[Mldxcc] FD Update

[Jim Venneman]

Hi Folks,
Well - it looks like an MLDXCC FD event is going to happen after all, just not on Peddler Hill this year. After meeting with the guys in Truckee yesterday, we will use MLDXCC as our club affiliation for the FD event on Martis Peak. Stations will be set up in a fire lookout station located on the peak, from which the view in all directions is breath-taking. Martis Peak is located above Lake Tahoe, just off Hwy 267, at an elevation of 9,000+ feet. MLDXCC members participating, at the moment, include myself, KF6T, N6XI, WK6I, and WC6H. Other non-club participants, at the moment, include W6EU, K6NV, and KI6ESK. I think there are others, just not exactly sure of the callsigns yet.
The FD effort this year will be in Class 2A using callsign K6NV for the primary stations. Not sure what the callsign will be yet for the GOTA station. We will be on all bands 80-2 meters using K3s for all three HF stations. Antennas will be a C-3 for 20 meters, Jack's 2-element beam on 15, a very long (300+ feet) Windom type antenna for 40 [which shows 9 dbi gain on the computer, by the way], our trusty 80 meter sloper, and small beams for 6 & 2 meters.  
To get to the FD site from I-80, take the Hwy 267 turnoff that goes from Truckee to Kings Beach. After passing the Northstar Ski Resort complex, the road starts to go uphill towards Brockway Summit. Just before you get to the summit (about 1/2 mile or so) there is a paved Forest Service road on the left which leads up to Martis Peak. I'm not sure if it is marked with any signs yet. The road is narrow, but paved all the way to the peak. There are two gates on this road, both of which will be open. If you are coming in from the south, you need to take Hwy 267 north from Kings Beach and then turn right onto the Forest Service road just as you start coming down the hill from Brockway Summit. It will be the only available right turn that you will see. We may have 2 meter talk-in capabilities - I'll have more info on that later.
If you want to participate in FD and don't see your callsign above, or I have not contacted you, please let me know.  Setup for FD starts next Friday afternoon. The main group is meeting in Truckee at 8 AM to finalize last minute details before heading up the hill to start setting up the stations and antennas.
Jim  -WX6V-