Murgas ARC Hamfest 2024

Event Details:

• Date: July 7, 2024
• Time: Starting at 8:00 AM
• Location: Polish American Veterans, 2 South Oak St., Plains, PA
• Website: Murgas ARC
• Sponsor: Murgas Amateur Radio Club
• Type: ARRL Hamfest
• Talk-In Frequency: 146.610 - PL 82.5
• Public Contact: Herb Krumich, K2LNS
  • Phone: 570-829-2695
  • Email: wa2fgk@yahoo.com

Highlights:

• Location: Conveniently located near I-81 Exit 170B, close to Mohegan Sun Casino at Pocono Downs, with plenty of nearby lodging options.
• Activities: The event will feature a flea market, vendor tables, and door prizes.
• Admission: General admission fee applies.
• Parking: Ample parking available; however, overnight camping is not permitted.

Directions:

• From I-81:

  • Take Exit 170B from Route 81 (Rt. 309 North) and continue past Exit 1.
  • Take Exit 2 and bear right at the end of the exit ramp.
  • Follow N. Washington St. through one traffic light and two STOP signs.
  • At the third STOP sign, turn right onto E. Main St.
  • Turn left at the STOP sign onto Mayock St.
  • The Polish American Veterans will be on the left, just past old Plains Lumber.

• GPS Users: Enter "2 Oak Street, Plains, PA, 18705".

Additional Information:

• Hamfest Flyer: Download Here
• Email Inquiries: murgasarc@gmail.com

Join us for a fun and engaging day filled with amateur radio activities, community bonding, and great deals on radio equipment. We look forward to seeing you there!

Monthly Meetings

The Murgas Amateur Radio Club (MARC) convenes on the first Wednesday of each month at 8:00 PM at the Luzerne County Emergency Management Building, located at 185 Water Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. These meetings are open to guests and usually feature an informative program on a radio-related topic following a brief business meeting. For the latest updates on meeting schedules, members and guests are encouraged to check the current issue of the MARC Times, the club's Groups.io page, or their Facebook page. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, meetings may temporarily be held via teleconference, with current information available on the club's Groups.io page.

Club Activities and Services

The Murgas ARC is recognized as an ARRL Special Service Club. The club is actively involved in various operating events throughout the year and provides communication support for several local non-profit organizations. Members are also prepared to offer emergency communications in collaboration with the Luzerne County Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

The Amateur Radio Room at the Luzerne County Emergency Operations Center is named the Bob Michaels N3FA Radio Room in honor of the founding member. The room also houses Silent Key plaques memorializing members who have passed away.

Events and Competitions

"Contest Contest DE K3YTL - Kilowatt Three Yellow Traffic Light calling!" You can hear the club's call sign, K3YTL, during Field Day and the Pennsylvania QSO Party in October, where the club has won the highest scoring club trophy multiple times. The club is also active on the HF bands, participating in various contests such as the June and September VHF contests, and members engage in most DX, stateside, and digital contests. The club had notable success in the 2014 ARRL Centennial Challenge.

Licensing and Testing

MARC has an active ARRL VE Team that schedules exam sessions based on demand. An exam session is also held during the club's annual Hamfest in early July.

Repeaters and Nets

The club operates the K3YTL repeater on 145.450 MHz (TX-) with a PL tone of 82.5 Hz, covering the Wyoming Valley and surrounding areas. The weekly Murgas Net meets every Thursday night at 9:00 PM local time on the 145.450 MHz repeater, followed by a "Swap and Shop" session.

APRS Network

MARC sponsors a network of APRS Digipeaters in Northeastern Pennsylvania using the call signs W3NEP and K3JML. These digipeaters were established by Mike Navin N3FJA (SK).

Scholarships and Community Outreach

The club proudly sponsors an annual scholarship for a college student who is an amateur radio operator. This scholarship is administered by The Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR).

Special Events

In April 2022, MARC, in collaboration with NASA, The University of Scranton, and Misericordia University, brought NASA Astronaut Colonel Doug Wheelock - KF5BOC to the area for two informative and entertaining presentations.

Upcoming Hamfest

Don't miss the annual Murgas ARC Hamfest on July 7, 2024, at the Polish American Veterans, 2 South Oak St., Plains, PA. For more details, check the Murgas ARC website and download the Hamfest flyer here.

For further inquiries, you can contact Herb Krumich, K2LNS, at 570-829-2695 or via email at wa2fgk@yahoo.com.