R/V Xue Long heading to Antarctica.

Posted by Alberto Mattei, IT9MRM

Chinese Research Vessel XUE LONG did arrive in the port of USHUAIA  on January 25^th , to undertake an Antarctic campaign in collaboration with the Argentineans, until the Russian ship Golovnin will be ready. R/V Xue Long will carry on material and staff then will head to Antarctica.

The ship, which has been sent from the Chinese government,  left the port of  Shangai at the end of 2007, is transporting beyond 200 people who will integrate the group of Engineers to attend the Construction of a Railroad. They have previewed the widening of two permanent installations in the Chinese bases in Antarctica. Also, this collaboration with the Argentines, will serve from logistic support in order to send material, means and staff to the Argentine nearby bases. No Ham operators on board, sorry!

TNX Alberto IT9MRM

3YØE Press release 28 January 2008

Posted by Rhynhardt Louw ZS6DXB (picture on the Left)

WAP Staff would like to thank immensely the two leading men who have been able to let us having live connection with Petrus Expedition at Bouvet Island (WAP NOR-Ø2) by setting up and keeping efficent the 3YØE web site (www.3y0e.com).
Thanks though to Rhynhardt ZS6DXB & Stan SQ8X aka SQ8ADQ (picture on the Right)  for their invaluable work and thanks to all of those who did help them in keeping it always updated and in particular Volker ZS1Y. But among all of this guys we cannot forget Col MMØNDX the great  webmaster. THANKS.

The team behind 3YØE is proud to have another world first from a DX’peditition. On the 24^th of January 2008, Petrus 3YØE did an exclusive radio interview with a commercial radio station in the Falkland Islands. 3YØE.com is now proud to present you with a copy of the interview on the website. It is downloadable from: http://wyslijplik.pl/download.php?sid=VgAQz2tP .

Read last press release (28 Jan 2008) on www.3Y0E.com

TNX ZS6DXB & SQ8X

Thank you guys for the wonderful work to date.

New Map of Antarctica

Posted by: Dominik DL5EBE
Dominik wrote:
I found quite interesting news in the latest EOS edition of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) about a new map of Antarctica that provides the most geographically accurate, true-color, high resolution views of the continent to date. The Landsat Image Mosaic of Antarctica (completed by researchers from NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the British Antarctic Survey) is a realistic nearly cloudless satellite view of the continent, piecing together 1100 Landsat images.

For more details visit http://lima.usgs.gov
or http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/lima_press_conf.html
Best 73s, Dominik DL5EBE

Images can be seen at: http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/lima_multimedia.html

Astronaut Paolo Nespoli and our good friends of the Italian Air Force, met in Milano

The greatest Technical-Scientific museum in Italy  is named after Leonardo da Vinci. Situated in an old monastery, built at the beginning of the ' 500 downtown Milan, it extends on 40.000 sqm. (on the picture  L to R: T.Col. Michele Ciorra, Uslenghi Stefano, Paolo Nespoli, Marcello Tronconi).

Last January 16^th , together with the Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli there was the whole crew of the Mission Esperia STS-120 (23 October-7 November 2007): Pamela Melroy, , Clayton Anderson, Scott Parazynski, Doug Wheelock, Stephanie Wilson and George Zamka to attend a conference and a visit at Museum of Science and Technology "Leonardo da Vinci" in the city of Milan.  A right place to explain the travel of shuttle "Discovery"  and how it has caught up the ISS, international Spaces Station.

Among the audience, also a group of friends of the Italian Air Force. Next February 20^th, during the 5^th Antarctic Activity Week celebration, we will be their guests at Cameri AFB and Gallarate AFD, for a live day in an aeronautical Base with Students and Hams. II2EFA WAP-132 will operate from there, during 5^th AAW.

TNX AMI (IAF)

G7MAR/MM on board of M/S SAGA RUBY.

Posted by: Alberto  IT9MRM

John Rivers, G7MAR (ceto109@hotmail.com),  a member of the Isle Of Wight Amateur Radio Society G3SKY,  is the Chief Electrical Officer on board of M/S SAGA RUBY  sailing in a tour started in Southampton last 5th January. For the Antarctic Chasers it is nice to know that this trip round South America will include some spots in the Antarctica as reported below:

Falkland Islands - February 13

Arctowski, Antarctica - February 15. (Arrive 10:00, depart 18:00).

