We remind our  friend Ham radio Bhagwati Prasad Semwal, VU3BPZ (on the pic aside while at Maitri Base) when reading the article below, which gives  our readers an idea on what means  a Scientific campaign in Antarctica. Not only a pleasure of a selfy with penguins, not a vacation in a paradise  but study, scientific projects,  researches and experiments, hard life away from the normal activities at home.

Bhagwati (VU3BPZ) is an Antarctic veteran,with several campaigns in Antarctica as Communication Officer at Maitri and Bharathi Bases and we are happy  for the opportunity to to recall him, who is fine at home now!

Isolation and confinement are the natural state for researchers on the icy continent. Now, the whole world is in the same position.
Antarctica is the coldest, driest and windiest continent on Earth. The extreme conditions of Antarctica have ensured that the environment here is in pristine shape and have also made this the most isolated place on the planet.
I have been here since November 2019, as the medical officer to the 39th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica –says Dr Pradeep Tomar – at India’s Bharati Station in Antarctica. The continent is home to around 70 active research bases belonging to various countries. These bases house more than 4,000 people during the summer and around 1,000 people in winter. They spend an entire year in isolation, conducting research projects on the icy continent.

India has maintained a strong presence in Antarctica since 1981. Every year, summer and winter teams are sent to two Indian research bases, Maitri (WAP IND-Ø3 pic to the left),  and Bharati (WAP IND-Ø4 pic to the right ), to carry out diverse scientific studies. This year, the winter team has 23 members deployed at the Bharati station. It is my responsibility to conduct regular health check-ups to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of my team mates.

The situation on the continent feels uncommon this year, with the worrisome outbreak of coronavirus in India. Back in November when the expedition had just begun, the world seemed to be in its usual state. A month into the expedition, we started hearing the news about the spread of coronavirus. Now, we don’t really know much about the situation back home. Members are worried about their near and dear ones as India is moving through Lockdown 3.0.

We had never imagined that the whole world would be in a situation similar to ours.

Continue to read at:
https://scroll.in/article/961672/a-dispatch-from-an-indian-base-in-antarctica-lockdown-on-the-only-continent-untouched-by-covid-19

Located on ASPA 128, Demay refuge (wood hut) 62°13’ South,    58°26’30” West,   is situated on a flat marine gravel terrace in Paradise Cove between Demay Point and Uchatka Point. The refuge can be reached both by Zodiac and by foot.

How does the paradise look like? This question can be answered by the station crew, in particular by those involved in the environmental monitoring. A little Paradise Cove is located about 10 km from Arctowski Station (WAP POL-Ø1), within the Antarctic Specially Protected Area ASPA-128. In there, there is a little cottage above whose door there is a sign ‘RAJ’ “Polish for Paradise”. The refuge provides shelter during the regular trek along the SW shores of Admiralty Bay when we count pinniped mammals. Over the years lots of people stayed in the cottage: glaciologists working at the Windy and Tower Glaciers, geologists studying rock formations at Red Hill, Baszta and Bastion Hills, so called  “debris guys” measuring outflow from the Baranowski Glacier and collecting bedload…

Their memories are preserved in the cottage guest book. The refuge contains two bunk beds, gas cooker, stove and even a shower. There is a VHF radio available with antenna on the rocks above the refuge. It is perfect for hiding from the cold, wind, blizzard and heavy rain. Those who stayed in the Paradise overnight can confirm that few earthy pleasures compare to a dawn on the veranda with a warm cup of tea in hands and a view over a calm horizon decorated with icebergs, waves breaking against the rocks of Demay Head, sleepy elephant seals and playful furseals.

http://arctowski.aq/en/refuges/ 

https://eies.ats.aq/Ats.IE/ieGenRpt.aspx?idParty=31&period=1&idYear=2018

So far, no one has been operate Ham Radio from there and we strongly expect some of the polish friends to be active on the HF bands to give all of the Antarctic chasers, a great chance to work a brand new Antarctic Hut!

We have already came across the Huts at the Sub-Antarctic  Macquarie Island (WAP AUS-Ø8), on last april 2019, see: http://www.waponline.it/a-quick-tour-among-the-huts-at-macquarie-island/.

Today we’ll have a brief tour through the historical Huts on the same island:

Historic Old Sandy Bay Hut Everyone on the island, and all the tourists who visit, are familiar with the little old field hut at Sandy Bay. It is solid as a rock and banded with rusty iron, tussocks grow on top and roosting skuas keep watch over the surrounding king penguin colony. It is a picturesque sight.

The door bolt is rusted shut, but expeditioners can peer in the grubby window at a dark, decrepit interior festooned with penguin-moult feathers caught up in spider webs – very atmospheric. Feathers from moulting penguins can be found everywhere, as we know from doing our weekly communal clean-up duties. It is amazing how they can sneak through the tiniest crevices in buildings.

Historic Old Lusitana Bay Hut

The little old Hut at Lusitania Bay (54° 42′  South, 154°50′ East)  just north of the king penguin colony. The huts are old Walrus aircraft engine packing crates, put in place in 1949. They served as field huts for many years and still could have, no doubt, except that the king penguin colonies at Sandy Bay and Lusitania Bay overtook them both and they were abandoned in favour of the new huts at Brothers Point and Waterfall Bay. (pic aside show Lusitania Bay’s penguin colony)

Other Huts at Macquarie Island

Huts and try works were located at the Isthmus, Sandy Bay, Lusitania Bay, Caroline Cove and Hurd Point. Russian explorer Thaddeus Bellingshausen visited Macquarie Island in 1820 and reported that a total of 40 men were working on the island. He also left an interesting description of the sealers hut at Sandy Bay which was:

20 feet long by 10 feet broad, inside it was lined with skins of seals, the outside was covered with a kind of grass which grows on the island. At one end was a small hearth, and a lamp was always kept alight. … Beside the hearth was a bedstead. Provisions were stored at the other end of the hut. Inside it was so black and dark from the smoke that the smouldering light from the lamp and from the holes in the wall over which bladders were stretched, scarcely lit the interior of the hut, and until we got accustomed to the light the sealers had to lead us by the hand.

