500 QSOs and 45 Countries worked! Great success for the first activation of the Italian R/V OGS Laura Bassi!
On Friday, September 26, ARI Grado OdV did activate the Research Vessel Laura Bassi, the Italian icebreaker moored in Trieste (locator JN65VP), together with the Adri-Antartica Cultural Association, thanks to the collaboration of the OGS, which kindly granted permission. A team of five radio amateurs took turns connecting 45 Countries, totaling 500 QSOs.
The idea of activating the R/V Icebreaker OGS Laura Bassi, launched by the Worldwide Antarctic Program (W.A.P.) to Adri-Antartica President Julius Fabbri IV3CCT, was proposed to the OGS, which granted authorization. For the “First time On Air” activity, the call sign IV3CCT/MM has been used.
As soon as the Ham Team boarded on the Ship, an officer explained the ship’s characteristics, including a tour of the lifeboats and a description of the equipment used to stabilize the vessel during core drilling. The icebreaker also serves as a container carrier for logistics at the MZS (WAP ITA-Ø1) and Concordia (WAP MNB-Ø3) Stations. The aspect that most impressed the Radio Amateurs, were the three HF radios the ship is equipped with, and their three vertical antennas. On board are two Sailor 6301 MF/HF transceivers and another JRC model WRC-12 NCM2150 emergency radio, also in MF and HF, all with telephone receivers.
The activation was performed with a single station, a vertical antenna positioned at the bow and identical to the one already present on the ship. The bands used were 15, 17, 20, and 40 meters SSB, CW, and FT4.
QSL for the operation on board of the icebreaker have to be requested only direct to I1HYW, while e-QSLs will be handled by ARI-Grado IQ3AZ. Correct information are reported on QRZ.com
Thanks to: WAP www.waponline.it , to Prof, Nicola Casagli (OGS President ), the Ship’s Scientific Director, Dr. Franco Coren; Project Manager, Dr. Roberto Romeo Project Manager ; Capt. Vincenzo Caso, and all the radio amateurs who contributed to the splendid success of the activity.
President of OGS Nicola Casagli sent IV3CCT Julius Fabbri the following msg:
Dear Dr. Fabbri, Thank you for your message and, above all, for the excellent outcome of the first radio activation of the Laura Bassi R/V on Friday, September 26th. On behalf of the OGS, I would like to express our gratitude to you, the ARI of Grado, and the W.A.P. for your collaboration and enthusiasm.
We look forward receiving and sharing your report as soon as the final article is published.
We remain available for any further initiatives that can strengthen this positive bond with the amateur radio community.
Regards, Nicola Casagli