Sovetskaya , 77° 58’ South, 89° 16 East was a Soviet research station in  Kaiser Wilhelm Land in Antarctica that was established on 16 February 1958 by the 3rd  Soviet Antarctic Expedition  on International Geophisic Year research work, and closed on 3 January 1959.

Antarctic Comrades (An American with the Russians in Antarctica) is  a book written by  Gilbert Dewart (https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/159608932.pdf) . On it, Gilbert Dewart reports about a Sovietskaya Refuge (or Base) Here some paragraphs. We, have just add the WAP References for the sites mentioned:

… Another trail party left Mirnyy (WAP RUS-Ø7) that December: it took more fuel and supplies to Vostok, then returned to Komsomolskaya (WAP RUS-Ø5) and set out from there on a new heading in pursuit of the distant Pole of inaccessibility  (WAP RUS-NEW) –see pic aside to the right-.

Again the going was very tough, and with the season becoming dangerously late, the party pulled up at an intermediate spot on February 16, 1958, and opened Sovetskaya Station 11,700 feet above the sea. Though this position was unplanned, it was near enough to the goal, and for the scientific purpose of studying the extreme interior of the polar ice sheet it would serve as well. Six men wintered here under the leadership of V. K. Babarykin. Sovetskaya and Vostok stations both set new world records for low temperatures that winter, the final extreme minimum being-87.4° C (-125° F) at Vostok, so the Russians could now claim the “Pole of Cold.” With the three stations established on the ice plateau, plus Mirnyy, Pionerskaya, and Oazis, they now had six permanent bases in Antarctica for the second phase of the IGY in 1958. The Third Expedition, commanded by Ye. I. Tolstikov, operated this array of scientific stations.

The site was occupied for only two weeks, until the official end of the IGY, then abandoned, though the shelters and basic equipment were left intact for future use.

With the Fourth Expedition, directed by A. G. Dralkin, the Soviet Antarctic Program underwent retrenchment and a change in focus. The personnel complement was reduced from 185 to 113 men, and Sovetskaya (WAP RUS-NEW), Pionerskaya (WAP RUS-10), and Oazis (WAP RUS-NEW) were closed down in January

1959 (Oazis station was turned over to a small Polish contingent, but the Russo-Polish relationship proved acrimonious, and the Poles soon abandoned it).

Komsomolskaya was converted to seasonal use as a weather station and logistical support base for air operations in the summer. On the other hand, two thousand miles to the west, on the coast of Queen Maud Land, a landing party from the Ob established a new permanent station which was named, with history in mind again, for M. P. Lazarev, Bellingshausen’s second-in-command.
Lazarev Station (WAP RUS-NEW) was intended as the base for an investigation of a nearby ice shelf and for an ambitious geological exploration program in a range of little-known mountains a short distance inland.

WAP have no evidence of any Hams that did ever operate HF from Sovetskaya Base, Lazarev and Oazis.
Thanks and credit to: Одинокий и холодный Ленин на «Полюсе недоступности» (фотогалерея) (rferl.org)

Collins Refuge,  62º 10’ South, 58º 50’ 57” West, is an Antarctic shelter located in the Collins Glacier in the Collins Bay,  Fildes Peninsula, King George Island.

It was inaugurated at the 2006-2007 season and is administrated by the Instituto Antarctico Chileno (INACH).

It has capacity for six persons in summer, and it is used for scientific research. It has communications with HF and VHF radio, satellite telephony and the logistical support comes from the Professor Julio Escudero Base (WAP CHL-Ø7), by sea.

INACH counts two refuges throughout the Chilean Antarctic Territory: Collins (WAP CHL-16) and Julio Ripamonti (WAP CHL-Ø3).  They allow geographic displacement through the territory.

The Collins Refuge stands as one of the main housing supports on the ground for Antarctic work in Fildes Bay with a laboratory module as well as magnifying glasses and microscopes are available.  A laboratory module as well as magnifying glasses and microscopes are available.

A 350 hp Yamaha ATV is also available. The Refuge (sometimes called Base) replaced one with the same name, built in 1969, given to the Uruguay Antartic Institute in 1984 and dismantled in 1989, located in where today is the Artigas Base from Uruguay.

Artigas (WAP URY-Ø1), located at 62° 11’South,  58° 51’West is a small year round Station widely spread over a mainly flat area above Collins Harbor towards the east of Maxwell Bay. The station was established in 1984 and is operated by the Instituto Antarctico Uruguayo (IAU), which is part of the Ministry of National Defense.

Antarctic Treaty Inspections Programme Report 2014-15, shows at page 90 a visit jointly undertaken by the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic in accordance with Article VII of the Antarctic Treaty and Article 14 of the Environmental Protocol, done  on January 2015 by a group of observers  of the two Nations.

(see: https://documents.ats.aq/ATCM38/att/ATCM38_att092_e.pdf)

Near  Eco-Nelson WAP CZE-Ø1 (a nongovernmental Czech facility) there is a small Refuge approximately 1 km to the east of that facility, around a small headland and situated approximately 20 meters above a gravel and rock beach.

Located at 62° 15’ South, 58° 59’ West on Nelson island the Refuge consists of a shipping container, flanked by two smaller containers. The main building contains several bunk-beds, a large amount of assorted bedding and blankets and a small store of water bottles, fruit juice and medicine.

The Refuge  was linked to, or had been used by staff from, the Great Wall Station, China (WAP CHN-Ø1). The shipping container is in poor condition with extensive rusting and exterior deterioration. A large, apparently empty, rusting gas cylinder was being used to hold the door closed.

