SARA This Week August 13 – August 19
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 17: 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 7: 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.
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 on Thursday Nov 16. 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 MN POTA Meetup at Wild River State Park was a huge success! Estimates are that close to 50 people attended, about half of them SARA members. WBØPOH Kevin joined us all the way from Virginia (alright, he’s a MN native already in town visiting family). Scott KDØHRM came down from Duluth, a large contingent from the Isanti County Radio Club stopped by, and local POTA celebrity Pat WØYES was also in attendance.
The July POTA Challenge standings were posted on a display board during the Meetup. They 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.
Board Meeting August 16
The Board of Directors will meet via Zoom teleconference Wednesday evening August 16, beginning at 6:30 PM.
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 13
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 14
08:15 Central (13:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Aug 15
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.
- Virtual Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday Aug 16
6:30 PM
SARA’s Zoom Teleconference Meeting Room
- SARA’s Summer in the Parks Thursday Aug 17
~5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
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)