DX-pedition to grid DL 79
DL79 is one of the most rare grids in the United States. I began an exploratory process of putting together a trip to this grid for the June 2003 ARRL VHF contest. My desire was to operate on 4 bands, 50/144/222/430, with 4 stations, concentrating on 50/144. I had done a recon out to the area looking for possible locatons to operate from. I found several possibilities and one of the better places is from Papalote Colorado in the Big Bend Ranch State Ranch, Presidio TX. The lat-lon is 29.4877°N, 104.0145°W if you want to go look it up on Topozone or Google Maps. Information on the park can be found here. There is lodging on the ranch however its not in DL79 it is actually in DL89 just by a few hundred yards, darn the luck. Because of security risks, (aka illegal aliens) law enforcement in the area had advised against any overnight outdoor activity. And since its against the law to carry self defense weapons on a state park, with that in mind the trip was put on hold
Fast forward to late 2007. I was contacted by some individuals interested in the orginal web-page wondering if I was still considering this trip. This got me thinking and talking about it again. I'm sure things have changed over the past five to six years so another recon is in order. In order to maximize the number of possible contacts I want to make this trip on one of the ARRL or CQ VHF contest week-ends.
Update 2010. What I would really like to do is operate from the corner of 30.0 N X 104.0 W. This is the corner of DL79, DL89 DM70 & DM80. Three of these are on the top five most wanted grids by contestors. I contacted the league on what it would take to operate from the crossing of 30.00 - 104.00 and claim all four grids. The league bought off on my plan and laid out the "rules" I would need to play too. Right now all I need is to make a trip to meet the property (rancher) owner lay out my plans and get permission. After that its pick a week-end and gather equipment.