Waterboat Point, Antarctic Peninsula - February 16.

Port Lockroy, Goudier Island - February 16

Half Moon Island, Antarctic Peninsula - February 18

Ushuaia, Argentina - February 20.

Puerto Montt, Chile - February 24.

Equipment onboard:- Icom 718 @ 35 watts for HF,a modified G5RV to fit the space. (I have just purchased a vertical 40metre whip "for Marine use" this will eventually replace the G5RV as it was not designed for Sea going conditions)I have MFJ 945 matcher. If you want to see my location at any time , check www.purplefinder.com . Log in sagarose password sagarose, select fleet list, its fairly accurate.Thanks goes out to all those stations who work me as I travel.  QSL via BUREAU. More info on QRZ.COM

TNX G7MAR & IT9MRM 

M/S Saga Rose (Former Names: Gripsholm/ Sagafjord) is a stylish traditional ship, well built in 1965  for long distance cruising, and refitted last 2003 has a gross tonnage of  24528 and can accommodate 620 passengers assisted by 350 crew  personnel; officers are British.  Saga cruises is a company which provides holidays for those over fifty.

Mika OJ1ABOA (WAP FIN-Ø1)still active!
Posted by: Malcolm Johnson VK6LC

I did work OJ1ABOA Mika operating from Aboa Base this morning (Jan.23)  time 23:51UTC 14.160 SSB.

He was calling CQ and had 59 signals here. This also surprised me calling CQ CQ not very many takers, although I did hear many USA and SA stations calling him 5 up. He did say I was his 1st VK contact.

QSL his home call OH2FFP and will be departing Antarctica in approx 1 week from today.

Mal VK6LC

R1ANP Progress Base WAP RUS-11 & R1ANC Vostok Base WAP RUS-13

Posted by: Dominik DL5EBE

Dominik wrote:
I was asked by several people about who was the operator of the recent activities at R1ANP (Progress) and R1ANC (Vostok) and if I were handling the QSL cards. According to Oleg, UA1PBA, from ALCI in Capetown these operations were done by Wally Mykitenko's (RU1ZC) son Aleksej, UA1ZCK. QSL therefore shall be directed to RU1ZC at:

VALENTIN  MYKITENKO
PGCH 2-1
ST. LOPARSKAYA ZIP 184340 , RUSSIA.
73s, Dominik DL5EBE

R/V Georg Ossian Sars, (naval call-sign LMEL)  in Antarctica.

Posted by: Alberto Mattei  IT9MRM

This is the new Norwegian Scientific Research Ship, assembled in 2003. For the first time it is sailing  Antarctic waters for a research mission that will touch several Antarctic areas. Left  last January 3^rd from Montevideo it will remain in Antarctica until the half of February than it will head to Capetown  for a short pause. R/V Georg Ossian Sars will leave anchor on February 19^th and it returns in the Antarctic zone to remain until March 1^st. It will re-enter to Walwis Bay (Namibia) around March 28^th  to be ready to return back to Bergen (Norway) on March 31^st,  where is expected to arrive on May 11^th . Currently it has been reported off  the North coasts  of South Georgia Is.

No Ham operators on board, sry!

TNX Alberto, IT9MRM

YB4IPY(WAP-134) from Indonesia

Posted by Imam YB4IR

In this week (I hope until 1 month) the propagation is open in 40mts from YB land to Europe Area. I did try CQ DX on 40m yesterday with YB4IR and I have pile ups from EU Stations, than I change my Call sign to Special call from YB4IPY. 

Starting to day I will active in low band (40M) with first call YB4IR until pile ups conditions and then use YB4IPY for special call. This is my plan for WAP chasers and if possible you can also give this information to all IPY team.

73 de Imam YB4IR

Discovering Polar Ship

Chilean M/V Lientur

Last 8 of January marked the  Sixty first Anniversary of the historical date corresponding to 1947, when by mandate of the Supreme Chilean Government the frigate "Iquique" weighed anchor course to Antarctica, followed by the transport ship  "Angamos".

