While the international Team of the Summer Campaign 2019-2020 at Concordia Station sends Merry Christmas & Season’s greetings, Marco (IK5SQX/DK5SQX) has just informed that he will try today Sunday Dec. 22, to be on air from this rare spot in Antarctica: Concordia Station a French-Italian multinational Base in Antarctica (WAP MNB-Ø3).
He will use IAØ/DK5SQX callsign and will be on 20 mts (indicatively 14.285 +/-) starting 12:00 GMT, to test condition.
In a message, Marco said to have has just work HSØZMY; he also said to have heard many stations mostly from Asia, but they didn’t copy him. He will try again at 17,00 UTC on 14285. The problem is that he has to walk 20 minutes from where he lives to the Radio room plus 10 min to dress and undress (outside temp. is -40°C.)
Marco (pic to the right) sends few pics of the Radio room and equipments as well as the antenna, all managed by a touch screen as trasnsmitter and antenna are in a remote site.
We wish to thank immensely the Base Leader to allow Marco working on HF bands, sure that this few hours of TX-RX could also be a kind of tech test to perform, in a remote site of Antarctica
Wishing all the Hams Antarctic chasers good luck , hope you can shortly put IAØ/DK5SQX in the log.
QRX for following sked
TNX Marco IAØ/DK5SQX
Marco IK5SQX (the one with yellow & black dress in the picture aside) has left Casey Base this morning and he’s just arrived at Concordia Station after 4 hours fly aboard of the Chinare Balser plane.
Last tuesday dec. 17, Pavlo Tarasoviych UT1KY, was the guest author in a presentation of the book “Antarctica, the sixth Continent” to the students of the high school .
IAØ/IK5SQX-IAØ/DK5SQX Concordia Station WAP MNB-Ø3
a Basler plane to Concordia, but all depends on the weather; scheduling are updated every 16 hours so everyone can imagine how the weather condition can modify the plans.
Sebastian Gleich, SQ1SGB is at Halley VI Base (WAP GBR-37) since the last Dec. 5th. He did try to find a way to hang antenna between the stations modules, but length between modules was too small to hang 40m Inverted Vee. Finally Seba was able to hang it , just 3m up on small container. 1,5 SWR on 40m but high SWR on 20m; after lots of adjustments also 20mts works ok.
A Chilean C130 with 38 souls aboard, tragically crashes into the Drake Passage halfway from Punta Arenas to the Chilean Eduardo Frei Montalva Antarctic Air Base (WAP CHL-Ø5) on King George Island.
There are several conditions that have to be fulfilled to obtain a so-called consultative status: One of them is sustainable and high-quality Antarctic research; Czech Republic has been running for 13 years already, the Johann Gregor Mendel Station (WAP CZE-NEW) in Antarctica, and it has a valuable and sustainable national, it has asked (via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for the consultative status, which was granted to the country in 2014.”
Then, the Antarctic Joint Commander, Gen. Francisco Treviranus, took the floor and said: “Once again, battered by the steel of this magnificent ship and under the protection of the glorious wings of the Fatherland, we prepared to begin a new Antarctic Campaign”
Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) in Kochi, India, did select two young researchers to participate in the 39th Indian-Antarctic Science Exploration. 
Sixty years ago, twelve nations agreed to set aside Antarctica “for peaceful purposes only”, as a scientific preserve for “the progress of all mankind”, met in Washington, D.C. to sign an unprecedented document: the Antarctic Treaty. The original signatories were the 12 countries active in Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) .
The Australian Antarctic Medal, established in 1987, is an award in the Meritorious Service Awards category of the Australian Honours System. The Australian Antarctic Medal replaced the (British) Imperial Polar Medal and its variations which date back to 1857 for service in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Professor Anne-Marie Brady has been worried about China’s intentions in Antarctica for years.
For the anniversary of the canonization of St. Agnes of Bohemia and thanks to the Czeck polar explorers, a small chapel in honor of the Saints Wenceslaus I, Agnes of Bohemia and Ludmilla has been set in Antarctica!
Inside the chapel there is a sculpture of “Crucifixion” and a statue of “St. Wenceslas” by Milan Houser, Tomáš Medek and Jiří Pec.
from the MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research), to be used as a research vessel and logistical support in Antarctica. So I/B Enest Shackleton, has been renamed as R/V Laura Bassi, heir of the old R/V OGS Explora and R/V Italica.