A smaller container adjacent to the main building held a collection of waste material. The door to this structure had rusted away completely leaving the contents open to the snow and wind.

A third small container lay approximately 10m to the east and was partially filled with snow. This contained a half-full 200lt blue plastic fuel barrel, apparently containing a heating and cooking fuel such as white spirit.

The visitors’ book in the shipping container indicated that this refuge was occasionally visited by those living in the nearby vicinity, including from the Eco-Nelson facility, and it contained relatively recent entries. However, the refuge was now in very poor condition, and without adequate supplies, was not in a suitable state to act as a genuine refuge in case of a serious emergency or accident nearby.

At the light of these evidences, Stansbury Peninsula Refuge, 62°15′ South, 58°59′ West, Stansbury Peninsula, of Nelson Island,  between Edge Bay and  Fildes Starit, King George Island in the South Shetland Islands,  will enter  into the WAP-WADA Directory as WAP CHN-NEW.

As soon as an HF  Ham Radio operation from this location will  maybe on air  a relater reference number will be given.

On last August 30, 2021, a ceremony was held at the facility of the Ministry of National Defense. The Uruguayan Mail,  following the request  of the Uruguayan Antarctc Institute, presented a commemorative stamp, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the first Antarctic naval mission aboard the ship “Pedro Campbell”

TNX Istituto Antarctic Uruguayo

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Peter Campbell (1780-1832) , also known in Spanish as Pedro Campbell was an Irish naval officer who founded the Uruguayan Navy.

WAP is happy to read that next 3YØJ Expedition to Bouvet Island ( Novem,ber 2022) will be set at Kapp (Cape) Fie,  which site will enter  for now, into the WAP Directory, as WAP NOR-New

Here is the statement:
After discussing with the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) and other experts the Expeditionners have come to the conclusion that the only possible place to setup a camp SAFELY is at Cape Fie at the South East part of Bouvet. Cape Fie was first roughly charted in 1898 by a German expedition under Carl Chun, and was re-charted and named by the Norwegian expedition under Captain Harald Horntvedt who explored the area in December 1927.

Cape Fie,  54° 27′ South,  3° 28′ East  is a rock formation at the South East part of the Island, the only safe place to stay for a longer duration overnight. All other locations have a high risk for rock or icefall or large amounts of seals.

Norwegian Research Station Bouvetoya (aka Nyroysa), WAP NOR-Ø2 is not  accessible due to the Bouvet Regulation (that came into force in 2005), which restricts access to only allowed scientific research activity.

As such, and also due to safety issues, the camp will be setup at the rocks above the beach at Cape Fie.​ The area is roughly estimated to 50x240m (150 ft x 800ft).

Kapp Fie , 54° 27′ South,  3° 28′ East, South East side of Bouvetøya (Bouvet Island), will (provisionally) enter into “Section 2, Sub & Peri-Antarctic Territories”  of WAP-WADA Directory as NOR-NEW. Later,  when the operation will start, a full Reference number will be given.

Uruguayan Ionospheric Refuge 62°10′59.4′′ South, 58°54′31.6′′ West,  takes its name by Ionospheric Lake Uruguay in its proximity. Recently an Uruguayan crew put their manual skills on full blast, and in a great teamwork. They refurbished the shelter located about 800 meters  from the Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base (WAP URY-Ø1), which can be used in case of evacuation.

The electrical and sanitary installation was renewed, and reforms were carried out in the structure that make the Refuge a much more comfortable place.

(Picture to the right, shows the Uruguayan Inospheric Refuge before its reconditioning).

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Artigas Base at 62° 11′ South, 58° 51’ West was inaugurated in the penultimate week of December 1984, after hard work of fellow who  overcame endless obstacles to the construction of their first buildings. The Chilean and Soviet collaboration in the transfer of the necessary materials was essential.

At that time, the Chilean National Antarctic Program, gave the refuge “Collins” for the use of the Uruguayan expedition.

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At the light of these evidences, Uruguayan Ionospheric Refuge (Refugio Ionosférico Uruguayo), 62°10′59.4′′South, 58°54′31.6′′West Fildes Peninsula, King George Island ,  will enter  into the WAP-WADA Directory as WAP URY-NEW. As soon as an HF  Ham Radio operation from this location will be on air  a relater reference number will be given.

Now we are happy to have add another gusset to the  WAP Directory.

The event in Vlissingen was the official transfer of the ship from its European build team, marking the final stage of a 1900-day journey from contract signing to handover.

The design and build of the vessel has been a multi-national effort between the Australian Antarctic Division, the vessel operator Serco, Danish concept designers Knud E Hansen, Dutch engineering and detailed design team Damen, and the construction team at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.

RSV Nuyina will now undergo some final preparations ahead of its eight-week journey to its new home port of Hobart

Thanks and credit to: Flying the flag over Australia’s new icebreaker – Australian Antarctic Program (News 2021) (antarctica.gov.au)

The Australian flag is flying on the nation’s new Icebreaker RSV Nuyina for the first time after a ceremony in the Netherlands.

RSV Nuyina  is one of the most advanced polar vessels in the world, integrating complex scientific technology, logistical capabilities and expeditioner transport into a single bespoke ship.

https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2021/ships-of-science/  

Thanks and credit to antarctica.gov.au

British Antarctic Survey  icebreaker, RRS James Clark Ross has been sold to the Ukrainian National Antarctic Scientific  Centre.

