SARA This Week March 26 – April 1
Here is your SARA update for this week!
(Rescheduled) Board of Directors Meeting March 29
The Board of Directors will meet via Zoom Wednesday evening. The rescheduled meeting will begin at 6:30 PM CDT (23:30 UTC).
An Invitation from SEMARC
SM Bill Mitchell, AE0EE, to Speak at SEMARC’s March Member Meeting
The program committee is pleased to announce that SM Bill Mitchell will speak to the South East Metro Amateur Radio Club at its March 28th meeting at the Zion Lutheran Church.
Bill first gained wide notice in the Minnesota ham world after his participation in the VK0EK DXpedition to Heard Island. That expedition caught the attention of many, as it carried a research emphasis, not just an expedition solely for amateur radio. As a matter of fact, the costs of VK0EK were significantly supported with research funds (40%), the balance supported by individuals and amateur organizations. Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Carleton and a doctorate from UC Berkely. He had research responsibilities on the expedition and also spent considerable time and effort to provide amateurs world wide with a contact from Heard.
Bill was first licensed in 2012 as AG6RB while in California. In 2014, he relocated to Minnesota and obtained his present call sign. He is most often found operating CW but he also enjoys SSB and digital modes. He presently serves as Minnesota Section Manager. He belongs to, or participates in a number of clubs, including the Twin City DX Association, the Minnesota Wireless Association, and the Bloomington ARC.
Bill will focus his presentation initially on VOTA and W1AW/p efforts, as he indicates that those activities speak to a broader initiative at the League. We’ve also asked him to provide a section update. I’m sure there will be other interesting questions he will field from members.
Metro Skywarn Spotter Training May 6th
SARA is hosting a Metro Skywarn Storm Spotter training session on Saturday May 6th. The session will be at the Stillwater Public Library (224 E 3rd Street 55082) in the Margaret Rivers Room from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Pre-registration is preferred. Registration can be completed by clicking on this link: In-Person SARA Metro Skywarn Training Session. Walk-ins only if the max pre-registered has not been reached.
The session is for all interested in Skywarn storm spotting, new and renewing. Spotters need to renew their training every two years to keep current with Metro Skywarn. Metro Skywarn is offering a total of 6 in-person and 5 online training sessions. The full class schedule can be found at metroskywarn.org/calendar/.
SARA POTA Challenge ‘23
Mark your calendars now for SARA’s POTA Activity Days. Saturday June 10 is the first firm date on the calendar – this will be the multi-op, multi-park, roving day, same as last year. Saturday August 12 will be the first ever SARA POTA Meetup Day. Will gather at one park, Wild River State Park in Almelund, for a day of multi-op activations. A picnic lunch is being planned. Watch for more details to come.
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.
Eliot, KEØN, has caught the activator bug! Since his first activation earlier this year, he has gotten out and completed a total of 44 activations (as of 3/25). Eliot’s QTH situation precludes ham radio except via the remote bases. Participating in Parks on the Air as an activator gives Eliot the opportunity to get out and get on the air with his own rig and antennas. I haven’t spoken with Eliot, but I am sure it’s safe to say that POTA has given him the chance to enjoy ham radio even more.
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 March 26
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 3.820 to 3.826 MHz (depending on QRM).
Alternates: 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew March 27
08:15 Central (13:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew March 28
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. - SEMARC Monthly Meeting Tuesday March 28
7:00 PM
Special Guest: Minnesota Section Manager Bill Mitchell AEØEE
Zion Lutheran Church 8500 Hillside Trail, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 - SARA Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday March 29
6:30 PM (23:30 UTC)
SARA’s ZOOM Meeting Room - Technician Class License Class Thursday March 30
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Rivers Room B
Stillwater Public Library
224 E 3rd Street, Stillwater, MN 55082 - SARA Eyeball QSO Party Thursday March 30
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Stillwater Public Library Meeting Room
224 E 3rd Street, Stillwater, MN 55082