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.

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

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/ 

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 20^th of every year), together with the  World Penguin Day (April 25^th) 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/ 

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 33^rd 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 6^th 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.

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/

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

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

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

To the Antarctic friends, followers & Chasers

May the Christmas Night be full of happiness and Peace
Best of Season’s Greetings from the WAP Staff

From 2013 the “The Frozen Continent”  Certificate is released by IK3GER and it’s  free. It will be sent via email  (PDF or JPEG format file) to the Hams who request it to the Manager IK3GER: corsetti.paolo@libero.it 

The “THE FROZEN CONTINENT” award issued in 2 classes is  available OM/SWL who will be able to satisfy the conditions provided for class 1 or class 2.

The award is.

Class 1: at least 3 QSO/HRD with different stations based in Antarctica. Stations from the Falklands, South Georgia, South Orkney, South Shetlands and other Antarctic islands are not valid for the purpose of this award

Class 2: spell the words “THE FROZEN CONTINENT” by using the last letter of different Italian callsigns but excluding foreign operators operating portable in Italy. QSL from San Marino (T7), SMOM (1A0) and the Vatican (HV) are not accepted for this award

At least 1 QSO/HRD with a station based in Antarctica. Don’t forget that Stations from the Falklands, South Georgia, South Orkney, South Shetlands and other Antarctic islands are not valid for the purpose of this award. QSO/HRD validity 1.1.1985. Endorsement may by requested for SSB, CW, MIXED, DIGI etc. It is mandatory to send to the manager photocopy or scan of the QSL cards of the Antarctic stations only.

Just send your application by email to the award manager IK3GER and you will get the Award right away.

See also https://www.ik3ger.it/antarctica.html

TNX  Paolo Corsetti, IK3GER

From the unknown to scientific research, see how the mystery of Antarctic exploration has unfolded throughout the years.

For years, it had been speculated there was a continent at the bottom of the Southern Hemisphere, which was dubbed Terra Australis Incognita, Latin for  “unknown southern land”. But it wasn’t until the early 19th Century that humans actually reached Antarctica, and its extreme environment made exploring the continent a particularly daunting challenge. Here’s a timeline of the expeditions that amassed knowledge about the coldest continent.

Read more at: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/continent-7-antarctica/articles/an-antarctic-expedition-timeline/

Thanks and credit to: National Geographic

Igor SWL UA6-1082708, Award Manager of the DX Trophy Awards Group  informs WAP that  “DX TROPHY AWARDS GROUP” issues a new recognition to Hams  ho can prove  two-way radio communications with the Countries  that have Research Stations in Antarctica; this is  called  “АNTARCTIC NATIONS TROPHY”. Igor Makeev RA3QSY is the 1st one to get the Trophy

To get it,  the applicants need to work Bases of various Countries in Antarctica according to the list shown below.

The basic plaque is Bronze  available for working  5 different Countries , Silver  for 10 different Countries, Gold  for 15 different countries , HONOUR ROLL – 20 different Countries plus a plaque of Excellence for working 30 Countries + 1 Multinational all issued for different classes or different modes: CW, SSB & MIX

The applicants have to send scan QSL cards or screenshots LOTW/Club Log.

Upper part of  plaque is made by glass, the lower part is metal plate with a size of 250х200.

Plaque cost is  51$ or 47Euro

More info can be requested by e-mail to: mydxtrophy@gmail.com

Other trophies issued by the same Dx Trophy Awards Group  can be seen at:  https://mydxtrophy.wixsite.com/fjl-dx

List of Countries in Antarctica valid for Аntarctic Nations Trophy

TNX  Igor, SWL UA6-1082708 Award Manager

Adventure marathoners and ultra athletes are always looking for the next big challenge. It could be a remote desert marathon, a high altitude mountain marathon or a jungle marathon. However, mainland Antarctica represents the last frontier, the final great wilderness to be conquered. And now adventure athletes like you can do it.

