Hey and welcome. I apologize for not creating a post for new folks earlier; I was waiting for folks to ask for help. So no worries.
Getting Started With BattleTechI recommend downloading the following products:
1) BattleTech Primer:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/c3v8b0pm97qv45z/BattleTech_Primer.pdf/fileThis is a short fluff guide to get you back into the swing of things
2) BattleMech Manual:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/ddqwa9uqmtbr2nq/BattleMech+Manual+Open+Beta.pdfThis is the basic version of the current Total Warfare rulebook which focuses on BattleMech combat (leaving out vehicles and aerospace units), and will get you up to speed on the rules changes (mercifully few) which have been implemented since the olden days.
3) Solaris Skunkwerks:
http://www.solarisskunkwerks.com/downloadsThis is the most up-to-date Mech design program out there, and will allow you to search for any Mech created between 1984 and 2016-ish, and print a record sheet for it. Super handy in putting forces together.
4) MegaMek:
http://megamek.info/This is a computer version of BattleTech, straight up, no changes. Java-based, you can play online or against an AI (enable the "PrincessBot"; it's the better choice), to get practice games in.
5) Technical Readout 3039:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/f6z8a4va4l5i4ur/TRO+3039.pdfThe most pertinent technical readout to our current campaign, which is taking place in the 3040s and will eventually move beyond them. If ya'll have forgotten, TROs make great "fun" reading material on their own.
You can see our game dates posted in the Game Dates forum; there'll be an RSVP thread go up shortly, which will include information on where we'll be playing as we search for a new home with the closing of GTM.
If you want to see information on the current campaign, go down to "Have Mech, Will Travel" and explore there. Contract Logs are previous contracts the Cincy mercenary unit have completed. The stickied threads in the main forum include the campaign rules and pertinent information. Please don't be afraid to ask questions if you have any. We hope to see you guys pop out to play!