Mese: Dicembre 2025

Our best wishes for the new coming year to everyone.
A year of DX for the Ham Radio operators, among the personnel invovebd in the Icy Continent!
Enjoy Antarctica as much as we do
WAP STAFF

According to what we have been reported on WAP website on 12 january 2019, (See: https://www.waponline.it/atka-bay-skiway-camp-wap-mnb-new/), Atka Bay Skiway Camp site (70°36’45” South, 8°07’25” West) is the location of the Emperor Penguin colony. The Camp, managed by White Desert Company lies not too far away to the structure of German Research Station Neumayer III (70°40´S, 8°16´W), and stands right between Neumayer III (WAP DEU-Ø8) and Neumayer Emergency Base (WAP ZAF-11).

On last 2019 we did write: As soon as some Hams will operate from Atka Bay Skiway Camp, a New WAP reference will be issued.

Today I finally  got a chance to talk with Oleg ZS7ANF who did operate from a tent just about few meters from Atka Bay Skiway Camp and more or less the same distance to ZAF-11
Oleg reported: «It took much work at Atka.  My tent was in the middle between Atka Skiway site and Echo Base Site which is very close to Atka, may be 100 meters or even less. I’m not sure in this case if the activation counts for both entries.»

Oleg made 180 QSOs from there.
180 QSOs, 145 different calls are not so many,  but at least 145 WW Hams could be happy for having got a Bingo!

As far as we know, both Felix and Matthias did operate DPØGVN/P (2019) and Lars ZS7/DL1LLL in 2012, from inside E-Base, both of the operations are well qualified as ZAF-11.

This time (20-21 & 22 December 2025) Oleg has operated from his tent at 70°36’34” South, 08°15’27” West, in the surrounding of both E-Base (ZAF-11) and the Atka Bay Skiway Camp.

According to the picture received today by Oleg (Taken from his operating site tent) , compared to the one sent by Felix and Matthias following their 2019 trip in the area, Atka Bay Skiway Camp is a reality and the activity performed by Oleg, allow WAP to qualify this 20-21 & 22 December 2025’s activity by ZS7ANF, for both SANAE Summer Support Base ZAF-11 and Atka Bay Skiway Camp MNB-22.

Once again, the Ham Radio Community is really grateful to Oleg ZS7ANF for his constant willingness to be available in many and many challenging tasks in Antarctica. Over the years, we have come to know him for his professionalism and keen ear, making him undoubtedly one of the best radio amateurs in the world.

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Pics of Atka Bay Skiway Camp” WAP MNB-22

 The first picture of Atka Bay Skiway Camp, was taken last Jan.8^th 2019 by Matthias DH5CW, on the way to Neumayer Emergency Base, aka South Africa Summer support Base (WAP ZAF-11), together with Felix DL5XL.  Apart from the tents, there is a marked skiway for airplanes. Looking very closely, Neumayer Station III in the background (just over the left yellow tent) can be seen.

Also, the pic taken by Oleg on 21^st Dec. 2025 show the same site and in the background, Neumayer III Station

TNX Oleg ZS7ANF

On WAP-WADA Directory, among the South Africa references, we have WAP ZAF-01 (E-Base, South Africa’s logistical Base) at 70°18’ South, 02°24’ West. Reference has been given on 28-november-2002 following the activity of ZS7/ZS4AGA.

Then, we have WAP ZAF-11 (SANAE Summer Support Base, aka Neumayer Emergency Station) reference given following the activity of ZS7/DL1LLL on 24-September-2012.

Well, having made this premise, everybody should know that, on 20 February 2009 the German Station “Neumayer II” (WAP DEU-Ø2) a permanent German Antarctic research Base on Atka Bay opened in 1992 in replacement of the old Georg von Neumayer Station, did close.
The station which became increasingly deformed by snow and ice movements after 2007, was therefore uninhabitable since then. At the time, the station was moving with the shelf ice at about 200 meters per year towards the open sea.
On February 20, 2009, the German Neumayer II Station was officially handed over to South Africa (SANAE), in a ceremony marking its closure, as Germany opened (at the same time) its new permanent research base, the Neumayer Station III (WAP DEU-Ø8).

