SARA This Week Dec 3 – Dec 9
“Signals from SARA” Repository
During the recent forum on the future “Signals from SARA” editions, we were made aware that some of our members may not have seen the newsletter recently. Signals from SARA is published in PDF format and is posted to our radioham.org website. A group e-mail message is sent to all SARA members when the newsletter is posted and ready for download. Issues of Signals from SARA can always be found by visiting radioham.org/signals. Back issues are available back to February of 2011.
Nominations and Election of Officers for 2024
SARA’s officers are elected annually during the Annual Meeting of the Association held in January each year. The offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and one director (2yr term) are open for election at that time. Nominations will be made during the December monthly meeting. The current office holders are:
President: Joe Heitzinger KCØOIO
Vice President: Bob Jensen WØGAF
Secretary: Dave Iverson N9JNQ
Treasurer: Rich Smith, ADØSN (Rich is stepping down at the end of his current term.)
Director (Expiring term): Brad Harris VE3MXJ
Director (mid-term): Brian KØPU
If you are willing to serve SARA as an officer, please contact me or one of the current Board members for details of the position.
December Monthly Meeting Saturday December 9
The meeting is in Auditorium B at Boutwells Landing at 9:15 AM. Please do not arrive before 9:00 AM, per Boutwells request. Also, face masks are recommended and may be required in the common areas of the facility.
This month’s meeting program is “EMP, GRID DOWN, CYBER ATTACK”, presented by Mike Rude N9MA. Will these events have consequences for the ham radio operator and his/her equipment? Groups like ARES are aware of these terms and potential events however, has the everyday ham considered the ramifications should there be an occurrence.
While searching for information regarding these topics, Mike found a large number of resources with information, opinions and even a little “Area 51” type perspective. What is lacking, based on his research, are amateur radio operators willing to present information because of a somewhat speculative nature to the subject. Mike will present his findings as an interested observer allowing the audience to choose their own level of interest and priority.
The meeting will be livestreamed via the SARA Zoom Meeting Room. >> CLICK HERE << to join.
Annual Membership Dues
Annual dues for 2024 and beyond are being accepted now. Individual memberships are $20/year, Family memberships are $30/year for the 1st two members and $10/year for each additional family member. Associate memberships are $10/year. Dues can be paid in person, via mail, or online via Paypal. Visit the membership application/renewal page on radioham.org >> CLICK HERE <<
SARA POTA Challenge ‘23
The October recap along with some interesting charts is available on the radioham.org >> CLICK HERE << to view the update page.
There are less than 4 weeks left to the 2023 SARA POTA Challenge. Where will you be on the final results boards. The 2023 final results and awards ceremony will be held during the February 10, 2024 SARA meeting.
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.
SARA is sponsoring the MN POTA Activity Day. The date will be Saturday June 8, 2024, from 10:00 AM (15:00 UTC) to 6:00 PM CDT (22:00 UTC). The objective is to activate as many MN POTA entities as possible during that day. There will be no scoring. The web domain mnpota.com has been secured and the website is being developed. Mark your calendars now.
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 Dec 3
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: 3.813 LSB +/- QRM or 1.966 LSB +/- QRM
Alternates: 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew Dec 4
08:15 Central (14:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Dec 5
7:00 – ~8:00 pm Central (or until we finish!)
SARA Repeater 147.060+ MHz (DCS/DTCS 026 Normal)
1stTuesday 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 Dec 7
6:00 PM – 7:50 PM Central
Conference Room
Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd Street, Stillwater - SARA 2nd Saturday Breakfast Dec 9
7:30 AM
Perkins Restaurant
2050 Frontage Road, Stillwater - SARA Monthly Meeting Saturday Dec 9
9:15 AM
Auditorium B,
The Gables at Boutwells Landing
13575 58th Street North, MN 55082
Livestreamed via the SARA Zoom Meeting Room. >> click here << to join