Happy 50th Birthday Palmer Station! WAP USA-23

Officially opened on 20 March 1968; the US Palmer Research Station (WAP USA-23) on Anvers Island focuses primarily on Antarctic marine biology and zoology.

Located on Anvers Island near the Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station (64° 46’S, 64° 03’W) is named for Nathaniel B. Palmer, who in 1820 on a sealing expedition in his 47-foot (14-meter) ship the Hero became the first American to record sighting Antarctica. The original station was built in 1965. In 1967, the U.S. Navy began construction of the current larger and more permanent station approximately a mile east of the original site. The first building at the new station, the biology laboratory, opened its doors to science in 1970. Today, two main buildings and several smaller structures make up Palmer Station and provide housing and research facilities for scientists and support personnel. Of the three U.S. Antarctic stations, Palmer is the only one that is accessed routinely during the winter.

Palmer Station Webcam is mounted on a tower overlooking the smallest of the United States Antarctic stations, as well as Arthur Harbour and the Bismarck Strait beyond. Palmer station webcam at: https://www.usap.gov/videoclipsandmaps/palwebcam.cfm

Thanks and credit  to National Science Foundation (NSF)

And now … a quick tour of Palmer Station WAP USA-23

Argentine Chapels in Antarctica

Humans have left their mark on the once virgin continent, Antarctica. In the research bases we can find a number of services that many less isolated places do not have. School, Post office, Hospital, bowling alley or ATM are some of the services we can find in the Icy Continent,  and among all these buildings, Churches could not miss.

Christianity was first established in Antarctica by Captain Aeneas Mackintosh who erected a cross on Wind Vane Hill in 1916. The first religious service was conducted in Antarctica in 1947 by William Menster with about 2,000 people from different Christian denominations in attendance. Research and whaling stations were erected in the large area of Antarctica in the early 1900s. Since then, several scientists are attending the area especially during summer while a few people stay over during winter. The extended stay in the region can be stressful and challenging for researchers. The Jesuit geophysicists have contributed to the growth of religion in the continent through Antarctica mission work. The religion in Antarctica dates back to the discovery of the continent in 18th century. However, Christianity was the first religious practice in the continent.

Antarctica has several places of worship, and has a growing demand for religious services and worship spaces in its territory. Despite the saying “below 40 degrees south there is no law; below 50 degrees south there is no God”,  the exploration of the continent was closely related to religious activities and had numerous religious (for example, Jesuit geophysicists). Some of the first religious buildings are protected as historical monuments.

Shortly,  WAP will start to publish history and picture of the Catholic Chapels that have been built in most of the  Argentine Research Stations in Antarctica, even if the articles previously published  on the old WAP website have been recovered by Floyd Larck KK3Q are already available through http://www.waponline.it/articles/church-archives/.

Thanks to Marambio Foundation (http://www.marambio.aq/), thanks to Juan Manuel LU4CJM, Roberto LU3CQ, Horacio LU4DXU for providing descriptions and pics,.

French Port Martin Station, WAP FRA-Ø7, Antarctica

The coastal region of Terre Adelie was discovered and named by the French Dumont D’Urville expedition which landed on Debarquement Rock in the Dumoulin Islands at the northeast end of the Point Geologie Archipelago, on January 21, 1840. Terre Adelie was the subject of a territorial claim by France in 1924. This was further defined by a parliamentary decree in 1938 “to cover all islands and lands lying south of latitude 60°S between longitudes 136° and 142° east.”

French Antarctic research station, Port Martin, 66° 49’ 06” South, 141° 24’ 02” East was established at Cape Margerie on the coast of Adelie Land, Antarctica, by the 3rd French expedition on January 20th  1950 and was occupied for two winters, during which time the coastal islands were explored and ground control astrofixes observed with astro-labes and theodolites. Inland traverses were made using Weasel vehicles and dog teams. During unloading for a third winter, the base was destroyed by fire on the night of January 23, 1952. Fortunately no one died or was injured. The Port Martin station (WAP FRA-Ø7) was abandoned and actually, in addition to being the site of an abandoned French research base with scattered artifacts, is the name of the adjacent anchorage. Port Martin is Antarctic Special protected Area (ASPA) No.166 and HSM 46.

Thanks and credit: Archive TAAF ( http://archives.taaf.fr/spip.php?article6871)

 

 

 

It’s worth to know that that, later in 1952, a small wooden hut was built on Ile des Petrels and occupied by seven men under Marret’s command; they overwintered in 1952/53 and enlarged the hut to serve as the new base site. That wooden building, known as ‘Base Marret’ (pictures aside) has been designated as HSM 47 (Historic site or Monument).

The movie in French language shows  Port Martin Antarctic Station  before the base was destroyed by fire in 1952 ,  is now entirely available online. It is an excellent testimony of the daily life conditions in Antarctica in 1950s in which clearly appear FB8AX (René Gros from 7mns10s to 8mns 00s then Mario Marret from  9mns53 to 57s).

TNX Mehdi F5PFP

Petrel island is now the site of the new main French Station, named after Dumont D’Urville (WAP FRA-Ø1), subsequently built 62 km (39 mi) west of Port Martin and opened on January 12, 1956 to serve as the center for French scientific research during the Antarctic International Geophysical Year 1957-1958. The station has remained in active use ever since.

DL8JDX Volker Strecke, an Antarctic Veteran

Volker Strecke DL8JDX is a great friend and an Antarctic veteran who did participate  to several Antarctic Expeditions from 1988 through 1994.

He did operate as Y88POL at Georg Forster Station WAP DDR-Ø1 (1988-1989 and 1990-1992) and been also active as DPØGVN from Neumayer II Station WAP DEU-Ø1 on 1992-1994.

He enjoy hunting stations, so,  at the end of the last 15th Antarctic Activity Week, Volker wrote:

-I would like to thank WAP for your every years organization of the Antarctic Activity Weeks. Due to a lot of QRL I do have not always time, but during the AAW this year I managed to do 16 QSOs with 11 different WAP Stations.

So looking forward to continuously supporting the WAP-.

Thanks, Kind regards and best 73,

Volker Strecke, DL8JDX

Happy and proud to have Volker DL8JDX on the list of the thousands of WAP supporters!

Inside Scott Base WAP NZL-Ø1

Have you ever wondered what it’s like inside Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1) in Antarctica?

Take a quick trip around our base and visit the Hillary Field Centre (named after Sir Edmund Hillary), Hatherton Lab (named after scientist Trevor Hatherton), TAE (Trans Antarctic Expedition)  Hut, a part of the original Scott Base and more!!

Nestled alongside Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1) in Antarctica, is Hillary’s Hut,  a small building that’s played a big role in New Zealand’s history. Hillary’s Hut was the first building constructed at Scott Base. It was built by a team led by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1957 and it was from here that Sir Ed later led the historic expedition to the South Pole.

 

Thanks and Cedit to: http://www.nzaht.org/explorer-bases/hillarys-hut-scott-base#

Read lots more at: https://polar-news.com/antarctic/history/254-saving-hillary-s-historic-antarctic-hut-at-scott-base

TM15AAW, WAP-285 by François F8DVD

Thanks to F8DVD, always present since the 1st edition of the Antarctic Activity Week, 15 years ago!

He wrote: -15th AAW is over since few weeks. Propagation wasn’t so good but always nice to work so many friends with special call commemorating Antarctic activities-.

François sent WAP two samples of his brand new QSL cards; both looks great!

Here below a brief description of the subject choice while TM15AAW QSLs are in process of print.

