The S.A.R.A. weekly information net is held each Sunday evening at 8:30PM local time on the 147.015 repeater. The net is kind of formal and usually follows this format:
Public Service is always a big part of any Amateur Radio organization.
Amateurs have established a reputation for public service
communications which is of the greatest importance to our continued occupation of frequencies. S.A.R.A. members provide communications support for the
following activities:
Iris Festival Parade
An annual event where amateurs assist with the parade lineup,communication between key personnel and communications related to safety and welfare of participants and spectators.
Sumter MS Walk-A-Thon
An annual event in which amateurs patrol the walk route and provide communication related to the progress, health and welfare of the participants.
MS-150 Bike-A-Thon
Another annual event that spans two days and 150 miles. Operators man rest stops, support vehicles, and key personnel shadows. The MS-150 Bike-A-Thon is usually run on the 3rd weekend in September, so mark your calendars.
CROP Walk
Communications for rest stops along the walk and organizer support.
Christmas Parade
An annual event where amateurs assist with parade lineup, communication between parade officials and communications related to safety and welfare of spectators and participants.
This is an area where members can increase involvement and really help
to develop the less experienced operator. Some club members enjoy
contesting and will be inviting other interested amateurs to join them as
multi-operator endeavors. Take advantage of it if you can. Events we'd
like to hold on a regular basis are:
Iris Festival Special Event Station
This is a great opportunity to place amateur radio in front of the public by operating at a public event that draws a large turnout.
Field Day
Field Day usually kicks off with a breakfast get together at a local restaurant such as Shoney's. For the last several years, the Field Day
site has been at Dillon Park. The antenna raising begins around 9:30AM. A
push-up tower is erected on the grass next to the shaded area where we assemble our covered operating pavilion. A 6-meter beam and tri-bander are placed on top, and then we crank her up, securing two levels of guys as we go for a rock solid installation. Rotation is via the Armstrong method. Two dipoles for 40M and 75M are strung between the pines using a cross bow or slingshot to shoot a pilot line over the trees and then pull up the main supports. It doesn't take long to get up two dipoles at 50 - 70 feet. We've made over 1,000 contacts at several Field Days and in 2002 we placed #1 in South Carolina in the 5A Battery Powered class. But whether we go at it hot and heavy or at our leisure, we always have a fine time. Don't just take our word for it though, take a look at the pictures. If you missed this year, make plans for next year. It's the
4th weekend in June.
Weekly Net
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