Let’s have a look to the others removed Huts:

With the long awaited recognition that Macquarie Island was cat free this last season, there was no longer any justification for the presence of the three plateau Field Huts that  had been established some years ago to provide accommodation for the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife staff involved in the cat eradication project, part of the Vertebrate Pest Management Program:

They were:

Mt Eitel Hut (54° 36.6′ South, 158° 50.9′ East),

Lake Tiobunga Hut (54° 41.7′ South, 158° 49.2′ East)

Windy Ridge Hut (54° 44.0′ South,  158° 49.8′ East).

Another Hut was established at Davis Point in 1993 for the purpose of conducting the marine debris survey.

Davis Point Hut (54° 39.9′ South, 158° 49.5′ East) There is a small hut at Davis Point (pic aside) used for special fieldwork and as a refuge, which catches rain water off the roof. Davis Point hut is a cross country transit to Green Gorge Hut

The Davis Point Hut is one of seven shelters dropped across the island for hunters and their dogs tracking rabbits. They were a vital part of the Macquarie Island eradication of pests.

As this work will now be centered on Bauer Bay, there was no longer any need for this hut to remain on the island. Mt Eitel apple hut packed up. Rat-proof cage pallet in foreground. March 2003

When the ship arrived at the end of March, the helicopters were deployed to lift both the Davis Point Hut and the three apple huts from the plateau, by cable sling and transport them back to the main station area. Each hut was accompanied by two pre-packed cage pallets, gas bottles and a black rat-proof cage pallet with perishable items such as food. It took about three to four hours of work to totally remove each of the apple huts and their contents.

All four huts were then transported by helicopter from the Isthmus to the ship ready for return to Australia.

Source: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/exploration-and-expeditions/modern-expeditions/this-week-in-antarctica/2003/macquarie-island2/out-they-come-macquarie-is-field-hut-removal

REFUGES (HUTS)

Brothers Point 54° 34.4′ South, 158° 55.1′ East (pic on the right show the Googie Hut at Brother’s point)

Davis Point 54° 39.9′ South, 158° 49.5′ East

Waterfall Bay  Hut (pic on the left) located at 54° 41.5′ South,  158° 51.9′ East

Tiobunga 54° 41.7′ South, 158° 49.2′ E

Windy Ridge 54° 44.0′ South, 158° 49.8′ East

Caroline Cove 54° 45.8′ South, 158° 47.5′ East

Thanks and credit to the following web sites:

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/stations/macquarie-island

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/macquarie-island/this-week-at-macquarie-island/2016/this-week-at-macquarie-island-16-december-2016

http://bazintaz.blogspot.com/2013/11/seven-days-on-island-part-3.html

http://macquarieislandisland.blogspot.com/

While talking of his Antarctic experience, Marco De Pas (DK5SQX-IK5SQX) is happy for such a great professional and human experience lived in the Icy Continent. -Our LIDAR a kind of optical radar that does “Cloud ranging” works perfectly and that’s great- Marco said!

The only disappointment is about the Ham Radio: too many restrictions, too many constraints on the use of  HF Base equipments. This kind of unnecessary bureaucracy, poorly contrasts with the skill of a licensed Ham radio operator, but rules are rules, so that the free time to dedicate to the HF was strictly reduced, practically nothing!

Nevertheless Marco could test propagation from that remote Concordia Station at 75°06’06” South,  123°23’43” East and even if conditions were not favorable,  he logged few QSOs  signing IAØ/DK5SQX and now, QSLs have been sent to the lucky  and patients OM who worked him on last January 2019.
Same situation at Dumond D’Urville (WAP FRA-Ø1). Down there, Marco could meet the Responsible of the Radio room,  who did show him the HF setup… too bad the VFO was unstable  with shifting frequency, so practically unusable … what a kind of conspiracy!
It could be that next season,  Marco will be call to return in Antarctica again. Next time -he said- I will bring my own equipment and a small amplifier so I will be independent and I can operate without interfere with the Base activity where the radio room is mainly used for air traffic and contacts with field camps.

TNX Marco DK5SQX/IK5SQX  

Good for collectors!
This year is the 200^th  Anniversary discovery of Antarctica. This important historical event is linked to Estonia because one of the first men to see Antarctica in 1820 was the Baltic German seafarer Fabian Gottlieb Benjamin von Bellingshausen, who was born in Saaremaa and who documented the discovery.

To commemorate this significant historical moment, Eesti Pank is issuing 750,000 two-euro circulation coins with a special Antarctica 200 design, of which 10,000 will be BU (brilliant uncirculated) quality and packaged as collector items on a coin card.

Eesti Pank is also issuing 10,000 coin cards issued, which will sell for 10 euros each

The coin and coin card will go on sale at 12.00 in the Omniva online shop

Coins and coin cards will be available from the Eesti Pank museum from 10.00 on 28 January

The two-euro commemorative coin dedicated to the 200th Anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica and the coin card were designed by the artists Tiiu Pirsko and Mati Veermets. The design shows the ship Vostok in which Admiral von Bellingshausen sailed around the world.