This year, I choose 2 pictures of Port Lockroy base (WAP GBR-Ø1), the British station established in 1944.
Port Lockroy is situated on Goudier Island in the Palmer Archipelago (64°49’S – 63° 30’W) about 700 miles south of Argentina and Chile. The bay was discovered during Jean-Baptiste Charcot’s French Antarctic expedition in 1904 and was named after Edouard Lockroy, a French politician and Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, who assisted the explorer in obtaining government funding for his expedition.

The station is small and basic, compared to its modern day counterparts such as Rothera and Halley, but the spectacular mountain scenery, abundant wildlife and historical interest make Port Lockroy WAP GBR-Ø1 well worth a visit.

 

73 de François  F8DVD/TM15AAW

Five US Scientists rescued in Antarctica

The Argentine Ministry of Defense reports, by the Antarctic joint commander, Marine Commodore Pablo Fal that the crew of the Icebreaker Almirante Irízar rescued five US scientists who were stranded in Antarctica.

The provided Irizar’s assistance is framed in the spirit of the commitments of  the Antarctic Treaty which implies cooperation and assistance to human life on the White Continent and its surrounding waters

Because of the icy conditions of Joinville Island (in the Weddell Sea), the ship waiting for the scientists could not approach the camp to return them back to the Continent. For this reason, the National Science Foundation ( the Antarctic Program of the USA) required the help of the “Irizar” equipped with Sea King helicopters to assist the isolated US professionals and  to rescue them and their camp.

The polar ship, which is doomed to the Antarctic Summer Campaign (CAV) that carries the defense portfolio, acted at the request of the Argentine Foreign Ministry and went to Joinville Island to rescue the scientists.

The location was quite close to Base Petrel (WAP ARG-17) and Base Esperanza (WAP ARG-Ø4) that Argentina has in the Gulf of Erebus and Terror. (Erebus and Terror Gulf is a gulf on the southeast side of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, bordered on the northeast by the Joinville Island group and on the southwest by the James Ross Island group).

The assistance was made through four flights with Sea King helicopters in a successful way, and the scientists will be transported during this journey to the US ship Laurence M. Gould.

Source: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/el-rompehielos-almirante-irizar-rescato-cinco-cientificos-estadounidenses-varados-en-la

Francisco de Gurruchaga Naval refuge (WAP ARG-28)

Francisco de Gurruchaga Antarctic Naval Refuge (62°14’03.0″ South, 59°10’02.0″ West), also known as Armonia Refuge or Harmony Haven has been recently referenced with WAP ARG-28 following the activity of Juan Manuel Pereda who did operate from there as LU4CJM/Z from Jan. 8th through 22nd 2017.

The Refuge  is placed in Harmony Point, Nelson Island, South Shetland Island. The administration depends of the Argentine Naval Army. The shelter was built on December 15 of 1954.
This Area was originally designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest No. 14 under Antarctic ATCM Recommendation XIII-8 (1985), after a proposal by Argentina, because this is an excellent example of maritime Antarctic communities of birds and land ecosystems present in the South Shetland Islands, making it possible to carry out long-term research programs without damage or harmful interference.

TNX Juan Manuel Pereda LU4CJM

Ruperto Elichiribehety Station (WAP URY-NEW)

On the hill about 500m from Esperanza is Trinity House, a hut remaining from “Base D”, built by the UK in 1944–45 and closed in 1963. It was transferred to Uruguay in 1997 and is now named Ruperto Elichiribehety Station after the captain of Uruguayan steam trawler Instituto de Pesca No 1, which Shackleton used in his second of three unsuccessful attempts to reach the Elephant Island castaways. The summer-only facility accommodates eight.

Ruperto Elichiribehety Station (WAP URY-NEW)   is located in Hut Cove, South East of Hope Bay in the North East part of the Antarctic Peninsula (63°24′09″S 56°59′28″W) next to the Argentine Esperanza Base (WAP ARG-Ø4).
The Station can accommodate 7 people, and it is dedicated to support scientific projects in the surrender areas. It was a former British Station D, known as Trinity House.

 

Spanish navy Captain dies in Antarctica

The commander of a Spanish Navy Rsearch Ship has died in Antarctica after apparently falling overboard.

Javier Montojo Salazar, Captain of the frigate Hesperides, disappeared on Friday night when the ship was near the Juan Carlos I° research Base on Livingstone Island.

Spain’s Ministry of Defence said a search and rescue operation was launched using “all available resources” but the body of the 53-year-old sailor was recovered from the sea six hours later.

Though the pages of WAP website, on behalf  of the community of the Icy Continent and Hams,  we want to express our deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Javier Montojo Salazar

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5457727/Spanish-navy-captain-dies-Antarctica-falling-sea.html

A secret Penguin supercolony in Antarctica’s found at Danger Islands

Pygoscelis Adeliae is commonly known as the Adélie penguin, after the wife of French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville, the man who first documented them in 1840. Though they are not especially uncommon, scientists have been concerned that their Antarctic population has been on a steady decline for the last 40 years. Now, a new study conducted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has revealed a previously unknown “supercolony” of more than 1.5 million Adélies living in the Danger Islands, a remote archipelago on the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

“Until recently, the Danger Islands weren’t known to be an important penguin habitat,” says Heather Lynch, an ecologist at Stony Brook University who co-led the study, in a release. The remoteness of the archipelago, named by English captain James Clark Ross after he almost crashed into its ice-covered rocks in 1842, makes it hard to access.

Remote images gave researchers a fresh look. In 2014, Lynch and colleague Matthew Schwaller, a scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, spotted some telltale guano stains in satellite photos of the islands. To ground-truth their suspicions, Lynch and an international team of ecologists got on a boat. Upon their arrival in December 2015, the group was confronted with hundreds of thousands of penguins nestling amid the icy rocks. Using neural network analysis of drone images they took of the colony, the scientists were able to determine the size of the population, as well as how changing temperatures and sea ice are impacting the island ecosystem. Their results, published this month in the journal Scientific Reports, show that there are currently more than 750,000 breeding pairs of Adélie penguins in the Danger Islands, more than the rest of Antarctica combined.

Thanks and credit tohttp://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43250744 and https://www.theguardian.com

More about Novolazarevskaya Station WAP-RUS-Ø9

Question did arise when crossing the web (https://www.comnap.aq/Members/Shared%20Documents/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf) and finding out this paragraph:

In 1962, in 100 km southwest of the main buildings one more panel house was constructed for accommodation of geophysical equipment and the fourth magnetic pavilion near it. Already by the time of the 20th expedition, around 15 service and living constructions were located in the station territory.

Oleg Sakharov UA1PBA/ZS1ANF/RI1ANF was helpful to understand a bit more, so thanks to him,  now the story is more clear.

First station named “Lazarev” was constructed on the ice shelf, no so far from the barrier, yes, around 100 km from the actual Novolazarevskaya, which means “New Lazarev”.

Lazarev moved to the open ocean together with ice shelf and it does not exist right now. This is to say the original buildings of the Lazarev  Station were located   100 km away to the actual location and the name  Novolazarevskaya was given after the construction of the actual Base in the new actual site and  Lazarev was  the name of the old 1962 Base.

UA1KAE/2 being reported from Lazarev Station in 1962 was probably the solo one to operate from there from that site.

Report from the  6th Soviet Antarctic Expedition   says that, from the place where the Old Base was unloaded,  the road to a new station with a length of 100 km was found. During the construction of the first three main buildings (DES, office and residential building), the construction of magnetic pavilions was underway (in order to have time to conduct magnetic observations in parallel with the old station prior to its closure.