This is the second time that a UK research asset has transferred to Ukrainian research colleagues. The first being the transfer in 1996 of the former Faraday Station  (WAP GBR-Ø6)  that is now known as Vernadsky Base  (WAP UKR-Ø1).

For the past three decades the JCR has fulfilled her role as a world-leading research platform for biological, oceanographic and geophysical research. She contains some of Britain’s most advanced facilities for oceanographic research in both Antarctica and the Arctic.

The ice-capable ship is a new asset for Ukraine and opens up new research opportunities for its National Antarctic Scientific Centre, in particular research into oceans and climate change in the polar regions.

The purchase of the ship comes ahead of the COP26 Conference in November, where representatives from every signatory party for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) come together to discuss climate change action.

Read more at: RRS James Clark Ross sold – British Antarctic Survey (bas.ac.uk)

DS4NMJ Lee, Sanghoon  is still active as DT8A from King Sejong a year-round station , one of the two Korean Bases in Antarctica where he will operate until December 31^st , 2021.

His manager DS5TOS (adress below) is fast QSLing and the cards of DT8A are always  wonderful.

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DS5TOS
Cho Jang-Hui,
Hyundai Town 110-1005
8 Daehak-ro 9-gil Gyeongsan-si
Gyeongsangbuk-do 38654,  South Korea

Lee (DS4NMJ/DT8A)  has a very nice Home page (hosted at: 극지연구소(영문) (kopri.re.kr) ) where readers can see pictures and information of King Sejong Base (WAP-KOR-Ø1), Jang Bogo (WAP KOR-Ø2), plus the  Korean Icebreker Araon and the Arctic Dasan Station at Ny-Alesund, on Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago.

TNX DT8A & DS5TOS

It was not an easy task to retrace the history of Little Jeana Station but thanks to our friend Bill Ashley  KF5BRB  who did provide a QSL ofthis rare one,  WAP is now in condition to issue to LITTLE JEANA STATION (aka Little Jeana Summer Weather Station) a brand new WAP reference as  USA-47.

The KC4USZ card , prove that an activity on Jan. 10^th 1966 from this epic rare one by a QSO made with W8OAR!

US Station Little Jeana.

The Bulletin of the Antarctic US Projects officer (Vol.6 number 2-1964), signed by Rear Admiral James R. Reedy, USN United States Antarctic Projects Officer, show a presentation of activities of the Government of the United States of America pertaining to the logistic support, scientific programs, and current events of interest in Antarctica, published monthly during the austral summer season and distributed to organizations, groups, and individuals interested in United States Antarctic activities.

The data in the over mentioned issues suggest that Little Jeana was active from 3 oct.64 to 23 feb.65,  from  2 oct.65  to 31 oct.65 and again from  1 dec.65 to 22 jan.66.

SUMMER WEATHER STATIONS REESTABLISHED

Prior to the first aircraft landing at the South Pole, on 31 October 1956, a summer weather and emergency-landing station (Beardmore I Station WAP USA-NEW) was established at the foot of Liv Glacier . This station was later moved to the foot of the Glacier, from which it derived its name, and has been moved or rebuilt several times since.

When aircraft began to resupply Byrd Station (WAP USA-19), another summer weather station, Little Rockford (WAP USA-NEW), was set up on the flight path from McMurdo Sound to Byrd Station. It has also been relocated, at 79°14′ South,  147°29′ West, on the Rockefeller Plateau.

Plans for the current season called for remodeling the 2 stations, using van-type buildings similar to those that have proved successful at Eights Station (WAP USA-Ø7).

Advantage was taken of the opportunity to shift the location of Beardmore Station (WAP USA-NEW) to 81°23′ South, 170°15′ East, about 125 miles north of the previous site.

At the same time the station has been renamed “Little Jeana Summer Weather Station” and officially opened on 5 October 1964. The installation consists of 4 portable units, 3 of which are arranged in a “U”. In one are the sleeping and eating quarters for the 3-mandetach-ment; in another are a diesel generator and a workshop; while the third contains another generator and a wash room.

Picture aside (20 February 1964), shows an exterior view of berthing wanigan with messing wanigan in background at Little Rockford Summer Weather Station.

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Wintering-over party shovelling out the James-way but at Beardmore Summer Weather Station for activating the station. (29 September 1961.)

The center of the “U” has been turned into a permawalk, and here the pibal dome is located. The fourth unit has communications equipment and is separated from the others sothat it may, if needed, serve as an emergency shelter.

Little Rockford was reestablished the same day Little Jeana was opened. This installation has consisted of wanigans that were put in position in 1958 by tractors from Little America and later moved to the present site by the same means. It is intended to remodel Little Rockford, along the lines of Little Jeana, later in the season.

Source: Bulletin of the Antarctic US Projects officer (Vol.6 number 2-1964) – Ricerca Google

More details are available at: https://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/usap/brockton/NCDC-WBAN.TXT

Dates: 1964 October 01,  through 1966 January 31Location: 81° 23’ 00” South,  170° 45’ 00” West on Ross Ice ShelfElevation: 178 feet POBvVIIndex and Errata (1).pdf

Little Jeana was a “summer weather station”.

Bulletin of the U. S. Antarctic Projects Officer – United States. Antarctic Projects Office – Google Books

Bulletin 1, December 1964, reports:

Beardmore station will be relocated at  81° 23’ 00” South,  170° 45’ 00” West  and renamed Little Jeana Station .

