Here is your SARA update for this week!
SARA Monthly Meeting February 11 9:15 AM
The SARA POTA Challenge 2022 Awards Ceremony is being held on Saturday February 11th as part of our monthly meeting at Boutwells Landing. The awards and certificates have arrived and are secured at undisclosed locations, the final numbers have been tabulated, and the hosts are ready for the awards ceremony. This will be a fun morning as we acknowledge the accomplishments and efforts of those who participated in the Challenge in 2022
Ice Station WØJH Feb 18-20 (President’s Day Weekend)
After 2 years as the Ice-olation Station, Ice Station WØJH returns to the (hopefully safe) frozen surface of Lake Elmo for the 1st time since 2020. As in past years, it will take place at the QTH of our gracious hosts Dave (KØAIF) and Anne (KØVOB); on the NE side of the lake and across Lake Elmo Ave. N.
We’ll be setting up and operating from a portable ice fishing, tent-type shelter and also from our self-contained, enclosed trailer. The heated shelter station will be located on the east side of the lake; the heated trailer station, on dry (snowy?) land, across the road, near the big barn and windmill. There is ample, free parking for ~20 vehicles.
The shelter and all gear must be taken down and stowed each evening. Very important after-hours critiquing/networking sessions will be held routinely.
Newly licensed hams, especially those with little or no HF operating experience, are encouraged to participate. You can learn the “ropes” by watching and logging – then, when you’re ready, you can grab the microphone. There will be plenty of Elmers on hand to gladly assist … plus, they’ll be free to answer any questions.
Interested in Learning/Operating Digital HF? From the SARA cozy trailer, we can operate both digital and SSB modes. An operator and logger, using the Icom IC-7300 transceiver connected to a laptop, will be available for demonstration and hands-on instruction for visitors/onlookers.
Dates / Times / Schedule:
Saturday, 2/18: 10:00 am Setup, Operating until ~5:00 pm
Sunday, 2/19: 10:00 am – ~5:00 pm
Monday, 2/20: 10:00 am – ~5:00 pm
Frequencies: 3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360 MHz
:: Tune +/– 20 kHz if QRM
:: SSB and digital operation will used
SARA Spring Technician License Class begins March 2
Do you know of someone who wants to get into ham radio? One of the best paths into the hobby is through the learning from others. And one of the best places to learn from others is through the Technician License Class offered by SARA.
SARA’s Spring Technician License Class starts March 2 and run 8 weeks through April 20. A VE Exam Session will be April 27. The classes will be at the Stillwater Public Library from 6:00 PM to 7:40 PM. SARA instructors will guide students through the material from the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, preparing them for the 35-question Technician Class license exam.
Start spreading the word that the SARA Technician Class license class is coming. For more info, or to register for the class, contact Bob WØGAF at w0gaf@me.com
SARA POTA Challenge ‘23
Members have jumped into the 2023 Challenge. Activators have been out to the parks. The goal is to encourage participation by our members: get on the air!
We are continuing with the Legends and Leaders divisions for POTA Challenge Hunter Awards but have raised the bar to become a Legend.
Legends – Any park hunter achieving 1000 or more hunter QSOs will enter the Legends Division. All Legend participants will be awarded a prize for their legendary performance in the challenge.
Leaders – All participants with less than 1000 park QSOs are in the Leaders Division. Leaders will only compete against Leaders for prizes. The top three scores in the Leaders Division will be awarded prizes at the end of the challenge.
There are no changes in Activator classes (Total Activations, Total Parks Activated, Total QSOs).
There will be a fresh focus on providing Activator mentoring opportunities out in the parks. There will be a SARA POTA Activity Day on June 10th. The day’s operating plan will be determined in the coming months. Look for additional SARA POTA Activity Days timed with POTA’s Spring, Summer, and Fall “Support Your Parks” weekends.
SARA Meeting Program Team
Zack AAØU, Mike N9MA, and Dave N9JNQ volunteered to form a team to plan and schedule the programs for our monthly meetings. Their efforts are intended to provide quality presenters and presentations for SARA! They welcome suggestions.
The team has scheduled guest presenters for our March (Rob Sherwood NCØB) and May (Michael Walker VA3MW – Flex Radios) meetings. One of the greatest benefits of our hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting platform is that we can have presenters join us that we otherwise would not have the opportunity to bring in. You won’t want to miss these guest presenters!
SARA’s on-air and virtual activities are a great way to stay connected with others.
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout Feb 5
19:00 Central (01:00 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 (02:00 UTC)
Frequency: 1.966 LSB +/- QRM or 3.820 to 3.826 MHz (depending on QRM).
Alternates: 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew Feb 6
08:15 Central (14:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Feb 7
7:00 – ~8:00 pm Central (or until we finish!)
SARA Repeater 147.060+ MHz (DCS/DTCS 026 Normal)
1st Tuesday is Emergency Power Night – participants are encouraged to operate the stations on emergency power.
The Tuesday evening on-air round robin ragchew
New Feature: the “Ask the Elmer” segment
The group leaders will have a renewed focus on encouraging any and everyone, especially those new to the airwaves, to join the session via the repeater. - SARA Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Feb 9
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Stillwater Public Library Conference Room
224 3rd Street East, Stillwater, MN 55082 - SARA 2nd Saturday Breakfast Saturday Feb 11
7:30 AM
Perkins Restaurant
2050 Frontage Road, Stillwater, MN 55082 - SARA Monthly Meeting Saturday Feb 11
9:15 AM
Boutwells Landing, Auditorium A
13575 58th Street North, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082