The coins are all legal tender throughout the euro area, so they can be used for payments like any other euro coin.

Additional information:
Mart Siilivask
Eesti Pank
Email: mart.siilivask@eestipank.ee

Full info at:  https://www.eestipank.ee/en/press/eesti-pank-issuing-two-euro-coin-commemorating-discovery-antarctica-20012020

TNX Volker DL8JDX

The 61^st JARE (Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition)  is on: It has started last  February 2020 and will last till January 2021,

Takashi Yamamoto, JA1AGS “Taka”  and , Hiroyuki Ujiie, JH7JCX “Hiro” are actually active as 8J1RL from Syowa base (WAP JPN-Ø3).

Few reports on the Clusters did show 8J1RL active mostly of FT8 and CW  but also SSB. They operate 15, 17, 20 and  30 mts

Every JARE campaign has a new QSL card.  A good chance to try to work 8J1RL this season as well, to improve our collections. Cards should be sent via JARL bureau as before,  with SASE  to JARL or via JG2MLI direct.

Reply will be made after April 2021 after returning to Japan.

 

TNX  Yath Yoshikawa  JG2MLI

See http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201912030028.html for more info and a nice interesting video of departures

More info also at the Japanese site:
https://cq8j1rl.exblog.jp/28013415/?fbclid=IwAR0FqfMB1Dde1Fax2NCopMLc4Oc_UMidx8Vj6JIsD5okuoccStr1fpGzou0

Japan owns four Research Stations in Antarctica:
Asuka Station, WAP JPN-Ø1

Mizuho Station, WAP JPN-Ø2

Syowa Base, WAP JPN-Ø3

Dome Fuji Station, WAP JPN-Ø4     

Every year, on the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS proposes a theme for the celebrations and activities to be organised by Committees, members and partners.

 “Italia Valley” Antarctic Memorial (MAVI) Cepparo-Bove, celebrates the day without forgetting its goal: a formal designation of a new HSM for the remaining ruins of the first Italian scientific research base in Antarctica, destroyed by the Argentine Navy, and abandoned for over 40 years. Ruins are still visible at Italia Valley.

IV3CCT, Prof. PhD Julius Fabbri (pic aside)  did launch the rebirth project of the very 1st Italian Antarctic scientific Base built in Antarctica.

Italia Valley (62° 10’South, 58° 31’ West)  is a small valley lying East-Northeast of Hervé Cove in Ezcurra inlet, on King George Island in the South Shetlands. The feature was named “Conca Italia” (Italian hollow) and used as the site of Base Giacomo Bove (sailor  and explorer, 23 April 1852 – 9 August 1887)  by the first private Italian expedition to Antarctica, 1975–76, led by Renato Cepparo.

A replica of the actual ruins, has been rebuilt at Cervignano del Friuli (Udine) by students, Civil Protection and many associations at high school “IISS Arturo Malignani” in Northern Italy. It is called ex situ conservation, and describes the reconstruction of that old Antarctic site. A preliminary step for a future formal designation of a new HSM (Historic Site and Monument) within the ATCM (Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting).

​​Participating in the national competition was the idea proposed by Prof. PhD Julius Fabbri (j.fabbri@virgilio.it) on the occasion of the International Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. The “UNESCO Project” is part of the “radio-school-Unesco”, and was promoted by the “Adri-Antartica Cultural Association”, partner of the Municipality of Cervignano del Friuli, in agreement with the School. The competition was attended by nine classes with participation of student’s parents and the whole town who did help to carry out the project. In all, at least five teachers and about one hundred or more students attended.

On February 24^th  2018, the “first stone” of the Memorial was laid and some students spoke on the radio with the special callsign II3BOVE (WAP-271).

The activity aims to recover the historical memory of the Italia Valley in the Antarctic Peninsula, a strategic and naturalistic place where, in 1976, Renato Cepparo founded the first Italian Scientific Base in Antarctica (pic aside), which he named after the nineteenth-century explorer Giacomo Bove, brave officer of the Italian Royal Navy.

From 07 March 2018 the IISS Arturo Malignani of the Bassa Friulana is a UNESCO associated school by the project of construction of a new visitor center called the Antarctic Memorial “Valle Italia” (MAVI), Cepparo-Bove.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), is a global non-governmental organization associated with UNESCO. Its mission is to promote the conservation, protection, use and enhancement of monuments, building complexes and sites (https://www.icomos.org/en/about-icomos/mission-and-vision/icomos-mission).

ICOMOS works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places. It is the only global non-government organization of this kind, which is dedicated to promoting the application of theory, methodology, and scientific techniques to the conservation of the architectural and archaeological heritage.

Now, more than ever, the theme of Shared Cultures, Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility is important as an expression of the global unity in the face of the ongoing worldwide health crisis.

Alexander Solodov, RX3ABI  arrived at Mirny Base (WAP RUS-Ø7) on last mid March and has just started to be on air signing RI1ANM.

He is wintering at the station till the beginning of 2021. Alex is actually working on his antenna and is active from time to time …. sure we can contact him in the near future !

Keep an eye to the Packet Cluster…
TNX François, F8DVD

Mirny is Russia’s first Station on theIcy  Continent, located right on the Antarctic Circle, at 66° 33’ 11” South, 93° 00’ 35” East,  Mirny was opened on February 13, 1956 by the 1^st Soviet Antarctic Expedition.

The first overwintering party had 92 members, and the station included a pigsty that supplied fresh pork. Now it houses up to 50.