Two of such stations, one on the flight path between McMurdo and Byrd  was  named Little Rockford,  while on the flight path from McMurdo to Amundsen-Scott the other one was  Little Jeana.

Bulletin 2, January 1965 says: Little Jeana Station officially opened 5 October 1964.

4 wanigans (Wanigan is by  definition, a shelter used for sleeping, eating, or storage, often mounted in Antarctica on a sledge), typical formation 3 in U-shape, and the 4^th one separated for communications and in case of emergency. These four pieces were the setup for the use of 3 people.  2 for 1800-gallon fuel tanks to be installed (bladder technology used instead).

Bulletin 4 says:  “…. manned by 3 Navy aerographers who broadcast weather conditions hourly”.  Summer support season = 1 October through 1 March.

Bulletin 5, 8 February 1965 says: Communications van returned to McMurdo, digging out of station commenced. On 24 February 1965 Little Jeana closed for the season, personnel and equipment moved to McMurdo, but as reported above, other documents  clearly states the activities from Little Jeana  were: 3 oct.64 to 23 feb.65,  from  2 oct.65  to 31 oct.65 and again from  dec. 1st   1965 to jan. 22nd  1966.

TNX Bill Ashley KF5BRB for his invaluable help

In a document sent to the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty regarding  the “Italian activities in Antarctica before the establishment of the PNRA” (and shown during the Consultative Meeting in Paris last June 2021) there is a paragraph concerning the expedition of Renato Cepparo (pic aside Ham callsign I1SR), with mention of the Memorial building, located in Cervignano del Friuli (Italy),  inspired by the remains of the base dedicated to Giacomo Bove.

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The efforts of prof. PHD Julius Fabbri IV3CCT have been rewarded! 

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Here below, the subject:

Italian activities in Antarctica before the institution of the Italian National Research Program in Antarctica (PNRA)

The largest and only independent Italian Antarctic Expedition was led by Renato Cepparo in 1976-77 to the South Shetland Islands by the Norwegian ship P/V Rig Mate.

It was privately funded and fully self-sufficient, and had the aim of carrying out scientific measurements and leaving a permanent refuge on the Antarctic Peninsula.

Fifteen men, among whom were the deputy leader Flavio Barbiero, a medical doctor, two divers, and four mountaineers who climbed seven peaks on King George Island, were put ashore at King George Island.

The geologists Gian Camillo Cortemiglia and  Remo Terranova were in charge of the scientific part.

Cepparo and his companions landed on King George Island and erected a small building that they named after Giacomo Bove. Today the only remains are the abandoned walls of the station and a wooden table, inscribed by Ing. Admiral Flavio Barbiero.

The area still keeps the name Italia Valley.

In 2018 in Cervignano del Friuli (Italy), the AdiriAntarctica NGO has made an “Italia Valley Antarctic Memorial” of this expedition, building a 1:1 scale replica of the wooden table and the ruins of the Renato Cepparo- Giacomo Bove Station as open-air part of an indoor permanent Museum of Italia Valley, an example of ex situ conservation.

The Italia Valley location.

The Milanese entrepreneur Renato Cepparo left Lisbon on December 22nd 1975 aboard the 900-ton Norwegian polar ship Rig Mate, heading for Antarctica with a shipment of 15 men_ The group included geologists, glaciologists, biologists, mountaineers, experienced divers and nine creme.

Scientists stopped on King George Island where they established a small prefabricated field in the Admiralty Bay named after Giacomo Bove. Others headed for the Wiencke Island and Livingstone Islands to make the planned climbs.

Pic on the Right shows: Remains of Giacomo Bove Station (Cepparo’s Team did operate HF radio using I1SR/P callsign)- Picture taken in 1998.

Pic on the Left shows;

Scaled 1:1 replica of wooden table and station ruins at “Italia Valley, Antarctic Memorial’ in the park of  “A. Malignani” High School of Cervignano del Friuli – Italy

 IV3CCT & II3BOVE (pic aside) is proud to see his efforts recognized by the Institutions  and wish to expree his gratitude to those who in any form of support did allow to put,  to the international attention,  an Antarctic Operation done by Renato Cepparo and his Team  back in 1976-77.

«Dear friends and supporters, after twenty years of research; after 12 battles with the MAE and MAECI (Foreign Min.) and clashes with scientific diplomacy, finally, the Dicastery has published, on behalf of Italy, an article mentioning “our” Memorial!

Many thanks to those who have supported me over the years!

Even if there are errors and omissions in this documents, it’s anyway  important that the Memorial was published by Italy which, in this way, did accredit it !

A real honor for me, for the relatives of Renato Cepparo and Giacomo Bove as well as for students, families, associations, partners and patrons. The Giacomo Bove and Maranzana (AT) Association and the Cultural Adri-Antartica Association, founders of the actually constituted National Consortium. All together,  say  thank you to all the supporters, to friends and families. Thanks to the late H.E. Ambassador Arduino Raimondo Fornara, yp Commander Gen. Amedeo Amedeo G. Cristofaro, to H.E. Ambassador Pier Francesco Zazo, graduated with prof. Silvio Zavatti.»

Thanks indeed de Julius IV3CCT & II3BOVE

Pic above shows Prof Phd Julius Fabbri IV3CCT at the Foreign Ministrer in Rome

See also: https://www.waponline.it/italia-valley-memorial-a-great-job/

There’s  maybe a bit of confusion about the several names of Union Glacier Stations and Camps  in Antarctica. Today we are visiting the Chilean one.

