SARA This Week Dec 11 – Dec 18
Here’s your SARA update for this week!
SARA CW Study Group
The CW Study Group continues December 14. Three weekly study group sessions remain. Since this is a study group, and not a class, content and structure of sessions is tailored to the needs of the group, and success is largely dependent on the level of commitment by each participating member. Study group sessions are held via Zoom meeting, and each session includes practice time as well as review of CW learning resources and various aspects of equipment used by CW operators.
The Zoom session opens at 6:45 PM and the session begins at 7:00 PM
Dec 10 Meeting Video
The video that formed the basis of our Amplifier meeting program is from Dave Casler KEØOG and can be found on YouTube at https://youtu.be/k0xNPl5Z02c.
SARA 2023 Officer Nomination
The following nominations for SARA Officers for 2023 were made at the Dec 10 meeting. The offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected annually. The Director positions are 2-year terms, each elected in alternating years. One Director will be elected for the 2023-2024 term.
The nominees are:
President: Joe Heitzinger, KCØOIO
Vice President: Bob Jensen, WØGAF
Secretary: Dave Iverson, N9JNQ
Treasurer: Rich Smith, ADØSN
Director ‘23-’24 Brian Edgell, KØPU
Zack Zaccagnini, AAØU
Per SARA’s Constitution:
Article II: Selection of Board of Directors
Section 1: The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and the open Director-at-Large position of the Club shall be elected annually by simple majority vote of the members at the Annual Meeting in January. Member’s eligible to vote, but who cannot attend the annual meeting may submit their vote prior to the election in a manner determined by the Board of Directors.
We will hold the election via secret ballot at the January meeting.
SARA POTA Challenge ’22
20 days remain in the 2022 Challenge!
The Legends and Leaders divisions for hunters continues to reinvigorate hunters. Those with 500 Hunter QSOs move into the Legends division, and we now have 9 who have attained Legend status as of Nov 30th. And the drive amongst the activators continues as the year nears an end. The November SARA POTA Challenge update will be available on the radioham.org website later today.
Be sure to check POTA spots regularly for activations.
SARA POTA Awards will be presented for both activators (most parks, activations, QSOs) and hunters (most QSOs) in both the Leaders and Legends divisions. The Awards Ceremony will take place at the SARA monthly Meeting on Saturday Feb 11, 2023. The prize plan has been finalized by the Challenge team. Prizes will include certificates and POTA swag.
Bob WØGAF and Brian KB9TBB lead the SARA POTA Challenge and have done a fantastic job bringing this all together. Brian has informed us that he has been able to refine the data collection method he uses to pull data from POTA so that the 2023 SARA POTA Challenge can include Modes (Phone, CW, Digital). Early discussions for the 2023 Challenge indicate few refinements to the program. There will be a focus on providing Activator mentoring opportunities out in the parks.
This week’s SARA activities
SARA’s on-air and virtual activities are a great way to stay connected with others.
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout Dec 11
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).
Depending on local propagation conditions, the SARA Top Band Crew may QSY (move) to 75m. Look for us AROUND 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 Dec 12
08:15 Central (14:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Dec 13
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 “Learning CW” Study Group Virtual Session Wednesday Dec 14
6:45 to 8:30 PM
SARA’s Zoom Teleconference Room - SARA Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Dec 15
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Stillwater Public Library Conference Room
224 3rd Street East, Stillwater, MN 55082 - SARA Board of Directors Meeting Thursday Dec 15
6:15 PM to 7:45 PM
Hybrid session: in-person at Stillwater Public Library Conference Room and livestream via SARA’s Zoom Meeting Room.