Here is your SARA weekly update!
ARRL Launches Nationwide Grassroots Campaign to Pass Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act
ARRL has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign aimed at securing the passage of federal legislation that would grant Amateur Radio Operators the same rights to install antennas on their property as those enjoyed by users of TV antennas, wireless internet, and flagpoles.
The campaign, announced in an ARRL Member Bulletin on September 17, 2025, follows the reintroduction of the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act in February 2025 (see ARRL News 02/07/2025). The bipartisan bills — H.R.1094 in the House and S.459 in the Senate — are designed to prevent restrictive homeowners’ association (HOA) rules that currently prohibit or severely limit the installation of amateur radio antennas, even when such antennas are hidden in trees, placed in attics, mounted on vehicles, or look like flagpoles.
“This legislation is about restoring equal rights to licensed Amateur Radio operators,” said ARRL President Rick Roderick. “These restrictions hinder not only the enjoyment of Amateur Radio, but also its vital role in emergency communication during disasters.”
Public Support Needed for Passage
To advance the legislation, ARRL is calling on its members and all licensees of the US Amateur Radio Service to take action by sending letters to their congressional representatives. Through a dedicated online tool at https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/, hams can easily generate and submit pre-drafted letters with a few clicks.
Go to — https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/
— and help us by sending your letters to your Representative and Senators.
ARRL has emphasized that every letter matters. “Your Representative and Senators need to know that the passage of this legislation is important to you.”
All US amateur radio operators are asked to participate in this campaign. You do not need to be an ARRL member to submit your letters. The online tool is quick and very easy to use, just enter your callsign, verify your information, and submit.
Eyeball QSO Party
The General License class gets priority over rooms at the Stillwater Public Library this fall, so the Eyeball QSO Parties will be a bit nomadic.
The schedule is as follows:
September 25 Stillwater Public Library Margaret Rivers Rooms A&B
October 2 1st Thursday Technical Topic Night at Baytown Town Hall
October 9 Lake Elmo Public Library Meeting Rooms A&B
October 16 Location TBD
October 23 Location TBD
October 30 Location TBD
November 6 Baytown Town Hall (no tech topic this night)
November 13 Stillwater Public Library Conference Room
November 20 Stillwater Public Library Conference Room
November 27 Thanksgiving – no Eyeball QSO Party
December 4 1st Thursday Technical Topic Night at Baytown Town Hall
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. You can find all the 1st Thursday Topics in the 1st Thursdays Technical Topics playlist.
We are looking for topic ideas and discussion leaders for future 1TTT nights beginning in October. If you have a suggestions or you 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.
- Oct 2 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Operating at SARA Special Events”
In preparation for the upcoming 4-day “Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald” special event at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Nov 7 – 10, this will be a hands-on training session. The intent is to familiarize operators with the logging software ACLog, working with the station equipment, and experiencing the sounds and challenges of operating as a logger and station operator during one of our special events. Those attending the Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald event for the first time are encouraged to attend this session. Lessons learned here are also used during the Fr Metcalf WØJH special event in January and the Ice Station WØJH special event in February. The session will be livestreamed and recorded for sharing on our YouTube station. - Nov 6 session will be a normal eyeball QSO session as many of the usual participants will be preparing for the Split Rock weekend departure the next morning.
- Dec 4 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Pico Balloons” led by Brian KB9TBB - NO Jan 1 session – New Years Day
- Feb 5, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Meshtastic” led by Collin KEØIYN - Mar 5, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … Antenna Analyzers” led by Joe KCØOIO
General Class License Upgrade Class continues through Nov 6
SARA’s education team is presenting our fall General Class license upgrade class, which started September 18 and lasting 8 weeks through November 6. Sessions will be held at the Stillwater Public Library 224 3rd Street North from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. There is still time to register for the class, email Bob WØGAF at w0gaf @ me dot com. Share the word!
North Star Radio Convention Oct 11
The 3rd annual North Star Radio Convention is coming up quickly! The Convention will be held at the Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Center on Saturday October 11th. Doors open at 8:00 AM. The Convention is recognized as the ARRL MN Section Convention.
20 informative breakout sessions are scheduled, there is sure to be something of interest to everyone. Our own Collin KEØIYN is presenting two of them; “From Club Challenge to State Events – The Creation of MNPOTA” and “Equipment Setups for POTA”; and member Dale WØDHZ is presenting “Amateur Radio Logging and Logging Workflows.”
New this year will be a Swap Fest running from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The ARRL Forum and the Youth Lounge are returning as well.
>> Click here << for the North Star Radio Convention website for more information and to register for the 2025 Convention. Early registration is open now and the cost is $15.00 per person. After September 26, the cost goes up to $25.00 per person. You will also have the option to add a Subway lunch selection for an additional $12.50.
SARA is hosting the new GOTA station to encourage folks to get on the air from the North Star Radio Convention. SARA will set up our Eskimo shelter and a full station outside. The primary focus is getting the youth and newer hams a chance to operate HF.
“Remembering The Edmund Fitzgerald” Special Event Nov 7-10
Plans are well underway for operating several WØJH stations at this year’s big event at Split Rock! We’ll be operating from the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Trail Center and SARA’s Comms Trailer.
Monday November 10th, 2025 marks the 50th Anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. SARA will have an extended 4-day operation and will be on the air on the 10th.
The SARA POTA Challenge
The latest SARA POTA Challenge 2025 monthly numbers available are posted on the radioham.org website. >> CLICK HERE << to view the current results for 2025. The August 2025 numbers were shared at the September meeting and have been posted to the website.
Just a reminder, we are only able to track participation for those with a minimum of 10 Hunter contacts, a limitation placed on the hunter database by POTA.
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 Sep 21
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)
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 Sept 22
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - SARA Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Sept 23
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. - General Class License Class Session 2 Sept 25
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Conference Room
Stillwater Public Library
224 3rd St N, Stillwater - Eyeball QSO Party Sept 25
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Margaret Rivers Rooms A & B
Stillwater Public Library
224 3rd St N, Stillwater
