Mese: Giugno 2023

White Desert Company has recently opened a brand New Echo Camp in Antarctica  at 71°32’47” South, 08°50’11” East, approximately 100 km (62 miles)  from the coast at 1130 mts (3700 fts) above the sea

Inspired by the seminal age of Space exploration, Echo Camp sits in quiet solitude encircled by pitted rock formations. Echo is as close as one can get to feeling like you’re off the planet without leaving Earth.

After three years of planning, 80 tonnes of air cargo and over 1,000 square meters of moulded composite fiberglass, Echo Base opened on 8th December 2022, is a reality. So much effort, so much investment, so many norm-breaking ideas were wrapped up in this new camp. It represented a totally new forward-looking vision of tourism in Antarctica – it was a lot to live up to.

The  “Cosmos”, the central hub, is formed of four separate rooms all connected by tunnels that look like the docking station to a spaceship. Inside, the ‘sky pods’ are no less futuristic, with vast floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the ageless landscape of Antarctica inside each lounge, bar or dining space. Even in the comfort and warmth of these living areas, I was connected to the environment. Padded walls encircle a delicate Art Deco bar, while an Anthony James art sculpture glows like a giant power source at one end. Walking through the tunnel I discover a library and daybed with someone napping under a cashmere blanket. The sign on the door read “Decompression Chamber”

WAP has added  Echo Base Camp, on WAP WADA Directory as WAP MNB-NEW.
Oleg ZS1ANF/ZS7ANF said: Echo Camp is about 4 km away from Wolf’s Fang Runway WAP MNB-12. There is electricity there. As usual it is necessary a tent and an antenna. Well, the most scarce is time. I can’t promise, but I will keep in mind!

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TNX Oleg Latyshev UA6GG and Oleg Sakharov ZS1ANF/ZS7ANF

Friedrichshafen is a place to go at least once … Personally (I1HYW) I have been there 35 years ago  more or less and it was amazing to meet lots of DXers and Hamradio friends in a very magic athmosphere.

This year (2023) our friend Volker DL8JDX was there  and we are happy to get pics from him. Volker did meet the cream of the WW DX, those who have marked the last months DX-peditions and activities from rare spots as well as those who have seasoned in Antarctica for a short and long while. (pic on the Left show MØSDV, DL8JDX, MØOXO)

WAP is pleased to share some of the pics with our readers, also because some of the men shown in the pics are really Antarctic Veterans

At the Antarctic Dinner Meeting (pic aside) there were: DK5HH, DM2KX, DL3LRM,  HB9HCF, HB9BRH, DL8JDX, DC1TH, DJ0HO, DL5XL, DK3ZL.  Theresa, DC1TH brought a model of the Neumayer 3 Station to the meeting. She printed all parts of this model with a 3D Printer.

Here below some other pics:

Meeting with ZL3CW, VE3LYC (3Y0J), F6AJA, the owner of the QSL card gallery  and DL8JDX (pic to the left)

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Meeting with DL7VEE, DL5EBE, DL8JDX (pic to the right)

 

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Meeting with DL8JDX, F6CUK (FT8WW), F8TRT
(pic to the left)

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And finally – told Volker– some impressions from my todays flight with a Zeppelin NT airship.

Friedrichshafen at the lake Bodensee (in English translation it is also called lake Constance) is the historical home of Zeppelin airships.

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Best 73, Volker, DL8JDX

ARGENTINA
With the celebration of the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the “Antarctic Fellowship Day” is also commemorated in recognition of all Antarctics for their hidden work and shared vocation to maintain Antarctica as a continent dedicated to peace and science.

AUSTRALIA
Eveyone in Antarctica celebrates on june 21st   the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the turning point in the long, dark Antarctic winter. Australian Antarctic traditions have a long heritage – in fact it’s been more than 75 years since of the formation of Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) – now the Australian Antarctic Program. The first ANARE landed on Heard Island (WAP AUS-Ø7) on 26 December 1947. Three months later, Macquarie Island (WAP AUS-Ø8) was established. ANARE led directly to the formation of the ‘Antarctic Division’ in May 1948 and the appointment of Dr Phillip Law as its first ‘Director’ in January 1949. On this special day,  AAD  suggest to take a look at where they  have come from and where they’re headed, in the  celebratory video @AusAntarctic Science TV : Click on the link   https://youtu.be/L8_WVh-Ul1A   and enjoy it! TNX AAD

NEW ZEALAND
Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1)

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POLAND(on the right)
Arctovski Base (WAP POL-Ø1)

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UK
Rothera Station (WAP GBR-12)

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K.E.P. (WAP GBR-24)

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SOUTH AFRICA
Sanae 4 Station  (WAP ZAF-Ø3) & more

 

 

Today, June 21st , researchers of the Antarctic Continent celebrate Midwinter!

