SARA This Week Aug 6 – Aug 12
SARA’s Radio in the Parks Thursday
The Eyeball QSO Party is outdoors for SARA’s Radios in the Park summer season. We gather at various area parks on Thursday evenings through early September.
The schedule of park locations and dates is:
- August 10: Valley View Park, 5421 N Osgood Ave, Oak Park Heights
(Be advised, Osgood Ave/County 24 is closed at County Rd 14. The park remains accessible from Osgood Ave going south from Hwy 36) - August 17: St. Croix Boom Site Scenic Overlook on Hwy 95 north of Stillwater (Hwy 95 is closed in downtown Stillwater. Best access is Highway 96 from Manning Trail to Hwy 95 then north). (St Croix National Scenic River K-0673 activation)
- August 24: Otto Berg Park, 90th and Norell, Stillwater Township
- August 31: Valley View Park, 5421 N Osgood Ave, Oak Park Heights
SARA Swap Shop – Tabletop & Tailgate Micro Hamfest
(Be advised, Osgood Ave/County 24 is closed at County Rd 14. The park remains accessible from Osgood Ave going south from Hwy 36) - Sept 8: Browns Creek State Trail (K-9386) at Browns Creek Park 8312 Neal Ave N, Stillwater
Folks begin arriving at the park around 5:30 PM and we’re there until about 8:00 PM.
In case of inclement weather, Collin KEØIYN has offered the “shed” and “The Diner” at his QTH on Osgood Ave south of Valley View Park as a covered location for those evenings.
The Eyeball QSO Party moves back indoors at the Stillwater Public Library beginning September 14.
It’s a POTA Minnesota Meetup!
The MN POTA Meetup is this Saturday, August 12 at Wild River State Park (K-2529) near Almelund, MN. The Stillwater Amateur Radio Association has reserved the Picnic Shelter at the park from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM CDT for this Meetup. All POTA activators and hunters in MN, WI, and beyond are invited!
Hot dogs will be available, please consider bringing something to share (chips, veggies, fruit, salads or desserts). Water will be provided, otherwise bring your own non-alcoholic beverage. A collection will be taken to defray the costs of food, supplies, and site.
There is plenty of space and numerous “antenna supports” in the immediate area, plus a very nice pavilion. The park is large with plenty of additional spots to set up and operate, including 2-fer possibilities along the St. Croix River. There will be an opportunity for everyone to work on another within the park using HTs on 2 meters and 70 cm. Don’t forget to bring your HT!
Share your POTA stories, show-n-tell your POTA activating gear, exchange tips and tricks, and enjoy eyeball QSOs with fellow POTA enthusiasts.
Please note, the Almelund Threshing Show is this weekend. Traffic on MN Hwy 95 is heavy in the area of the Threshing Grounds east of Almelund. It is recommended to avoid Hwy 95 going west from Taylors Falls. Alternate routes include I-35 or Highway 61 to North Branch then east on Hwy 95 to Almelund, or from US-8 in Center City, take County Rd 12 (Park Trail) north to the park.
General Class License Classes begin September 21
Fall is approaching and that means the SARA education team is preparing for the General Class License class sessions. Classes will begin Thursday September 21 and will run 8 weeks, followed by a VE Session the 9th week. The ARRL General Class License Manual Tenth Edition, updated for the new question pool now valid through June 30, 2027, will be the study guide for the class. For more information or to sign up for the class, contact Bob WØGAF at w0gaf@me.com.
SARA POTA Challenge ‘23
The preliminary July POTA Challenge totals have been shared with participants. The July update will be posted on the radioham.org website this week. There are a few new members on the list and some movement in the ranks.
If you are a SARA member AND have registered on the POTA website https://parksontheair.com/# (sign up is under the Help/Getting Started tab), you are included in the SARA Challenge 2023.
A thorough source of information for those that want to get started POTA hunting or activating is also found on the POTA website. The https://docs.pota.app/ page is a great resource of all info for POTA. Start with the Getting Started with POTA page and go from there.
This week’s SARA activities
SARA’s on-air, in-person, and virtual activities are a great way to stay connected with others.
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout Aug 6
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 3.813 LSB +/- QRM
Alternates: 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew Aug 7
08:15 Central (13:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Aug 8
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’s Summer in the Parks Thursday Aug 10
~5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Valley View Park, 5421 N Osgood Ave, Oak Park Heights
(Be advised, Osgood Ave/County 24 is closed at County Rd 14. The park remains accessible from Osgood Ave going south from Hwy 36) - 2nd Saturday Breakfast Saturday Aug 12
7:30 AM
Perkins Restaurant, 2050 Frontage Road, Stillwater, MN 55082 - POTA MN Meetup Saturday Aug 12
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Picnic Shelter at Wild River State Park
39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012