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 | | 10/03/2010
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Antarctic Philatelic Gallery on WAP
 Just to remind the WAP visitors that on the WAP Antarctic QSL Gallery (at the bottom of the QSL albums) there are 3 Albums dedicated to Antarctic Philatelic:
-Envelopes Post Marks and Covers
-IGY & IPY Emissions
-Antarctic Stamps
We have just uploaded some of the recent IPY emissions from different Countries.
This Antarctic Philatelic Gallery is nor really a huge one, but all the stamps are coming from the support and cooperation from Antarctic friends & chases… you know, we are a great family! Thanks you all.
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| | 09/03/2010
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On The Antarctic Sun's new issue
Collision course
Massive iceberg spawns second giant berg after banging away at glacier tongue
 An iceberg the size of Rhode Island collided with the Mertz Glacier Tongue last month, spawning a second berg nearly as big. The Moderate resolution imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured the event, as pictured above and at below right. The original iceberg, called B9, broke from the Ross Ice Shelf in 1987. It took the massive iceberg more than two decades to drift slowly out of the Ross Sea and along the coast to the Mertz Glacier in East Antarctica. Along the way, it broke apart, one segment becoming the massive B-09B iceberg that collided with the glacier tongue. More on this new issue of The AntSun.
Thanks and credit to: The Antarctic Sun & Peter Rejcek, Editor,
The Antarctic Sun, U.S.Antarctic Program, Raytheon Polar Service
Just to remind the WAP visitors that The Antarctic Sun is available here by a simple click on the AntSun banner to the right from WAP home page.
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| | 07/03/2010
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 Discovering Antarctica.
Hallett Station, WAP MNB-08
72° 18' 50" South, 170° 12' 30" East
On 29 December 1956 the US ships Northwind and Arneb landed at Cape Hallett to establish a New base. Over 8000 Adélie penguins were removed from the site and a net erected to prevent their return. The base was completed in February 1957 and along with living spaces included a balloon-inflating building, geomagnetic huts and an aurora observation tower. Cape Hallett was the location of a joint scientific base between the United States and New Zealand during the International Geophisical Year of 1957, and was manned permanently until 1964, when there was a major fire.  It was then used as a summer only base until 1973. The site is currently being remediated by removing hazardous materials: fuel, and oil stored in several large tanks. 1 November 1957 saw the first aircraft landing at Hallett by DC3 and the first sanctioned science investigation, the New Zealand Geological Survey Antarctic Expedition began. Joint United States/New Zealand support for the base continued after IGY due to the scientific significance of the area. The station was supplied principally by sea until October 1961 when a ski-equipped LC130 landed on the ice.
On Christmas Day 1962 Hallett had its first fire, which destroyed a Jamesway hut housing scientific specimens and a woodworking shop. After this a permanent fire watch was instituted. A second fire on 6 March 1964 destroyed the science building and aurora tower. The three New Zealanders who slept there escaped, however the fire raised questions about the future of the base. The station converted to summer-only operations under United States management after the 1964 winter. The base continued to support New Zealand events including the1967/68 Mt Herschel expedition led by Sir Edmund Hillary.
The need for Hallett Station declined as baseline data was acquired and long-range aircraft became available. In 1973, after six summer seasons the base was abandoned, although  buildings, equipment and stores remained for future use. The base was never reoccupied except as an emergency shelter.
Human impacts on the local environment were significant at Hallett due to the proximity of the penguin colony. Attempts were made to minimize the impact by avoiding nesting sites and limiting vehicle traffic. Clean-up began from 1984 to 1986 when parties demolished and burnt buildings, dumped rubbish on the sea ice and returned items to Scott Base. Several wannigans, fuel stores, a 100, 000 gallon fuel tank and debris remained. To encourage penguins to return to the base site, nesting mounds were constructed. In 2001 a joint United States/New Zealand team carried out an environmental site assessment, which led to a multi-year remediation plan for the station site and surrounding area.
Last 17 Febr.2010 On the web site of Antarctic NZ, we did read that Cape Hallet Station removal has been completed.
With the arrival of the M/V Italica at Lyttelton today, the removal of rubbish from Cape Hallett Station is complete.
Over 30-31 January the remnants of the US/NZ Hallett Station were removed by helicopter to the MV Italica.  Some of the items removed earlier have found a permanent home at Canterbury Museum. The current load of 18 000kg, the bulk of it comprising steel from the large fuel tank, completes the removal of all traces of the station which was operational between 1957 and 1973.
Clean-up began in 1984 and in 2001 a joint US/NZ team carried out an environmental site assessment, which led to a multi-year remediation plan for the station site and surrounding area. More information on Cape Hallett Station can be found at:
http://www.scottbase50years.co.nz/history/hallett/gallery/hallett06.htm .
Thanks and credit to both web sites reported on this article.
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| | 03/03/2010
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One more comment about the 7th AAW
Posted by Bob, K4MZU-K4K
 Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed operating K4K for AAW. Thanks to all who called in. The pileups were heavy but orderly and I think with all the WAP stations activity it has encouraged the interest in Amateur Radio activity in Antarctica. Fortunately the band conditions were excellent as K4K was able to work 45 of the special calls listed on the 7th AAW web site page. Please keep up the great work with the WAP and look forward to next year's 8th AAW.
Ciao and 73 de Bob K4MZU op.K4K
Now, as every year, Nuccio I0YKN (Manager of WAP-ASEA Award) i0ykn.nuccio@alice.it , will set a list of the Stations that have operated special calls during the AAW. The top one, the one who has made the highest number of QSO will be awarded with a special plaque. Operators are requested to send I0YKN their total number of QSOs made.
