Mese: Marzo 2026

“I Do” , the story behind  a wedding in Antarctica

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Mara Virginia Schmid, a scientist at the Argentine Antarctic Institute and First Sergeant Franco Paolo Ormaechea  of ​​the Argentine Army, met in 2014 at Esperanza Base (WAP ARG-Ø4).

They had a civil marriage in 2017 and, this year, returned to the white continent as members of the 2026th Crew at the Base, each fulfilling their professional duties, along with their daughters, Alma and Luna.

In this context, they decided to celebrate their religious union in the same place where their story began.

The ceremony took place in the San Francisco de Asís Antarctic Chapel and was officiated by military chaplain Father Gabriel Muñoz, as part of the third stage of the Antarctic Summer Campaign.

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Esperanza Base (WAP ARG-Ø4), under the operational control of the Joint Antarctic Command—part of the Argentine Armed Forces  continues to be a site of permanent presence, operational activity, and stories that transcend the professional sphere.

Amidst the ongoing activity, with deployed resources and logistical tasks, the ceremony was experienced as a unique moment, a pause charged with emotion in the midst of the campaign’s dynamics.

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Since 1978, when Civil Registry No. 2,506 was established at Esperanza and the first families began to settle there with the construction of Fort Sargento Cabral, a year-round civilian settlement,  the Base has been the setting for celebrations that are part of Argentine Antarctic history.

Today, that history adds a new chapter.

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Thanks and Credit: Comando Conjunto Antártico | Argentina.gob.ar

Historic Memorial Cross on Observation Hill approaching the long Antarctic winter

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Observation Hill is a steep rocky slope (750 ft/230m) intimately connected to both USA and New Zealand research sites in Antarctica.

It overlooks McMurdo Station (WAP USA-22), the main United States facility in Antarctica as well as Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1), the major New Zealand Station.

As the long Antarctic winter approaches, the historic cross on Observation Hill has once again been carefully covered to help protect it from harsh winds and UV exposure.

Erected in 1913 by members of Scott’s British Antarctic Expedition, this wooden cross stands as a powerful tribute to Captain Robert F. Scott, Edward Wilson, Lawrence Oates, Henry Bowers and Edgar Evans, who tragically died on their return journey from the South Pole in 1912.

More than a century of extreme Antarctic weather has left the structure wind‑eroded and its once‑clear inscription Tennyson’s iconic line from Ulysses, “To strive, to seek, to find and not to yield severely worn.”

The seasonal cover helps slow this ongoing deterioration, ensuring this poignant memorial endures for future generations.

A small but meaningful act of stewardship for an important piece of Antarctic history.

Check : https://www.waponline.it/memorial-cross-at-observation-hill-mcmurdo/ and
https://www.southpolestation.com/obhill/obhill.html

Picture above by Scott Base staff member Jean Christophe Varnier

Earthquake of magnitude 6.6 strikes South Shetland Islands

On: By: Gianni Varetto

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake was recorded Thursday night (Mar. 19th6,  2026) in the Antarctic region, approximately 998 kilometers from Ushuaia and near Base Presidente Eduardo Frei (WAP CHL-Ø5), in Chilean territory.

The quake occurred around 9:22 p.m., according to monitoring data and the bulletins from various WW Seismological monitoring sources which also reported a slightly higher preliminary magnitude and located the epicenter 173 kilometers northeast of the base.

The event triggered a rapid response from emergency agencies, which assessed potential risks along the coastline. However, the Chilean Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) ruled out the possibility of a tsunami, indicating that the necessary conditions for its generation were not present.

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So far, no damage has been reported, nor has it been confirmed whether the earthquake was felt at the Bases located in Antarctica.

AT44I Antarctic Season is over, Denney is on the way back home

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Denney George VU2DGR , signing AT44I has been the Communication Officer at Bharati Station (WAP IND-Ø4) from December 8, 2024, through March 2, 2026; a full 44 ISEA Summer + Winter and 45 ISEA Summer, finalizing a real long journey in Antarctica!
We have got a brief contact with Denney while he was stopping by at Maitri Station (WAP IND-Ø3): «My expedition is over and I’m coming back to India. I’m actually near Maitri Station, weather is -7°C at Queen Maud Land. Great experience for me and for the 24 winter Members living and working at Bharati; a unique and positive opportunity.
Unfortunately, no Hams at Bharati nor at Maitri on next Indian Antarctic Campaign and I’m pleased to have giveng many DXers and Antarctic chasers a chance to log IND-Ø4.
On my free time, I was “On air” and today I’m proud to have made contacts with 105 Countries, so now, on the way back home, I can say to have done my best with only 100W and a wire dipole! »

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Denney will be home in India by the first week of April.

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QSL for AT44I have to be requested direct to VU2DGR (No Buro) to:
Denney George
Kizhakkemala Kizhakkethil, Kunnam P.O
Mavelikara Alappuzha KERALA 690108, India

TNX AT44I-VU2DGR

Polar Ship “Argus” will enter on WAP-WACA Directory

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Argus, the icebreaker, is named after the giant in Greek mythology. The ship is maneuverable and a robust and reliable icebreaker.

I/B Argus is on his way back from Bouvet after the great 3YØK expedition where the Team of 15, was active from Cape Fie (WAP NOR-14).
“There were rumors (WAP has been received queries about that info) of possible two Camps on the island but, it has been made clear that there was only one Camp and it was at Cape Fie in the South Eastern side of Bouvet Island.”

Well now the Team is onboard of the Polar Vessel heading South Africa (ETA 21 Febr.) .

Several members of the 3Y0K expedition are QRV aboard signing their own call signs. Yesterday Febr. 17, attentive DX hunters have got a chance to log several of them working CW on 10 mts. with good signals: N4ML/MM, LA7GIA/MM, LB5SH/MM and HAØNAR/MM are in the log.
On Febr. 16, OY1R/MM was also reported active on SSB! There are few days left before they reach their final destination, so don’t miss the opportunity to work a “New Polar Ship” for your WAP score and some others  operators /MM!

ARGUS,  68 mts long, 9 mts wide (IMO:7104752, MMSI:219226000, Call sign: OVZW2) built in 1971, is sailing under the flag of Denmark.

3YØK, two “Camps” set on the island; could they be New WAP References?

On: By: Gianni Varetto

DX-pedition of the year in a very rare spot in the Sub Antarctic: Bouvet Island, one of the most wanted DXCC among WW Ham Radio. The big guns have already worked 3YØK on several Bands and Modes and now a question arise: “Where on the island they did set the two camps?”

A Spot posted by the Team on March 3, 2026 reports: -Team 3Y0K is already active from the Island at the two Base Camps-.
Among the information received it seems that one camp is for North America (North America Camp?) and one for the rest of the world. Both camps are safe and secure with 8 tents in total. One camp is located at the NA focus location.

In addition, the pics on the web show both Camps but so far nobody has mentioned about the exact location. (see the pics aside)

Another question that arose from the Hams/ Antarctic Chasers:   «How can we know which of the two camps we have worked?»

Yes 2 camps on Bouvet Island is a fantastic opportunity, perhaps they could be 2 “New WAP References” but to know that, we must know the name of the 2 Camps and their exact location (Latitude and Longitude).

Eventually a Map of Bouvet Island showing the location of the two camps might be helpful.

In the lack of information, 3YØK will be consider just as WAP NOR-Ø2, but QRX for a while, maybe we can get  more details soon!