The 2017 Antarctic Ice Marathon took place at Union Glacier, Antarctica (WAP MNB-NEW) on 24^th November. Windchill temperatures were -25 C (-13F). Frank Johansen of Denmark won the men’s race in 3:37.46 while Kelly Allen McLay of the USA took the women’s title in 4:56.37. The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the southernmost marathon in the world and the only official marathon within the Antarctic Circle and on the continent of Antarctica.  staged from the South Pole.

The first event took place in January 2006 and a race has been organized every year since. It offers a unique opportunity for runners looking to complete marathons on each of the seven continents.
The fourteenth Antarctic Ice Marathon will be held on 13^th December 2018,  and  will take place at 80° South, just 600 miles from the South Pole at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains.

Source:  http://www.icemarathon.com/

The wind is again the protagonist in Antarctica. Not only as a driving force for the climate “, but also as a driving force of the first wind farm built in the Italian Mario Zucchelli  Station (WAP ITA-Ø1) at Baia Terra Nova, which since 1985 houses the scientific laboratory of PNRA, the National Program of Research in Antarctica, financed from the MIUR (Ministry of Education, University and Research) with the logistic implementation of ENEA (National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development)  and the scientific coordination of the CNR (National Research Council).

Designed and built by ENEA, this first wind farm will exploit the strong katabatic winds to produce about 63 thousand kWh of electricity per year, with significant environmental and economic benefits thanks to annual savings of at least 24 thousand liters of fuel and almost 80 thousand euros in “bill”.

Read more at: http://www.enea.it/it/Stampa/news/antartide-enea-realizza-il-primo-impianto-eolico-per-la-base-italiana/

1st December 2017 – Antarctica Day falls on the anniversary of the adoption of the Antarctic Treaty, which took place on 1 December 1959.

The icy continent and its unique governance system is being celebrated around the world today, as the international community recognizes “Antarctica Day”’.

The Treaty has been a hallmark of international cooperation on the icy continent for well over half a century. Its success in promoting international cooperation on scientific endeavor and preventing conflict in the region is widely recognized.

The number of parties to the Treaty has grown to 53 today, reflecting the increasing international recognition of the scientific and environmental values of Antarctica. Many of these countries are working in Antarctica to understand key scientific questions, and cooperate on science and logistic support activities.

Read more at: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2017/happy-antarctica-day

China National Electronics Imports and Exports Corporation (CEIEC) has won a contract to build a research station in the freezing Antarctic for Brazil, to replace the one that burned down in 2012. The new “Comandante Ferraz” Station (WAP BRA-Ø2) on King George’s Island, Antarctica will be delivered by the incoming 2018 Antarctic campaign.

The new base will be a 5,000-sq-m structure that can accommodate 64 people and 18 laboratories. As well as the living and working quarters, the company will build a heliport, solar panels and wind turbines that will power the base.

The original base was destroyed by a fire in the station’s generators (see picture aside). Two soldiers were killed and one injured in the blaze.

The base was designed by Chilean firm Studio 41 Architecture, which won an international design completion in 2013.

All components of the structure are prefabricated and assembled on-site, in a project seen as a “monument of friendship” between the two countries.

The design puts bedrooms on the upper of two structures, together with a video room, a cyber cafe, a conference room and library. The lower block houses the laboratories, garages and the central storehouses.

Read more at:

http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/chinese-firm-wins-100m-de7al-re7build-brazi7ls/ 

Operation Deep Freeze provides the U.S. military’s support to the NSF-managed U.S. Antarctic Program. Deep Freeze incorporates support from many branches of the service, including the US Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Members of the 109^th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard, the only unit to fly ski-equipped LC-130 cargo aircraft, support the Antarctic Program by flying from New Zealand to Antarctica; from NSF’s McMurdo to Amundsen-Scott South Pole stations; and into deep-field science camps.

https://www.facebook.com/128863520470769/videos/1769568843066887/

In this roughly two-minute video, officers and enlisted personnel offer holiday greetings to friends, family and others on this Thanksgiving Day from a station run by the Italian National Antarctic Research Program and from McMurdo Station (WAP USA-22).