The Australian Antarctic Division will use the MPV Everest to resupply its Antarctic stations and sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island next summer.

The Ice-Class Multi-purpose vessel is operated by Dutch company Maritime Construction Services, and is capable of navigating in ice up to 1 metre thick.

AAD General Manager of Operations and Safety, Charlton Clark, said the end of the Aurora Australis’ contract and the delayed arrival of Australia’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina, means an alternative ship had to be contracted.

“The MPV Everest was selected after a call for proposals and was identified as providing the best value for money,” Mr Clark said.

“The 140 meters long ship was built in 2017 and will be used for a minimum of 90 days next Antarctic summer season.”

Thanks and credit to AAD

Read more at: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2020/new-plan-for-australian-antarctic-shipping?fbclid=IwAR3pLJ3fRLaYaj-5x83Hmaxk2O9BqrSXZQdS5E6A0T922V1hEcbIslZzzvk
We’ll be looking forward working MPV Everest  on HF Ham bands, sometimes when in operation on the Antarctic or Sub-Antarctic waters! For sure, a brand new /MM station to add to the WAP-WADA score!

On the April 2020 issue, the German  CQ-DL Magazine dedicates several pages to report the QO-100 activity with particular regards to the contact made from Neumayer III Station (WAP DEU-Ø8) and the students at school.

Reaching DPØGVN via QO-100 is still possible … why not trying?

Thanks our good friend Volker, DL8JDX (ex:Y88POL, DP0GVN), amicably appointed as WAP Ambassador, for relaying the information.

In addition, Volker DL8JDX informs the Chasers that: Whoever still wants a QSL for Y88POL or DPØGVN from the period 1988 to 1994 , he still have all logs.

TNX DL8JDX

Picture aside, shows the roof of the Neumayer III Station with AMSAT-DL antenna in the background: Felix, DL5XL; Torsten, DL1TOG, and Roman, HB9HCF, who will remain in Antarctica until February 2021.
These are the Hams who did the installation and test… of course, a great job!

Over the summer of 2016–2017, the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s team on the Ice spent more than 5700 hours carefully restoring Hillary’ Hut (TAE Hut) and conserving more than 500 artefacts.  A million dollar project to save Sir Ed’s hut in Antarctica is now largely complete

For the past three months, the Antarctic Heritage Trust has had a team of 12 carpenters and conservation specialists on the ice saving the hut and conserving the hundreds of artefacts within it.

Read more at: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11789523

Hillary’s Hut (aka known as “A” Hut ) of Scott Base, is the only existing Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1956–1957) building in Antarctica. It’s where the  first group of 18 members of the TAE (Trans-Antarctic Expedition) led by Sir Edmund Hillary and the five New Zealand scientists led by Trevor Hatherton, , did winter over at Scott Base contributing to the IGY. During that epic, Hillary slept in his office in “A” Hut, while the others shared the dormitory accommodation in ‘C’ and ‘D’ huts.

The “A” Hut has been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 75), following a proposal by New Zealand to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.

To get more about this, read: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/caring-huts-antarctica

And also the UHAHT Site at: https://www.ukaht.org/discover/other-historic-sites/ross-sea-and-other-important-huts/commonwealth-tae-hut-scott-base/

Hillary’s Hut is part of Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1), therefore no chance to issue a new WAP reference to it.

Magallanes Region, officially the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region  is one of Chile’s ‘s 16 first order administrative division.  It comprises four provincies: Ultima Esperanza, Magallanes, Tierra del Fuego, and Antarctica Chilena.

Magallanes’s geographical features include Torres del Paine, Cape Horn, Tierra del Fuego island, and the Strait of Magellan. It also includes the Antarctic territories claimed by Chile

XR8RRC-Wellington Island (49°22’15” South, 74°55’35” West) belongs to Ultima Esperanza Province. In its Southern point ( 49° 54’ 01” South, 74° 24’ 03” West), Wellington isaland, hosts the automatic Punta Cameron Lighthouse.

Villa Puerto Eden, Wellington Island has a permanent presence of  the Chilean Navy that has a Port Captaincy, installed in the mid-seventies in the same facilities that use to house the Air Force radio station, which is located in front of Puerto Edén village, in the sector of Yetarkte Bay

XR8RRC/p – WAP CHL-13
Weather and transport permitting, RRC Team plans to land on Riesco Island (WAP CHL-13), and doing activity up to 48 hours from 19 to 21 march as XR8RRC/P.

Stay tuned… it’s a good one for WAP Awards. In the southwestern portion of Riesco  island, Córdova Peninsula marks the eastern limit of the Strait of Magellan and its enter in the Sub-Peri Antarctic circle (Check WAP-WADA Directory)

Signy island hosts a lighthouse listed on the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) this  lighthouse seems to be not too far away the Signy Research Station site (WAP GBR-Ø9).

It is clearly documented that Signy island LH  is very near the Base at 60° 42′ South, 43° 35′ West  Gridsquare GC89.  Signy Island LH is also referenced as ARLHS SOI-001, Admiralty Nr.G1375, NGA 110-20362.

But now,  a problem  comes up!

We have been trying to get a picture of this LH but in vain … loks like the Signy LH does not exist anymore!

In a recent message, about this matter, sent to Gabry IK1NEG, our great friend Mike Gloistein GMØHCQ wrote:

I am not aware of there ever being a lighthouse at Signy.  I have written to the Station Leader at Signy and he has confirmed my thoughts,  in that when the base was manned full time there was a scaffold frame with a lamp at the top but not really classed as a lighthouse.  The Station Leader may have a picture of it,  but it was taken down about four or five years ago.
If I do get a photo I will forward it on to you.
Kind regards,
Mike

So, a kind of Lighthouse did exist at Signy island, as it has been referenced by several officials,  but apparently,  no one has been able to find out a close up picture of it.