The Unión Glacier, located at 79º 46’ South,  83º 24’ West,  is a large glacier converted since 2014 into the Base Camp.

Chile has long had an interest in this part of Antarctica and the Union Glacier Camp (picture aside) has became a Scientific Polar Station jointly operated by the Chilean National Antarctic Institute (INACH) and the Armed Forces who provide logistic support for the Chilean Antarctic programs.

Here is as bit of history:

In  2013 during the  68^th Chilean Antarctic Campaign (ECA 50), the Polar Stations  Arturo Parodi Alister  (WAP CHL-14) –Picture here on the Right shows the entrance of Arturo Parodi Alister Base –  established at Patriot Hills in 1996, and Antonio Huneeus Gana,  were dismantled. Their equipments moved to the corridors of the future station, the Unión Glacier  joint scientific polar station.

In January 2014, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera inaugurated the new Chilean Station at Union Glacier, named  Estación Polar Científica Conjunta Glaciar Unión or Union Glacier Camp (WAP CHL-NEW). See picture above.

Antonio Huneeus Gana Station (WAP CHL-15):

Picture aside is the QSL of Adam K2ARB operating from Antonio Hunneus Gana Station on last 2009).

In November 1997, the first facilities to support scientific research were carried out according to special tents. By Exempt Resolution No. 303 of October 11, 1999, it was officially named Antonio Huneeus Gana Summer Base (aka semi-permanent Antarctic camp) in memory of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the early twentieth century, who at that time had an outstanding performance in the claim of Chilean sovereignty over the so-called Chilean Antarctic Territory. It was located 1 km from the  private Patriot Hills Base Camp (WAP MNB-Ø2) of the enterprise  Adventure Network International  at  80°18’ 07” South, 81°20’ 39” West .

Next time we’ll see few others on the area trying to under stand their evolution.

Japan’s Dome Fuji Station is located in the Antarctic interior and sits at an altitude of 3,810 meters. As on last  Jan. 29 Japan marked the 60th anniversary of the opening of its first base in Antarctica , its commitment to the southern continent remains solid, with a fifth base planned.

Japan will soon begin working toward construction of a new Antarctic base to continue with research into climate change over the past 1 million years.
Members of the 59th expedition team will select a location for the new research station. Plans call for the start of research after completion of the base in five years’ time.
It will be the first for Japan since the Dome Fuji Station (WAP JPN-Ø4) was opened in 1995. The first base was Syowa Station  (WAP JPN-Ø3) in 1957.  A key research objective of the new base will be to drill deep into the Antarctic ice to bring up ice cores and analyze them to search for answers about climate change.
The new base will be about 1,000 kilometers from the Antarctic coast, in an area where ice sheets are between 2,000 and 3,000 meters thick.
One option under consideration is a portable base that can be more easily assembled and moved into place, practically an  “Antarctica Mobile Station Unit”
Read more at: Japan planning 5th scientific research base at Antarctica | News | Japan Bullet and also: JAXA | A Joint Project of JAXA, NIPR, Misawa Homes, and MHIRD Demonstration Test of Antarctica Mobile Station Unit

Endurance22 will launch early next year with aim of locating and surveying wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance in the Weddell Sea.

The location of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance has been one of the great maritime mysteries since the ship became trapped in ice and sank in 1915.
Finding this symbol of the “heroic age” of polar exploration at the bottom of the Weddell Sea was long thought impossible because of the harshness of the Antarctic environment  “the evil conditions”, as Shackleton described them.

Now a major scientific expedition, announced recently, is being planned with a mission to locate, survey and film the wreck.

Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/05/antarctic-expedition-renew-search-shackleton-ship-endurance

There is a very important person, leading expert of the Russian Antarctic Expedition of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, one of the few people to receive the Order “For Naval Merit” (Russian: Орден «За морские заслуги»), a state decoration of the Russian Federation bestowed for excellence in military or economic maritime endeavours,  Awarded for Excellence in worldwide oceanic activities in favour of Russian military and economic security.

Arnold Bogdanovich Budretsky was Leader in different Antarctic Russian Bases in his youth time and several time in summer on board of M/V Akademic Fedorov. He is over 90 years old!

Russian Govt. has issued a Stamp in his honor. Arnold  was at Indian Maitri Station (WAP IND-Ø2) in 2011 celebrating his 83th birthday  with the Indian’s Overwintering Team.

 The video below, shows when winter is coming: Antarctic research crews prepare Russia’s stations!

Look the video above,  at 2,21 minute,  the man you see in there, is Arnold Bogdanovich Budretsky .

WAP, interpreting the sentiments of the Antarctic followers send Arnold, through this page, our congrats and regognition for his long time devoted to the Poles.

TNX Bhagwati VU3BPZ

Ham radio world is running to involve as many operato ras possible to use a special callsign to celebrate the  6Øth Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty Signature.

So far, the following ones have already got the special call by the telecomm authorities in their respective Countries

Hams from several other Nations are in process to get the special callsigns. The list will became longer and we will update it when new entries will coming out.

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Eugene Shelkanovtsev RZ3EC (pic aside), Vice President of the Russian Robinson Club (About club – Russian Robinson Club (rdxc.org)) has just reported :

During the 6Øth Anniversary of ATS event,  12 different call (R.6ØANT) will be active from Russia starting from 1 October, from different regions. In addition 1 “Joker Station” will be on air  as well. More details will be available a little later».