TNX Oleg Sakharov,  UA1PBA/ZS1ANF/RI1ANF

Question: Does anyone of our readers have a scan copy of UA1KAE/2 QSL card of October 1962‘s activity with evidence of Lazarev Base, or any old pics of Lazarev Station?
If so, please send one to WAP trough I1HYW (varettos-at-tin.it),  TNX

Antarctica Educational Video

Antarctica, the southernmost continent on Earth, was not discovered by people until modern times. It is the fifth largest continent and the coldest, windiest, driest place on Earth. Antarctica is famously home to penguins and visited by scientists.

Antarctica – Facts and Figures – Geography for Kids. Even if the video is 5 years old and some datas have changed since then, it’s always useful for those who wish to review the geography.

KA4RXP/MM’s update & story

John Landrigan KA4RXP/MM, departed the port city of Bluff, New Zealand on February 9, 2018 aboard the Soviet registered expeditionary vessel Professor Khromov also known as the M/V Spirit of Enderby. During the set up prior to sailing I met Viktor, the ship’s Communications Officer and Ivan, the ship’s electrician. Their assistance was crucial to what success I was to enjoy.

The night of departure contact was made with JI1TIF in Tokyo and then VK4XXL in New South Wales. The power was at 100 watts from the Yaesu 897. Later that evening a 12 volt 25 amp power supply for the backup Icom transceiver was pressed into service to consolidate the auto-tuner power supply, the SCS Pactor modem supply and the Rigblaster Blue supply into one source. The power supply had been tested in Memphis but I forgot to switch it to 240 volt input. It promptly made a loud cracking noise. Shortly after that an attempt to email everyone resulted in another catastrophe. The SPE amplifier was switched in on low output and during a prolonged session of connecting with fairly constant repeating, a failure occurred in the auto tuner. The transmitter then interfered with a guard channel on a radio on the bridge radio and everything had to be shut down.

Inspection of the auto tuner revealed one severely burned relay and probably another burned relay next it. Multiple power supply combinations had been required at the dock to get the tuner operational and there may have been a surge voltage during that particular Winlink transmission that may have led to such a violent RF arcing and distortion of one of the relay housings.

The next day, Viktor and Ivan assisted me in pulling the tuner and inspecting it. The concern of the Captain was such that we had to provide him with complete assurance that he would not be aware that I was operating the radio. The decision was made to forgo the amplifier and instead try to use it’s built in tuner to produce a matched input to the Pacific Aerials 7.3 meter vertical. A match could not be achieved. I used the ship’s commercial internet service to notify the group of my predicament and then relegated myself to being a tourist only.

The next day Ivan brought back the power supply that he had repaired. I don’t how or what he did but Richard, this guy needs to be hired by you. Viktor helped trace through possible surviving tuner circuits and felt I could use 7 MHz and 10 MHz. Transmitting at only a 100 watts, caused no further interference.

We did a Zodiac boat tour around Snares Island, made a landing at Enderby Island in the Aucklands Group and made two landings at Macquarie Island. All the Australian philatelic items were postmarked there and are being held for mailing from there in late March.

Rough seas caused us to skip a landing at Cape Adare. We then proceeded to McMurdo Sound and found a previously cut channel by the ice breaker Polar Star had completely re-frozen and blocked us some 12 miles out from McMurdo. Re-tracking, we went to Cape Evans and landed at Scott’s Hut. I brought all the New Zealand Dependency philatelic items with me and will sign and date them for that landing. I will have them postmarked at the Ross Island Dependencies window at the Main Post Office in Christchurch once we return. The Italian Base had previously closed due to heavy ice.

I reinstalled the tuner and it seems to manage without incident on 40 and 30 meters. Reception is very spotty and I have not been able to make any contacts. On February 23 and 24 I heard K7GI in Tuscon and K6MYX in San Diego booming in at S9++. Craig was fighting S9 noise levels on his end and none of the Australian or New Zealand Stations were hearing me from my grid square RB32. Also heard K7UI.

Hope continues ever onward that perhaps this will make it via Winlink prior to us reaching Christchurch.

TNX John Landrigan KA4RXP/MM

We should traverse the remaining 500 nautical miles to reach Campbell Island during the day of March 3, Seas are very rough and biggest roll so far is 27 degrees. 55 degrees is when you really start to pray.

I am looking forward to the International DX Contest on Saturday and Sunday.

John KA4RXP/MM Grid Square RD01xu

The XXXIII Italian Antarctic Campaign is over

With more than fifty scientific projects done, with the lowering flag’s ceremony the activities of the XXXIII Summer 2017-2018 Campaign of the Italian National Program of Research in Antarctica (PNRA) at Mario Zucchelli Station (WAP ITA-Ø1) of Terra Nova Bay,  are finished.

Equally important have been the activities of a logistical nature, maintenance of the structures and preparation of the intermediate airstrip for flights to Concordia Station (WAP MNB-3) and Dumont D’Urville (WAP FRA-Ø1). In this context, the contribution of a specialized engineers team of the Italian Air Force to the realization of the Boulder Clay strip, a remote field 250 km from the base,  is of particular importance.

The project, which is developing during the last expeditions, will see this infrastructure acquiring greater flexibility of access to the Mario Zucchelli Station, allowing it to become an important hub for the movement of international scientific personnel operating in the northern part of the Ross Sea.

Italian Army, Navy and Air Force have guaranteed as every year, full support to the research and logistics activities within the Antarctic Continent;  25 specialists  of the 3 Armed Forces have been involved:  mountain scouts, pilots, weather forecasters, mechanics, riders and divers gave a great contribution to the success of the Summer campaign.

Read more at: http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/comunicazione/notizie/Pagine/20180219_Antartide-conclusa-la-XXXIII-spedizione.aspx

Thanks and credit: Defence Ministry-Italian Air Force

Antarctica tourists: “Don’t’ touch the penguins”

Tourist numbers on the Icy Continent have grown by twenty times in 30 years. Tourism in Antarctica has risen from fewer than 2,000 visitors in the 1980s to more than 45,000 visitors from around the world last year. The number of people travelling to the frozen continent dipped during the economic recession of the late 2000s, but rose again in recent years, according to data kept by the Rhode-Island based International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators.

China forced to tell Antarctica tourists: “Don’t’ touch the penguins”  that’s especially the case for Chinese tourists, so much so that the Chinese government earlier this week established a new list of rules for people visiting Antarctica: No hunting. No leaving behind solid waste…and no touching or feeding the penguins, according to the South China Morning Post.

Read more at: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/antarctica-china-tourists-dont-touch-penguins-travel-environment-latest-a8203981.html

Scott Base WAP NZL-Ø1

From the history:
20 January 1957 Scott Base  (WAP NZL-Ø1) a New Zealand’s permanent Antarctic research Station did open in Antarctica

As the base was named after British explorer Robert Falcon Scott, the New Zealand flag was raised on a flagstaff that had been used by Scott at Hut Point in 1903. Originally established to support the privately run Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1955-58, it was to accommodate both the New Zealand party and a party of New Zealand scientists attached to the expedition who also contributed to the International Geophysical Year. These parties were the first to spend winter over at Scott Base. At the Completion of the expedition, Scott Base became the property of the New Zealand Government in agreement with the Ross Sea Committee. Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/scott-base-opened-antarctica

Scott Base, New Zealand’s only Antarctic research station, perches on a low volcanic headland called Pram Point at the Southern End of Ross Island, 3500 kms south of Dunedin and 1350 kms from the South Pole.

Located at Pram Point, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island in McMurdo Sound (77 51′ South, 166 46′ East), 10 m above sea level, between October through February Scott Base is a bustling hub of science researchers. Scott Base can accommodate 85 people at any one time, during the summer season more than 300 guests stay on Base.