Following the suggestion of Pedro Sarli, LU1JHF, to add a proper reference on WAP-WADA-LH Directory, we did it anyway.

WAP-LH-GBR-ØØ2 is the reference issued to it. New WAP reference  will appear on  WAP LH Directory on next up date (June 2020)

TNX Pedro, LU1JHF

Turkish scientists continue their scientific research on Horseshoe Island in Antarctica. After the construction of Turkey’s first temporary science Base on the island (67°49’40” South, 67°12’08” West), the Team welcomed a group of guests from Chile, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Ukraine for the first time. The six guest scientists did work together with the 24-member of the Turkish research Team joins 15 scientific projects in the Earth, life, and marine sciences.

In addition, Turkey has opened GNSS station on Dismal Island,  at 73 kilometres (45 miles) from Horseshoe Island in Antarctica, to track changes in the location of icebergs and transmit photos of Antarctica’s surface, as well as process data from GPS, GLONASS and Galileo.

“The GNSS satellite navigation base station was set up within the framework of the fourth Turkish scientific expedition to Antarctica” said Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank, as quoted by the national Anadolu news agency. “A group of specialists from the Turkish General Directorate of Mapping has built Turkey’s first GNSS base station abroad.”

https://www.gpsworld.com/turkish-satnav-station-opens-in-antarctica/

Dismal Island (68°05′37″ South,  68°51′06″ West) is an island, 1.9 kilometres (1 nmi) long and 60 metres (200 ft) high, which is mainly ice covered and is the largest of the Faure Islands, an archipelago lying in Marguerite Bay off the west coast of Graham Land.

Watch one minute video by clicking here  https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-research-team-arrives-in-antarctica/1737304

Read more at: https://www.dailysabah.com/life/science/turkish-scientists-conclude-expedition-in-antarctica

Prof. Carla Caruso and Dr. Laura Bertini (pic aside) of the Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences of the University of Tuscia in Viterbo (Italy) will be back home next march 15^th after a  month-long mission in  Antarctica.

The expedition takes place as part of a PNRA (National Antarctic Research Program) project funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MIUR).

The current project aims to study the role of microorganisms in adapting plants to climate change, with a particular focus on plant-fungus-virus interaction. Furthermore, since microorganisms from extreme ecosystems have evolved unique biochemical and physiological strategies, they can

represent a rich source of new bio-molecules, with potential applications in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial fields.

The project also involves the Italian Universities of Padova and Trento, and that of Temuco, Chile. Researchers from the University of Tuscia have now taken over the Polish Base Henrik Arctowski WAP POL-Ø1 (pic  on the right), at King George Island (South Shetland), and avail themselves of  the collaboration of the Chilean National Antarctic Institute (INACH) for transfers and logistical support.

Read more at: https://www.movemagazine.it/universita-della-tuscia-spedizione-scientifica-antartide/?fbclid=IwAR1Hw2Ux-VCB0MPxW9h9eQnFaQYoZNVxMJXyRfGpjKMyKwMrpC4qsXTSa_c

Oleg, UA6GG (DX Trophy Awards Group) informs that “Antarctica 2020 Trophy” is now ready and available to OM & SWL showing evidence of two-way communications (SWL report) with station operating in Antarctica.

“ANTARCTICA 2020 TROPHY”
for QSO’s / SWL’s stations in Antarctica for any period of time.
To obtain a trophy, you must dial at least 15 different stations / bases including at least 5 different nations (for example: Russia, China, Argentina, Chile, USA ..).

The trophy is carried out individually – Antarctic callsigns indicated in the application will be displayed on the trophy, but for each Station/ Base declared there will be only one callsign (with 2 or more callsigns from one base, only one callsign is selected at your discretion).
Modes:  CW, SSB, DIGI, MIX (CW / SSB), ALL (CW / SSB / DIGI)
Free application: CALL – DATE- BAND- MODE-QTH.
Confirmation: QSL or LOTW / Сlublog scans.
The upper part of the Tropy is made of 2.5D glass seal, the base is made of wood MDF. Size 280 x 280 mm. The cost of a plaque is 64$ or 57 Euros. (including sending by registered parcel). Payment via PAYPAL.

Details are reported at:  https://www.dxtrophy.com/200-antarctic

Check also the whole list of several available Awards  at: www.dxtrophy.com

all questions can be send to e-mail  mydxtrophy@gmail.com

Information and/or details can be requested to: mydxtrophy@gmail.com

S/Y Santa Maria Australis  (aka S/V SMA)  is a 66 foot aluminium ketch built in Gdansk, Poland in 1998 and refitted in 2004 to endure high latitude sailing conditions, can accommodate up to a total of 12 people, frequently travelling on the Antarctic waters

In 2006, SMA-Expeditions reached the southern latitudes and has since, endured twelve Antarctic expeditions as of March, 2009. She has been designed and equipped for long distance cruising in comfort.

S/Y Santa Maria Australis   sails under German flag, registered in Berlin.

February and March 2019: Michel Margaria F6DWQ/MM was sailing the Antarctic peninsula.  Here below, a QSL of F6DWQ/MM transmitting from on board S/Y Santa Maria Australis when, on 02.03.2019,  he was just in front of Vernadsky station, Antarctica. QSL via F6DWQ

At the light of the evidence S/Y Santa Maria Australis  will be add to WAP-WACA Directory and it can be scored for WAP Awards

TNX F8DVD

VP8PJ Team is doing an excellent job performing 24 hours a day activity on all bands and modes.  Almost everyone has already made at least one QSO.

