Here is your weekly SARA update!
Special Event: Tri-State Portable – WØJH from White Rock, SD
ends Sunday Sept 27
SARA members are operating from White Rock, 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 is 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 – 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)
SARA Member Relay Stations in The Cities
SARA members Zack AAØU And Collin KEØIYN 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!
SARA’s Fall General Class License Upgrade Prep Class Session 3
SARA’s General Class license upgrade class session returns to in-person Thursday Oct 1. Dan KEØIYF and Tim KFØJEL cover part 1 of Chapter 4 Components and Circuits. The session will be in the Conference Room at the Stillwater Public Library.
1st Thursday Technical Topic Night “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).
- Oct 1, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s Talk About … 3d Printing and ham radio” led by Leslie KD9ZMI - Nov 5, 2026 NO 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
due to the pending Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald Special Event Nov 6 – 8, we will not have a Tech Topic on this evening but rather the session will be an Eyeball QSO Party. - Dec 3, 2026 1st Thursday Tech Topic Night
“Let’s talk about … Building A Reverse Beacon Network Spotter” led by Keith ACØVW
SARA Monthly Meeting is Oct 3rd
Due to the North Star Radio Convention and SARA’s commitment to that event, our monthly meeting will be on the 1st Saturday, October 3rd.
As usual, we will meet in Auditorium A at Boutwells Landing 13575 58th St N Oak Park Heights. Our guest presenter will be Rob Votin KC3LBR with a program on Pico Ballooning. As usual, this program and meeting will be livestreamed via the SARA ZOOM room.
SARA 2nd Saturday Breakfast on the 1st Saturday Oct 3rd
SARA’s 2nd Saturday Breakfast is shifting to the 1st Saturday this month along with our monthly meeting. Perkins Restaurant, 2050 Frontage Road, Stillwater. 7:30 AM.
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/. Registration starts at $25 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.
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
- Tri-State Special Event Station from White Rock, SD
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) - “Sunday Fusion” Digital Voice Hangout September 27
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 28
Frequency: 3.856 LSB +/- QRM - Two Meter Tuesday (TMT) Round Robin Ragchew Sept 29
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. - General Class License Course Session 3 Thursday Oct 1
6:00 PM
Conference Room
Stillwater Public Library 224 E 3rd St, Stillwater - 1st Thursday Technical Topic Night Thursday Oct 1
6:00 PM
“Let’s Talk About … 3d Printing and ham radio” led by Leslie KD9ZMI
Baytown Township Hall, 4020 McDonald Dr N, Stillwater, MN 55082 - 2nd Saturday Breakfast (on the 1st Saturday) Oct 3
7:30 AM
Perkins Restaurant
2050 Frontage Road, Stillwater - SARA Monthly Meeting Saturday Oct 3
9:15 AM
Auditorium A
Boutwells Landing
13575 58th St N, Oak Park Heights
Program: Rob Votin KC3LBR on Pico Ballooning
