Historic meeting to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Italian “Giacomo Bove Station” (WAP ITA-Ø2)

On Saturday, February 21st, starting at 3:00 PM, the city of Imperia did celebrate an Antarctic Day at the Auditorium of Naval Museum , featuring the Cepparo HF expedition radio equipment.

The 1975 expedition to Antarctica was the first private Italian mission to the white Continent, carried out during the austral summer of 1975-76 aboard the Norwegian ship Rig Mate, by Renato Cepparo signing I1SR. Its purpose was to conduct scientific research (geological, mountaineering, and underwater) and establish the Giacomo Bove Base (the first Italian base).

Four speakers took turns presenting the day:

Dr. Fabio Baio – Geologist.
Six expeditions to Antarctica, where he supervised the technological aspects of permafrost drilling. He collaborates primarily with the University of Insubria and the University of Milan. He is an expert on the 1975/76 Cepparo Expedition, of which he has preserved numerous documents, as can be seen at: https://ingvambiente.com/2020/05/12/la-prima-spedizione-italiana-in-antartide-renato-ce pparo-1975/

Lt. Danilo Collino (IZ1KHY) – Italian Army- Alpine Corps.
Mountaineer, mountain guide, amateur radio operator (IZ1KHY). Four expeditions to Antarctica with a wide range of experience.

Gianni Varetto (I1HYW)–Journalist .
Long-standing communications activity with Antarctica. For several years, he manages a website www.waponline.it dedicated to Amateur Radio in Antarctica, which has got so far, over a million views from all over the world. Since 1979, he (and IK1GPG) set and archived a collection of information on Antarctic Bases and refuges (WAP-WADA Directory), dating back to 1945.

Prof. Julius Fabbri, PhD – (IV3CCT) Science teacher at Carducci-Dante Institute in Trieste.
He created a scale replica of the ruins of the Italian Giacomo Bove Base at the Malignani Institute in the city of Udine. He will discuss the project to promote the remains of the Bove Base in Antarctica as a “Historic Site and Monument” (HSM).

In addition, Gabriele IK1NEG who did moderate the event, announce that he will be active as II1SR/p (WAP-363) from February 22nd to March 1st from the Naval Museum of Imperia, using the original RTX Swan 700cx used by the Cepparo’s Expedition at the Giacomo Bove Base back in 1975/76.