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On the mean time, Karsten, DL1RUN has informed WAP that, DQ6ØANT is planing an activation day on 2021-june-23^th . This is the day of Antarctic Treaty Signature. From the early morning to the late evening DQ6ØANT will be on air, working on all bands. Favorite Modes are CW and SSB.

All QSO’s are automatically confirmed via E-QSL. QSL cards via the office must be requested via the website https://60ant.de/en/qsl-anfordern-en.

More Information about this activity: www.60ant.de

Different Award Programs will be join the 6ØATS, stay tuned!

Asuka Station, located at  71°31’29’’South, 24°07’50’’East, altitude: 980.3mts was established in March, 1985 in Dronning Maud Land, 670 km southwest of Syowa Station (WAP JPN-Ø3).

At present time Asuka Station is closed and covered under several meters of snow as well as the other Japanese Mizuho Station.

Asuka Station WAP JPN-Ø1 was operational from 1985 until 1991 to support field work in the Sør-Rondane Mountains. The Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) made gravity measurements at many sites around Asuka Station based in the reference site using relative gravimeters more than 25 years ago. The determination of absolute gravity value at the reference site will bring accuracy improvement of the past gravity data.

Asuka Station is listed among the “Most rare Bases”, last check 21 july 2020 by IK1GPG. See: https://www.waponline.it/wap-awards/wap-wada-most-rare-bases/

Some notes about the Japanese presence in Antarctica

In 1955, during the international conference Japan announced its participation in the Artarctic expedition. Participants agreed that in Antarctica, they must create a station that will provide information about the South Pole as a whole. There already were various foreign stations in Antarctica, but Japan had proposed to establish a base in the area, which was 1,600 kilometers away from the other stations. After that, the discussion continued, resulting in the decision to build the station “Showa or Syowa” (WAP JPN-Ø3) on the island of East Ongul.

Ice is thick in this particular region, and therefore extremely difficult to access. In 2012, the latest research vessel “Siras” could not even come close to the shore. Since that time, Japan was the country that lost the war, some thought that it had the unfortunate fate. However, as a result, this place was favorable for study and research.

First, the base is located in a place where the Northern Lights may often be observed. In addition, a large amount of solar origin of meteorites was found near the Yamato Mountains, which are located 300 kilometers to the southwest of the base. The places, where ice that contain air masses over the last million years can be found, can be reached by snowmobile from the base of “Showa”. Later, other  Stations were built  in Antarctica: “Dome Fuji” (WAP JPN-Ø4) establisjed on January 29, 1957, “Mizuho” (WAP JPN-Ø2) established in July, 1970 on  Mizuho Plateau, 270 km south-east of Syowa Station,and  “Asuka” (WAP JPN-Ø1) established in March, 1985.

A fifth station is planned to be build near the “Dome Fuji”

The German Research Icebreaker Polarstern with the Call DPØPOL/MM (Op: Andreas, DL3LRM) will be active again in November/December 2021, still on time to join the 60th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty Signature. DPØPOL/MM will be WAP-317 and the chasers will get a nice oportunity to collect another brand new WAP reference

So far, the following references has already been given to the Stations who have got the special callsign by the authorities in their Countries:
Germany         DR6ØANT                WAP-314

Austria            OE6ØANT                 WAP-315

Germany         DQ6ØANT                WAP-316

Germany         DPØPOL/MM           WAP-317

Other Countries, like Bulgaria, Chile, Italy,  UK, USA and Russia have promised to join the event and are actually planning the request for a special callsign.
As soon as we have more info, we will issue to each one a related WAP-reference.

WAP asks those interested to participate in the event with a SES , to send a mail to:

Volker DL8JDX (info@strecke.de) or to

Gianni I1HYW (varettos@tin.it) in order to pre-register the eventual participation and issuing the WAP Reference number, related to the Special Callsign.

Bill Ashley KF5BRB has sent a very rare QSL of VP8CI, active from Royal Society Base built at 75° 31′ South, 26° 36′ at Halley Bay, West Weddell Sea on January 6^th 1956

Let’s retrace a bit of history

Beginning with its dispatch of Halley on his geomagnetic cruise of 1699 to 1700, the Royal Society has played a sporadic, ad hoc, but nevertheless considerable role in the scientific investigation of the South Polar regions. In three ventures: Ross’s geomagnetic survey of 1839 to 1843, the first Scott expedition of 1901 to 1904 and the British contribution to the International Geophysical Year of 1957 to 1958, made major contributions to the planning and support of Antarctic scientific programs. Throughout, it has given backing to polar expeditions but has been consistent in putting science before geographical discovery. It has numbered some 20 Antarctic scientists among its Fellows.

The original Royal Society Base was founded on 6 January 1956 by an expedition of the Royal Society as part of International Geophysical Year (IGY) 1957–58. The bay where the expedition decided to set up their base was named Halley after the astronomer and Fellow of the Royal Society, Edmond Halley. The year 1956 also marked the tercentenary of Halley’s birth. In 1977, the name of the base was amended from Halley Bay to Halley as the original bay had disappeared due to changes in the ice shelf.

The original station, Royal Society Base, was founded in 1956 for the IGY by an expedition from the British Royal Society. The bay where the expedition set up their base was named Halley Bay, after the astronomer Edmond Halley. It was a traditional hut with a pitched roof. FIDS (Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey)   took over the operation of the station on 14 January 1959 when  the Royal Society Base  was renamed into Halley Bay or Halley I Research Station (referenced by WAP as GBR-15). A new main hut and dog kennels were built close to the original IGY buildings in February 1961, by which time the latter were completely covered by snow. It was closed early 1968.