It’s time to book your special callsign.
Antarctica’s western ice sheet is in danger of collapsing, but scientists may have an unusual solution: blasting trillions of tons of artificial snow across glaciers with snow cannons.
In a new study published in the journal Biological Conservation, an international team of researchers recommends the need for additional measures to protect and conserve one of the most iconic Antarctic species – the emperor penguin (Aptenodyptes forsteri).
A multinational effort to create giant marine sanctuaries around Antarctica to counter climate change and protect fragile ocean ecosystems has failed for an eighth straight year.
Five people have beaten off competition from more than 200 people to run the UK’s most remote post office in Antarctica. The team will man the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust’s Post Office at Port Lockroy for four months.
The new postmasters start work in November and return to the UK in March. Each year, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, which is based in Cambridge, advertises for a new intake of seasonal postal workers.
With the traditional flag-raising of the XXXV Italian Antarctic Expedition at Mario Zucchelli Station (WAP ITA-Ø1) the PNRA (Italian National Research Program in Antarctica), begins the 2019-2020 Antarctic Season.
Hams from Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) WAP ARG-23 will join the 3rd Argentine National Parks Event which will be held the 1st, 2nd and 3rd November.
The structure of the chapel is made of steel and is used for Catholic worship by the various Argentine staff members at the station (as well as visitors). The chapel has a bell tower and a cross. In the chapel there is a replica of the Virgin of Luján solemnly moved from her sanctuary in Buenos Aires before its inauguration.
It was blessed and inaugurated on April 15, 1996 by Norberto Eugenio Martina, a military bishop of Argentina, on whom the Argentine Antarctic chaplain depends. Currently the chapel at Orcadas Base (WAP ARG-15) is the southernmost Catholic temple in Argentina, and one of the southernmost on the planet.
We awarded the Base Commanders with WAP certificates in sign of our long friendship.
TNX IK2IWU, IZ1GJK, IK1GPG & IK1QFM and ARI Mondovì
Antarctica is actually in full swing; Reserchers in transit to the Icy Continent, others already in site, and others that are preparing to reach the Bases of destination. It is normal that program can change as well as changes in callsign for Ham radio operators.
The next operator at DPØGVN for the wintering season 2020 will be Roman, HB9HCF. He plans to be active on QO-100 satellite; not sure about HF yet.
Roman is a new operator, he has taken his license so that he can use QO-100 setup at Neumayer III. Felix (DL5XL) will introduce him to HF for sure, and even if he has no experience at all, let’s hope he will find amusement and interest in Ham Radio activity from Antarctica!
Oleg Sakharov (UA1PBA, RI1ANF, RI1ANX, etc,) a great Antarctic veteran is leaving to Antarctica again tomorrow (Oct.21st 2019) via Punta Arenas, Chile.
On Mid December a group of Italian Researchers will be on the way to Concordia Station. Two of them have Ham License: Marco IK5SQX will stop for a while at Cape Prud’Homme (pic aside) before joining a traverse to Concordia while Nicola IZ7ZNZ will fly to Concordia via MZS (WAP ITA-Ø1)
François F8DVD informs that at the beginning of 2020, he will use 2 special calls relating to Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic activities as follow:
Italian-French camp, opened in 1994, managed by the (French Polar Institute Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV) and the Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide (PNRA). It is located on the coast of the Antarctic Ice sheet, in Adélie Land, about 5 km from Petrel Island, where the French Dumont d’Urville Station is. All the supplies and equipment for the Italian-French Concordia Station (aka Dome C, WAP MNB-Ø3) are transported by a combined convoy of up to 7 Caterpillar tractors from Cap Prud’Homme , with Kassbohrer trailblazers and a team of up to 9 people; each convoy transports an average of 150 tons of payload..
Thanks to Gianluigi IZ8EWB, a young engineer who have carried on hours and hours of work, WAP website is again online.
Hams from Italy and few coming from neighboring European Countries have joined the 18th DCI Meeting (Italian Castles), IFFA (Flora and Fauna) and 16th Worldwide Antarctic Program (WAP).
The first plans for a Soviet Antarctic expedition were drawn up just before the second International Polar Year (1932-1933), but the expedition never took place. Soviet Antarctic expeditions began general, comprehensive scientific research covering the southern oceans as well as the Antarctic mainland in 1956, when preparations were begun for International Geophysical Year (IGY).
