SARA This Week Sept 17 – Sept 23
General Class License Classes begin September 21
Classes begin this Thursday, September 21, and will run for 8 week through November 9; followed by a VE Session on Thursday Nov 16. The ARRL General Class License Manual Tenth Edition, updated for the new question pool now valid through June 30, 2027, will be the study guide for the class. Most of the classes will be at the Stillwater Public Library. For more information or to sign up for the class, contact Bob WØGAF at w0gaf at me dot com.
2023 ARRL MN State Convention Saturday October 14
The ARRL Minnesota State Convention will attract amateur radio operators from throughout the Upper Midwest for an all-day learning experience. It’s an important educational initiative that aims to develop a pool of radio operators ready to provide emergency communications in Minnesota communities. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the preeminent national organization supporting US Amateur Radio. It is through ARRL that ham radio partners with FEMA to support response recovery efforts in the wake of disasters.
The conference has been painstakingly designed to give you as much diversity of knowledge and subjects to enhance your ability to communicate effectively in whatever mode or operation you desire. Some of this you will already know, but maybe not completely. Even the most knowledgeable ham operator has some challenges of operations in their abilities.
Registration is now open. You may register until September 30th at the rate of $30.00 including lunch. Registrants from October 1 until the event will pay $40, lunch is included for those registering through October 8th.
There is limited availability – register early!
For more info, go to http://mnconvention.org
SARA is one of the sponsoring organizations of the 2023 ARRL MN State Convention.
SARA POTA Challenge ‘23
The August Challenge update proves interesting! Have more hunters crossed into Legend territory? WØOXB, NØDRX, WØADL, KØAIF and KFØIEX are in the Legends (1000+ QSOs) category, with W2SAD oh so close. One hunter has topped 3000 QSOs and another nearing that number. KEØN and WØADL have more than 100 activations.
What astonishes me most is the numbers for the year through August. Hunter QSOs total 23,614! Activators have made 18,245 QSOs and have made 505 qualified activations (minimum 10 QSOs per POTA rules) from 254 parks!
The full results recap along with some interesting charts are available on radioham.org website. << CLICK HERE >> to view the update page.
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.
Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event Nov 3-5
Plans are well underway for operating WØJH at this year’s big event.
We’ll be operating from the usual facility, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Trail Center, per the following:
- Friday, Nov. 3 (half day, includes set-up; operating ~3:00 – ~5:00 pm)
- Saturday, Nov. 4 (all day; operating ~10 am – ~5:00 pm)
- Sunday, Nov. 5 (all day, includes take-down; operating ~10 am – ~5:30 pm)
Most of us stay at the Mariner Motel in Silver Bay. Call 218-226-4488 to reserve a room. The Mariner Motel is SARA’s Official Networking/Critiquing Sessions HQ. (Manhattans, beer, wine/whines, and whatever you have will be tolerated/served as necessary!)
The Black Beach Inn Grandstay (formerly AmericInn) in Silver Bay is another popular choice. You can book a room online https://www.grandstayhospitality.com/find-a-hotel/locations/silver-bay/overview
Make your reservations now as it is also the MN Deer Firearms season opener Nov 4 and rooms tend to book out for the weekend.
If you’re interested in attending, please contact Dave, WØOXB (W0OXB at arrl dot net) so we’ve got you on the official attendee list. Note: For insurance reasons, participants must be current SARA members.
If you’re unable to join us at the park, you can still participate. Operate as WØF for this year’s “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald” from YOUR QTH! As WØF, those NOT able to attend, will be able to participate from YOUR OWN QTH this year. You can SCHEDULE your operating day, time, band & mode! And everyone will be able to schedule a slot on Nov 10th as we commemorate the Edmund Fitzgerald on the anniversary of the loss of the ship and crew. A SignupGenius page link will be provided in the coming weeks.
SARA’s on-air, in-person, and virtual activities are a great way to stay connected with others.
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout Sept 17
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 Sep 18
08:15 Central (13:15 UTC)
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Sep 19
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. - General Class License Class Thursday Sep 21
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Conference Room, Stillwater Public Library 224 E 3rd Street. - SARA’s Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Sep 21
6:00 PM to 7:50 PM
Margaret Rivers Room, Stillwater Public Library 224 E 3rd Street.
(We may move out onto the Rooftop Deck at the Library, weather permitting.)