TNX and credit Office of Polar Programs – National Science Foundation & 109th Airlift Wing

Following the Nov. 4^th activation of the Antarctic Museum Marambio by the Radio CLUB QRM Belgrano hereby some datas coming from Raul Bobn Foster LU5AR, Secretary of the RC:- Se ha completado la información en la página de la actividad. Toda la información en general y el log en particular, está listo. Se hicieron más de 300 QSOs-.

So LU4AAO/D made over 300 QSO; hereby the list of the Countries with which, contacts were made.

1. Argentina
2. Uruguay
3. Brasil
4. Chile.
5. Romania
6. Finland
7. Germany
8. Italy
9. Spain

Not so many DX have been made as the 86% of the QSOs were made within Argentina. The information is fully available at http://lu4aao.org/Activacion_Museo_Antartico.htm and it contains pics and details.

LU4AAO/D as WAP-286 remains therefore a brand new one for all the WAP Chasers; let’s hope that on their next activity during the Dias de la Antartida Argentina and Antarctic Activity Week 2018 they can improve antennas & power in order to give a chance to many more hams worldwide to log WAP-286.

TNX LU5AR, Raul Bon Foster, LU5AG, Secretary of  Radio Club QRM Belgrano (LU4AAO)

Now that the Antarctic Campaign 2017-2018 is almost open, it’s time to make presentations and get to know the neighbors.

Polish Vernadski Research Station  (WAP POL-Ø1) was opened on 26 February 1977.

A commemorative plaque for this year’s 40th anniversary of Vernadski Station has been given , with a big surprise,  to the Polish team by the Chilean neighbors of  Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva (WAP CHL-Ø5).

Chile’s independence was officially declared on February 12, 1818, so 2017 marks their  99th anniversary of independence a good way to celebrate both events with 2 joint plaquest on the Antarctic soil.

Personnel from Arctowski did get a first meeting with Brazilians  from Comandante Ferraz Station (WAP BRA-Ø2) to mark the good relations of friendship between the two research units in Antarctica.

TNX Arctowsky Polar Antarctic Station

Follow the Polish Team at:  https://www.facebook.com/arctowski/

Just to inform the readers, Antarctic lovers and followers  that,  it’s time  to meditate about the 15th Antarctic Activity Week which will be on air from 17 through 25 Febr. 2018.

From now and ahead,  everyone can start to think to which “Special Callsign”  a Ham have to apply for, getting a WAP reference and be ready to the 2018 schedule.  AAW is the unique event WW, where the Ham community is asked to share and promote initiatives to arise attention to the Icy Continent, a land of study and research, a land of peace and environment protection.

A page has been opened here on  WAP website wherte follow the 2018′ esntries. Check: http://www.waponline.it/antarctic-activity-week-end/news-information/

Join us and enjoy it!

The wildlife of Antarctica are extremophiles, having to adapt to the dryness, low temperatures, and high exposure common in Antartica. Enjoy this 7′ video!

The extreme weather of the interior contrasts to the relatively mild conditions on the Antarctic Peninsula and the subantarctic islands, which have warmer temperatures

Part of a wind turbine at Australia’s Mawson research station (WAP AUS-Ø4) in Antarctica has collapsed overnight, no one was injured in the incident. The head of the turbine fell to the ground about 9 pm Mawson Station time last night.

General Manager of Support and Operations Dr Rob Wooding, said all expeditioners on station were safely inside the living quarters at the time. “While Mawson can experience regular blizzards, the conditions over the last few days have been moderate, with wind gusts of up to 40 knots,” Dr Wooding said. “We have a regular maintenance schedule for all the wind turbines. The cause of the incident is unknown and will be fully investigated.”

The Enercon E30 turbine is 30 metres high and is one of two on station which came into operation in 2003.

