Here is your weekly SARA update!
SARA’s Fall General Class License Upgrade Prep Class Session 2
SARA’s General Class license upgrade class session 2 will be a virtual session via Zoom Thursday Sept 24. Pat WAØTDA is leading the class covering Rules and Regulations.
Special Event: Tri-State Portable – WØJH
September 25, 26 & 27, 2026
White Rock, South Dakota
Once again SARA members will operate from a remote location! In case you don’t already know, White Rock is where North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota connect. (On a map, look a little northwest of Wheaton, MN or just east of Rosholt, SD. Except for only two residents, White Rock is a ghost town.) This will be our eighth time operating here. Other times include: 1999, 2000, 2002, 2012, 2015, 2019 & 2021.
Simple Plan & Prime Directive:
We’ll set up three stations (two SSB and one CW) to operate from this unique location. We are there to have Amateur Radio FUN! We operate from “Downtown” (SSB), the “West End” (CW) and from the tri-state marker.
WØJH Operating Schedule, Frequencies & Modes
Friday, 9/25: ~3:00 – 7:00? pm Central Time (~2000 – 2400 UTC)
Saturday, 9/26: 9:00 am – 7:00? pm (1400 – 2400 UTC)
Sunday, 9/27: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm? (1400 – 2400 UTC)
SSB Frequencies: 3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360 MHz (Tune +/– 10 kHz if QRM)
CW Frequencies: 3.540, 7.040, 14.040, 21.040, 28.040 MHz (+/- 10kHz)
SARA Member Relay Stations in The Cities
Several SARA members will know the frequencies where we are operating. As we operate on different bands and frequencies, we will relay info via text messaging to them. They will frequently monitor the SARA Repeater and can pass the info to anyone via the repeater. This will greatly improve the chances for our members to make contact with us at this event..
Mark your calendar now for this rare Special Event Station!
North Star Radio Convention Oct 10 – Registration is open!
Hosting the 2026 ARRL Dakota Division Convention, the 2026 North Star Radio Convention is Saturday October 10, 2026 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. The Convention is being held at the Hennepin Technical College, 9000 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445.
Join us at the North Star Radio Convention, the premier statewide event for Minnesota amateur radio enthusiasts. The North Star Radio Convention is known for its expert speakers and workshops covering topics for all experience levels, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones among amateur radio enthusiasts from across the region.
SARA is a founding club and Platinum Sponsor. We will have an information table as well as hosting the Convention’s official “Get On The Air” station. And I am pleased to share that SARA is teaming up with the MVARA to host the Get On The Air Station in MVARA emcomm bus B-1!
Register now at https://northstarradio.org/. Early Bird Registration starts at $20 per person, $32.50 with Subway box lunch. Youth (under 21) registration is free (optional lunch is $12.50). Registration includes access to all sessions. Early bird registration ends September 24th, fees will increase after that date.
The SARA POTA Challenge
Summer is coming to an end, but that hasn’t slowed down our POTA hunters and activators. August numbers are now available on the SARA website. >> CLICK HERE << to view the most recent posted results.
Important Note: The POTA group has changed the minimum number of hunter contacts required to be included in the data feed we use to calculate our totals. You will now need a minimum of 100 hunter contacts to be included in the data feed. We will continue to include anyone that has been on the reports with less than 100 contacts, but new challenge participants will need to make 100 contacts before they are included in these reports. Please reach out to Bob – W0GAF or Brian – KB9TBB if you have questions.
The Parks on the Air resource page is a great place to get your POTA questions answered.
To participate in the POTA Challenge, there are two simple steps required.
– Register for an account at parksontheair.com
– Go out and work some parks
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.
This week’s SARA activities
- “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout September 20
19:00 Central (Daylight Time) (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 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 September 21
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Sept 22
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, 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. - Board of Directors ZOOM Meeting Wednesday Sept 23
7:00 PM
SARA ZOOM Meeting Room - General Class License Course Session 1 Thursday Sept 24
6:00 PM
Virtual session via SARA’s Zoom Room
- Eyeball QSO Party Thursday Sept 24
6:00 PM
Conference Room
Stillwater Public Library, 224 3rd St N, Stillwater - Tri-State Special Event Station from White Rock, SD
Friday, 9/25: ~3:00 – 7:00? pm Central Time (~2000 – 2400 UTC)
Saturday, 9/26: 9:00 am – 7:00? pm (1400 – 2400 UTC)
Sunday, 9/27: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm? (1400 – 2000 UTC)
SSB Frequencies: 3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 21.360 MHz (Tune +/– 10 kHz if QRM)
CW Frequencies: 3.540, 7.040, 14.040, 21.040, 28.040 MHz (+/- 10kHz)