Picture of  Halley Bay Station (see above)  shows a view of snowed up station complex taken from the met mast, Jan 1957. (Photographer: George Hemmen; Archives ref: AD6/19/3/C/Z6).

The date shown on VP8CI’s QSL is Aug. 17^th 1957. Also VP8CR did operate from Royal Society Base in 1957  

TNX Bill Ashley KF5BRB

Thanks and credit  to BAS (British Antarctic Survey)

The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) was entered into force in 1961. So this year it’s the 60th Anniversary. 

WAP (www.waponline.it)  wish to promote the participation of the Ham Radio world to mark the celebration.  

The idea is that at least all the 12 original signatory countries (or even more) would initiate an activation with one or more SES ( as for example  EA6ØANT, CE60ANT, PYxANT,  YV6ØITS, LU6ØANT, KC6ØATS, etc.) for a limited timeframe in autumn this year 2021, similar to what we do for the Antarctic Activity Week»

The event will be open worldwide to the Hams who would like to join. Proposed run is October 1^st, through December 31^st 2021, but this lapse is not mandatory.  Participants with special callsign will get a related WAP-Reference  number.

A free ATS 6Ø online Award will be issued to mark the participation. An invite to draw one or more specific Awards for this particular event, is still open  to Clubs, printers or individuals.

So far, Hams from the following Countries: Germany, Bulgaria, Chile, UK, Italy have the special callsigns in the “Application Process”, waiting for confirmation. Hams from other Countries are also planning their participation and gradually they will let us know  
Chile , thanks to  Ricardo Velazquez  CE3HDI, President Radio Club Aeronautico – Chile – CE3RAC has requested  CE6ØANT, GMØGAV has requested GB6ØANT. Currently Germany has 2 Special Calls waiting for confirmation.

OE3DMA Alex Wagner have just received from the authorities his  OE6ØANT and his operating period will be July 1^st to dec.31^st 2021. WAP special reference to OE6ØANT has been issued as WAP-315. Congrats Alex, great shot!

WAP asks those interested to participate in the event with a SES , to send a mail to:
Volker DL8JDX (info@strecke.de) or to
Gianni I1HYW (varettos@tin.it) in order to pre-register the eventual participation and issuing the WAP Reference number, related to the Special Callsign.

Information and updates will coming in due course, Join the event, join the 60th Anniversary of ATS!
While looking forward to having a successful event, WAP wish everyone to enjoy Antarctica as much as we do 

Thanks to Jim Reisert AD1C  and  Alan Jubb 5B4AHJ for their continuous research and help, WAP has just issued a new Reference to the US Ellsworth Mountains Camp referred to the activity of KC4USW.

 First of all, Ellsworth Mountains Camp (WAP USA-NEW) has not to be confused with Ellsworth Station (WAP USA-31) and Ellsworth Base (WAP ARG-14)

KC4USW was QRV from McMurdo Station, Ross Island (WAP USA-22), in 1957  before moving to Ellsworth Mountains Camp, from where he was QRV until February 1959. CQ May 1959 gives the last day of operation from Ellsworth Station as 1959,Febr.1^st  (letter from W8LIO).

MARIST Archives & Special Collections has available a recording of an interview with Antarctic explorer Captain Finn Ronne from amateur radio station KC4USW, Weddel Sea, Antarctica, dated 1957, Nov.11.
For sure,  QSL of that date (pic on the Left) is a genuine one for Ellsworth Mountains Camp at 79°07’00” South,  85°39’00” West, on Ellswort Mountains, Weddell Sea area (The Weddell Sea is part of the Southern Ocean and contains the Weddell Gyre. Its land boundaries are defined by the bay formed from the coasts of Coats Land and the Antarctic Peninsula. The easternmost point is Cape Norway at Princess Martha Coast, Queen Maud Land. To the east of Cape Norway is the King Haakon VII Sea. Much of the southern part of the sea is covered by a permanent, massive Ice Shelf field, the Filchner Ronne Ice Shelf).

Ellsworth station, the one we know after 1957-1959, was another entity built later , that’s why  KC4USW has been used when  QRV from Ellsworth Station in 1979-80, and why CQ January 1996 reports KC4USW as QRV from Ellsworth. 1979-80 QSL (tnx ND4V): Note that the 1979/80 QSL shown in Club Log says “Ellsworth Mts (Mountains)”. (See pic on the Right here below)

A bit of history

(Ellsworth Mountains Camp mistakenly called Ellsworth Station) was built by US Navy Seabees under the command of Capt. Finn Ronne with the support of the Icebreackers USS Staten Island and USS Wyandot.

The originally planned site for the station was Cape Adams, but when the terrain proved impractical due to huge ice cliffs, an alternate location on Gould Bay was selected, on the western coast of the Wededell Sea over the Filchner Ice Shelf, and close to the Argentinean Belgrano I Base (WAP ARG-Ø5).

Part of the scheduled agenda for the IGY, Ellsworth Station was commissioned on 11 February 1957 and less than two years later, on 17 January 1959, was handed over to the Argentinean Antarctic Institute. Along with the handover, the United States government gave all the buildings, facilities, and existing food supplies while Argentina provided the logistical and administrative services necessary for the continued operation of the station. It was agreed that scientists of both countries would work together at the place in technical studies and scientific research.