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| | 27/02/2010
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New Zealand Sub-Antarctic sites
 The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consist of five island groups in the Southern Ocean. This southernmost groups are also known as the New Zealand Outlaying islands which are collectively designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This group of islands include:
Snares Islands …....48°02'S, 166°35'E
Bounty Islands …... 47°45'S, 179°03'E
Antipodes Islands .. 49°41'S, 178°48'E
Auckland Islands …. 50°45'S, 166°05'E
Campbell Islands …. 52°33'S, 169°09'E.  The nominated World Heritage site includes the entire land and sea area comprising the five island groups and extending up to the 12 nautical mile territorial sea limit. No permanent scientific research station, but huts are available for visiting scientists on several of the islands. Research focuses on vegetation regeneration (following cattle and sheep eradication), visitor impact monitoring, marine monitoring, sea lions, seabird census and translocation of threatened bird species.
Picture hereby shows the existing Castaway Hut on Antipodes Island which has been used so far as a base for scientific studies and researches.
We are now looking for pictures or maps showing other huts on Bounty Islands and on Snares Islands.
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| | 21/02/2010
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IR1SMG WAP-173 @ 7th AAW
 The operation recalls the famous “Santuario Madonna della Guardia”, that’s is the meaning of SMG suffix. What’s the connection from Antarctica and SMG?
Well, “Santuario Madonna della Guardia” located on the top of a mountain, near Genova, is the place from where, our project to build a little Church in Antarctica, was presented for the first time to Pope Benedictus XVI during his visit to the Sanctuary. (see the dedicated Church in Antarctica section, available from the WAP site home page.)
Building a little chapel at the Italian Base Mario Zucchelli, remains out top challenge and let’s say that’s one of the purpose , hidden inside our heart, of the Antarctic Activity Week as well. IR1SMG, WAP-173 is operated by IZ1GJK and IZ1HKE. This special call will be also activated in the months of May and August when pilgrims come to the Sanctuary to celebrate the “Apparition’s Fest”.
TNX IZ1GJK
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| | 20/02/2010
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LAKE VANDA STATION, WAP NZL-NEW
 The Lake Vanda station (New Zealand) is one of the oldest long term camps in the Dry Valleys. Over the last four decades a lot of research in many disciplines has based out of its little Hut. Just wondering if any Ham's activity has never been made from there.
Lake Vanda was the site of a small New Zealand station occupied from 1968 to 1995, when it was removed due to concerns over rising lake levels. The occupation of Vanda Station and associated activities had resulted in disturbance by trampling and vehicle movement, excavations and erection of buildings, storage of consumables, accidental spills and waste disposal. In the first two years of operation some dry wastes were burnt and all liquid wastes were poured onto the ground adjacent to the station. These wastes included grey water, urine, used photo chemicals and some battery acid. From 1970 all solid and liquid waste except strained grey water was removed from the Wright Valley. Strained grey water continued to be dumped on the ground until 1993. Removal of the station, comprising eight buildings and able to accommodate 14 people, took over 180 person days and 70 helicopter hours to complete. Buildings and a large amount of contaminated soil and painted rocks were removed. The biggest fear was that the lake, which is highly valued for science, would be contaminated. Sampling and analysis of the lake water and algae was conducted for several years after the station was removed to make sure this was not occurring. Information are available on:
http://antarcticanz.dev.e2-media.co.nz/environment/2592 , more and pic at:
http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/13606/ .
Just wondering why any ZL5 station has been heard from Antarctica since many years now! We are always hope that among the so many equipments, personnel and researchers going every year in Antarctica, some Ham, can join to prove that HAM radio is still a reality in ZL!
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| | 19/02/2010
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VP8DMH, Rothera Base WAP GBR-12
 Mike Clark MØPRL is the Wintering Communications Manager at Rothera Research station for 2009 - 2010 campaign. The station has a 900 m (2,950 ft) crushed rock runway, with an associated hangar and bulk fuel storage facility, and a wharf for the discharge of cargo from supply ships. This Base can be reached either by ship or through use of an intercontinental Dash-7 aircraft flying from the Falklands. Mike, who’s callsign is VP8DMH, seems to enjoy working HF DX when he gets the chance! QSL for VP8DMH has to be requested to: G0VGS, Ian J Maude, 21 Colwyn Ave, Morecambe, England
The summer operation are practically ending by the end of February and after the busy summer activity at Rothera, where radios are primarily being used for aircraft operations and field-party skeds, now chances are coming. Mike got a chance to show up on the air yesterday on 20 mts SSB. Stay tuned; catch the opportunity to work DX and collect new calls and new bases, Hams wintering over in Antarctica are active!
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| | 18/02/2010
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Tracking seals, an interesting story of today!
by Lars Boheme, VP8DIF
 HI Folks, I would like to tell you a real story, to let you know how Ham radio could help in Antarctica and not only! I’m sure many of the WAP friends and readers know Lars VP8DIF and the job he’s doing sometimes of the year at Husvik Base WAP GBR-27, Antarctica.
Last January 26, 2010 at 11:07 AM, I’ve got a message from Lars (MM0DWF-VP8DIF). Lars wrote: I am Lars, VP8DIF, I’m working on South Georgia. I tag elephant seals there with little satellite transmitters. One of the seals arrived on King George Island on the 15th this month and I try to get in contact with people on the SW end of the island, e.g. the Bellinghausen Station.  Do you know of any radio amateurs, who are working there at the moment or do you have a contact down there by any chance? This is a long shot, but you never know! 73 Lars, VP8DIF
Here is the answer we sent him:
Hello Lars, happy to see you there again. Actually there are Hams at: Korean base King Sejong (on KGI) call sign DT8A e-mail ds4mnj(etc.) . About Russian Station at Bellinghausen you can eventually contact Mr. Oleg S. Shakarov (R1ANF when at Bellinghausen) and now ZS1ANF at ALCI, Cape  Town. His e-mail is r1anf(etc.) 73 Gianni I1HYW.