This is the main holiday of polar explorers,  which marks the Midwinter,  the shortest day and the longest night, but then, gradually, the days become longer, and summer is closer and closer.

Overwintering people in Antarctica have many traditions associated with this holiday, the main one, is to  send a group greetings photo to the rest of the world  and to colleagues from other Countries.

The culmination of this day is also a plunge into the icy ocean where this is available, a traditional bathing that is considered “initiation” into wintering.

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WAP has got the 1^st one  from the 28th UAE Team, at Vernadsky Base  WAP UKR-Ø1 and another one from Concordia Station,  WAP MNB-Ø3 wheer researchers  from different Nations are working jointly in the dark of the long Polar night.

While waiting for other greeting pictures from other friends, down South,   WAP wish the overwintering personnel from any Nations actually in Antarctica a wonderful celebration.

Happy Midwinter 2023!!

A 50 Mhz multimode Antarctic radio beacon  has been installed at  Esperanza Base  (WAP ARG-Ø4), Argentine Antarctic Territory.  Locator: GC16MO

The purpose of the radio beacon is to provide the world’s radio amateur community with a tool

for propagation studies and detect openings in the 6m band, operating 24 hours a day all year

from the Esperanza Joint Antarctic Base in Argentine Antarctic Territory.

For this purpose, a new concept of operation was designed to take advantage of the automatic reception and recording systems that operate in the world such as PSK Reporter and CW.

Skimmer and at the same time that it can be received by radio amateurs that operate in FT8 and Morse code radiotelegraphic mode. auditory reception in real time.

For this purpose, the 50.313 MHz radio frequency was selected, which is the one used in FT8 mode and with the most traffic in the world.

The FT8 signal is emitted at 2500 Hz so as not to affect normal QSO traffic, likewise the CW signal is emitted at the same frequency to be detected manually or automatically by other systems. In FT8 mode it is broadcast both in odd and even sequence to allow its reception regardless of the operational configuration of the radio amateurs at any given time. The broadcast sequence is:
Chronogram according to the seconds of the minute.
00) CQ BCN LU1ZV GC16 (en FT8)
15) ESPERANZA BCN (en FT8)
30) VVV DE LU1ZV BCN GC16 AR (en CW)
45) stand by.
Transmit power: 3W, Half wave dipole antenna on sloper facing north.

Conceptual design: Andrés Travainni LU3HO  &  Alejandro Alvarez LU8YD
Hardware and software design, as well as Construction and donation: Andrés Travainni LU3HO
Antenna: Alejandro Alvarez LU8YD
Installation at Base Esperanza: Alejandro Alvarez LU8YD, Juan Benavente LU8DBS and  Alejandro Petrecca

TNX Alejandro Alvarez LU8YD

Last 2022-2023 Summer Antarctic campaign has seen our friend Oleg Sakharov, ZS1ANF operating again from 2 rare spots in Antarctica; Wolf’s Fang Runway (WAP MNB-11) and Wichaway Camp (WAP MNB-12).
Oleg did use his Antarctic callsign ZS7ANF  and was active mostly on CW in the evening time, on 20 & 40 mts.

The WFR (WAP MNB-11) is a Skyway located at 71° 31′ South, 08° 48′ East , 3000 meters long, 60 meters wide at 1127meters AMSL. The supply chain is  provided with the assistance of the South African science vessel; fuel supply is delivered to the edge of Antarctica, then a traverse team embarks on a journey of 800km across the Fimbul ice shelf to Wolf’s Fang Runway.
Oleg ZS7ANF has to take care of the logistic & communications and when he has some spare time, the HF radio is his best company!

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The other rare spot activated on February 2023 by Oleg, has been Wichaway Camp (WAP MNB-12). 
Whichaway Camp at 71º 32’ 00” South,  08º 50’ 00” East is unique and the perfect base from which to start a fantastic Antarctic journey,  where luxury and adventure meets in the mountains of Queen Maud Land. Whichaway Camp has won the World Travel Awards five times, the Camp is also designed with a minimal environmental footprint in mind.
Oleg has got a chance to operate from there for a very limited time on last mid february 2023 and now, his QSL is in our Album!

White Desert Company which  manage these fantastic sites, has recently opened another one, a brand new Echo Camp (WAP MNB-NEW) at 71° 32′ 47″ South,  08° 50′ 11″ East. Inspired by the seminal age of Space exploration, Echo Camp sits in quiet solitude encircled by pitted rock formations. Echo is as close as you can get to feeling like you’re off the planet without leaving Earth.
Hope some days in the near future, to get a a chance to log this brand new one as well!
Thanks Oleg Sakharov ZS7ANF for his always great operation. TNX for the beautiful cards printed by DX Trophy  at HOME | dx-trophy (dxtrophy.com) of UA6GG, Oleg Latyshev 

From June 23 to 25, 2023, HAM RADIO will take place in Friedrichshafen on Lake Bodensee. The trade fair company and the conceptual sponsor, DARC e.V., are currently working on three days of full program for the 46th edition of this successful trade fair. Radio amateurs are experts in communication! Amateur radio is considered an advanced professional qualification for the fields of engineering, computer science, electrical engineering and communications technology. In the labor market, there is a strong demand for students who have degrees in these industries. Radio amateurs live and love technology. The members of the German Amateur Radio Club e.V. pass on this passion to young people in the local associations and set the first impulses for the fascination of technology and the understanding of it..
The Amateur Radio enthusiasts are spread all over the globe and can hardly wait to meet up with old friends, make new contacts and spend the next three days together.

