April 5th, 2023, Meeting Plans
Our Wednesday April 5th meeting agenda via Zoom has yet to be determined. Check back soon, please.
Our last month’s meeting covered an introduction to the TinySA spectrum analyzer device, that when coupled with the NanoVNA device, will greatly assist one’s understanding of their ham radios, antennas, coax cables, etc. Steve Steps presentation on both items is now available on our Resources page.
We will further discuss preparation for upcoming drills, training, forms required, and getting proper county credit for such efforts. Obtaining Credentials will be also emphasized.
Discussion of interest in any other aspects of the club activities will be encouraged.
Comments on the past month’s events:
Meeting venue: At this time, there are a growing number of members that feel safe enough to resume in-person monthly club meetings, while others prefer our Zoom meetings due to lingering potential Covid19 threats. However, joint Zoom/in-person meetings are difficult to run due to the need for better equipment (camera and audio). We will have a board meeting to determine the potential costs and benefits.
It is not clear whether we have access to the Saratoga Fire Station meeting room any longer. Discussions have been held about finding a possible alternative in-person venue since the fire station has been using our usual meeting room for storage. Suggestions were made for the Saratoga Foothill Club or the Joan Pisani Center. This must be investigated. In the meantime, we will continue our meetings only via Zoom.
More interaction is needed between SARA and the Saratoga CERT members. The CERT monthly radio check-ins have been ongoing unless delayed due to inclement weather. There should be additional county joint events coming soon.
With Spring hopefully arriving soon, we should be able to have more in-person, outdoor drill practices. SARA has been woefully lacking in any such drills for the past couple of years.
We need more fully trained and certified Credentialed members. Classes are available through the county ARES/RACES website.
Note: Our 2-meter repeater S-meter signal strength report has been down since February 15th, responding only with “S Zero.” It is a very handy service! Troubleshooting is underway!
***************************************Zoom Link******************************************
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Meeting ID: 408 621 5853
Passcode: K6SA
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******** Next Monthly Meeting will be held on Wednesday April 5th, 2023 at 7:30PM*********
NOTE: The meetings will continue only via Zoom.
Topic: K6SA’s Zoom Meeting: Subject and Speaker:
*** Annual Club Dues: ***
With inflation compounded with equipment replacement costs, Zoom, GoDaddy, and governmental fees rising substantially, we have found it necessary to collect annual dues once again. This will be twenty ($20) dollars for an individual or thirty ($30) dollars for a family membership. NOTE: If you paid in November or December of the prior year, you will be credited for the next year. Please help keep our club strong. As of February 24th, 27 members have paid. Thanks!
Current Member Payment
For current members, there is no need to reregister. All one must do is make a dues payment. You have two payment options:
Option#1; pay by submitting a check written out to SARA and mail it to our Saratoga mailbox; SARA, P.O. Box 2034, Saratoga, CA 95070. Be sure to write your callsign(s) on the check!
Option#2; Make a direct payment using our PayPal account at https://PayPal.me/saratogaamateurradio. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the PayPal form where you can enter your name and callsign(s).
New Member Payment and Registration
For new members, please scroll down to the “Read All About Us” section below and use the link to the Membership form. Please print, fill it out, then mail it in. Sorry, but online registration is not available at this time. Payment can be done by either by mailing a check written out to SARA, P.O. Box 2034, Saratoga, CA 95070 or via our PayPal link: https://PayPal.me/saratogaamateurradio . Your new membership will keep you as active on our email distribution list. Help keep our club strong. Thanks.
Documents
The recent “Fun with TinySA” and “Fun with NanoVNA” presentations have been uploaded to this website for public viewing. See this page. There are also many of the past several years of presentations available. Got to the Reference tab and simply click on it. Do NOT use the Dropdown. Simply click on Resources tab which will change the entire page displayed. Then scroll down to the bottom of the new page to see the subject list and links to each document. Feel free to download and/or print them. Enjoy!
Nets
- Sundays – 2M Net at 9:00 pm on K6SA repeaters
- Tuesdays – SVECS 2M Net at 8:00 pm on AA6BT at 146.115 MHz + 100 Hz.
- Thursdays – Rag Chew/Question and Answer session at 9:00 pm on both K6SA repeaters
Saratoga Frequencies
Everyone should have the following frequencies programmed into their VHF/UHF radios. A complete list of all county frequencies and local jurisdictions can be found at the ARES-RACES website at this link.
| Channel Name | Resource Name | R/S | Frequency | Offset | PL | |
| Command | K6SA | Repeater | 146.655 | – (minus) | 114.8 | |
| Command | K6SA | Repeater | 443.150 | + (plus) | 100 | |
| Tactical Alt | Simplex | 146.505 | ||||
| Tactical Alt 2 | Simplex | 146.595 |
Read All About Us
- Our brochure contains an overview of our club’s history, member interests, net, meetings, activities, and how you might become a member. If you would like to become a member, please complete our membership form and mail it to: Saratoga Amateur Radio Association, P.O. Box 2034, Saratoga, CA 95070.
Mission
- Facilitate scientific education and knowledge of radio engineering and communication skills by providing training, reference materials for self-education and operating practice.
- Provide voluntary noncommercial communication, particularly providing emergency communication as a public service and without any remuneration.
- Promote amateur radio by facilitating the exchange of information, improve individual operating efficiency and strengthen the welfare of amateur radio in the community.
- Our current officers are Jack Griswold; President, Steve Steps; Vice President, Michael Turner; Secretary, and Allison Cassidy; Treasurer and our board members Peter Melhus, Morris Jones, Don Steinbach, Jeff Walker, and Walter Spector.
Meeting Guidelines:
- Meetings are normally on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM. As of June 8th, 2022, they may be In-Person (depending on member requests) as well as available via Zoom. However, with Covid19 still lingering amongst us we will default to Zoom only.
- The In-Person location has often been at the Saratoga Fire Station, located on 14380 Saratoga Avenue at the corner of Saratoga-Sunnyvale and Los Gatos-Saratoga Roads, in Saratoga. Map A new venue may be necessary. Stay tuned!
- Prior to the meeting, we often have dinner at Jake’s; a Saratoga Restaurant located at 12175 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road (and Prospect Road). Map. We usually meet around 6:00 PM. Someone will be monitoring the K6SA repeaters while we are at dinner so check-in and say “Hi” if you are on your way.
- We strongly suggest you bring your 2M HT in case you have difficulty finding the meeting. If you have difficulty finding the meeting, please contact someone on the club repeater.