SARA This Week Dec 4 – Dec 10
Good morning!
Here’s your SARA update for this week!
SARA December Monthly Meeting Dec 10
The monthly meeting of the Stillwater Amateur Radio Association is Saturday December 10 in Auditorium A at The Gables at Boutwells Landing, 13575 58th Street North, MN Oak Park Heights, MN 55082. Boutwells Landing requires face masks in public areas, so please bring your own mask. Do not arrive before 9:00 AM. Proceed directly to Auditorium A in the lower level via the stairway to your left as you enter, or the elevator hard left after you enter.
The 2nd Saturday Breakfast is at Perkins Restaurant 2050 Frontage Road, Stillwater MN 55082 at 7:30 AM.
The meeting will be livestreamed via our Zoom meeting room beginning around 9:15 AM (15:15 UTC) depending on how quickly the equipment is set up to start the feed. To request the Zoom meeting link, please email president at radioham dot org.
The program will be on Amplifiers, put together and lead by our Program Team.
Nominations for SARA Officers for 2023 will take place at this 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 current SARA officers are:
Joe Heitzinger, KCØOIO – President
Bob Jensen, WØGAF – Vice President
Dave Iverson, N9JNQ – Secretary
Rich Smith, ADØSN – Treasurer
Zack Zaccagnini, AAØU – 2021 & 2022 Director
Brad Harris, VE3MXJ – 2022 & 2023 Director
Trustee: Shel Mann, NØDRX (Note: The SARA Trustee officer is an appointed position; chosen by the elected officers)
Now is the time to consider helping shape the future of the Association by serving as an official of SARA!
SARA POTA Challenge ’22
27 days remain in the 2022 Challenge!
The Legends and Leaders divisions for hunters were created to reinvigorate hunters. Those with 500 Hunter QSOs move into the Legends division. Contacts with all POTA stations count. It doesn’t get any easier for hunter credits as only the activator needs to submit their activation log. Be sure to sign up for an account at parksontheair.com.
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. Details will be shared at a future date.
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 4
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 5
08:15 Central (14:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Dec 6
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
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 7
6:45 to 8:30 PM
SARA’s Zoom Teleconference Room - SARA Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Dec 8
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Stillwater Public Library Conference Room
224 3rd Street East, Stillwater, MN 55082 - SARA 2nd Saturday Breakfast Saturday Dec 10
7:30 AM
Perkins Restaurant
2050 Frontage Road, Stillwater, MN 55082 - SARA Monthly Meeting Saturday Dec 10
9:15 AM
Auditorium A, The Gables at Boutwells Landing
13575 58th Street North, MN Oak Park Heights, MN 55082