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Volker Strecke DL8JDX (ex: Y88POL, DP0GVN) has just informed WAP that next Friday 23. June 2023 at the Friedrichshafen City at the Restaurant Kommodore , there will be  a meeting with Antarctic Radio Operators. It will be a fantastic chance to shake hands and listen to the reports of activities from Antarctica as well as to know the plans for next Antarctic season 2023-2024. DL5XL, DC1TH, DK1BT, DL8JDX have already confirmed their presence; and some others will be there…..

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Reservation has already been booked for the dinner at  Kommodore – Württembergischer  Yacht Club, Uferstr. 34, 88045 Friedrichshafen,  directly at the coast of Lake Bodensee on 23.6.2023 from 6.30 p.m. for 10 people is confirmed.

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For more info or request to meet inside the Exhibition Center get in touch with Volker DL8JDX, cellphone. +49 172 3704670, e-mail info@strecke.de

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TNX Volker Strecke, DL8JDX (pic aside)

Oleksandr Gryshko the current Captain of the only Ukraine ice-class research vessel “Noosphere” turns 40 today. His Grandfather and father were senior mechanics, and Oleksandr’s older brother was also a Captain.

“I am proud that I have the opportunity to be useful for Ukraine and contribute to its polar research,” Oleksandr remarked.
Being the Captain of a ship going to the Antarctic is an extraordinary challenge. To become a polar Captain, one need to have significant experience in ship and crew management, to get additional education and qualification, learn practical skills from an experienced Polar Captain.

When Ukraine purchased the James Clark Ross icebreaker from the UK in 2021 (later it became the Noosphere), it was the first ice-class vessel of  Ukraine in the last 20 years. “Noosphere” went on its first Antarctic voyage (2022) under the leadership of experienced British polar Captain Simon Wallace. His experience was taken over by Ukrainian captain Pavlo Panasyuk, who after that began to manage the ship himself.

In the second Antarctic season of “Noosphere” (2022-2023), Pavlo Panasyuk already transferred knowledge to Oleksandr Gryshko, who at that time, had 20 years of experience working in various seas. The first part of the ship’s journey was from Cape Town to the Polish Antarctic station Arktowsky (WAP POL-Ø1), then  to Vernadsky (WAP UKR-Ø1), and from there,  to Punta Arenas (Chile).

After this voyage, Capt. Oleksandr Gryshko already managed the ship himself. He was supposed to complete the second part of the Antarctic mission of “Noosphere”: return to Vernadsky, later to “Arktovsky”, ensuring changes of polar explorers at both stations, and reach Cape Town. The captain successfully coped with this task despite all the storms.

WAP wish Capt. Oleksandr Gryshko  a Happy Birthday

TNX Pavlo Tarasovych UT1KY, Antarctic veteran (ex EM1KY, VP8/UT1KY, LU1Z/UT1KY)
Pictures by  Nic Bothma
Read also: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-05-ukrainian-polar-captain-i-come-from-a-family-of-seamen-and-long-for-noosfera-to-return-to-my-homeland/?fbclid=IwAR2owIFr1Y2TYyerogBndJxM5HrZ70YehcDqJIamWLMuYnaN4tsnxIQURlI

The vessel, arrived at Harwich in Essex on Tuesday, May 30th.The crew completed its polar science trials during what was a seven-month mission.

The 129m (423ft) Polar ship is due to leave again on 8 June for refitting work in Rosyth, Scotland, before being used for further trials on the Scottish coast.

The boat departed Harwich in November last year, before a three-week voyage to the Falkland Islands, and then onward to the Rothera Research Station at Antarctica.  A team of 37 scientists were left at Bird Island (WAP GBR-23), King Edward Point (WAP GBR-24) and Rothera (WAP GBR-12) to carry out further research.

The ship is scheduled to return to Antarctica for a third season in late October 2023.

Unfortunately a very marginal HF activity has been performed from onboard so far. Hams WW are looking for a chance to put a new Polar ship on their Logs …let’s hope!

For now, thanks to Mike GM0HCQ/MM for his very short activity

Thanks and Credit BBC- Read more at: RRS Sir David Attenborough returns to Harwich from Antarctica – BBC News