On Febr. 16 I did received this message from Lars:
Hello Gianni, Just for your information: My data logger dropped of the seal on King George Island and with the help of Oleg, R1ANF, I got in contact with the Bellinghausen station and they were able to retrieve the logger. Thanks for your help! Also I attached the track of this particular logger (see map at Left). 73 Lars,
For those intersted, to know more about Lars, there are pictures and description on his webpage: (http://www.lars-boehme.de/vp8dif/index.html) and also you could visit another webpage at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~savex/ to get more! TNX VP8DIF
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| | 16/02/2010
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CQ DX Field ….Another good exercise for expert DXers
 Posted by Reg VE7IG
If you wish to try another crazy exsercise, this one proposed by Reg could become the bane of your life.
Reg wrote: There hasn't been a decent field map of Antarctica, so I made this one up. The field is the first 2 letters of the grid. If you know anyone who is working on collecting fields for the CQ DX Field Award, this map is pretty valuable for that purpose!
I printed out a copy after scanning it and shaded in the fields I have confirmed. A good idea is to use a red pencil to color in the ones you have confirmed and then just cross-hatch in pencil the ones you have worked but not confirmed, to be colored in after you get the card.
Here is a list of Antarctic fields corresponding to the map. No sub-antarctic, they are not on the map. Anyone using this list should thoroughly check all coordinates using a grid/coordinate conversion program such as the one at http://www.amsat.org/cgi-bin/gridconv
Google the station to get the coordinates, then plug them in the conversion program to obtain the field (first 2 letters of the grid).
Only QSLs for contacts made 01 Jan 1980 and after count for the CQ DX Field Award.
However, there is nothing stopping WAP creating its own Antarctic Field Award and it should be any date!! Then there could be other Bases not on currently on this list in rare grids (such as Ellsworth Station).73 Reg, VE7IG
HI Reg ... that means too much work and WAP has already enough to do, but perhaps someone could be interested to play this exercise of New DX frontier, so your suggestion is always useful. If somebody need a copy of Reg's Field Map for Antarctica feel free to ask it to Gianni I1HYW varettos@tin.it or directly to Reg
TNX VE7IG
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| | 13/02/2010
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Concordia Dome “C” WAP MNB-Ø3
 Answering to the several people WW, who did ask about any possible activity from Concordia Dome “C” Station, WAP informs that there is a website http://www.concordiabase.eu/ available in different languages on choice, and also on the web a complete list of participants and their e-mail adr.
It sounds strange that among the so many researchers and personnel from several Countries that are staying there in Summer and Winter campaigns every year, no one is Ham radio operator … evidently Radio studies are not so interesting in the Antarctic fields any more , or perhaps there is not enough pressure from the Ham community to push someone to bring an equipment on. So ... try yourself too ..we did it already!
By the way, last Feb.6, the summer season at the French-Italian Station Concordia Dome "C" (WAP MNB-03) has gone and 6th winter campaign (W.O 06) did start officially on Feb.7 . On the web among the so many features, including interesting videos, you can find the list of participants to whom, WAP wish a great "winter-over"... but please ..someone take a look on HF ...so many Hams WW are anxious to work you guys!
For more views and information on Concordia Dome "C" Station, visit:
http://www.gdargaud.net/Antarctica/WinterDCe.html (always thanks Guillaume Dargaud for allowing WAP to use it)
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| | 09/02/2010
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Marion Island WAP ZAF-Ø6
 Pierre D. Tromp ZS1HF will operate from Marion Station, WAP ZAF-Ø6 signing ZS8M for a year, starting next month of April. He is taking up the position of radio/electronics technician. QSL for ZS8M is required direct to ZS1X: Mr. Dirk Lotz, 23B Dorchester Drive, Parklands, Cape Town, 7441 RSA.
Marion research station built on the eastern coast of Marion Island (46°52'34"S, 37°51'32"E), houses a weather office and a variety of research programmes. Marion Island is situated in the Southern Atlantic ocean on the so called Peri-Antarctic area.
When writing to WAP, Pierre s aid:
Good to meet you! Yes, I am on my way to Marion Island as the radio-electronics technician.
Please give me a few day to get you a nice information document of the trip. I will stay in contact with you and update you.
Attached is photo on me with the SA Agulhas. This ship takes us to our Island. I will also making arrangements for /MM operation, but no promises. Will do my best to arrange it. I have to get permission from the captain of SA Agulhas. 73 Pierre D. Tromp, ZS1HF
While wishing Pierre all the very best numbers for the incoming experience down South, we thank him immensely for sharing News & Information with us.
TNX ZS1HF-ZS8M
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| | 06/02/2010
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IIØMETEO at the 7th Antarctic Activity Week
 Italian Air Force Base “Mario De Bernardi” is located at Pratica di Mare near Rome. This is the greatest Italian military airport and the second Air Base in Europe for largeness. It is a Center of several IAF units, amongst which we cite the most important ones: Experimental Flight Unit (with 311th Flight  Group), 14th Flock (with 8th and 71st Flight Groups) and 15th CSAR Flock (combat SAR). On the same IAF Base, stands the National Center of METEOROLOGY and AERONAUTICAL CLIMATOLOGY (CNMCA). The weather station of Pratica di Mare is the main reference unit for the IAF Meteorological service and for World-wide Meteorological Organization, therefore the site from where Meteorologists are studying and acquiring practice to leave for Antarctica during the Italian Research  expeditions at MZS Station.
