Here is your SARA weekly update!
Remembering Fr Metcalf WØJH Special Event Jan 9 – 11, 2026
This event pays tribute to the original WØJH, Father George Metcalf. As a WWII Chaplain for General Patton, Fr. Metcalf helped draft the famous “Weather Prayer.” According to Patton and his troops, this prayer ended 3 months of cloudy, rainy skies in December 1944. It is a prayer that changed history!
This is SARA’s second year for this event. Belwin Conservancy in Afton, MN is again the location. It is located a portion of the donated estate from Episcopalian Fr. Metcalf. This year, we have been granted access to the larger, former residence of the Metcalfs. The setup provides more room for station separation, while allowing dedicated areas for visitors to join us for refreshments and treats. And all indoors!
This event is an excellent chance for operators, especially newly licensed Generals, to learn and hone HF operating and logging skills. Plus, it will be a fantastic opportunity to network with other SARA members and others interested in learning about Amateur Radio.
Operating Schedule:
Friday Jan. 9, Saturday Jan. 10, and Sunday Jan. 11: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Station Locations/Venue:
795 Indian Trail S., Afton, MN
The building has areas to set up radio station gear and comfortable conversation areas for visitors. It is heated and has kitchens and restrooms.
Operators: Please use the contact tracking sheets provided to keep track of the contacts made during your shift. No need to keep a manual log, all logging will be via ACLog and handled by your logger. There will be a script for you to use.
Loggers: Keep digital log using ACLog provided on the club laptop computers. Be sure to enter name/call sign of operator and confirm the operating band in the log matches the radio.
Station 1 (Chapel) (80-6m) AND Station 2 (Deck Side) (40-20-10m)
Friday January 9, 10:00 am – 4:00 PM 1-hr shifts for logger and operator at each station
Saturday January 10, 10:00 am – 4:00 PM 1-hr shifts for logger and operator at each station
Sunday January 11, 10:00 am – 4:00 PM 1-hr shifts for logger and operator at each station.
Eyeball QSO Party
The weekly Eyeball QSO Party is at the Stillwater Public Library Conference Room through the 26th of March 2026 (90 days is as far as we can schedule with the library), except 1st Thursdays (Tech Topic Night) which are held at the Baytown Town Hall
SARA Officers for 2026
Here are your elected officers for this year:
President Joe Heitzinger KCØOIO
Vice President Brian Schousek KB9TBB
Secretary Allan Boucher KFØMNS
Treasurer Dave Leikam KØAIF
Director ’26-’27 Tim Grotheer KFØJEL
Director ’25-’26 Collin O’Connor KEØIYN
The position of Trustee is appointed by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the newly elected Board in January.
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.
We are always looking for topic ideas and discussion leaders for future 1TTT nights. If you have a suggestion or are willing to lead a discussion, please let drop me an email at kc0oio2002@gmail.com.
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 (00:00 UTC).
- Feb 5, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Pico Balloons” led by Brian KB9TBB - Mar 5, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Logging Workflows” led by Dale WØDHZ - Apr 2, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Meshtastic” led by Collin KEØIYN - May 7, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Antenna Analyzers” led by Joe KCØOIO
The SARA POTA Challenge
The SARA POTA Challenge 2025 numbers through November available are posted on the radioham.org website. >> CLICK HERE << to view the results.
The final results of the 2025 Challenge will be shared during the SARA POTA Challenge 2025 Awards Ceremony to be held during our monthly meeting on February 7th, 2026.
The SARA POTA Challenge 2026 began at 00:00 UTC January 1. All the categories reset to zero, a fresh start for all!
POTA raised the minimum contacts returned in the Top Hunter search to 50 Hunter contacts. This is a limitation placed on the hunter database by POTA. Therefore the threshold has changed for the 2026 Challenge, not by our choice, but because of what data we can extract from POTA’s database.
SARA members who have registered on the POTA website https://parksontheair.com/# (sign up is under the Help/Getting Started tab) are automatically included in the SARA Challenges.
Meeting Program Team
The team has secured the following programs for our meetings through March:
- SARA POTA Challenge 2025 Awards Ceremony February 7
- ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program with Riley Hollingsworth K4ZDH March 14
This week’s SARA activities
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout Jan 4
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 (02:00 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 Jan 5
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Jan 6
7:00 – ~8:00 pm Central (or until we finish!)
SARA Repeater 147.060+ MHz (DCS/DTCS 026 Normal)
1stTuesday 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. - Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Jan 8
6:00 PM
Conference Room
Stillwater Public Library
224 3rd St East, Stillwater - Remembering Fr. George Metcalf WØJH Special Event Friday Jan 9
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Central (16:00 – 22:00 UTC)
Savanna Center at Belwin Conservancy
795 Indian Trail South, Afton, 55001
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MQa38jkGtXHNfTr76 - Remembering Fr. George Metcalf WØJH Special Event Saturday Jan 10
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Central (16:00 – 22:00 UTC)
Savanna Center at Belwin Conservancy
795 Indian Trail South, Afton, 55001
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MQa38jkGtXHNfTr76 - Remembering Fr. George Metcalf WØJH Special Event Sunday Jan 11
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Central (16:00 – 22:00 UTC)
Savanna Center at Belwin Conservancy
795 Indian Trail South, Afton, 55001
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MQa38jkGtXHNfTr76
