Known as SARA, we are a thriving Stillwater-based radio club with over 110 members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We meet at the Stillwater Library and Boutwells Landing in Stillwater, and are affiliated with the Courage Handi-Ham System and the American Radio Relay League. Recognized for continued achievement, SARA has the distinction of being one of only three ARRL Special Service Clubs in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Membership is open to anyone interested in ham radio - you do not need to be a licensed ham radio operator to join.
Repeaters
Our 2m repeater is on 147.060 MHz, with a positive offset (transmit on 147.660 MHz).
It is an open repeater, but you need a PL tone of 114.8 Hz on your transmit signal.
Club Station
SARA has a fully equipped HF station for 160-10m at Courage St. Croix. The club call is WŘJH.
All licensed members may use this station.
Emergency Preparedness
Amateur radio plays a key role in communications during an emergency. We can provide radio communication assistance to state and local public service agencies during emergencies/disasters.
Our 2m repeater has emergency power, and many members have 2m mobile and portable capabilities.
Many members are ARES, AERO and Skywarn trained.
Special Events & Activities
The club participates in the annual national Field Day operating event, which takes place on the fourth weekend in June every year. The club also sponsors special operating activities such as the special event station in an ice-fishing cabin on frozen Lake Mille Lacs.
The annual "Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald" event in which SARA participates from the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park has become sought after and well attended. We've operated from the ghost town of White Rock, SD and from a mobile train's passenger car. As a club, we’ve constructed small, PSK-31 transceiver kits for the 80m band. The club also sponsors an annual Fox Hunt (VHF transmitter).
Training & Education
SARA regularly sponsors and teaches classes for those interested in obtaining their ham radio license, or for licensed amateurs who wish to upgrade their licenses. Both theory and code classes are conducted.
Community Service
We help provide communications for several walk-a-thon and bike-a-thon events each year. We also work with individual members of the Courage Center HandiHam System to help them get and stay on the air. Several members are merit badge counselors for the Boy Scouts.
Membership
The yearly dues for members are $20. This covers all hams within a family.
There is a special rate of $5 per year for anyone who is a student.
Member Assistance Program (MAP)
SARA has a Member Assistance Program to help its members get and stay on the air, by helping with equipment setup, antenna installation and so forth. Many of our members have “McCoy doublet” antennas as a result of this program.
DX Program
Many SARA members are actively involved in DXing (contacting distant stations). The club has a
DX Manager who can help members with information and advice about how to get the most out of
DX activities. ARRL members can take advantage of our club’s DX QSL forwarding service.
Visit our web site for more details, photos and scheduled events: www.radioham.org
We look forward to introducing you to our club, and the exciting world of ham radio!