For the Hams who wish to check the contacts made,  Log is online at: https://www.m0urx.com/oqrs/logsearch.php?dxcallsign=VP8PJ

In a message , the Crew said: -The pileups have been what we expected, always energetic, sometimes chaotic but no surprises. The team is working under very cold and windy weather conditions, with snow at night. Doing any work outside is challenging anytime and cannot be done at night-.

Waterpipe Hut (WAP GBR-34) where the camp is set,  is facing Signy Base (WAP GBR- Ø9) on Borgue Bay and VP8PJ is a  valid contact for WAP-WADA & WAP-WACA Awards.

Great opportunity  for the Antarctic chasers to catch WAP GBR-34!

If nothing change in their plans,  VP8PJ should be on the air till March 5^th, so still plenty of time to have them in the Log,

QSL via Tim Beaumont MØURX

Warm regards to researchers and logistics staff at  Yelcho Base (WAP CHL-11), the third of the three platforms managed by INACH in the Antarctic Peninsula. It was inaugurated in 1962, and in 1986 assigned by the Chilean Navy, to the Chilean Antarctic Institute. It  had a recess,  between the years 1998-2014, and in 2015 was reopened to scientific activities. Currently, the Base  can host 22 people and houses several research projects.

Yelcho Base  takes his name from the Chilean military ship Yelcho known for participatig in the rescue of men from the Endurance of Ernest Shackleton shipwrecked in Antarctica in 1916 with all the crewmen.

Actually, Yelcho Base 64° 52’ South, 65° 35’ West, is another strategic point for the development of Antarctic science. It is located near the South Bay, on Doumer Island, and has the advantage of being very close to populations of underwater and terrestrial vegetation.

Great CW activity on all bands from onboard R/V Braveheart on the way from Punta Arenas to South Orkneys. The guys at the keyer have done a superb job. Now we remind the chasers that ZL1NA/MM operating from R/V Braveheart is valid for WAP-WADA

Today R/V Braveheart dropped anchor  offshore South Orkney. Starting tomorrow, VP8PJ Team should be busy to set the camp and install antennas at Signy Island.

The location chosen is Borge Bay, near Waterrpipe Hut WAP GBR-34, just facing Signy Base.

Good luck to the Team and good hunting the thousands of Hams  looking forward to log another great one in the Antarctic. VP8PJ’s operation will last till March 5^th 2020 and will count for WAP WADA as WAP GBR-34.

QSL for  ZL1NA/MM and for VP8PJ  has to be requested to MØURX 

For more info, See the Website http://www.sorkney.com

The geostationary satellite QO-100, is an equipment successfully installed at Neumayer III (WAP DEU-Ø8).

For those who don´t have satellite equipment to work or listen to it, there is a WebSDR site, where it is possible to monitor the traffic: https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

In addition, DPØGVN from Neumayer III Station is active over this satellite, the downlink QRG is 10489700.00  to  10489780.00.

DPØGVN is located at 70.674444° South and 8.274167° West, which is in the footprint of the first geostationary AMSAT Qatar-OSCAR 100 / Es’hail-2 with an elevation of 7.3°.

For the Antarctic station’s hunters, Volker  did create the following filter who selects  the  current WAP stations and Antarctic stations  for the DX Cluster,  in order to see who is active.

….

http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/?dx_calls=DP0GVN,KC4USV,KC4AAA,ZL5,8J1RL,RI1A,VP8HAL,DP0POL,R200ANT,DP1POL,CE9,ZS7,LU1Z,TM17AAW,K4C,IR1ANT,K4A,OE17AAW,IR1SP,II2ANT,OE88WAP,OE89ANT,OE90AAW,PA6ANT,II5ANT,II3BOVE,UT1KY,EM200ANT,EN200ANT,K0ANT,PF88ANT,EH3ANT,II3MNA,II8WAP

TNX   Volker, DL8JDX  (ex: Y88POL, DP0GVN)

To get more details on this interesting amateur radio transponder (P4-A),   see also https://amsat-dl.org/eshail-2-amsat-phase-4-a/

On last February 6,  Ukrainian polar scientists did celebrate the birthday of the Antarctic station “Academician Vernadsky”. On February 6, 1996, a blue-yellow flag was raised for the first time over the Faraday Antarctic station, which the UK released to Ukraine. The station which began its new history at that date,  is now called Academician Vernadsky.

To celebrate this date and the 200^th Anniversary of Antarctica’s discovery, the National Antarctic Science Center has prepared special commemorative diplomas for the radio amateur community. During February 2020, special Ukrainian call sigs EN2ØØANT (Ref. WAP-3Ø6) and EM2ØØANT (Ref. WAP-3Ø5) are actively working on the Ham bands. With one contact with these stations, Hams from all over the world can receive this memorable Ukrainian NANC diploma – said Pavlo Tarasovich UT1KY, one of the participants of the 5^th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition-. (see also http://www.waponline.it/ukrainian-award-to-celebrate-the-2oo-anniversary-of-antarctica/)

The discovery of the sixth continent also involved Ukrainians: Ivan Zavadovsky, Lieutenant Captain, Deputy Fabian Gotlib von Bellingshausen, and Anton Omelchenko , a participant in the Robert Antarctic British expedition to the South Pole. Let’s remember these outstanding Ukrainians, as discoverers of Antarctica as well!

