SARA This Week Jan 29 – Feb 4
SARA CW Study (re)Group Virtual Session Feb 1
We’ve scheduled a meeting for the SARA CW Study Group on Wednesday Feb 1. Even if you’ve not joined the CW Study Group in the past, all are welcome to attend.
We’ll open the Zoom meeting up at 6:45pm and kick things off at 7pm.We’re going to check in with Craig – W0GIB and Rich – AD0SN on their progress in CW Ops training. We will also talk about preparing for the MN QSO Party, which is happening on February 4. For those interested, it will be a great opportunity to try out CW contesting in a low pressure environment.
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
Members have jumped into the 2023 Challenge. Activators have been out to the parks, although not this weekend! 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).
There will be a fresh focus on providing Activator mentoring opportunities out in the parks. There will be a SARA POTA Activity Day on June 10th. The day’s operating plan will be determined in the coming months. Look for additional SARA POTA Activity Days timed with POTA’s Spring, Summer, and Fall “Support Your Parks” weekends.
The SARA POTA Challenge 2022 Awards Ceremony is being held on Saturday February 11th as part of our monthly meeting at Boutwells Landing. The awards and certificates have arrived and are secured at undisclosed locations, the accountants at Seesums and Cheatam are tabulating the final numbers, and the hosts have been preparing for the awards ceremony. This will be a fun morning of acknowledging those who participated in the Challenge in 2022
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 29
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 30
08:15 Central (14:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Jan 31
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 CW Study (re)Group Wednesday Feb 1
6:45 PM Central (7:45 PM Eastern) (00:45 UTC)
SARA Zoom Meeting Room - SARA Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Feb 2
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Stillwater Public Library Margret Rivers Room B
224 3rdStreet East, Stillwater, MN 55082