22 February, “Dia de la Antartida Argentina”

 

February 22nd, is  a very important day for Argentina. It was the 22 Febr. 1904 when  the Argentine Flag did flutter on Laurie Island of the South Orkney Islands group, when Orcadas Base was inaugurated.

Since then, every year Argentina’s Antarctic Day is commemorated in the whole State.  114 years of uninterrupted presence (1904-2018) of this Country in Antarctica, is a reality.

WAP is joining the event and since 2004 when the 1st Antarctic Activity Week was launched, we always recall and give tributes to the Explorers who marked the Antarctic epic.

II3BOVE WAP-271

II3BOVE is one of the Special Callsign to be aired, along with several others, within the initiatives of the 15th Antarctic Week 2018 scheduled from 17 to 25 February. In particular II3BOVE (WAP-271) aims to remember the first Italian Scientific Base in Antarctica, set in January 1976 by Cav. Renato Cepparo (I2VZP) and named after Giacomo Bove, the Italian explorer who at the end of 1800 sailed to the South to arrange an expedition on the Antarctic Continent. The Base, was active until 20th  February 1976 as I1SR/MM.

Following some strange political events of the time, the Base donated by the Italian Government to Argentina,  was destroyed only eight months after its construction and now only a stone path remains to remember its foundations. II3BOVE wish to recall the facts and  remember the memory.

In the 15th edition of the AAW 2018, however, II3BOVE will have an even higher meaning in the spirit of  W.A.P. In fact, it will be the name that on 24 and 25 February will inaugurate the Ham radio station permanently set up at “Malignani 2000”, a Technical Institute in Cervignano del Friuli ITALY (JN65qt). The students of the institute, supported by some local radio amateurs, will be able to immerse themselves and firsthand experience  to the radio world and to share the constant support that, this activity promotes with scientific research.
At the same time, with an even more noble significance, the foundation stone of the construction site will be laid in the garden of the Technical Institute for the “ex situ” reconstruction of the Base which has been left in neglect and abandonment for 42 years in Italy Valley (official name) in the Antarctic Peninsula.

To support the nomination of the Antarctic site as “historical site”, sign the petition at the following link: https://www.change.org/p/bove

Cape Circoncision (WAP NOR-NEW) on Bouvet island

Cape Circoncision (Norwegian: Kapp Circoncision) (54° 23′ 48″ South,  3° 17′ 30″ East) is a peninsula on the north-western edge of subantarctic Bouvet Island.

Bouvetøya was discovered by the French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier, who believed what he discovered was Terra Australis Incognita (“the unknown country in the South”).

The small peninsula was sighted on 1 January 1739. That day was  the Feast of the Circumcision and  Charles Bouvet de Lozier gave the site  the name Cap de la Circoncision. The cape provided the location for the base-camp of the 1928-29 Norwegian expedition. (See the hut on the pic below)

In the centuries after the first discovery, the island was only sporadically observed. Nobody made formal demands on the island before the first Norwegian expedition, under Captain Harald Horntvedt‘s leadership, who made a landing on the island on December 1, 1927, and annexed it to Norway. Cap Circoncision provided the location for the Base-camp of the 1928-29 Norwegian expedition.

By Royal Decree of January 23, 1928, Bouvetøya was drawn under Norwegian sovereignty, and in 1930 the island was given the status of biland. Like the Queen Maud Land and Peter I Island in Antarctica Bouvetøya was annexed for whaling purposes.

Cape Circoncision is snow-free during summertime, and on the Ham radio wise the location gives coverage to most continents. Due to penguin colonies, access cannot be granted.

If in the future an operation will be set from there, a New WAP Reference will be given to it.

II3MNA WAP-205

Special callsign II3MNA WAP-205 is on the air during the15th Antarctic Week 2018 operating from MNA – “Museo Nazionale dell’Antartide” in Trieste, Italy. QSL via IQ3TS

The Antarctic  museum of Trieste (Italy) is  located in San Giovanni compound, under the aegis of Trieste University, Department of Geology.

Among Its objectives,  the conservation, study and enhancement of Antarctic materials relating to the marine geology and marine geophysics research fields, as well as of the history of the explorations of the continent.

The Documentation Centre currently holds a rich collection of items relating to Antartica’s geology and marine geophysics, approximately one hundred historical texts and the maps used in exploring this continent.
Trieste exposition is organized in a surface of 600 sq. meters, where valuable collections, attractive sceneries and multimedia products, underline current scientific subjects, like climate change, anthropic impact on the environment, biodiversity and space research. This Museum is divided in three sectors: the first one is devoted to Antarctic historical cartography, including valuable ancient maps; the second sector is dedicated to the conquest and exploration of the Antarctic continent, highlighting the three pioneers, protagonists of the most difficult adventures of the world: Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen; the third and last sector is focused exclusively on the Italian expeditions from the 900’s until nowadays organized and realized by “Progetto Nazionale delle Ricerche in Antartide” (PNRA).

The activity of diffusion and divulgation of the Museum targets mostly a scholar public, students on different levels of instruction, and a wide public. Interesting information which awakes public’s interest on extreme environments, conservation and preservation of natural environments are exposed. The visits to the Museum can be chosen between individual visits or visits accompanied by guides and/or by the Museum’s researchers.

OR15ANT WAP-287

Jean Pierre Hubert ON7ZM, was in Antarctica in Feb 2009 with F5PFP; a great expedition still on the memory of many DXers and Antarctic hunters. Together they did activate several remote sites and Research Bases, some of them very rare!

Now, the IBPT ( Institut Belge des services postaux et des telecommunications) responsible of the Ham radio licenses, after lenghty negotiation, awarded OR15ANT callsign to the Station Club UBA, section NMR, operator Jean-Pierre, ON7ZM, one of the last Polar Missions operators in Belgium who will operate the 15th AAW  in tandem with ON6YH, Didier.

The information came from ON4LS, Jean-Luc, the NMR (Namur) Team Manager, Training and Formations, UBA, saying that  transmissions are authorized and valid as from 15th Feb, though 14th Mar. 2018.

Congratulations to Jean-Pierre ON7ZM, ON6YH, Didier and  to ON4LS, Jean-Luc, Manager at  Station Club UBA, section NMR.

OR15ANT is actually very active on air, as WAP-287, QSL via ON7ZM.

15th Antarctic Activity Week

Two more days then the 15th AAW will officially start.

Some stations, who have received the license to operate their Special Callsigns, have already begun to be on the air, so from now and ahead the game is on.
30 are the stations worldwide with a Special Callsign  credited so far for the 2018’s edition and we are happy to see some new QSLs already printed for the yearly international event.

Thanks to Tony  F8ATS who will be on as TM18ATS WAP-282; his card spread a great message: Antarctic to Save … let us share it worldwide too.

Have fun to enjoy Antarctica as much as we do!

Vostok Station. On the threshold of life.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was awarded a prize by the Russian Geographical Society in the category “Popularization of natural, historical and cultural heritage of Russia”.

In this category, which was won by the documentary “Vostok Station. On the threshold of life.” The award from the hands of the President received the producer of the project Alexander Zhukov and Director Olga Stefanova.

The award is presented once every two years and has international status. It was first presented in 2014.

 

Vostok Station (WAP RUS-13) is an in inland Russian Research Station located at Princess Elizabeth Land, Antarctica. Founded by the Soviet Union in 1957, the station lies at the southern Pole of Cold, with the lowest reliably measured natural temperature on Earth of −89.2 °C. Research includes ice core drilling and magnetometry. Vostok was named after Vostok, the lead ship of the First Russian Antarctic Expedition captained by Fabian von Bellingshausen.