Accordingly, we congratulate the experienced Ukrainian polarists radio Hams: Roman Bratchyk UT7UA, Pavel Budanov UX2HO, Oleksandr Miho, Pavel Tarasovich UT1KY, Igor Klubuk UR5KCC and Oleg Satirev.

Reference:

Academic Vernadsky Station (until 1996 – Faraday Station) is a Ukrainian Antarctic station located on Galindez Island, 7 km from the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is open year-round and is a meteorological and geographical observatory. The main purpose of the Academic Vernadsky Antarctic Station (WAP UKR-Ø1) is to conduct scientific research in Antarctica. The entire life of the station and its work is under the management of the Ukraina’s National Antarctic Science Center.

Read more at: https://expedicia.org/radioamatori-z-cilogo-svitu-mozhut-ot/

TNX Pavlo UT1KY

This weekend opens the 12th Edition of the ‘Weekend of the American Lighthouses‘ from Friday 14 to Sunday, February 16, with 86 light houses and beacons of 12 Countries(28 from Argentina, 23 from Brazil, 1 from Costa Rica, 4 from Cuba, 12 from Chile, 3 from Guatemala, 4 from Mexico, 1 from Panama, 4 from Peru, 2 are registered from Puerto Rico, 1 from Uruguay and 3 from Venezuela).

Among the stations active, four of them will be entering on WAP Sub Antarctic Territories Directories (WAP-WADA, WAP WACA and WAP LH Directory).

We are talking about the southern tip of Chile (Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region) and Argentina ( Tierra del Fuego Province).

Both LU/X of the Radio Club Ushuaia will operate from 2 Lighthouses (pics aside shows both lighthouses; the old historical one and the newest) at Cabo San Pablo as shown below:

LU1XP/XP operating from   Faro cabo San Pablo (Historical) ARLH ARG-31

LU2XWL/XP operaying from Faro Cabo Sn Pablo ( ARLH ARG-74)

 

The Chileans CE8s will operate from:

CE8PVT  Grupo Magallanes DX   Baliza Punta Santa Ana  (ARLH CHI-107)

CE8RPA Radio Club Punta Arenas  Baliza Ponton Muñoz Gamero (ARLH CHI-116)

Check the list of stations joining the event at: http://www.grupodxbb.com.ar/FAROS2018/faros2020.html

WAP wish everyone a good hunting.

The references of the Lighthouses reported above  are  taken from the ARLHS list.  See: http://wlol.arlhs.com/

Two Special Ukrainian event stations EM2ØØANT WAP-305 & EN2ØØANT WAP-306 are on the air to celebrate the 200 years of Antarctic exploration.  QSL for both of the calls,  via UT1KY

EN2ØØANT and EM2ØØANT will be active during the 17^th Antarctic Activity Week officially on air from February 10^th and ahead. More info at: http://www.waponline.it/antarctic-activity-week/aaw-2020/  

Pavlo informs WAP that  1 QSO with Antarctic SES EN2ØØANT or EM2ØØANT will qualify for the Special Award issued for this Anniversary.
For more informations, contact UT1KY via e-mail  ut1ky@ukr.net

What is the role of the Ukrainians to the discovery of the Southern Continent?
Ukraine’s catch-up to Antarctica’s discovery is the deputy captain (Tadeusz Bellingshausen), that is, Lieutenant-Captain Ivan Zavadovsky, a native of Hadyach, of the Cossack lineage. When Elizabeth received the so-called “Little Russian nobility”.
Still worth mentioning is Anton Omelchenko, a member of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1913 on the Terra Nova barge, headed by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, who set out to “achieve the South Pole in order to honor this grand accomplishment of the new century” Anton Omelchenko is a member of the Royal Geographical Society,
Omelchenko received the award, like other members of the expedition, from the hands of the English Queen. It was a medal honored for the feat of the pioneers of Antarctica, and a lifetime pension. Omelchenko was assigned a lifetime pension, which he received until 1927, until diplomatic relations broke up between the USSR and the United Kingdom.
Onuk – Victor Ivanovich Omelchenko, diesel engineer, participant of the 3rd Ukrainian Antarctic expedition (1998-1999)
Great-grandson is Anton Omelchenko, a mechanic, a participant of the 20th (2015-2016) and 24th (2019-2020) Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions in the Antarctica of the Soviet era. Now, with good humor and good humor, it will also be possible to touch on this time of time, where Ukrainians, wintering warriors of the Antarctic expeditions will find themselves.

TNX Pavlo Tarasovych, UT1KY

Pavlo reminds the Antarctic chasers that several copies of his book “Antarctica is the sixth continent” are stillavailable on request ( see UT1KY on QRZ.com to get all details on how to get it)

PAVLO TARASOVYCH, UT1KY
P.O. BOX 85,  RIVNE, 33027 Ukraine

February 5^th marks the birthday of Argentine Antarctic Base Belgrano II  (WAP ARG-Ø6). It was inaugurated on February 5, 1979 and today,  is the southernmost of the Argentine Antarctic Bases and the third southernmost of the permanent Bases worldwide.

Located 1,300 km from the South Pole, it has months of complete sunlight and other months of dark polar night, with strong winds and temperatures that reach up to -54˚C.

The peculiarities of this Base make it a privileged scenario for numerous scientific studies, mainly of ozone, magnetism, meteorology, glaciology, terrestrial biology, geodesy and seismology.

During periods of darkness, the latitude of the base also allows the study of the famous northern lights, of great interest to science.

TNX Ministerio de Defensa de la República Argentina

Where exactly are VP8PJ‘s planned to stay when at the South Orkneys DX-pedition?