Captain, Federico Guesalaga Toro with the enthusiasm of his crews, led one of the most important missions developed by Chilean Navy in the middle of XX century which opened the historical route towards Antarctica.

Later on, scientific naval bases were built and transports continued with the dowries of the frigate "Covadonga", transports "Pínto" and "Brown Pilot", oil tankers "Maipú" and "Rancagua", Oceanographic Ship "Yelcho", the patrol crafts "Lautaro", "Lientur" and "Leucotón" and other units, that next to icebreaker "Admiral Viel", have fulfilled memorable days to the service of science, logistic, and rescues.

Patrol ship Lientur (Ex- USS. IT TIES. 177, of the Maricopa Class, constructed in shipyards Levingstone Shipbuilding Co, Orange Texas) was sent to the water the 5^th  June of 1944. Acquired the 29^th  September of 1947, it arrived at Chile on the 2^nd  February 1948.

In 1959, while servicing around the Chilean Antarctic Territory, it underwent a fire that was choked. Nevertheless, as consequences of this accident two sailors died and the ship had to be put under extensive repairs, being totally recovered M/V Lientur was back in service.

On 29  May of 1986 alienation of M/V Lientur was authorized by the Government and  it was dismantled in 1991.

Some Old Timers around the world, have a precious QSL of CE9AY/MM operating in 1962 from onboard of M/V Lientur; Lanny W5BOS is one of them!

CE9AY/MM is loaded on the WAP Antarctic QSL Gallery, in Maritime Mobile /MM specific Album.

TNX IT9MRM & W5BOS

Antarctica bases & DXpedition tribute compilation

Posted by: Rob PA3GVI

HI WAP

I did start to make some video's and one of them is a 5 minutes compilation about the Bases and DXpeditions in the Antarctica area. I thought you might enjoy seeing  the movie! You can find it on the WAP Video Gallery (left side of this page) or just here:

 http://sitekreator.com/pa3gvi/weblog_2008.html

Or alternatively on youtube:

 www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pa3gvi

73 and enjoy the hobby, take care. Rob PA3GVI

Rob Aartman is a very creative Ham friend. Time ago he set up a page on his web site, that gives the opportunity to get to know HAM-RADIO operators and SWL'-ers.  Hams interviewed  did all answer the same 10 questions about our fascinating hobby.  Just click on a picture to find out what they have to say at:

http://sitekreator.com/pa3gvi/ham_interview.html

Thanks so much to Rob for his excellent job! Visit his website at:
http://sitekreator.com/pa3gvi/main_page.html 

A Church in the icy Continent

Our dream in Portuguese language.

Thanks to Father João Sartori, the “Mensageiro de Santo Antonio” did publish on its January 2008 issue,  3 pages about the project of build a Church in Antarctica at the Italian base Mario Zucchelli.

Father João, said the “Mensageiro de Santo Antonio” is published in 10 different languages, let’s hope it will be retaken in other Countries and let’s hope the dream comes trough the bureaucracy and became one day a reality!

More information available by clicking at Church in Antarctica, from the home page of this web site.
Thanks  to Father João Sartori

OJ1ABOA By:  Mika Kalakoski
Mika is becoming active again from the Finnish station ABOA, WAP FIN-Ø1, expecting to be there till the end of February. He says  it really looks like winter outside. Will WC6DX, did ask Mikka today about a possible activity from the Swedish WASA Base (WAP SWE-Ø4). He says there is nobody at the WASA Base  right now, that they will return to WASA at the end of January, and he is waiting for an answer from them. TNX WX6DX & OM5MF for picture. 

QSL for OJ1ABOA via OH2FFP, at:

Mika Kalakoski

Naapurintie 3 B 10
00940 Helsinki, FINLAND

Wilkins Runway –Australia (WAP AUS-NEW)

After several others airstrip built  in Antarctica, a brand new one is hosting  on the icy Continent: Wilkins Runway, named after the Antarctic pioneer Sir Hubert Wilkins who did fly over the icy cap 79 years ago. The Runway has just welcomed the first fly of Airbus A319: Fly FA17 from Hobart, landing in Antarctica last January 13^th.

The new Australian jet service will not be open for turist flight and will not allow commericial flight from any country to land at this scientific air strip.