 

KA4RXP/MM will not be operational

From a message sent (right now) by High Seas Satellite Phone, John Landrigan (K4RXP) said  that KA4RXP/MM  WILL NOT be operational from February 9 to March 8, 2018 due to failure of two relays in auto tune unit.

Attempts to use an alternate tuning means, have been unsuccessful and have introduced radio interference to one of the ship’s radios. John Landrigan sincerely regret that this has happened.
OK John, things like that can happen in an Antarctica cruise, so never mind and don’t worry too much.  Recent canceled 3Y0Z expedition, teaches that there is never certainty in trips to those latitudes! Enjoy the trip and thanks for trying.

TNX John K4RXP

Spanish Gabriel de Castilla Refuge (WAP ESP-Ø2)

Gabriel de Castilla is actually a Spanish Research  Station located on Deception island in the South Shetlands Group, but it was first a military shelter (called Gabriel de Castilla Refuge), when it was constructed during the 1989/90 campaign. (see thetwo  pics  here below on the right)

The  Spanish Army took a very active part gathering data for the topographical surveys in different parts of Antarctica and it has been having a key role from the first expeditions; six Spanish Army officials  took  part  in the  first campaign (1987-88).

A great momentum was the opening of a refuge, called “Gabriel de Castilla”, named after a Spanish navigator and explorer credited with the discovery of Antarctica at the start of the 17th century.

Activities are run by the Operations Division of the Army’s, coordinated by the Spanish Polar Committee (CPE), the Polar Authority and the body responsible for coordinating, managing and executing Spanish activities in Antarctica and the polar zones in general.

Polar projects are usually funded by the National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation after a peer-review process of proposals.

Since 1959 Spanish researchers have been working in Antarctica, but it was from the opening of “Juan Carlos I Station”  (WAP ESP-Ø1) in 1988 that Spanish scientific activities greatly increased.

 

Today,(pic to the Left) Gabriel de Castilla on the southern side of Fumarole Bay, is a regularly open summer Base; it has been enlarged with more building and able to accommodate 12 people.

About 1000 mts to the west, is the Argentina’s Deception Station (WAP ARG-12), just occasionally open.

50th Anniversary of Bellingshausen Station WAP RUS-Ø1

Don’t forget to contact Alexandr A. Ushakov, UA1OJL, who is actually operating from Bellingshausen Station as RI5ØANO to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its foundation.

An  “Anniversary Award” is available online for 2 QSOs with RI5ØANO from 1 January to 31 March 2018.

Repeats allowed on different bands or in different modes: CW, PHONE, and DIGI modes  (FT8,JT65,PSK,RTTY).  The award is free and available in electronic form upon the check of online log automatically.

Fill the form here: http://r1o.hamlog.ru/diploms/ri50ano/

QSL for RI1ANO and RI5ØANO (WAP RUS-Ø1) must be requested via bureau or direct to RI1ON:

Alexei V. Kuz’menko, P.O. Box 599, 163000, Arkhangelsk, Russia

M/V Ivan Papanin got accident close to Bharati Station, Antarctica

Expedition vessel  M/V Ivan Papanin, after completing cargo operations at Bharati Station (WAP IND-Ø4) Larsemann Hills (69° 24’ 24.4” South,  76° 11’ 42.9” East) started her onward journey at 23:35 Hrs local time (18:35 UTC) on Monday, 05 February 2018 heading to the second Indian Station  Matiri  (WAP IND-Ø3) at Schirmacher Oasis (70° 46’ 00” South,  11° 43’ 50.8” East).

After a few hours of sailing, Vessel met with an accident. Initial investigation suggests heavy water ingress in the ballast tank No. 2. Passenger and crew are safe on board and there is no oil spillage.

 

Papanin has now returned to the mooring location off-Bharati station (see stock pic aside)

While the crew is attempting to fix the water ingress, passengers have been safely moved to Bharati Base. Cargo and fuel on board meant for Maitri Station is being moved to Bharati station as well. Details of investigation and assessment of the damage is awaited.

Source: http://www.ncaor.gov.in/news/view/414

Since the last four years, the voyage leg to the Indian Bases in Antarctica is undertaken by a Russian Cargo Vessel M/V Ivan Papanin which offers limited lab space.

Is St. John Bosco truly the patron of Antarctica?

Antarctica is undoubtedly a subject that is passionate, but it’s also a reality object of investments, of energies spent on studies and researches that for years are involving the whole world.

For those who did not know, in 1975 the first Italian adventure in Antarctica did start by a private expedition carried out by a Milanese entrepreneur: Renato Cepparo.

Italy did sign the Antarctic Treaty in 1981, a good 6 years after Cepparo’s expedition that built a scientific base in a place called Ezcurra Inlet in front of Admiralty Bay,  South Shetland Islands in Antarctica.

The literature is full of stories of Renato Cepparo (I1SR) who named his Base (picture aside) after the Italian explorer Giacomo Bove (WAP ITA-Ø2) and the fact that Italian government, fully disinterested in this tricolor flagging outpost,  in 1976 gave it to Argentina which dismantled it by plundering the equipments that Cepparo had left in the Base Bove laboratory. Currently in that place, only the foundation on which the building was based is still visible. Poland, who have his research site (Arctowski Station) nearby, did call Italia Valley the place where the first Italian Base in Antarctica was built.

Now, going out the gymnasium of the Salesian Institute of Lombriasco (Turin, Italy) I did find,  hanging on a wall, a postcard signed by the members of the Cepparo expedition, sent on December 25, 1975 from  Antarctica to the Salesian Institute of Agriculture of Lombriasco;  besides being a precious rarity, it’s a real scoop!

Don Marco Casanova, Director of the Salesian School complex says: – Since my arrival in Lombriasco, I have always seen it there and sincerely, I have never deepened the link between the Salesians, Antarctica and the expedition of Renato Cepparo-.

 

But there is a bit more: within the frame, a typescript was inserted in;  it says: – St. John Bosco in Antarctica – On the subject,  perhaps not everyone knows that Patron of the  Antarctica – where last year seemed even to break the third world war because of the Anglo-Argentine conflict in the Falklands Islands, gave rise to numerous collections that are now appearing in more and more philatelic exhibitions – is the Salesian St. John Bosco .

Therefore, the Italian Cepparo expedition in Antarctica took place in “December 1975-January 1976“, the Falklands war mentioned in the brief paragraph dates June 1982.

It is likely that the typescript has been inserted inside the frame after 1982 and the question that arises now is: Is the Salesian St. John Bosco truly the Protector of Antarctica? It would be great, even if researches have been carried out,  this news is  not confirmed yet.

Lions Rump Refuge (WAP POL-NEW)

Lions Rump Refuge (62° 06′ South, 58° 05′ West) is a strip of ice-free beaches, moraines and rocks, located on the King George Bay. It is separated from Arctowski Station (WAP POL-Ø1) by a glacier and the waters of the Bransfield Strait. The majority of this area is protected as ASPA 151 (Antarctic Special Protected Area), which in general can be called the equivalent of our nature reserve. The name of the refuge comes from the rock,Lions Rump  rlocated in the ASPA.

The Area takes its name from the distinctive rocky hill lying between the southern extremity of King George Bay and Lions Cove. Geologically, Lions Rump consists of Tertiary lavas and tuff containing thin brown
coal intercalations and petrified wood fragments. The front of White Eagle Glacier is marked by large, dome-shaped moraine ridges belonging to several Holocene stages of glacier advance and retreat.
The Area was originally designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Recommendation XVI-2 (1991, SSSI No. 34) after a proposal by Poland on the grounds that it contains diverse biota and geological features and is a representative example of the terrestrial, limnological, and littoral habitats of the maritime Antarctic.

