WM3PEN was first used for an ARRL Convention in Philadelphia in 1976 and now is on the air for HARC events including those honoring Philadelphia's founder, William Penn. HARC has been featured in the ARRL Special Service Club Spotlight, as well as in QST, CQ, and CQ VHF. The Club was awarded a Service Award by the March of Dimes for it's help with the Walk America. Members also help with the Northeast Philadelphia Youth Run. HARC provided communications for the Mayfair-Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade for over 12 years.

HARC operates and maintains the 146.685 repeater which has been on the air since 1978. From the repeater's main site near center city Philadelphia, the service area has been expanded by adding satellite inputs in Cherry Hill, N.J., Northeast Philadelphia, and Abington, PA in eastern Montgomery County. The repeater serves amateurs in the Philadelphia area as well travelers to and from the shore.

For further info on HARC visit the Club web site (www.harcnet.org)

Pennsylvania "67" Challenge

HARC sponsors the Pennsylvania "67" Challenge. This county hunter certificate is open to all amateurs. Hams can use any band or mode to make a 'real time' contact with Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Hams may work towards the Challenge by working 20, 40, 60, or 67 counties and receive a certificate at each of the four levels. Endorsements are available for individual bands or modes. All contacts must be made from the same county.

Besides HF contacts, Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, explains that repeaters, D-STAR, Echolink, and IRLP modes are valid contacts as long as a radio is used by both operators. Modes that store and forward messages are not considered valid contacts.

QSL cards will include paper or electronic. This will open the Challenge to all hams regardless of license class or type of station.

HARC is encouraging all hams to get on the air. Complete rules and information on both events can be found at the Club's website www.harcnet.org. Questions or comments can be directed to the Club call, WM3PEN at ARRL.NET.

Independence Week Special Event
Original 13 Colonies
July 1 – 6, 2013

Sponsored by The U.S. Original 13 Colonies Group
http://www.13colonies.info
with the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
WM3PEN@ARRL.NET

Members of the Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club, Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club, Drexel University Amateur Radio Club, and University of Pennsylvania Amateur Radio Club will celebrate our independence from the city where independence was declared, Philadelphia, PA. Club members will be operating a special event station using the Club call WM3PEN. Amateur radio stations operating from the original 13 colonies will also be on the air.

The theme for 2013 is Colonial Era Flags. WM3PEN will offer a special QSL card. The 13 Colony Special Event will be offering a special certificate withcolonial flagson it.

WM3PEN will participate in the event. When you work WM3PEN make a note on the 13 colony log sheet and you will get a "Liberty Bell" endorsement with the WM3PEN call place on the certificate.

WM3PEN will be offering a great custom QSL Card honoring Philadelphia resident Betsy Ross, who is credited with creating the first U.S. flag.

Betsy would often tell her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends of the fateful day when three members of a secret committee from the Continental Congress came to call upon her. Those representatives, George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross, asked her to sew the first flag. This meeting occurred in her home some time late in May 1776. George Washington was then the head of the Continental Army. Robert Morris, an owner of vast amounts of land, was perhaps the wealthiest citizen in the Colonies. Colonel George Ross was a respected Philadelphian and also the uncle of her late husband, John Ross. (ushistory.org)

When you work WM3PEN send an SASE or Green Stamp ($1) with your QSL to WM3PEN. You can also QSL via the bureau. SWLs may send a confirmation of reception to request a QSL card. Simply indicate the stations making contact with WM3PEN, time, frequency, and your receiving equipment. SWL stations should follow the same mailing instructions.

Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club, WM3PEN

3341 Sheffield Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19136 USA

Any donations to help with printing costs are always appreciated, and can be sent along with your QSL request.

Recognizing that the 4th comes in the middle of the week (Thursday) and that some operators will be going to their jobs on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd operations may be limited at times.

For further information on the WM3PEN operation contact WM3PEN@ARRL.NET

Pennsylvania Charter Day (March 9 - 10)

On March 9 and 10, HARC will celebrate Pennsylvania’s 332st birthday by participating in Charter Day events.

Charter Day is the day King Charles of England granted William Penn a charter for land in the New World to make up for a large debt that the king owed to Penn’s father.

William Penn had initially decided to name the land "Sylvania," which in Latin means ‘woods.’ King Charles II added the prefix ‘Penn’ to the name in honor of William Penn’s father, Admiral Sir William Penn, who had served England as a rear admiral.

Pennsylvania state museums are open for free on Charter Day and it’s the one day each year that the Charter is put on display at the state museum in Harrisburg.

WM3PEN (William 3 Penn) will be on the air both days from 1300Z – 2359Z as band conditions permit. A special QSL card will be offered featuring William Penn.

When you work WM3PEN send an SASE, IRC, or Green Stamp ($1) with your QSL to WM3PEN. You can also QSL via the bureau. SWLs may send a confirmation of reception to request a QSL card. Simply indicate the stations making contact with WM3PEN, time, frequency, and your receiving equipment. SWL stations should follow the same mailing instructions.

Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club, WM3PEN

3341 Sheffield Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19136 USA