Read more at: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2017/antarctic-research-station-wind-turbine-collapse

Picture show part of the wind turbine in the foreground collapsed overnight. (Photo: Chris Wilson/Australian Antarctic Division) 8th November 2017

British Antarctic research station to shut for second winter as cracks in ice grow

Having changed location earlier this year to avoid being cut off, the Halley VI station will close again over fears that the ice shelf it stands on may break

A British research station in Antarctica is being shut down for the second winter in a row following concerns over growing cracks in the 150-metre thick ice shelf on which it stands.

The Halley VI station, which is parked on the Brunt ice shelf, will be shut down between March and November 2018, with the 14-strong staff who had been gearing up for the winter stint redeployed elsewhere in Antarctica or brought home to the UK.

The director of the British Antarctic Survey, Professor Dame Jane Francis, said the decision was down to the difficulties of rescuing researchers in the winter months, should there be a break in the ice shelf –an event known as calving.

Source: The Guardian

Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/31/british-antarctic-research-station-to-shut-for-second-winter-as-cracks-in-ice-grow

In 1969 the “Patrulla Soberania”, living in small tents, and with picks, shovels and much efforts,  managed to give shape to the first airstrip in an Argentinean Antarctic Base. Thus was born the Marambio Base: gateway of large aircraft to the white continent.

Patrulla Soberania was a group of military members of the Antarctic crew of the Argentine Air Force 1968/69 (Winter 1969) who founded the Marambio base on Seymour Island in Antarctica on October 29, 1969.

See a video of Marambio Base now,  by cliking the gif aside

Concordia Station (aka Dome “C” Station, WAP MNB-Ø3)  is 1000 kilometers from the coast, 13 flight hours from  New Zealand. The next inhabited place is the Russian Antarctic Station “Vostok” (WAQP RUS-13),  600 kilometers far away.

A nice article written by Claudio Trevisan has been published on a magazine in Austria, is telling about Dr. Carmen Possnig a young 28yrs old Astronaut; from November 20^th she will stay at Concordia Station involved in the ESA (European Space Agency) projects; in other world isolated for a year to get used to  live flight to Mars.

“Concerning isolation the location provides similar conditions as a space ship. The life there can be in many ways compared with a manned longtime mission in space ” said the Austrian Dr. Carmen Possnig.

60 scientists from all over the World, among them Mechanic, installer,  Electrical engineer, surgeon, Astronomer, seismologist, climate and glacier researcher. “Contact the world” is only available by Internet … and unfortunately, no Hams there!

TNX Gus OE3SGA for information

On the day of “The Night of Museums”, Hams of the  “Radio Club QRM Belgrano” will be active as LU4AAO/D operating from the Marambio Antarctic Museum located in the town of Villa Adelina, Buenos Aires Province, next November 4th, 2017.

This will be a special event to spread the activities of Marambio Foundation, this time from one of the well known Argentinean Antarctic Museum.

LU4AAO/D has been given a WAP reference as WAP-286.

The Antarctic Museum will keep its doors open  Saturday, November 4th, 2017 between 8:00 to 24:00  and the Ham Radio operation will start approximately at 10:00 o’clock LU time (14:00 GMT), until tanout 04:00 GMT (24:00 LU). QSL via LU4AAO

“Radio Club QRM Belgrano” has just add the entry of LU4AAO/D as WAP-286 on the activation page at: http://lu4aao.org/Activacion_Museo_Antartico.htm  confirming on the mean time, the validity of LU4AAO/D as WAP-286  for the the WAP-WACA and WAP-WADA Certificates.

Check also https://qrz.com/db/lu4aao

In addition Radio Club QRM Belgrano will operate on next 21-23 Febr. 2018 in the occasion of the “Dia de la Antartida Argentina” which falls  in the middle of the 15th Antarctic Activity Week .More at:  www.marambio.aq/radioaficionadosmuseo2017.html

Fifty research projects on ecosystems and climate and 210 national and international technicians and researchers will be the protagonists of the XXXIII Summer Campaign of the  Italian National Research Program in Antarctica (PNRA), which officially starts with the opening of Mario Zucchelli Station, Terranova Bay, Antarctica.