We would like to remark that Russia is probably the solo Country that have always been “On the Air” since the Antarctic epic, with hundreds of very professional Radio operators that, still now are very active on HF Hams bands. Our appreciation to the constancy and tenacity of all Russian radio amateurs who are an example of professionalism!
It was on 20 November 1984 that China dispatched its first Antarctic research expedition team, and by the end of this expedition, the country established its first Antarctic research station, the Great Wall Station on 20 February 1985. So far, China has done 35 national Antarctic expeditions and established two year-round research stations, namely the Great Wall Station (1985) in West Antarctica and the Zhongshan Station (1989) located in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica; one inner land summer station, the Kunlun Station (2009) located on “Dome A”, the highest place in Antarctica and one camp, namely the Taishan Camp (2014) located in Princess Elizabeth Land.
Comprehensive Investigation and Assessment Programs” (2015-2020). Regarding Antarctica, the Program comprises three parts: the Antarctic Marine Environment Survey, the Antarctic Terrestrial Environment Survey and the Comprehensive Assessment of the Antarctic Environment. The program is implemented through a series of surveys and assessments, involving various disciplines. In addition, China continues to conduct routine observations at the Great Wall Station (WAP CHN-Ø1)and the Zhongshan Station (WAP CHN-Ø2). To strengthen international cooperation in Antarctic research, international participants are encouraged to join in the Program through collaboration with national institutes and universities. Notably, China has been preparing to launch its fifth Antarctic research station, which is expected to be finalized by 2022.
Gus Smitka OE3SGA is a real Old Timer and for long time a keen DXer and Antarctic Hunter.
In effect, 2020 marks the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica by the expedition led by Fabian Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev. In honor of this event, plans are underway for the round-the-world sailing of the tall ships Pallada (
, the Vostok, commanded by Fabian Bellingshausen, and the Mirny, commanded by Mikhail Lazarev, left Kronstadt in 1819 and discovered Antarctica on 28 January 1820. In 1821, the ships returned to Kronstadt. They stayed at sea for 751 days and covered over 92,000 km. In addition to Antarctica, the expedition discovered 29 islands and one coral reef. The Russian sailors conducted scientific research, including oceanographic research.
Dome-Fuji Station, 77°30’South, 37°30’East was established in January, 1995 to conduct deep ice-core drilling at the highest dome of Dronning Maud Land, some 1000 km away from Syowa Station. After completing 3035 m deep drilling, the station is being closed temporarily.
Colombia plans to set up its base at a point along the Gerlache Strait, a body of water 100 miles long and 20 miles wide that separates the Palmer Archipelago from the Danco Coast on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula.
During this Antarctic Winter Season there are at least 4 Stations active:
A “Church in Antarctica” as well as any other signs or place of worship in any corners of the Icy Continent are the most sincere examples of faith and genuine places of worship; they deserve to be known.
facing the Station buildings. A second bigger one, is sets little lower. Both statues are located in the great rock on which the lighthouse stands out (62°09′28″South 58°27′56″West), and people at Arctowski, call this corner “Chapel”.
No way to put a statue on cargo ship that brought the supplies to Arctowski. The workers hid the statue of the Virgin in a deep cargo box and smuggled it out of Polish border. Now both signs of devotion are proudly on the site that Polish staff did choose for them.
Norbert Maibaum (DL SWL), from Bonn, Germany is a very active Antarctic Chaser.
Republica del Ecuador it’s an Antarctic Refuge located at Hennequin Point, 62°07’16” South, 58°23’42” West inside the Admiralty Bay on King George Island (or 25 de Mayo Island). It was installed by the first Antarctic expedition of Ecuador and inaugurated on January 13, 1988 with the assistance of delegations from Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, United States, Poland, Russia and Uruguay, which have Bases, scientific stations and shelters in the island. Its first occupants were Ecuadorian scientists who performed hydrographic and geological works. Republica del Ecuador Refuge consists of a six-meter container that has basic medical supplies, non-perishable food and two bunk beds with a capacity for four people. It is for researchers and tourists who want to rest or study the area.
stop on Republica del Ecuador Refuge on Febr.22, 2009 just before landing on Macchu Pichu Base (WAP PER-Ø1).
INOCAR (Oceanographic Institute of the Navy), performed the integral maintenance of the Refuge including graffiti, repair of walls, ceiling and floor.(pic on the right)
“Sun or not, the view is magical”.