Thanks to the General Staff of the IAF Gen. BA Daniele Tei , to Col. Costante De Simone Commander of CNMCA and the Official Commanders of Pratica di Mare AFB who granted permission and support, a group of referenced Italian Hams representing WAP-Worldwide Antarctic Program, will operate from inside the Base during the 7th AAW using a special callsign IIØMETEO (WAP-190) just issued by the Ministry of Communications.
Operators will be: IK2IWU Carlo, I1HYW Gianni, IW2MNO Marcello, IK1MDF Lorenzo, IZ8EWB Gian Luigi, and IK5DEZ Maurizio. QSL via IK2IWU
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| | 03/02/2010
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 Samson Island Hut, WAP AUS-NEW
Samson Island is a little island just off the edge of the Amery Ice shelf at 69°42’ South , 73° 44' East.
The island is about 1 hour helicopter flight to the Australian Davis Base, even if it is more near to the Russian Progress II Base & the Chineese Zhongshan Base . There is a Hut on it, which stands close to a refueling depot used by the Australians. 
Samson Island Depot Hut, located at Princess Elizabeth Land, Ingrid Christensen Coast , Amery Ice shelf, Pryzd Bay, has been added to the WAP WADA Directory and shown on the last new release available since Jan. 2010.
On the mean time, we hope someone ... possibly operating from Davis Base could try to operate from there to activate this AUS-NEW ONE.
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| | 31/01/2010
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Approaching the 7th Antarctic Activity Week
 See you from 22 to 28 Febr. 2010!
Got e-mail from friends...This is the QSL for TM7WAP, WAP-185, QSL via F8DHE.If you want to put it on the homepage on WAP website and of course in WAP QSL Gallery, it will be with great pleasure. Best regards, and good W-E. 73' de F8DHE Pierre
AO6ANT WAP-189 will be active all Bands 160 to 10 m SSB/ CW / RTTY. Team is composed by EA6DD & EA6AEZ. QSL Manager EA6AEZ via bureau or direct. 73’ de EA6EAZ Jaime
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| | 27/01/2010
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R1ANP, Progress Station WAP RUS-11
 Mikhail Fokin RW1AI is currently very active operating from Progress Station; he will remain there until the end of 2010. It’s easy to find him on 10 Mhz CW almost every evening. He has a log on line at http://www.qsl.net/ua1ake/logs/ where he has logged all the contacts made from his different callsign used since more then 10 years now.
So you can find Logs on line for:
R1AND Novolazarevskaya Base, WAP RUS-Ø9, from 3 May 1999 to 24 Dec 1999
R1ANP Progress Station WAP RUS-11, from 3 Jan 2000 to 14 Mar 2000
R1ANT Mirny Base, WAP RUS-Ø7, from 12 March 2005 to 3 January 2006
RW1AI/ANT Vostok Base, WAP RUS-13, from 8 Feb 2002 to 24 Jan 2003
R35NP North Pole 35, from 20 Sep 2007 to 12 July 2008
His actual R1ANP Log on line is updated almost every day or so.
QSL have to be requested to either direct or via bureau to RW1AI:
Mikhail Fokin
pr. Solidarnosti, 10-1-359
St.Petersburg, 193312 RUSSIA
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| | 26/01/2010
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R1ANH - Russkaya Base (WAP RUS-12)
Icebreaker Akademic Fedorow is anchored at 74° 36’S, 136° 48’W, just in front of Russian Russkaya Base (WAP RUS-12). According to our Russian Information source, R1ANH will  be there till 28 Jan.
Posted by K4MZU
I saw Alex's ship tracked into Russkya yesterday and was hoping he would show up.
Posted by Reg, VE7IG
R1ANH showed up on 20m CW this evening at the end of 20m propagation but I managed a CW contact. Then he went to SSB with W6KH and R1ANB and after their QSOs I managed a SSB QSO. He is located at Russkaya Station. QSL for R1ANH is via RN1ON (operator Alex
The Russkaya Station (opened on March 9, 1980, closed on March 12, 1990. See picture above) is situated in the Berks Cape (Hobs shore) in the point with coordinates 74° 46'S and 136° 52' W at the altitude of 124 m above sea level.
TNX and credit to: http://south.aari.nw.ru/stations/russkaya/russkaya_en.html
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| | 25/01/2010
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Maitri Base (WAP IND-Ø3) up-date.
Research activities at Maitri Base are running according to  the schedule and the over wintering team is now approaching next 9 Febr. when a flight from Novo Runway (WAP MNB-Ø6) will bring last group of 5 Indians back home after 16 months in Antarctica. On the same flight, members from Neumayer, Halley and other Station’s Team will leave Antarctica.
The 29 IAE Scientific Team at the command of Dr. P. Elango will be ready to meet a second Indian Team , the one under the command of Dr. Rajesh Asthana at Larsemann Hills, involved in assembling of the new Indian Bharti Station also going to stop the activities at Larsemann because of the incoming Austral winter season. After all this duty, the actual Team at Maitri will work to improve their Communication system and starting the long polar night with the research and tests as planned.
