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 a couple of years prior to that 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 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. Because of work there is no way I can do any of the June / July or September 2008 contests. Besides, I need to make another recon because what I would like to do is operate from the crossing of 30.00 - 104.00. This is the corner of DL79, DL89 DM70 & DM80. Three of these are on the top five most wanted grids by VHF contestors. I have contacted the league and have been laying out a plan to operate from this position and allowing all contacts to get credit for all four grids.
My current contribution to the trip is the following. Rigs; FT-100; FT-736 (50/144/222/430 all mode) but no amplifiers. Antennas; 3 ele yagi for 50MHz and a 10 ele yagi for 144MHz I also have KB6KQ loops for 50/144/222/430 but these will produce limited results from this grid. I'm trying to get a small tower trailer built to use and I have a 50' push-up pole and numerous lengths of feedline and some other accesories. I also have access to one of those 10' X 20' canopy's that we could set up to operate from.
I don't want to make, nor can I afford, this trip alone so if you are interested in being a part contact me at mike@ka5cvh.com and there is a discussion group at rare grids.