Mese: Febbraio 2018

The XXXIII Italian Antarctic Campaign is over

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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”

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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 o 51′ South, 166 o 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”

On: By: Gianni Varetto

 

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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.

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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)

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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?

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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)

On: By: Gianni Varetto

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.