The South Africans then dismantled Neumayer II and built their Summer Support Base (also known as Neumayer Emergency Base) at the same location 70°37’ South, 08°15’ West on Atka Bay.

The 1^st operation from the new SANAE Summer Support Base at (WAP ZAF-11) was made by Lars Lehrnet DL1LLL signing ZS7/DL1LLL on October 2012, followed by DPØGVN/P performed on January 8 & 9-2019 by Felix Riess DL5XL and Matthias Maasch DH5CW.
(see: https://www.waponline.it/neumayer-emergency-base-also-known-as-sanap-summer-base-wap-zaf-11/ and https://www.waponline.it/atka-bay-skiway-camp-wap-mnb-new/ )

Yesterday December 20-2025, Oleg Sakharov ZS7ANF did show up from there (WAP ZAF-11), first on 20 mts then 30 and 40 mts CW.

Just to complete the view of the detailed historical chronology, here below is what is well reported about ZAF-11 on ZS7/DL1LLL’s QSL.
SANAP (South Africa National Antarctic Program) will continue to use this facility as a replacement for the old South African E-Base (WAP ZAF-Ø1). E-Base is short for “Emergency Base” and it is used as a logistical facility in order to support supply operations to SANAE IV Base in Antarctic summer.

In 2009 a team of 16 people arrived onboard SA AGULHAS in order to take down Neumayer II and install the new E-Base right on top of it, above the snow. The remains of Neumayer II Base, large hollow metal tubes which once hosted living shelters and laboratories, are buried under tick ice. Today just the garage is used as a storage facility by SANAP

TNX Lars, DL1LLL, Felix DL5XL & Volker DL8JDX

By the way, Oleg ZS7ANF is supposed to be there for a couple of days, living in a yellow tent in front of the SANAE Support Base WAP ZAF-11. (see pic above)
TNX Oleg UA6GG @ DX Trophy

Traversing from Progress Base to Vostok Station is a major annual Russian Antarctic operation, involving a 1350 km tractor-train convoy carrying fuel, supplies, and personnel during the summer months across the East Antarctic ice sheet. The route, challenging due to soft snow, crevasses, and extreme weather, moves inland from the coast to Vostok’s high polar plateau, making Progress the logistical “capital” for inland transport. Heavy-duty tracked vehicles, often Pistenbully tractors, pulling sledges are used for the approximately 1350 kilometers (about 840 miles) “Raid-Traverse” to resupply Vostok Station, the furthest Russian base from the sea, with essential fuel, food, equipment, and personnel rotations. The journey involves navigating soft snow, whiteout conditions, potential crevasses, and severe cold, requiring meticulous planning and powerful vehicles.

Starting from Progress on the coast (Prydz Bay) and heading inland to Vostok Station on the polar plateau, the initial coastal section can be difficult, but conditions often improve further south with more stable snow. Navigation relies on pre-established markers, GPS, and sometimes pre-exploration by helicopter to identify hazards like crevasses.
This yearly trek is vital for sustaining Vostok’s scientific operations, including its famous ice-core drilling projects.

This year, Alex Turkeev UG1A (ex RD1AV) signing RI1ANI is well involved in the Progress -Vostok Scientific-Logistic Traverse.

Landed at Novolazarevskaya (WAP RUS-Ø9) in early November, Alex has been active from there for few days signing RI1ANI then, he moved to Progress (WAP RUS-11) from where the Raid-Traverse has started at beginning December heading to Vostok Station (WAP RUS-13).
Alex is among the crew and has already been active twice (CW) from his sledge cabin and the trip is still going on.  When at Vostok Station, Alex plan is to stay there for about 40 days.