On the Ham radio wise Bhagwati Prasad, Communication Officer at Maitri will keep his free time devoted to Worldwide Ham community, trying to work as many as possible mostly on 20 mts SSB, in order to give everyone a chance to work Antarctica, particularly the new young Hams who will have a good opportunity to do it for the first time. He will use his Special Call AT1ØBP as well as his personal callsign VU3BPZ and when conditions will get little better VU2DMT Dr. Kumar will join him as well. The new wide band antenna is coming shortly and that will probably help for a better signal.
Suggested frequency are 14.180 & 14.225 MHz around 16:00 to 18:00 UTC for EU and 20:00-24:00 UTC for NA & the rest of the world. WAP and Russian WFF will donate the QSL cards which are going to be printed shortly. Don’t forget that QSL cards will not be delivered before the end of 2010.
TNX VU3BPZ-AT1ØBP
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| | 24/01/2010
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QSLs … better late then never!
Posted by Gianni I1HYW
 Today I have received my ZD9IR QSL (Gough , WAP ZAF-Ø5), for a contact made in the year 2002. That really surprised me as it was one of the so many cards for which I had almost lost my hopes. In the envelope, there was a sheet signed by ZS6EZ the operator and QSL Manager. On it, there is a full explanation of the reasons of delay and his apologies. I would like to share it with WAP readers; on the mean time I would like to recognize a touch of class from ZS6EZ who did prove to be a gentleman.
Here the text enclosed with my QSL:
At last!
Your QSL cards are enclosed.
You may have waited very long for these cards. Please accept my apologies. Over the past few years I have had to let amateur radio take a back seat while I built a new business, established a career as a jet pilot, wrote some books and tackled a PhD. I have made less than a dozen QSOs since 2002!
I have tried my utmost to reduce the number of people inconvenienced, and hope that I have been reasonably successful. All valid QSOs in al] the logs (except ZSSD) were confirmed via the bureau. Unfortunately, the SARL bureau did not dispatch the ZD9IR cards timeously, but I continued nagging and they finally dispatched the cards after a lengthy delay. You should, therefore, already have received a confirmation for your QSO. All direct requests were promptly handled for more than two years after the QSOs were made. All electronic logs were placed on the Logbook of the World to provide DXCC credits.
I strongly believe in sound QSLing ethics, as evidenced by well over a quarter of a million QSL cards for more than 20 callsigns that I have sent since 1980. This delay was most unfortunate, but absolutely unavoidable.
Fm hoping to again adhere to reasonable turnaround times in future.
Chris R. Burger ZS6EZ January 2010
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| | 23/01/2010
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7th AAW 22-28 Febr. 2010
While approaching the date of the 7th Antarctic Activity Week,  we thanks the stations who have sent their brand New QSL card for WAP Gallery.
So thanks to Stefan DC2SF, who wrote:
Hallo WAP, enclosed is the new QSL-Kart from DAØANT. So you can put it to the WAP-Homepage. This AAW we will be on the Air from the Club Station of the Technical High Cchool in Ulm. Hope to meet you on the Air ... 73, Stefan DC2SF.
Also congrats to Bob K4MZU, another top gun who spent years of is DX time to work Antarctica! Bob is one of the few guys to have Antarctic cards dated before 1960, just after the time of the Antarctic Epic! Well, Bob will join the 7th AAW with is brand new Special Call K4K WAP-176. Congrats to the New Entries; we know that someone else is just waiting his call to be issued to join in.
WAP … Antarctic passion lives here …. where else?
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| | 21/01/2010
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Sail Training Ship Simon Bolivar YV7BEB/MM
Posted by Alberto IT9MRM
 YV7BEB is the official call of the Sail training Ship "Simon Bolivar" of the Venezuelan Navy. It has left for the port of Rio de Janeiro for a regatta that will last until June 2010 (called “Velas South America 2010”), among many other South American ships that will participate to sail. S/S Simon Bolivar will sail Sub-Antarctic waters and touch some areas that will qualify it for WAP AWARDs , and in particular: 
Ushuaia-Argentina, from 20 to 23 March 2010, Cape Horn-Argentina, 24 March 2010, Puntas Arenas-Chile, from 27 to 30 March 2010. Operations are expected on 20, 40 and 80 meters SSB and CW.
QSL via:
Buque Escuela Simon Bolivar-Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela, PO. Box. 20.285
Zp- 1020, Caracas, Venezuela - or via Bureau.
The QSL will be answered at the re-enter of the S/S Bolivar to its belongings port in Venezuela. TNX IT9MRM
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| | 20/01/2010
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WAIS Divide Camp WAP USA-34
 Steve WB9YSD did show up this morning 20 Jan. at 03:30 on CW on 7030 CW.
Thanks to Bob K4MZU and Phil K6EID for having organized the sked. Few Europeans could made it and a lot US stations did work him. This new base is called WAIS Divide Camp and its new reference is WAP USA-34 (New-One). Location is on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide at Latitude: 79° 28’ 01”S and Longitude: 112° 05’ 06” W . Steve WB9YSD will stay there for other 3 days, so guys stay tuned!
TNX K4MZU & K6EID
Picture on top, shows a view of WAIS Divide Camp. Camp population at this point in time is 50+. There has often been 3 to 4 LC-130 flights (carrying construction materials, camp equipment, etc) per day arriving to camp from McMurdo Station.
Thanks and credit to: D. Zastrow for the pic and to:
http://www.waisdivide.unh.edu/Gallery/ImageDetail?IMAGE_ID=15 where you can see more.
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| | 19/01/2010
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Novolazarevskaya Station WAP RUS-Ø9
Posted by Dominik, R3/DL5EBE
 Please find attached a sample of the R1ANL QSL for Nick's (RW6ACM) R1ANL operation from the year 1997 - 1999 at Novolazarevskaya Station. The card can be obtained via R3/DL5EBE.
