Here is your SARA weekly update!
VE Session Thursday April 30
The Stillwater Amateur Radio Association’s volunteer examiner team will conduct an amateur radio license test session on Thursday April 30, beginning at 6:00 PM. The exam session will be held in Auditorium B at Boutwells Landing, 13575 58th Street North in Oak Park Heights, MN 55082.
Preregistration is required. Email SARA’s VE team leader Joe KCØOIO at kc0oio2002@gmail.com or call 651-261-0303 to register.
Eyeball QSO Party
The weekly Eyeball QSO Party is at the Stillwater Public Library in the Conference Room April 30th.
1st Thursday Technical Topic Nights “Let’s Talk About…”
1st Thursday Technical Topic Night features a technical presentation and discussion based upon the level of interest in the club and the willingness of someone to prepare and lead the session. The sessions are livestreamed via Zoom for those who choose to join the session virtually; and are recorded and posted to the SARA YouTube channel for future viewing and reference.
The 1st Thursday Technical Topic Nights are held at the Baytown Township Hall, 4020 McDonald Dr N, Stillwater, MN 55082, beginning at 6:00 PM Central (23:00 UTC).
- May 7, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Antenna Analyzers” led by Joe KCØOIO - June 4, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
Field Day Planning - Aug 6, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Mobile and Portable Show-n-tell” - Sep 3, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Cloud-based logging with Wavelog led by Collin KEØIYN - Oct 1, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … 3d Printing and ham radio” led by Leslie KD9ZMI
New Ham Night May 14
New Ham Night is coming Thursday evening. This is an evening of introduction to those whom have recently become licensed amateur radio operators as they move from theory to practice and perhaps even make that first contact.
A team of dedicated SARA members are committed to presenting an engaging session covering a number of topics including Choosing a Radio, Getting on the Air, “My First Year” and Resources.
New Ham Night will be at Valley View Park 5421 Osgood Avenue, Oak Park Heights
(Google Maps Plus code: 25JX+35V Oak Park Heights, Minnesota) beginning at 6:00 PM
2026 SARA’s Radios in the Park season begins May 14th
The Thursday Eyeball QSO sessions become outdoor Radios in the Park sessions starting May 14th and going through September 10th. Folks start to gather around 5:30 PM and we wrap up by 8:00 PM every Thursday evening. Here is the schedule through the end of June:
May 14th Valley View Park 5421 Osgood Avenue, Oak Park Heights
(Google Maps Plus code: 25JX+35V Oak Park Heights, Minnesota)
“New Ham Night” welcoming new or recently licensed amateur radio operators
May 21st Otto Berg Memorial Park 90th St N & Norell Ave N, Stillwater
(Google Maps Plus code: 35H9+MWC Stillwater, Minnesota)
May 28th Brown’s Creek Park 8312 Neal Ave N, Stillwater – trail parking area
(Google Maps Plus code: 35C4+39V Stillwater, Minnesota)
POTA site for Brown’s Creek State Trail US-9386 and/or Brown’s Creek Aquatic Management Area US-10721
So you want to be an Activator? What’s holding you back? Expert guidance to putting your POTA station together and getting out in the park will be available this evening!
June 4th Baytown Township Hall 4020 McDonald Dr N, Stillwater
(Google Maps Plus code: 2554+4M Stillwater, Minnesota)
“Field Day Planning – Site and operations”
June 11th Valley View Park 5421 Osgood Avenue, Oak Park Heights
(Google Maps Plus code: 25JX+35V Oak Park Heights, Minnesota)
June 18th Lakeside Park 101 Lake Cir, Bayport, MN 55003
(Google Maps Plus code: 268G+9J Bayport, Minnesota)
June 26th Rotary Park 2290 2nd St N, North St Paul
(Google Maps Plus code: 2262+G5 North St Paul, Minnesota)
POTA site for US-9385 Gateway State Trail
The full schedule has been posted on the SARA Discord server under Radios-in-the-Parks and will be published in the May newsletter.
White Rock Tri-State Special Event set for Sept 25-27, 2026
The dates have been set for SARA’s return to the ghost town of White Rock, SD, located on MN/SD border and 1 mile south of the ND/SD/MN tri-state border. The last time we visited White Rock was in August of 2021. We establish camp on the grounds of what was once the railroad depot in White Rock. We’ll operate one station from there all weekend. Weather permitting, we’ll venture out to the actual borders of SD/ND/MN to set up and operate from there.
This is as close to a DXpedition as many of us will ever experience with some folks roughing it by camping (RVs and tents) onsite for the weekend while others opt for the motel at the Dakota Magic Casino about 12 miles away.
Mark your calendar now for this rare Special Event Station!
This week’s SARA activities
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout April 26
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 Evening HF Ragchew
Nightly
20:00 Central (01:00 UTC)
Frequency: 3.813LSB +/- QRM
Alternates: 1.966 MHz +/- QRM (LSB), 21.316 MHz +/- QRM (USB) 50.166 MHz +/- QRM (USB) - SARA Monday Morning 75-meter Ragchew April 27
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew April 28
7:00 – ~8:00 pm Central (or until we finish!)
SARA Repeater 147.060+ MHz (DCS/DTCS 026 Normal)1stTuesday of each month 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. - VE Exam Session Thursday April 30
6:00 PM
Auditorium B
13575 58th Street North in Oak Park Heights, MN 55082.
Preregistration is required. Email SARA’s VE team leader Joe KCØOIO at kc0oio2002@gmail.com or call 651-261-0303 to register.
- Eyeball QSO Party April 30
6:00 PM
Conference Room
Stillwater Public Library
224 3rd Street E, Stillwater, MN 55082 - A.R.A.C Hamfest May 2
9am – 1pm
Head of the Lakes Fairgrounds, Curling Club building
4700 Tower Ave. (Wisconsin Hwy 35) Superior, WI 54880
(The fairgrounds are located next to the Superior Airport.)
Talk-in on: WØGKP Repeater 146.940(-) [103.5]
Admission: $10 (12 & under FREE!)
SARA will have a table promoting the club and MN POTA
