SARA This Week Jan 22 – Jan 28
Here is your SARA update for this week!
Ice Station WØJH Feb 18-20 (President’s Day Weekend)
After 2 years as the Ice-olation Station, Ice Station WØJH returns to the (hopefully safe) frozen surface of Lake Elmo for the 1st time since 2020. As in past years, it will take place at the QTH of our gracious hosts Dave (KØAIF) and Anne (KØVOB); on the NE side of the lake and across Lake Elmo Ave. N.
We’ll be setting up and operating from a portable ice fishing, tent-type shelter and also from our self-contained, enclosed trailer. The heated shelter station will be located on the east side of the lake; the heated trailer station, on dry (snowy?) land, across the road, near the big barn and windmill. There is ample, free parking for ~20 vehicles.
The shelter and all gear must be taken down and stowed each evening. Very important after-hours critiquing/networking sessions will be held routinely.
Newly licensed hams, especially those with little or no HF operating experience, are encouraged to participate. You can learn the “ropes” by watching and logging – then, when you’re ready, you can grab the microphone. There will be plenty of Elmers on hand to gladly assist … plus, they’ll be free to answer any questions.
Interested in Learning/Operating Digital HF? From the SARA cozy trailer, we can operate both digital and SSB modes. An operator and logger, using the Icom IC-7300 transceiver connected to a laptop, will be available for demonstration and hands-on instruction for visitors/onlookers.
Dates / Times / Schedule:
Saturday, 2/18: 10:00 am Setup, Operating until ~5:00 pm
Sunday, 2/19: 10:00 am – ~5:00 pm
Monday, 2/20: 10:00 am – ~5:00 pm
Frequencies: 3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360, 28.360 MHz
:: Tune +/– 20 kHz if QRM
:: SSB and digital operation will used
SARA POTA Challenge ‘23
We are now into the 2023 Challenge. There are updates to SARA Challenge program for this year. The goal is to encourage participation by our members: get on the air! We are continuing with the Legends and Leaders divisions for POTA Challenge Hunter Awards but have raised the bar to become a Legend.
Legends – Any park hunter achieving 1000 or more hunter QSOs will enter the Legends Division. All Legend participants will be awarded a prize for their legendary performance in the challenge.
Leaders – All participants with less than 1000 park QSOs are in the Leaders Division. Leaders will only compete against Leaders for prizes. The top three scores in the Leaders Division will be awarded prizes at the end of the challenge.
There are no changes in Activator classes (Total Activations, Total Parks Activated, Total QSOs).
- Totals will be based on date of activity (vs date of upload)
- Ability to break down QSOs by mode (SSB, CW, Digital)
- Members will be included if they have POTA activity, no need to request participation
- Activator parks and QSOs will not count if total QSOs in the activation were less than 10
There will be a fresh focus on providing Activator mentoring opportunities out in the parks. There will be a SARA POTA Activity Day in June, with others possible. There could also be some Activator Rove trips into neighboring states this year. And a few activators may team up for a weekend of activating while camping/cabin-ing at a MN State Park that is not Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
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 Jan 22
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).
Alternates: 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew Jan 23
08:15 Central (14:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Jan 24
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 Board of Directors Virtual Meeting Thursday Jan 26
6:30 PM (00:30 UTC)
SARA Zoom Meeting Room - SARA Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Jan 26
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Stillwater Public Library Conference Room
224 3rd Street East, Stillwater, MN 55082