SARA This Week Nov 27 – Dec 3
Good morning!
Here’s your SARA update for this week!
SARA CW Study Group
SARA is organizing a Morse Code study group. If you are interested in learning Morse Code, already do some CW operating and want to brush up your skills or are an experienced CW operator who would like to assist others getting started, this cooperative learning experience is for you.
We kick things off November 30 with an initial informational meeting, followed by four weekly study group sessions. Since this is a study group, and not a class, content and structure of sessions will be tailored to the needs of the group, and success will be largely dependent on the level of commitment by each participating member. Study group sessions will be held via Zoom meeting, and each session will include practice time as well as review of CW learning resources and various aspects of equipment used by CW operators. The session begins at 6:45 PM.
If you would like to join the SARA CW Study Group (or if you have questions about the group), send an email to K0GW or W0GAF at their email addresses below. Please include a brief description of your current level of CW experience or operating skill (Beginner, 5 WPM, etc.). We’ll add you to the list and will begin communicating details to the group.
TNX ES 73 DE,
K0GW Greg – K0GW at arrl dot net
W0GAF Bob – W0GAF at me dot com
Virtual Technical Topic Thursday December 1st
The SARA Eyeball QSO Party will be pre-empted December 1st by the return of “Tech Topic Thursday” Zoom session. This month’s topic will be “Dressing up your qrz.com page” lead by Bob WØGAF. The session begins at 7:00 PM Thursday evening. There will NOT be an in-person Eyeball QSO Party at the Library this week.
SARA POTA Challenge ’22
35 days remain in the 2022 Challenge! The November numbers will be impressive with help from the Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event. Some activators took advantage of the fine weather the past couple of days to get out and put more parks on the air. KB9TBB even did a 10-park Rove on Friday. There is sure to be some changes in the leaderboards as we’re sure to have more Hunters attain Legend status.
The Legends and Leaders divisions for hunters were created to reinvigorate hunters. Those with 500 Hunter QSOs move into the Legends division. Contacts with all POTA stations count. It doesn’t get any easier for hunter credits as only the activator needs to submit their activation log. Be sure to sign up for an account at parksontheair.com.
Be sure to check POTA spots regularly for activations.
SARA POTA Awards will be presented for both activators (most parks, activations, QSOs) and hunters (most QSOs). The Awards Ceremony will take place at the SARA monthly Meeting on Saturday Feb 11, 2023. The prize plan has been finalized by the Challenge team. Prizes will include certificates and POTA swag. Details will be shared at a future date.
Bob WØGAF and Brian KB9TBB lead the SARA POTA Challenge and have done a fantastic job bringing this all together. Brian has informed us that he has been able to refine the data collection method he uses to pull data from POTA so that the 2023 SARA POTA Challenge can include Modes (Phone, CW, Digital). Early discussions for the 2023 Challenge indicate few refinements to the program. There will be a focus on providing Activator mentoring opportunities out in the parks.
Nominations for SARA Officers for 2023
Nominations for SARA Officers for 2023 will take place at the December 10th monthly meeting of the Stillwater Amateur Radio Association. The offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected annually. The Director positions are 2-year terms, each elected in alternating years. One Director will be elected for the 2023-2024 term.
The current SARA officers are:
Joe Heitzinger, KCØOIO – President
Bob Jensen, WØGAF – Vice President
Dave Iverson, N9JNQ – Secretary
Rich Smith, ADØSN – Treasurer
Zack Zaccagnini, AAØU – 2021 & 2022 Director
Brad Harris, VE3MXJ – 2022 & 2023 Director
Trustee: Shel Mann, NØDRX (Note: The SARA Trustee officer is an appointed position; chosen by the elected officers)
Now is the time to consider helping shape the future of the Association by serving as an official of SARA!
SARA Meeting Program Team
Zack AAØU, Mike KFØCCL, and Dave N9JNQ volunteered to form a team to plan and schedule the programs for our monthly meetings. Their efforts are intended to provide quality presenters and presentations for SARA! They welcome suggestions. Email your ideas and comments to Dave at dbiverson123 at gmail dot com and he’ll share them with the team.
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 Nov 27
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).
Depending on local propagation conditions, the SARA Top Band Crew may QSY (move) to 75m. Look for us AROUND 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 Nov 28
08:15 Central (14:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Nov 29
7:00 – ~8:00 pm Central (or until we finish!)
SARA Repeater 147.060+ MHz (DCS/DTCS 026 Normal)
The Tuesday evening on-air round robin ragchew
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 “Learning CW” Study Group Virtual Session Wednesday Nov 30
6:45 to 8:30 PM
SARA’s Zoom Teleconference Room - SARA Tech Topic Thursday Virtual Session Thursday Dec 1
7:00 PM (0100 UTC)
“Dressing up your qrz.com page” led by Bob WØGAF
SARA’s Zoom Teleconference Room