Calling Antarctica 2018 – A free Diploma

Paolo Corsetti, IK3GER is an Italian Ham who lives in Mestre which is part of the town of Venice. Paolo has just released the 2018 “Calling Antarctica Award” to be issued at the end of the Antarctic Activity Week.

Paolo wrote: Every year, in the month of February, a special activity called “Antarctic Activity Week” takes place. This year, the 15th AAW will be held from February 17 to 25.

All WAP (Worldwide Antarctic Program) stations have a special WAP reference number that will be given during the QSO.

The diploma is issued in 2 classes to OM/SWL:

a) “Basic” for at least 5 QSO/HRD with different calls,
b) “First Class” for 10 or more QSO/HRD with different calls.

Only QSO/HRD made between February 17th and 25th, 2018 are valid for this diploma. QSL cards are not needed. Endorsement is available for mode only (CW, SSB, Mixed, various digimodes) The Award is free, and will be sent to the applicants via email as a PDF (JPG on request). WAP reference of the station worked  is mandatory in your application

Send your application via email or ask for more information to  the Award Manager IK3GER  at: corsetti.paolo@libero.it

TNX Paolo, IK3GER (https://www.ik3ger.it)

Wilkins Aerodrome, Antarctica celebrates its 10th Anniversary

The Australian Antarctic Program is celebrating a decade of flights to the frozen continent’s blue ice runway, improving access for hundreds of scientists and expeditioners.

Wilkins Aerodrome blue ice runway in Antarctica (named after the legendary patron and pioneer of early Antarctic aviator, Sir Hubert Wilkins), has improved access to the continent with 131 flights carrying more than 1600 people landing on the runway since it officially opened on 10 January 2008. Where the ship takes weeks, Wilkins Aerodrome gives the ability to fly expeditioners and equipment between Australia and Antarctica in just over four hours. A Skytraders Airbus 319 and Royal Australian Air Force C-17A are used for the flights, landing on the glacial runway which moves about 12 meters each year.

Wilkins Aerodrome is located at 66°41′27″ South, 111°31′35″ East,  in an area of Antarctica known as Wilkes’ Land,  approximately 70 km South East of Casey Base (WAP AUS-Ø2) and serves as the Antarctic terminal for the intercontinental air service.

The facility operates between October and March each year.

Source: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2018/a-milestone-in-australian-antarctic-flights

15th Antarctic Activity Week

It’s now time to book the 15th AAW, getting your special call, your  WAP reference number and jump into the unique International Ham event to promote Antarctica … join in and enjoy it!

For over 15 years the annual Antarctic Activity Week is running with the unique purpose of fostering interest in the Antarctic region and its related facts.

The  15th Antarctic Activity Week (AAW) will begin Saturday  February 17th, and runs till 24:00 UTC Sunday February 25nd. Someone may ask the reason of why this edition is two days longer than the past years; well, several participants did ask the possibility to have 2 weekends instead of 1 … so this year will be a test, if 2 more days are felt too long, next edition will return back to 7 days activity.

Look for the several  special event stations world-wide that will animate the 15th  AAW; each one has its own super special QSL card available. Check  for the list of SES station at: http://www.waponline.it/antarctic-activity-week/aaw-2018/, QSL routes and attractive Awards.
François F8DVD (TM15AAW)  wrote:

I’m happy to send WAP an article  to announce 15th AAW activity next February. It’s published in the January issue of REF bulletin.

A l’occasion de la quinzième semaine d’animation radio sur l’Antarctique organisée par les OM italiens du programme WAP (Worldwide Antarctic Program ; www.waponline.it), François F8DVD activera depuis son QTH de Mâcon (71) l’indicatif spécial TM15AAW au cours du mois de février 2018 (du 2 au 5, le 7, du 10 au 12, le 14, du 17 au 19, le 21, les 24 et 25) en phonie principalement. Une nouvelle référence WAP a été attribuée à cet indicatif : WAP 285. QSL via F8DVD, bureau ou directe. Pour plus d’infos:  http://www.qrz.com/db/TM15AAW 

Good receiving and see you all  on the air with my TM15AAW call.

 

Wonderful job François, you’re always doing great, TNX

Argentinean Base Matienzo (WAP ARG-Ø1), Antarctica

Pedro LU1JHF, informs WAP  that Juan C. Benavente (LU8DBS) is actually active from Base T.te Benjamin Matienzo  64° 58’ 34” South, 60° 04’ 05” West, as LU1ZAB. Check daily on 7,118 MHz. from  23:00 (UTC) and sometimes from 02: 00 (UTC), in SSB. Juan should be there till February 2018

Base Aérea Teniente Benjamín Matienzo, or more often Base Matienzo or Estación Matienzo (WAP ARG.Ø1) is an Argentine Antarctic Base and scientific Research Stationlocated in Nunatak Larsen, one of the Foca Nunataks, in Graham Land, Antarctic Peninsula.

It was named after Lieutenant Benjamin Matienzo, an Argentine aviation pioneer.

As of 2014 Matienzo is one of 13 Research Bases in Antarctica operated by Argentina. From 1961 to 1985 it served as a permanent base; since then it is open during the summer season only.

 

TNX Pedro LU1JHF

A penguin pops in for a quick visit… Antarctic style!

Australian expeditioners near Casey Research Station  (WAP AUS Ø2) were out on the water when they had an unexpected visitor. Antarctica offers emotions and job.

You, too, could have such an amazing experience – we’re recruiting expeditioners right now! To see the full list of roles available and to apply online visit http://jobs.antarctica.gov.au.

Source:  http://www.antarctica.gov.au/ 

Today is  the “Penguin Awareness Day”

20 January is a day dedicated to the world of penguins: did you know that they are aquatic animals and that their survival depends on the health of the oceans?  Protecting their ecosystem is the only way to help them.

Penguin Awareness Day (January 20th of every year), together with the  World Penguin Day (April 25th) are two great opportunities to learn about and appreciate one of the few natives of Antarctica.

 

World Penguin Day coincides with the annual northward migration of penguins. Penguins do not fly, rather, they walk, or waddle their way to and from. Penguins are found in Antarctica, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, the Falkland Islands, and the Galapagos Islands.

Greenpeace recalls the reason to celebrate the majesty and silliness of the fine and flippered friends. Everybody can help Greenpeace and the penguins by joining their call for ocean sanctuaries around the world and spreading the word about this kind of initiatives.

 

Read more at: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/how-are-you-celebrating-world-penguin-day/ 

33rd Anniversary of Artigas Antarctic Base (WAP URY-Ø1)

 

On last December 22, under intense sleet, honors were paid at the national pavilion to all the people who have passed through the Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base (BCAA) in the framework of its 33rd Anniversary.

The event included members of the Antarctic Programs present on King George Island. Greetings and gifts were received from their bases and the personnel of the Ship Rou Artigas.

Last January 6th 2018 the navy ship M/V Rou Artigas carrying the fuel and supplies did arrive on schedule to Antarctic Artigas Base (WAP URYØ1) with  about 5 tons of frozen food and 226,000 liters of Antarctic gas oil.

M/V Rou04 General Artigas is a ship of the Uruguay National Navy that travels to Antarctica. The ship participates in the “Operation Antarkos XXXIV” with 120 crew members on board, of which 15 are students of the Naval School.

Purpose of this operation is carrying out the Antarctic Campaign between November 15, 2017 and March 30, 2018, making a stopover in the port of Punta Arenas, Republic of Chile. The mission consists of the logistical support of the Artigas Base (picture on the right) through the replenishment of materials for the continuity of the National Antarctic Program, for which 105 tons of general cargo are transported.

