SARA This Week July 18 – July 24

Field Day 2021

The SARA Field Day entry has been submitted to the ARRL. The total claimed score is 556 points: 153 Phone QSOs times 2x battery power multiplier = claimed score of 306 plus 250 bonus points. Thanks to all who helped out or visited the SARA Field Day site this year. ANd thanks to Bob WØGAF for heading up the effort again this year.

Those who worked from home stations this year, please reference SARA-MN when submitting your logs and points totals to the ARRL. All scores referencing SARA-MN will be compiled by the ARRL to determine the club aggregate score.

Radios in the Park 2021

SARA’s Radios in the Park: The next session will be July 22. Let’s bring out the portable stations, spread out in the park, and have some fun making QSOs!

RITP is held at Valley View Park, 5421 Osgood Ave N in Oak Park Heights starting around 5:30 PM and going until around 8:00 PM.  Reservations for the pavilion have been secured with the City of Oak Park Heights. We are required to follow all State and CDC health and safety guidelines. Please help us comply with these guidelines. Attending the event is your choice.

Radios in the Park has scheduled dates of July 22, Aug 12, Sept 2, and Sept 23 booked at Valley View Park.

Group Build Project in the offing?

The growing interest in portable operations such as POTA (Parks on the Air) along with some interest in building your own antenna has led to some interesting discussions at the Outdoor Eyeball QSO Parties over the past few weeks. The idea of offering a “SARA” End-fed Half Wave antenna kit is gaining traction. A parts list and pricing are being gathered. Watch for more on this build project soon.

SARA Special Event Stations 2021

SARA is planning two Special Event operations this year: the Tri-State Special Event from White Rock, SD and the 17th consecutive “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald” Special Event from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

There is still time to join the team for The Tri-State Special Event out in the ghost town of White Rock, SD August 27 – 29. The White Rock Special Event is as close as many of us will get to a “roughing it” DXpedition experience. The location has no electricity, no running water (unless it rains), and no toilets. That said, there are options for overnight accommodations: camping on-site (tent and RV) or a hotel room at the nearby Dakota Magic Casino. We set up at least one station in town and another part-time station about a mile north at the marker for the borders of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

The 17th annual “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald” Special Event is scheduled for Oct 29 – 31. The Trail Center at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park has been reserved for the weekend. More to come as we get closer to the dates.

Upcoming Public Service Events looking for help

A number of Public Service opportunities are available in the coming weeks for those interested. I have attached a PDF listing some of the upcoming events across the west Metro. I’ve done the Tour-De-Tonka for a few years now and find it an enjoyable morning. Check the list out and considering volunteering some time to assist at one or more of these events.

This week’s SARA activities