Here is your O’SARA update for this week!
Technician License Class continues through April 18
SARA’s Technician License Prep Class convenes weekly at 6:00 PM, at the Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd Street, Stillwater.
The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 5th Edition as the study guide for the class. The book is available for order online from the ARRL, Ham Radio Outlet, DXEngineering, Gigaparts, and Amazon (print & Kindle eBook versions).
A license exam session by SARA’s Volunteer Examiner team will be held on April 25th.
Amateur Extra Class License Study Group
SARA is facilitating an Amateur Extra Class License study group which also started Fed 29. The study group will continue meeting Thursday evenings at the Stillwater Public Library through April 18. The current Amateur Extra Class license exam question pool expires at 11:59 PM June 30, 2024, so now is the perfect time to pursue that goal. SARA’s Extra Class license study group is a peer-led study program. Using the ARRL Extra Class License Manual, participants work through the manual together, with a member of the group taking the lead each chapter/week. Mentors from SARA join the sessions to add some real-life experience and technical knowledge to the session.
If you are interested in registering for either the Tech License Prep Class or Extra Class study group, please email Bob WØGAF at bobajensen at me dot com.
Washington County ARES Spring Meeting March 19
The Washington County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) will hold its Spring meeting on Tuesday March 19. The meeting begins at 6:30 PM in Meeting Room A+B at the Lake Elmo Library, 3537 Lake Elmo Ave N, Lake Elmo, MN 55042. All interested in the emergency communications aspect of amateur radio are welcome to attend.
Midwinter Madness 2024 March 23
The Maple Grove Radio Club presents Midwinter Madness 2024, Minnesota’s largest Hamfest, at the Buffalo Civic Center on Saturday March 23. Doors open at 8:00 AM through 12:00 PM. The Buffalo Civic Center is located at 1306 County Rd 134 NE, Buffalo, MN 55313. Admission is $10 per person.
For the 1st time in many years, SARA will have a club table at Midwinter Madness 2024. We’ll be there to promote the club and MN POTA Day 2024. Staffing assistance is welcome. Members can also drop by to rest your feet, meet & greet fellow and potential members, and stow your heavy purchase(s) until you leave.
MN POTA Day 2024
Minnesota Parks on the Air Day is Saturday June 8, 2024, from 10:00 AM (15:00 UTC) to 6:00 PM CDT (22:00 UTC). Details can be found at mnpota.com. This is a free admission day to MN State Parks.
Activators can register their planned activation(s) and indicate if they are willing to mentor others interested in POTA activating, co-operate, demonstrate, or welcome visitors to their activation.
MN POTA Day builds upon SARA’s POTA Activity Day the previous 2 years. The SARA POTA Activity will continue on the same day with a similar schedule as in previous years: 2nd Saturday Breakfast, day of operating in the parks, and dinner to follow at a local establishment in the evening.
This week’s SARA activities
- “Sunday O’Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout Mar 17
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.
(Corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and Irish whiskey optional!) - SARA Top Band Ragchew
Nightly
20:00 Central (02:00 UTC)
160M on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays: 1.966 LSB +/- QRM
80M on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays: 3.813 LSB +/- QRM
Alternates: 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew Mar 18
08:15 Central (13:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Mar 19
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
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. - SARA Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Mar 21
6:00 PM – 7:50 PM Central
Conference Room
Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd Street, Stillwater - SARA Technician License Class Thursday Mar 21
6:00 PM – 7:50 PM Central
Margaret Rivers Room A+B
Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd Street, Stillwater - SARA Extra Class Study Group Thursday Mar 21
6:00 PM – 7:50 PM Central
3rd floor Lounge Commons
Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd Street, Stillwater