[LCC] DXpedition to EL58

[Marshall Williams]

Hello to everyone in the LCC.....There is a new award for 6M 
operators....the FFMA(Fred Fish Memorial Award).  This award is an "all 
or nothing" award and requires working and confirming all of the 488 
grids in the contennential US. 

There is a little bit of land in EL58 down south of New Orleans where 
the mouth of the Mississippi empties into the Gulf of Mexico.  There is 
not much land there and it is hard to get to....you need a boat....a 
decent sized boat.  Needless to say, this is a very rare grid.  Many, 
many of the leaders for this award need EL58, so if we go there, we will 
be very popular fellows. 

Bill, K5YG, and I are considering the possibility of activating that 
grid for 7-10 days.  The dates are not yet decided, but for me something 
between 27 June and 12 July would be optimum.  The reason that I am 
considering those dates is that these dates are in the prime of the Es 
season.  This period is between the ARRL VHF Contest and the CQ VHF 
contest.  We do NOT want to do this during a contest.  We want to be on 
the air when everyone is focused on working EL58. 

If any of the club members are interested in this project, please write 
me off the reflector....probably should copy Bill, K5YG, as 
well....K5YG at aol.com.

There was an HF DXpedition to EL58 some years ago.  They set up at the 
old lighthouse down there.  While we cannot use the lighthouse itself, 
we should be able to setup nearby(??). 

Some have suggested that only a large crew type boat would work.  We 
could anchor way off the beaten path, install the antennas on the boat, 
and use the boat's generators.  The problem here is that the cost of 
such boats is $2300 per day!!!!  If any of the club members have any 
ideas, we are listening up....Your ideas are welcome.  Thanks....73 
Marshall K5QE