TNX R3/DL5EBE
Leningradskaya Station RUS-Ø6
There was a rumor of a possible operation by Valentin Mykitenko RU1ZC from this rare Russian Base. The Icebreaker Akademic Fedorov (RU1ZC is on board of it)  was not too far away the Antarctic Oates Coast when it stopped off the coasts of Balleny Islands at 67° 06’S., 160° 06’E. for nearly 5 days , then it did head North. Actual position is 64° 06’S, 179°30’E . After having made circle it seems it is now returning South.
The activity from Leningradskaya is still not confirmed… but perhaps…!
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| | 18/01/2010
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7th Antarctic Activity Week
 Marjan S51RU has just sent his brand new S5ØANT QSL (WAP-182) he is going to use for next 7th AAW. The Front & Rear QSL is loaded on the Antarctic QSL Gallery of WAP website.
TNX Marjan S51RU, S5ØIPY, S5ØANT.
The Special Event album has now been splitted into two. The first one contains the Antarctic SES and the other one the IPY Event's QSL cards.
We're just happy to announce that 2010 AAW's participation is massive again, and it's possible there will be more stations and several new references then last year! We are sure, everyone will get fun!
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| | 16/01/2010
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News from Nick Shapkin RK1PWA
Posted by Joe, I2YDX
 According to some interchange of information with Joe I2YDX, , Nick RK1PWA has confirmed that he is now QSL manager for R1FJL station in Arctica and also he can to help with QSL for RA9LI/Ø, Vasil from AS-086.
Nick did also anticipate that Oleg (ZS1ANF) may be QRV soon from 1 or 2 New-One bases in Antarctica , and it is confirmed that he is the QSL manager for R1ANR & R1ANR/A as well.
RK1PWA address is:
Nick Shapkin
P.O.Box 73, Amderma
Arkhangelskaja, NAO 166744 Russia
TNX I2YDX
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| | 14/01/2010
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WAIS DIVIDE Camp WAP USA-NEW
Posted by Phil K6EID
 Steve Polishinski, WB9YSD is actually operated from West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide, in a US Camp called WAIS located at longitude 112° 05’ 06” W and latitude 79° 28’ 01”S, after spending some time at McMurdo (WAP USA-22).
He is active on 20M CW and SSB. His signals are weak here so I suspect he's running low power without a good antenna, Phil said. From Steve’s web site http://www.wb9ysd.org/ we could get some more information so for example we know that Steve uses an ICOM IC-7000 with a Dentron Antenna Tuner and some dipoles mounted just above the ice. His assignment keeps Steve busy , therefore his operating time is limited.
WAIS Divide Camp will be add to WAP-WADA Directory on next release (June 2010). Thanks Phil K6IED
Actual conditions will unfortunately not allow EU to work KC4/WB9YSD , so while we’re happy for North & South America that have better chances, we will keep monitoring 20 mts bands every day. Visit Steve’s web site to get more details and pics at: http://www.wb9ysd.org/.
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| | 13/01/2010
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 Comments & pics from R1ANR/A
Just received the following e-mail from Oleg ZS1ANF:
Hello WAP
That was good fun be on bands from Troll. Unfortunately too short. Just 460 QSOs. QSL via RK1PWA, as always. There are some photos as attachments.  You may choose someone for WAP web site.
Please be informed that RK1PWA is just one QSL mng of R1ANR since November 2009. But if somebody already sent cards or will do it in future to me (ZS1ANF)in Cape Town, I will answer with pleasure. 73 Oleg
So, while we thanks Oleg Sakharov for his kindness & friendship, we remind once again to all the WAP readers that QSLs for R1ANR/A has to be sent to:
RK1PWA, P.O. Box 73, 164744 Amderma, Arkhangelskaya obl., Russia
WAP.... Antarctic passion lives here!
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| | 12/01/2009
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Chilean Base Arturo Prat WAP CHL-Ø1
 Due to some logistical changes by the Navy Ship schedule from Punta Arenas to Antarctica, the operation planned initially from 10 to 25 January (as reported on Oct. 22-2009 WAP News & Information), has to be postponed till January 26. Therefore they are expected to arrive at Prat Station, by the end of January (indicatively 30 or 31 Jan.). Radio Station will be set up on February 2nd 2010; the good news is that they will stay at the Base and working DX till the end of February around 27th or 28th, including the participation to the Antarctic Activity Week (22-28 Febr.) from WAP CHL-Ø1.
All other plans are exactly as they were communicate before.
QSL via CE5JA
Radio Club de Concepción, P.O. Box 2545, CONCEPCION CHILE
TNX www.ce5ja.cl.
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| | 10/01/2010
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Troll Station (WAP NOR-11)
Posted by Dominik R3/DL5EBE
 Following last report saying that Oleg, ZS1ANF, was QRV from the Norwegian Troll Base (WAP NOR-11) as R1ANR/A on 10103.3 kHz, Dominik has just informed us that Oleg is using his FT-897 transceiver and the wide-band 3 wire antenna of Troll station which works fine on 10 MHz. Flight back to Cape Town is scheduled for today, 10th of January 22:00 h local time (down there).
TNX Dominik R3/DL5EBE
Thanks our friend Oleg ZS1ANF for this un-expectable activation and happy for those who have got a chance to work R1ANR/A ; GL to those who still wait to catch him.
Stay tuned, there’s a lot of activity on the months of January, February & March from the Icy Continent and keep yourself informed on time at WAP web site …where else?