The 2017-18 Campaign, funded with € 23 million from the Ministry of Education, University and Research and implemented by Enea for Logistics and CNR for Scientific Programming and Coordination, will last 4 months and will see the participation of researchers who will also carry out research activities at other Antarctic bases, in the climate of international collaboration that characterizes science in one of the most remote places in the Earth.

More at: https://www.cnr.it/it/comunicato-stampa/7719/ambiente-al-via-la-nuova-spedizione-italiana-in-antartide-210-ricercatori-e-50-progetti-di-ricerca-su-ecosistemi-e-clima and  http://www.italiantartide.it/

See a 7’ video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw8jGKWvxZM

WAPonline is the only Antarctic site dedicated especially to the Hams worldwide, but also a way to increase the interest around Antarctic Continent and its related  matters; to give students and chasers, the opportunity to share our passion, with the aim to stay close to the researchers and personnel  who are spending their time away from home and families.

189 different Countries did visit WAP site and yesterday we did break the wall of 100,000 vivits.  The top 10 Countries are:

USA               20,1%

Italy               16,3%

Germany       9,3%

France           5,2%

Canada          4%

Spain             3%

India              3%

Russia           3%

UK                  2,8%

Belgium         2,1&

Thanks for following WAP, with its Awards, Photo Galleries, the huge Antarctic QSL Gallery and lots more!

Stay with us and enjoy Antarctica as much as we do!

Vanda Station was an Antarctic Research Base in the western highlands (Victoria Land) of the Ross Dependency, specifically on the shore of Lake Vanda, at the mouth of Onyx River, in the Wright Valley. The four original station buildings were constructed in the summers of 1967–1968 and 1968–1969, just prior to the first winter-over by a five-man team from January to October 1969.

Subsequent wintering parties occupied the station in 1970 and 1974. During summer seasons, Vanda Station was fully staffed until 1991.

Scientific programs principally included meteorology, hydrology, seismology, earth currents, and magnetics. The station was administered by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), and was supported logistically by the permanent New Zealand research Scott Base  (WAP NZL-Ø1) on Ross Island.

In 1995, environment concerns resulted in the base being closed. Various activities associated with the station’s occupation, including excavations, the erection of buildings, disturbances caused by vehicle movements, the storage of consumables, waste disposal, and accidental spills, led to the effort to remove the station.

Today, an Automatic Weather Station is at the site of former Vanda Station, and Lake Vanda Hut, a shelter that is periodically (summer only) occupied by 2 to 8 New Zealand stream researchers

Vanda Station: History of an Antarctic Outpost 1968-1995,  is a 52 pages book written by  Dr David Harrowfield pubblished  by  New Zealand Antarctic Society, 1999

The book is Available in the National Library of Australia collection, and through the N.Z. Antarctic Society, PO Box 404, Christchurch, N.Z.

Vanda Station is listed on WAP-WADA directory as WAP NZL-NEW, waiting someone to put it on the air!

One of the most important Argentine  Antarctic Museum did open its doors on the occasion of the Anniversary of Marambio Base foundation .

The Antarctic Museum of the Marambio Foundation located in Cerrito street 4092/4, Villa Adelina, Buenos Aires  province,  is  opened to the public every Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from  2:00 to 6:00PMm, during the whole month of October and until Wednesday, November 15,  with free admission, offering  special visits to educational institutions, retired or tourist groups and others.

It’s a great importance for teachers,  students and the public in general; it has illustrations on the history and general subjects related to the Argentina Antarctic sector and testimonies on the foundation of Base Marambio  (WAP ARG-21)  , fact that is included in the School Calendar.

More  at: www.marambio.aq/museovillaadelina.html

Photo gallery at: https://spark.adobe.com/page/GVFXhtmajdfIc/