RABA, one of  the Top Antarctic Awards by Russian Robinson Club

Russian Antarctic Bases Award (RABA)  managed by Russian Robinson Club is given for QSO/SWL with radio stations situated on the territory of the ex USSR and Russian Antarctic Bases. Certificates are issued in three different classes  with  Plaque – Honour Roll and the last born “Plaque.of Excellence”.

The application must be based on the received QSL cards,  photocopies of which must be sent along with the application to the Award Manager  (e-mail scan of the QSL cards are accepted). The manager reserves the right to request any specific cards to satisfy any doubt whatsoever.

There are different Classes with different levels of difficulties for these RABA Award Program a real great one for DXers

There is a RABA Data base (http://www.rdxc.org/RRC/AWARDS/RABA/raba_dbe.htm) related to the past operation; this useful tool is set to help applicants to identify the combination of the call with the Russian Base,

Additional information can be requested  to RABA Manager: Eugene RZ3EC (rz3ec@yandex.ru)

Read more at: http://www.rdxc.org/RRC/AWARDS/raba_e.htm

TNX Eugene RZ3EC

 

Rules and Awards are shown on the pages of “Worldwide Antarctic Awards”  here at WAP website.

Check:http://www.waponline.it/worldwide-antarctic-awards/  and select Russia

China to build its 5th Antarctic Research Station

China plans to build its fifth Research Station in the Antarctic in a bid to further promote polar research, said an official with the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

The station will be set on Inexpressible Island in Terra Nova Bay in the Ross Sea. After it is built, the year-round base will be used to investigate the land, sea, atmosphere, and glaciers in the Antarctic.  Chinese icebreaker ‘Xuelong is bound for Antarctica with construction materials in tow to build the country’s fifth scientific research station on the continent.

Read more at: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/28/c_136711670.htm
I/B Xuelong  started off at Inexpressible Island, not far from the Italian Mario Zucchelli Station (WAP ITA-Ø1), where the construction of the third all year round open Chinese station, is scheduled for 2022.  The name of this planned “New Base” is not yet known.

 

China has built four Antarctic Research Stations over 30 years of research, with Great Wall (Chángchéng Zhàn )  WAP CHN-Ø1, and Zhongshan WAP CHN-Ø2 serving as the two perennial stations, and Taishan (WAP CHN-NEW) & Kunlun (WAP CHN-NEW) being the two summer stations.

On the mean time, China is building its first homemade polar icebreaker “Xuelong 2” which is expected to be completed in 2019. Scientists say it will provide a solid guarantee for China’s polar expeditions.

More at: https://www.rt.com/news/409270-china-icebreaker-antarctica-station/

Dallmann Laboratory (WAP MNB-Ø4) at Carlini Station

Despite its frigid solitude, at several sites in the Antarctic nations from around the world have joined forces in the name of research: the Argentinian Carlini Station ( ex- Estacion Cientifica T.te Jubany) WAP ARG-20 on King George Island, one of the South Shetland Islands, is a prime example:Different nations, all under one roof,

In 1994 the Alfred Wegener Institute and Instituto Antárctico Argentino founded the first research institute operated by more than one nation – the Dallmann Laboratory  (WAP MNB-Ø4), where researchers from Argentina, the Netherlands and Germany work together under the same roof from October to April (the Antarctic summer). Here, up to 14 researchers at a time pursue biological and geo-scientific field research in the ice-free regions and the shallow waters near the coast – which is only possible in a handful of locations in the Antarctic.

The Laboratory was named in honour of the polar explorer and Bremen native Eduard Dallmann, who headed the first German exploration of the Antarctic, or more precisely, of the Antarctic Peninsula, in 1873.

The video below (without sound) shows the work of scientists at the station:

The only station active so far from Dallman Laboratory (WAP MNB-Ø4) has been Oleg Sakharov R1ANF-UA1PBA  who did operate DP1ANF in the month of March, 2004. (QSL for DP1ANF via RK1PWA)

3G9A/MM operation from onboard M/V Betanzos

M/V Betanzos is actually moored at Punta Arenas; the ship will carry on the Team at King George island before heading Bouvet. The date of departure is Jan 13th. When on the ship, team members will operate as 3G9A/MM QSL via N2OO

Check the ship position at: http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:777230/mmsi:725000291/imo:7310923/vessel:BETANZOS#IrjZAqtjXemvHHQW.99

If you use other tracking sites (such as https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/BETANZOS-IMO-7310923-MMSI-725000291), the ship data to input for search are:
MMSI: 725000291

Call Sign: CBTZ

Flag: Chile [CL]

IMO: 7310923

The Bouvet Island DXpedition – 3YØZ

Here is a summarized part of “Press release nr.10”:
DAP,
the Chilean company that owns and operates the M/V Betanzos and the helicopters with  a cost of almost 1/2 million U.S. dollars.

The Team is on schedule for a January 13, 2018 departure to Bouvet Island, the World’s most isolated island and the number two most wanted DX entity.  All team members will meet in Punta Arenas, Chile no later than January 10, 2018 to attend a one and one-half day marine safety course, purchase last minute supplies and then fly across the Drake Passage to King George Island in the South Shetlands.  There, we will board the newly refurbished Chilean vessel M/V Betanzos, and begin our 9 to 11-day voyage to Bouvet.  The Captain reports he has previously been to Bouvet.

Complete information on band plans and frequencies, propagation predictions and QSL procedures are available on the DXpedition website:  www.bouvetdx.org.  You will find strategically placed “donate” buttons if you want to help with our substantial costs. I hope you share in the excitement of this great undertaking.  We anxious to get underway!

TNX Bob-K4UEE, Ralph-KØIR,Erling-LA6VM

M/V Betanzos will be a new entry in the WAP Awards

Argentinean Summer Antarctic Campaign 2017/2018

The Argentinean Antarctic Summer Campaign 2017/2018, formally started on last December 18, 2017, when the ship “Estrecho de San Carlos” and the naval transport “Canal de Beagle” sailed from the port of Buenos Aires.

After 10 years, the icebreaker ARA Admiral Irizar returns to Antarctica. It has been  add to this Campaign that will be extended until the beginning of April 2018 with a schedule in which ships, aircraft and helicopters, will coordinate the movements in accordance with the unstable Antarctic climate and the glaciological conditions that fix the “windows of opportunity” to access some of the thirteen Argentine bases on the white continent (six permanent and seven transitory). The mission is to carry out the replenishment of the bases, the withdrawal of waste and replace the staff personnel.

Read more at: http://www.marambio.aq/iniciocav1718.html

TNX Marambio Foundation

My march to the Emperor Penguins

Kerry Peters was an elementary school teacher when he was offered retirement . He didn’t really had any of those “What will I do with myself now?” anxieties. He took retirement when it was offered, because he was already looking forward to what came next: exploring the polar regions.
Read this interesting story published on last sept.2017,  an Expedition tale from the rarely seen Snow Hill colony;  it tells about Antarctica, penguins and much more, told by a man who really has found what he was looking for!

Read the full story at: http://explore.quarkexpeditions.com/blog/my-march-to-the-emperor-penguins-an-expedition-tale-from-the-rarely-seen-snow-hill-colony?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=my-march-emperor-penguins&utm_campaign=ANT17-18

TNX Kerry Peters

VI7ØHI (WAP-288) 70 years ago, the 1st ANARE Expedition to Heard Island

Lee Moyle VK3GK is operating VI7ØHI, a Special Callsign issued to Commemorate the first ANARE Expedition to Heard Island in December 1947.

