street North, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082