Now we know it. The information is on https://sorkney.com/equipment/  :
Location:

We will be located on Signy Island in South Orkney Island Group. Our camp will be near the Waterpipe Hut near Waterpipe beach. The general terrain is a bluff near the ocean that is 10 to 20 M above the sea with over water path to EU.

So,  Waterpipe Hut (WAP GBR-34) lies in the same site where VP8ORK did operate in  2011.

Waterpipe Hut is situated on a rocky outcrop at Waterpipe Beach, Borge Bay, Signy Island 60°42’00” South,   45°36’30” West.

It was installed in 1999/2000 as a refuge hut and visited regularly by BAS personnel from Signy Station. Food and fuel  for any eventuality, are stored in the hut

The new Satellite Equipment for QO100 was installed at Neumayer III by a team of radio specialists, as reported on CQ-DL 2/2020, Volker, DL8JDX reports.

Dirk Steffens, a well known film maker from the German TV Station ZDF,  is currently at Neumayer III (WAP DEU-Ø8) and set an Interview with the Director of the German Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) Prof. Antje Boetius (see www.awi.de), who did update of the current research activities and the challenges about the climate change.

Volker, DL8JDX remind that DPØGVN and DP1POL are active,  but other active stations during this Antarctic summer season are: VP8HAL, KC4USV, 8J1RL, ZS7ANF, LU1ZV. Due to the still challenging propagation conditions in the current minimum sun activity, they are quite difficult to reach …

TNX Volker, DL8JDX,
a WAP „Ambassador“

 “Victoria Land Permanent Base” (Weiduoliyadi changnian zhan) is the actual working name of China’s  new Base.

China’s fifth station is designed to be a year-round research base which could accommodate 80 people in the summer and 30 people in winter. The new base will provide year-round support for  researchers conducting tasks such as observations of land, ocean, atmosphere, ice shelf and biology, establishment of an observation and monitoring network in the Antarctic, and survey of marine environmental protection.

On February 7, 2018, during China 34^th Antarctic Expedition, Chinese researchers laid the foundation and started to build its fifth Antarctic Research Station  on Inexpressible Island transferring large engineering equipments from China’s research icebreaker Xuelong. It is expected that full construction will be completed in 2022.

China has therefore opened its fifth Antarctic research station on Inexpressible Island in Terra Nova Bay, near the western shore of the Ross Sea, about 390 km Northwest of McMurdo(US) and Scott Base(NZ), 26 km from the Italian Base Mario Zucchelli (MZS) and Jang Bogo Station (South Korea).

The Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base was visited last Thursday by the Estonian delegation, headed by the country’s President, Kersti Kaljulaid, within the framework of the 200^th Anniversary of the Imperial Russian Navy expedition.

The freezing Antarctic morning, covered by a mist that made almost impossible to see beyond a few meters towards the horizon and fully covering the Collins Glacier did not prevent the President of Estonia, to visit the cold continent and stop at the Uruguayan  Antarctic Scientific Base-Artigas (WAP URY-Ø1).  After a warm reception by the Uruguayan staff that, in few minutes, made the visitors forget the cold, Uruguayans and Estonians shared a welcome breakfast with typical Uruguayan products.

The president of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, did invite the members of the XXXVI Artigas Antarctic Campaign to come on board the 24 meters Dutch-built ketch sailboat Admiral Bellingshausen. The ship sailed off from Tallinn  harbor (Estonia) late on Sunday, July 2019 heading to  Antarctica. The long-planned voyage will be devoted to the 200^th Anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica, and its ice shelf, by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen a Baltic German from Saaremaa, at the time Captain in the Imperial Russian Navy.

TNX and credit: https://bnn-news.com/estonian-expedition-antarctica-200-leaves-for-six-month-journey-202995

The South Orkney archipelago is located about 600 miles to the S E of the Isla de los Estados, on the Atlantic Ocean, to the East of Isla Grande de la Tierra del Fuego of the extreme tip of Argentina; it consists of a group of nearly 40 islands and islets, most of them very small, with a total area of 1,000 square kilometers about.
Over there, next Febr.-Mar. 2020 a DX-pedition signing VP8PJ will land and operate for more than a week … but where they will operate from? Actually there are 2 Bases on the South Orkneys and few Refuges: which of those the Expedition will choose to operate?

Argentinean Naval Orkney Base (WAP ARG-15) is located at 60º44’02” South and 44º44’00″ West, on the Ibarguren isthmus, on Laurie Island, between Scotia Bay (to the South), Uruguay Bay (to the North), Cerro Mossman (to the West) and Glacier la Monja (to the East) and elevated 12 meters above sea level, this being the narrowest part of Laurie Island, which has an East-West extension of approximately 12 miles and its width is very variable.

The highest height of the island is Mount Ramsay, 454 meters high.  On the same Island, in the Cormoràn Point lies the homonymous Argentine flagging Refuge, which is active throughout the year providing support to patrols and biological works.

The British Antarctic Survey has a Base; Signy Research Station (WAP GBR-Ø9), established in 1947at  60°43′ Sout, 45° 36′ West, Factory Cove, Borge Bay, Signy Island, South Orkney Islands

Initially operated year-round, since 1995/6 the Signy Research Station (pic aside) has been open only from November to April each year.

Field Huts and hides have existed at one time or another at the following sites: Foca Cove, Gourlay Peninsula, Three Lakes Valley, Cummings Cove, Jane Col, Factory Bluffs, Moraine Valley, Shagnasty and North Point.

If the VP8PJ DX-pedition will choose one of the hereby listed sites, they will be given a new WAP reference