Picture aside show Alex on his radio room inside the raid sledge.
Follow the Polar DX Group on Face Book for updates.
TNX Alex RI1ANI and François F8DVD

HI Folks,

WAP Bulletin nr.310 dated dec. 10 th 2025 has just been issued.
Inside, the latest news from Antarctica, who’s on air,  who’ll be on air soon, and active Sations.

A useful tool for OM enthusiasts of the White Continent.

Download it, it’s free!
Go to: https://www.waponline.it/wap-antarctic-bulletins/   select the desired bulletin and … enjoy your Antarctic DX!
Don’t forget to apply your special callsign and be ready for the 23rd AAW from 16th to 22nd February 2026.
Check:  https://www.waponline.it/antarctic-activity-week/aaw-2026/
 

TNX Max IK1GPG & Betty IK1QFM

Bob Hines K4MZU has just informed that Andrew KC4/KL5SE is going to visit Mount Newall Huts & Radio repeater site,  located at 75° 5Ø’ ØØ” South, 162° 38′ ØØ” West in the Asgard Range, near Lake Vanda, a strategically important point for relaying signals in the Dry Valleys.

This remote scientific settlement hosts US equipment and a small (24 square foot) green structure housing the New Zealand radio repeater; therefore, it will qualify the settlement as Multinational site (MNB) for WAP program.

Mount Newall in Antarctica’s Taylor Valley hosts crucial radio repeater facilities, including huts for U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) and Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) operations, supporting scientific research, communications, and international treaty monitoring (like CTBT seismic data) via wind turbines, solar power, and backup systems, with survival caches nearby for personnel working in the harsh Dry Valleys.

Radio Repeater’s Huts containerized structures housing communication gear, power systems (batteries, generators, wind/solar), and sometimes seismic monitoring equipment. The site utilizes wind turbines, solar panels, and diesel generators for remote power.

Survival shelters such as small huts stocked with emergency supplies for helicopter-supported teams is available on site.

TNX and credit to: https://adam.antarcticanz.govt.nz/nodes/view/21425

In light of this information, Mount Newall Huts enters the WAP-WADA Directory as MNB-NEW pending Andrew’s HF hearing from this “New One”.

Mt. Newall repeater site
In addition to various antenna and wind turbine towers, the two main structures on the site seen in the pics hereby attached, detailed the repeater site and the larger (240 square foot) hut behind, housing the USAP equipment. About 3/4 of the structure houses the radio repeater equipment, hybrid power system controls for the wind turbine and the solar panels, a large battery bank, the CO2 system bottles and controls, Air Force-maintained CTBT seismic monitoring equipment (part of the Dry Valley Seismic Project), survival equipment and supplies. A small room at one end houses the diesel generator. The above photo, is a small (96 square foot) survival shelter near the helicopter pad.  The hut is the “AFTAC” (Air Force Technical Applications Center) building. The pic aside shows Team members doing maintenance on the facility during the 2017-18 season.

Source: https://www.southpolestation.com/trivia/10s/newall.html#:~:text=and%20the%20larger%20(240%20square,shelter%20near%20the%20helicopter%20pad.

Thanks to the availability of Andrew Winkelman KL5SE and the “Team Work” with Bob Hines K4MZU in the lead, many Antarctic Hunters have been able to log a rare spot in Antarctica,  Windless Bight Camp which now entered in the WAP-WADA Directory as WAP USA-52.

Andrew left a comment about the place he is operating from: Indeed Windless Bight is a portion of the Ross Ice Shelf which intends the southern side of Ross Island. I am not at McMurdo Station but at a Field camp 20 km away supported from McMurdo. Our camp is located on the western edge of grid square RB32tg and coordinates -77.734, 167.589. Wikipedia has some more info regarding the history of the area: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windless_Bight

TNX Andrew KL5SE for the attached pics 

                           ……………………. (Here on the right, is Andrew’s shack in his tent)

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Map aside shows the location of Windless Bight; McMurdo Base (WAP USA-22) is up to the left.

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More info about Windless Bight Camp on WAP website:  https://www.waponline.it/windless-bight-field-camp-wap-usa-new/