📡 St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club Newsletter
WØSV — March 2026
From the President
March always feels like a turning point in Minnesota. The days stretch a little longer, the snowpack softens, and many of us start thinking about spring antennas, portable gear, and the first comfortable outdoor activations of the year. Thank you for the steady enthusiasm you bring to our club — on the air, at meetings, and in the quiet work that keeps our community strong.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Monthly Meeting — Thursday, March 19, 2026
7:00 PM • SCARC Clubhouse
Program: ARES in Central MN
March Activities
- Sunday Night ARES Net: 7:10 PM on the WØSV 146.940 repeater
- Monday Activity Night: 6:00 PM at the clubhouse
- Tuesday CW Practice Sessions: Weekly — see Education Corner
- Thursday, March 19 SCARC General Meeting: 7:00 PM at the Clubhouse
- Saturday, March 7 SKYWARN Training: 10:00 AM at the Clubhouse
- Spring POTA Planning: Informal discussion after the March meeting
Recent Club Highlights
The St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club’s Hamfest, “The Cabin Fever Reliever,” was a tremendous success. It was held the last Saturday in February at the St. Cloud National Guard Armory. The weather was good, and it was well attended by people statewide. The Laurel VE group sponsored a test session with 12 people testing. We also had two breakout sessions on DX Contesting and antenna building. Many thanks to Jim and Tammy.
Education & Training Corner
Our Morse code program continues to grow, with operators building confidence at their own pace. March’s focus is on copying accuracy, rhythm, and head‑copy techniques for those ready to stretch a bit.
Planning is underway for the next training sessions, with dates to be announced at the March meeting and on the Sunday net. We are looking at WinLink and FT8 techniques.
The St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club will be conducting several SKYWARN training sessions in the coming months in our surrounding counties. We had a session for our club members last Saturday at 10:00 AM at the clubhouse with 17 members in attendance.
Technical & Repeater Notes
The WØSV 146.940 ALLSTAR repeater continues to perform well. A brief noise issue reported last month appears to have been weather‑related and has not returned. As always, if you notice anything unusual — audio artifacts, coverage gaps, or interference — please pass it along so we can investigate.
On the Air
Solar Cycle 25 continues to deliver surprises. March has already shown strong activity on 15 and 10 meters, with several members reporting DX into Europe and South America during mid‑afternoon openings. Keep an ear on 6 meters as temperatures warm — sporadic E season isn’t far away.
If you’ve had an interesting contact or experimented with a new mode, consider sharing it at the next meeting.
Club Business
- Treasurer’s Report: The club remains in good financial standing, with February expenses limited to repeater utilities and meeting room fees.
- Dues Reminder: Annual dues for 2026 are still being collected.
- Committee Updates: The Events Committee is preparing for a spring field event and exploring options for a club‑wide antenna‑building workshop.
Closing Notes
Thank you for being part of the St. Cloud Amateur Radio Club. Whether you’re checking into the net, experimenting with antennas, or helping a newcomer learn the ropes, you’re strengthening the fabric of our community. Warmer days are coming — and with them, new opportunities to get on the air together.