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| | 10/01/2010
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Leningradskaya Station (WAP RUS-06)
Posted by Dominik R3/DL5EBE
On a mail posted yesterday evening Jan 9th , Dominik wrote:
Dear friends,
 Aleksej Turkeev, UA1ZCK, who was station commander of Vostok Base, R1ANC, this past season is now on board of Akademik Fedorov. According to schedule, the ship will make a stop at Leningradskaya Base (picture to the Left) on 11th of January for about 5 days. Aleksej will have to do some maintenance work on the automatic meteo station. He will combine his duties with a short period operation of about 10 hours which will start earliest on the 12th of January. In this time he will sign R1ANL using 100 W and a vertical antenna. We will try to arrange a sked frequency as soon as we know his exact operating times.
In addition, Dominik reported that Oleg, ZS1ANF, is QRV from the Norwegian Troll Base (WAP NOR-11) as R1ANR/A on 10103.3 kHz.
Best 73s from Moscow, Dominik R3/DL5EBE.
HI Dominik, happy to have you back again with us , keep up the good work.
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| | 7/01/2010
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Argentinean Antarctic Summer Season 2009-2010 
Posted by Marambio Foundation
Republica Argentina has currently six permanent Antarctic Bases: Orkney, Marambio, Jubany, Esperanza, San Martín and Belgrano II, plus seven temporary Stations: Brown, Matienzo, Primavera, Melchior, Petrel and Deception .
 The joint Chiefs of Armed Forces, has the primary responsibility for planning, direction and execution of sustainment in Antarctic campaigns. Antarctic Summer Season 2009-2010, began the with a ceremony held at the historic ship museum "Corbeta Uruguay", which is docked in Dique 4 of Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires.
The ceremony was led by the Operational Commander of the Argentinean Armed Forces, General Daniel Camponovo, accompanied by the National Director of Antarctica, Dr. Mariano Memoli and Dr. Ariel Mansi of the Antarctic Affairs of Foreign Ministry. This year, marks number 106th Antarctic Campaign, coordinated by the Joint Operational Command, includes all operations of supply bases and logistical support to the Argentine scientific activities in Antarctica.
As in previous campaigns, Russian polar ship "Vasily Golovnin" (see pictures at Left), hired by the national government will be used to meet part of the missions being undertaken by the icebreaker ARA "Almirante Irizar" under repair after a fire in 2007. P/S Vasily Golovnin, left in late November 2009 from the port of  Vladivostok, Russia and this his third Antarctic Summer Season at Argentinean bases in Antarctica. As planned, the Russian polar ship will arrive between 14 and 15 January at the port of Buenos Aires to take charge and head to Antarctica. Golovnin is carry on board two large scale helicopters Kamov 32, which will serve the cargo from the vessel to the Antarctic coast and plateau of Marambio Base.
These activities will provide the logistical support necessary for scientific tasks provided by the National Antarctic in its annual plan. Other vehicles that participate in the campaign are the Hercules C-130, DHC-6 Twin Otter and Bell 212 helicopters, which operate from Marambio Base by  the Argentinean Air Force.
Meanwhile, the Argentina Navy is providing Polar Ship ARA Suboficial Castillo and Polar vessel ARA" Canal de Beagle that will also provide the transport.
Base Belgrano II, will be supplied through an air operation with C-130 Hercules aircraft, which will use parachutes to launch cargos, while replacement of the 19 members of the actual Team at Belgrano II, will be made by Douglas DC-3 aircraft modernized (BT-67) belonging to the South African company ALCI that will land on the snow airstrip in the vicinity of the base operated by the Argentine Army.
TNX Marambio Foundation
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| | 6/01/2010
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Pegasus Filed Antarctica, WAP USA-NEW
Posted by Bob K4MZU
 Bob wrote: I just talked with Bill KC4USV at McMurdo. We talked about Pegasus Field (see picture at Left).
He told me that the approval authority, the National Science Foundation, has granted him permission to use the call KC4USX. Williams field is  no longer used so the call goes to Pegasus Field.
The FCC has pretty much given all authority regarding KC4AAA-AAG and KC4USA-USZ call sign block to the NSF.
Not a scheduled DX-pedition but when time is permitted.
TNX Bob K4MZU and Bill K7MT
...perhaps this means that Pegasus Field could be on the air soon.. keep your finger crossed guys, time seems to be good fo a US New One!
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| | 5/01/2010
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News from Maitri Base, WAP IND-03
Posted by Bhagwati VU3BPZ/AT1ØBP
 After the snow of two days ago, people at Maitri Base are working in their normal duty, in our laboratory and outside the base where geologist are doing some studies. Our Doctor at the Base Dr. Dipak Kumar Bisvas (Ham callsign VU2DMT) is taking care of us while the Station Commander P. Elango (Geomagnetic Scientist) in the middle at picture here to the Left (VU2DMT al L and VU3BPZ at R), is very busy to manage the work and maintenance duties. Radio guy VU3BPZ Bhagwati Pd Semwal (Radio Operator at Maitri last 2004-2006 season) is trying to fix the problems affecting antennas and coax cable in order to be more efficient on HF bands.  So two Ham guys active this year at Maitri Base, VU3BPZ Communication Officer and VU2DMT Dr. Dipak will be active using their home callsign and also the special call AT1ØBP until February 2011. Shortly another antenna will come from India to replace what was damaged on last winters and with the help of propagation  we hope to work as many stations as possible. We did celebrate Christmas time and New Year’s eve all together in a very friendly atmosphere. We take the opportunity of WAP to wish all the Antarctic Chaser a wonderful 2010.
73 de VU3BPZ & VU2DMT.