VI7ØHI will be active on all HF bands 160m-10m, SSB, CW, RTTY and possibly digital modes until Feburary 28th 2018 and will join the 15th Antarctic Activity Week.  (Please note that this activity is from mainland Australia OC-001 and NOT from Heard Island).

A special commemorative QSL card will be available after completion of the activation through ; Charles Wilmott MØOXO who is  the official QSL manager. https://www.m0oxo.com/oqrs/logsearch.php OQRS will be available and also LOTW.

Charles Wilmott
60 Church Hill, Royston, Barnsley,  South Yorkshire, S71 4NG, England, United Kingdom

To VI7ØHI a brand New WAP Reference issued is WAP-288 and it can be used for WAP Awards

History:
The party from the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) arrived at Heard Island in December 1947. The 14 men spent 15 months at Atlas Cove, and constructed an entire small city, complete with a small power station, food store, mess, workshops, shower, toilet, electrical and plumbing stores, medical annex, biology lab, science lab, hen coop, dog run, and a large tractor. These men carried out meteorological, geophysical, upper atmosphere, and biological research, a program that continued for 7 years until the base was abandoned. Since 1969, ANARE has visited Heard Island every few years, mostly to check up on the ruins of the original encampment.

The first amateur radio contact was made in 1947 by Arthur Campbell-Drury who signed VK3ACD/Heard. During the following 3 years, a total of only 36 contacts was made (See QSL aside)

Read more at:

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/exploration-and-expeditions/anare-is-created

http://www.antarctica.gov.au/magazine/2001-2005/issue-7-spring-2004/feature/heard-island-a-history-of-exploration

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-15/heard-island-sparked-australias-post-war-antarctic-research/9258906

http://anareclub.org/web/index.php

http://wia.org.au/

The XXXI Spanish Antarctic Campaign

230 people will participate to the XXXI Spanish Antarctic Campaign, carry out 16 research projects, two of them aboard the Hespérides Oceanographic Research Ship, which will also support five international projects of Germany , Belgium, Colombia and Portugal. In addition, in this campaign will also be released a warehouse module at the Gabriel de Castilla Antarctic Base, (WAP ESP-Ø2) managed by the Spanish Army.

The XXXI Antarctic Campaign did  start last November 24, when the Oceanographic Research Ship Hespérides departed from the port of Cartagena (Murcia). The opening of the bases will take place today, January 2, 2018 and the closing will be on March 19, 2018.

Spain in Antarctica:

The “daring” origins of the Spanish Antarctic Base (BAE) Juan Carlos I° began in 1986 as a tent in which for a few days the scientists Antoni Ballester, Josefina Castellví, Joan Rovira and Agustí Julià coexisted.

Two years later, in 1988 the same year that Spain became a consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty, the Spanish Antarctic Base (BAE) Juan Carlos I° was inaugurated. and recently rewnewed.

Today, the recently rewnewed Spanish Antarctic base Juan Carlos I°(WAP ESP_Ø1),  located on Livington island will house the XXXI Spanish Antarctic Campaign 2017-2018.

The new buildings, set in the shape of a clover or tripod, has 2,000 square meters of living space, 600 meters of laboratories, 1,500 square meters of storage, and capacity for 52 people per module.

The remodeling works of the new base, which did involve an important environmental and economic effort, have cost 16 million euros, 13 million financed by the Ministry of Economy and another 3 by the CSIC.

The new BAE is already operational and the members of this year’s Antarctic campaign may release the facilities approximately one month after their arrival, although the base will be formally inaugurated next year.

Read more at:  España estrenará nueva base remodelada en la Antártida  http://www.larazon.es/sociedad/medio-ambiente/espana-estrenara-nueva-base-remodelada-en-la-antartida-MH16773539?sky=Sky-Enero-2018#Ttt1saqjfZWaBVNs

Happy New Year

To the thousands of Antarctic friends & followers, to the Teams working actually in Antarctic Stations and remote camps, to those embarked  on Supply and Support Ships boarding the Icy Continent,   to any individual personnel involved in Antarctica away from home and family.

We are here one more time  facing new  Bases, new contacts, and lots of DX, with the same creativity, and dedication. To our shipmates, to our friends, supporters and their families, to those who love Antarctica as much as we do.

We hope the coming year brings you Happiness, Prosperity and Hope for the future. We wish our and your  families peace and harmony, health and  happiness and may the blessing of God be upon all of us.

Happy New Year from WAP Staff

Jinnah Antarctic Station WAP PAK-NEW

Pakistan is maintaining a summer research station (Jinnah Antarctic Station) and one weather observatory in the vicinity of Sør Rondane Mountains. Pakistan is also planning to build a full fledged permanent base at Antarctica which will enable the program to start operations in Antarctica throughout the year.

The Jinnah Antarctic Station(JAS) is located 70°24′00″South,.  25°45′00″East  in the vicinity of the Sør Rondane Mountains, Queen Maud Land, in Eastern Antarctica. Jinnah is a scientific research station operated by the Pakistan Antarctic Program; facilities were quickly established in the region. The station houses an unmanned automatic Weather Station, from which data are transmitted to Pakistan via Argos Satellite System In 2001, the Badr-B was connected to the Weather Station after it was launched by SUPARCO. In 2006, Pakistan established the National Institute of Oceanography’s Polar Research Cell (PRC).

Last Sept. 2017, WAP did try to contact National Institute of Oceanography’s Polar Research  (niopk.gov.pk@gmail.com) in order to get some more recent details and pictures from them. So far nothing has been received and the information are just those available on the web.

UA3HK/MM on board of I/B Akademik Fedorov

Oceanographic research ship Akademik Fedorov (or Fyodorov ) is one of the Russian icebreaker ships, a diesel-electric research vessel (RV) and the flagship of the Russian scientific polar research fleet. The ship was built for the USSR (Soviet Union) and started operations in October 1987.

This ship is named after the polar explorer Evgeny Fyodorov, who worked on the North Pole-1 station – the first Russian drifting ice research station.

Oleg Neruchev, UA3HK is onboard the R/V Akademik Fyodorov as UA3HK/MM sailing from Cape Town to the Antarctic Station Molodezhnaya (WAP RUS-Ø8).

Last  position of the icebreaker reported at 2017-Dec-21 18:00 UTC by http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shipposition.phtml?call=UCKZ showed the ship position at S 66°24′ E 075°18′. Now the vessel should be anchored in the pack ice in front of Molodezhnaya Station, where Nikolai, RW6ACM will be active from till February 2018 as RI1ANA

No activity reported so far by UA3HK/MM who will be a “new one” for WAP-WACA.
To everyone, good hunting!

China makes its first commercial flight to Antarctica

Media caption heading to Antarctica by plane is the exception, not the rule. According to Chinese media, the country’s first commercial flight to Antarctica brought 22 lucky tourists to the exotic destination this weekend.
The trip is hailed as a milestone – but is it really? And what does it tell us about China’s geopolitical ambitions in the region?
Is it really a first?
Described in Chinese papers as the beginning of a new era in the country’s tourism to Antarctica, the trip took the select few from Hong Kong all the way to the actual South Pole.

That meant a 15-hour flight to South Africa, refuelling in Cape Town and then another 5.5 hours to Antarctica. From there, it’s another five to six hours to the pole, where the flight landed on a 2.5-km (1.5-mile) runway carved into the ice.

The Chinese tour operator describes the trip as a milestone, saying it means Chinese tourists no longer have to book via foreign agencies.

Despite the current example of a top-of-the-menu extravaganza all the way to the pole, most Chinese tourists of course take the normal route by cruise ship from South America. In fact, only 1% of tourists fly to the interior of the continent.

Read more at: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-42388788