SARA This Week: July 9 – July 15
Good morning!
Here is your SARA update for this week!
SARA’s Radio in the Parks Thursday
The Eyeball QSO Party is outdoors for SARA’s Radios in the Park summer season. We gather at various area parks on Thursday evenings through early September.
The schedule of park locations and dates is as follows:
July 13: Birkmose Park, 329 Front St (park entrance is on Coulee Road east of Second Street S., up the road from the Dairy Queen), Hudson, WI
July 20: Valley View Park, 5421 N Osgood Ave, Oak Park Heights
Mobile Installation Show-n-tell
July 27: Brekke Park, 5500 Omar Ave N. Oak Park Heights
Antenna Test: Verticals & EFHWs, Radials & Counterpoises
August 3: Washington Park, 915 Abbott St W, Stillwater, MN
August 10: Valley View Park, 5421 N Osgood Ave, Oak Park Heights
August 17: St. Croix Boom Site Scenic Overlook on Hwy 95 north of Stillwater
(St Croix National Scenic River K-0673 activation)
August 24: Otto Berg Park, 90th and Norell, Stillwater Township
August 31: Valley View Park, 5421 N Osgood Ave, Oak Park Heights
SARA Swap Shop – Tabletop & Tailgate Micro Hamfest
Sept 8: Browns Creek State Trail (K-9386) at Browns Creek Park 8312 Neal Ave N, Stillwater
In case of inclement weather, Collin KEØIYN has offered the “shed” and “The Diner” at his QTH on Osgood Ave south of Valley View Park as a covered location for those evenings.
SARA POTA Challenge ‘23
It’s a Minnesota Meetup! All POTA activators and hunters in MN, WI, and beyond are invited to The MN POTA Meetup Saturday August 12 at Wild River State Park (K-2529) near Almelund, MN. The Stillwater Amateur Radio Association has reserved the Picnic Shelter at the park from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM CDT for this Meetup, and all are welcome to join us!
Hot dogs and brats will be available, please consider bringing something to share (chips, veggies, fruit, salads or desserts). Water will be provided, otherwise bring your own non-alcoholic beverage. A collection will be taken to defray the costs of food, supplies, and site.
There is plenty of space and numerous “antenna supports” in the immediate area, plus a very nice pavilion. The park is large with plenty of additional spots to set up and operate, including 2-fer possibilities along the St. Croix River. There will be an opportunity for everyone to work on another within the park using HTs on 2 meters and 70 cm. Don’t forget to bring your HT!
Share your POTA stories, show-n-tell your POTA activating gear, exchange tips and tricks, and enjoy eyeball QSOs with fellow POTA enthusiasts.
The June POTA Challenge update is being processed. Preliminary totals have been shared with participants. Watch for the full update on the radioham.org website in the coming days.
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.
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 July 9
19:00 Central (00:00 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 (01:00 UTC)
Frequency: 1.966 LSB +/- QRM or 3.813 LSB +/- QRM
Alternates: 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew July 10
08:15 Central (13:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew July 11
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
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’s Summer in the Parks Thursday July 13
~5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Birkmose Park, 329 Front St (park entrance is on Coulee Road east of Second Street S., up the road from the Dairy Queen), Hudson, WI