TNX Mal VK6LC &  Didier F5NZO

Wilkins Runway 4,000 metre long snow capped blue-ice airstrip is  located about 70 Km from Casey Base at 66° 41' 22" South,  111° 29 09" East in the Upper Petersen Glacier. This Aussie jet service will serve as the Antarctic terminal for the intercontinental air facility and will operate as a “Certified Aerodrome” under the approval of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

The intercontinental A319 flights will connect with the intra-continental services currently operated between Casey, Davis and Mawson Bases.

While waiting some HF operation from there , Wilkins Runway will be add to the WAP WADA Antarctic Directory  on the 2008’s issue. 

Pictures and details of WRW at:
http://www.aad.gov.au/default.asp?casid=21887 .

More  about the fly at:
http://www.skytraders.com.au/antarctica.html

Video of the landing of first Airbus A319 flight at Wilkins Runway is available at:
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=5931057&ch=4226722&src=news

Russian Icebreaker  “Vasily Golovnin” in Antarctica

Posted by: Alberto Mattei IT9MRM

In consequence to the problem occurred last year to the Argentine navy's flagship Icebreaker Almirante Irizar after it caught fire in the South Atlantic at 140 nautical miles from Puerto Madryn , the incoming Argentinean Antarctic Campaign will use the Russian Icebreaker  “Vasily Golovnin” (see picture to the right). Vasily Golovnin will be operational from Ushuaia Naval Base next month of February 2008 to the Antarctic Vicecomodoro Marambio Station by the support of the Argentinean Polar Ship ARA Suboficial Castillo.

Let’s hope about a possible /MM operation from onboard of Vasily Golovnin perhaps by some Ham friends from Ushuaia!

Almirante Irizar will need nearly 3 years work to fix up the damages caused by fire.

TNX Alberto, IT9MRM

1956: Recalls of Antarctic winters, told us by a veteran: LU1YU/LU7ZD

Helmut Stillger, LU1YU has recently sent us several Antarctic QSL to fill our WAP Gallery and among them, he told us a bit of his experience down there in the Ice.
Helmut wrote:

In 1956 I spent my first winter in Antarctica, assigned to Base General San Martin (WAP ARG-Ø8) on Margarita Bay. There, I got my first HAM licence  as LU7ZD (See my card here on the right). Four years later, in 1960 I did it again on the same place, Base San Martin. On the way on,  the ice did stop our Icebraker and we had to remain 10 days on board few miles from the coast of Adelaide Island, hoping  the wind change and rough sea help us to break the 3mts tickness of ice. So we have been forced to reach the base,  with 2 helicopters to put equipments and buildings  on safe and returning back with a broken propeller blade of the icebreaker. For 3 years the Base did remain closed.

In 1979, Helmut went to the Scientific Base Almirante Brown (WAP ARG-Ø2) for another season and since then, he continue to keep calling and love Antarctica.

TNX LU1YU

A good way to keep Antarctic interest alive: by MØOXO

GBØANT will be on air as part of Antarctic Week 2008 from 11th to 29th Feb and has a reference number of WAP-072.

GB4IPY will be on air as part of International Polar Year 2008 from 1st to 16th March and has a reference number of WAP-098.

All Bands that are open will be worked on CW, SSB and Digital. All QSLs should be via M3ZYZ Direct or Bureau, all details on Qrz.Com (Skeds or QSL requests by email welcomed). TNX MØOXO
Charles MØOXO would like to thank all stations worked last Year totalling 11,507 contacts! He hopes to have a good run this Year as now there is a new Award available, details on his website at www.charlesm0oxo.piczo.com 

OE3KTA SK- Posted by Gus OE3SGA

OE3KTA Karl, became a Silent Key on December 16th last year after a long and difficult illnes. Karl was mostly QRV on 10 meters hunting IOTA and DX.
Recently  our authority had send permission  OE3KTA/AAW  (WAP-87)  for the coming AAW. Karl was always happy and friendly with everyone. "We will miss him very much."
Members of ADL 316 (Austrian District Locator) 73, Gus OE3SGA

Gus, very sad news! Please extend our sympathizes with Karl’s family from all friends at the WAP community

WAP Staff