QSLs for VU3BPZ, VU2DMT & AT1ØBP will be printed and donated by Russian WFF (TNX RW3GW) and WAP. QSL route is shown on QRZ .com address at AT1ØBP. If you contact Maitri base, make sure the operators got your call correctly.
Check 20 mts daily from 16:30 to 19:00 for EU and from 23:00 and ahead for NA.
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| | 4/01/2010
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New revised situation about Palmer Station, WAP USA-23
Reg, VE7IG has rebuilt the story of Palmer, crossing some documents found on the Web. So, reading what reported on http://www.palmerstation.com/history/op.html and other existing statements, the up-date of Palmer is summarize herebelow.
 USA-33 Old Palmer Station (1965-68) (New Entry)
New reference for QSOs from 1965 through 1968 with KC4AAC e KC4USP
Arthur Harbour, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago 64° 46’ S, 64° 05’W
One historical reference said that the Old Palmer buildings were erected right beside Base "N" to house the US personnel and they were allowed to use other Base "N" facilities by the British. So they lived in the buildings shown in the picture here to the Left, and used the other facilities of Base "N" (Anvers island GBR-NEW).
USA-?? Palmer Refuge (1968-1990)
Arthur Harbour, Amsler Island, Palmer Archipelago 64° 45’ 08” S, 64° 05’ 02”W.
It was designated as an emergency refuge for the new station in case of disaster, though this perceived need disappeared over time. It was dismantled and removed from the Antarctic as part of the National Science Foundation's environmental cleanup efforts in the early 1990s. It is interesting to know that Amsler Island is located off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. It was named after American marine biologists Chuck & Maggie Amsler of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  There is a triangular rocky plot of granite land, approximately 2,1 Km long and 1 km wide at its widest point. It was once thought to be part of the larger Anvers Island as the gap between the islands was covered by the Marr Ice Piedmont. Rapid recession of the ice revealed this as a separate island in 2004. The name was chosen in 2007 in recognition of Amsler’s three decades of research in the Anvers Island area.
Amsler Island was the original site of the United States Antarctic Program research base Palmer Station from 1965 until the current station approximately one- half mile away was constructed in 1968.
WAP-USA-23 Palmer Station , from 1968 till now.
for QSOs after 1968 with KC4AAC e KC4USP and others
Gamage Point, Bonaparte Point, Anvers Island. 64° 46’ 30” S, 64° 03’ 042 W. (see picture at the Right)
TNX VE7IG
This situation is now reported on the new release of WAP-WADA Directory on-line from today.
WAP ...where else?
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| | 3/01/2010
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German Neumayer II Base handed over to SANAP will became a New ZAF-Base
Last 27 of December 2009, the German Station "Neumayer II" WAP DEU-Ø2 has been handed over to South Africa . SANAP (South Africa National Antarctic Program) will continue to use this facility for many years as a replacement for the old South African "E-Base" WAP ZAF-Ø1. "E- Base" is short for "Emergency Base" and it is mainly used as a base for cargo operations when a vessel is in the bay.
 A team of 16 people that is working there, has arrived with the SA Agulhas to take down Neumayer II and putting up the New E-Base on same location, but just above the snow. Neumayer II is below the ice in big tubes; they are taking the containers out from there and putting up a platform on the snow, right above the tubes. Quite a job indeed; they have already pulled out many containers, tools, kitchen, beds, and so on and the platform is almost ready to reassemble the containers on it .
The station so built will be called "Neumayer Emergency Base" and the only difference is that old Neumayer II was below the ice, while the Neumayer E-Base will be put up on the ice.
Existing South African Base called "E Base” on Finbul Ice Shelf will no longer be used and it is not known if they will entirely remove it, but it was told they will no longer be using it as the new one will fully replace it.  One of the reason of this choice is that they are no longer doing SA Agulhas cargo operations (see picture at the Left) at the old E-Base site, because it is too dangerous.
They plan to be using their new Neumayer Emergency Base WAP-ZAF-New every summer.
For this reason Neumayer Emergency Base (NEB) will be add to the list of South African Bases on WAP-WADA Directory‘s next release (Jan. 2010) and it will be WAP referenced as soon as someone will put it on the air again… perhaps Felix DP1POL will operate from there, before coming back home in February. NEB, ZAF-NEW is only 6 Km North of the German Neumayer III Station (WAP DEU-Ø8) ...so stay tuned!
TNX Felix Riess DP1POL (picture here at the Right)
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| | 2/01/2010
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Polar Ships on Antarctic waters
 There is quite a bit of traffic around Antarctica in this time. Both research vessels, Nathaniel B. Palmer (NBP) and Laurence M. Gould (LMG), are reported anchored in Punta Arenas, waiting to leave for a mission in West Antarctic peninsula. M/V James Cook (AWS) is actually at 53°06'S, 70°54’W same location for R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer.
M/V Agulhas is located at S 70°30', W 007°24’ practically very close to Neumayer III Station …lots of work for Felix DP1POL.
M/V Polarstern is actually at 55° 30’S, 156° 06’W, Bark Europa is in the Antarctic Peninsula near US Palmer Station at: 65°12’S, 64° 12’W.
M/V Vendam is at 59°36’S, 70° 54’W, while the most southern ship is M/V Ernest Shackleton at 76° 36’S, 26°W …too bad there’s no Ham stations on board , so we just think what great opportunity we’re losing !
To track Polar ship we’re using http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shiplocations.phtml .
Any ship sailing on Antarctic, Sub Antarctic and Peri-Antarctic waters are qualified for WAP Awards (WAP-WADA, WAP-WACA & WAP PSA)
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