Feasibility of the station came into question when structural problems caused by the unstable ice had the base half-sunken during most of the spring. To protect personnel and equipment, Ellsworth Mountains Camp (mistakenly called Ellsworth Base) was closed and all of its staff and equipment were evacuated on 30 December 1962, during the 1962–63 Antarctic summer campaign. It continued to be inspected periodically by Argentinean exploration teams: it was eventually covered by snow and ice. The Filchner Shelf sector where it was located as split off a giant iceberg, and then it drifted through the Southern Ocean, where the base’s remains have been lost at sea.

So, it looks like the Ellsworth Station (WAP-USA-31) and Ellsworth Base (WAP ARG-14) both at  77° 39’ S, 41° 05’ W were the same one. The 1^st,  the one managed by US, the 2^nd  managed by LU when it was turned over to Argentina.

Ellsworth Mountain Camp  (WAP-USA-NEW) was located at 79°07’S, 85°39’W and it was in activity only  from 1957 through 1959.

The ones reported active from 1979-80 and 1996 are referred to Ellsworth Station 77° 39’ S, 41° 05’ W, so,  2 different locations which may confuse a bit.

Following the KC4USW  QSL dated 1957, WAP is issuing WAP USA-46  reference to Ellsworth Mountain Camp,  79°07’S, 85°39’W on Ellswort Mountains, Weddell Sea area

 TNX Jim AD1C and Alan 5B4AHJ.  Note and info on KC4USW have been updated the in Club Log  at: https://clublog.org/test.php?call=KC4USW

A budget plan includes $344 million New Zealand dollars (US $247 million) to rebuild Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1) in Antarctica, which has been used by scientists since it first built in 1957 . The outdated buildings and facilities that keep the residents alive in the coldest, driest, windiest place on earth have deteriorated,” Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said. “Doing nothing would eventually lead to the closure of the base.” (Pic aside show the actul Scott Base settlement)

The project would involve demolishing the existing 12 buildings, which were built in the early 1980s, and replacing them with three large, interconnected buildings. The rebuilt base could accommodate up to 100 people at a time. One of the new buildings would be used for accommodation and dining, one for science, and one for engineering and storage. A windfarm that produces renewable electricity would be overhauled.

The 2021 Budget held some great news for Antarctic scientists and researchers at the University of Canterbury. This project will replace the existing base and Ross Island Wind Farm, achieving the goal of a sustainable and long-term presence in Antarctica

Read more at:  https://www.miragenews.com/antarctic-researchers-react-to-budgets-scott-563507/  and  https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/new-zealand-spending-plan-includes-rebuilding-antarctic-base#:~:text=The%20budget%20plan%20includes%20%24344,it%20first%20built%20in%201957.

Station “P” was a British base camp at the head of Mateev Cove on the east side of Hannah Point, 62°39’16”South, 60°36’48” West on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica that supported survey, geology and biology field work, from 29 December 1957 until 15 March 1958. It was a temporary, mobile camp for use by field parties on Livingston Island. It has not been the practice to assign letters to field camps, so the letter “P” was used as the intention had been to erect a Hut. RRS Shackleton was holed when transporting the Hut, parts of which were used to repair the ship.

The Camp was occupied by a six-member team led by Hugh Simpson.

Hannah Point forms the east side of the entrance to Walker Bay and the west side of the entrance to South Bay. Surmounted by Ustra peak to the north, with Liverpool Beach extending between the peak and the tip of Hannah Point with an ice-free area ca. 122 hectares (300 acres).

Hannah Point (the Point) is a narrow peninsula undulating upward to knife-edged ridges and vertical cliff edges 30-50 metres above sea level. There is loose scree on higher slopes and ridges, evidence of rock falls, and a Jaspar mineral vein. Ash-covered slopes link the Point to the flat open beach area of Walker Bay. (Pic aside show Hannah Point landing beach)

(British mapping in 1821, 1962 and 1968, Argentine in 1959 and 1980, Chilean in 1971, Spanish in 1991, and Bulgarian in 2005 and 2009).

Station “P” or Fileld Camp do not exist anymore, actually the area has high concentration of diverse wildlife: nesting gentoo, chinstrap, and a small number of macaroni penguins; nesting southern giant petrels; southern elephant seals.

The Antarctic Treaty System is the whole complex of arrangements made for the purpose of regulating relations among states in the Antarctic. At its heart is the Antarctic Treaty itself. The original Parties to the Treaty were the 12 nations active in the Antarctic during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58.

As you know the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) was entered into force in 1961. So this year it’s the 60th Anniversary. 

See https://www.ats.aq/e/antarctictreaty.html and   https://www.ats.aq/devAS/Parties?lang=e

WAP shares DL8JDX’s idea to promote the participation of the Ham Radio world to mark the celebration.  

DL8JDX Volker wrote: «I would like to organize one (or even more than one) special event calls in Germany. The idea is that at least all the 12 original signatory countries (or even more) would initiate an activation with one or more SES for a limited timeframe maybe in autumn this year 2021, similar to the AAW»

The event will be open worldwide,  to the Hams who would like to join. Proposed time is June 1^st 2021, through December 31^st 2021. 

Even special ATS 6Ø online Awards would be a good attraction to the HAM community (invite to create the Award is open to clubs, printers or individuals).  Of course, participants with special callsign will get a related WAP-Reference  number.

Let’s launch the 60^th ATS event:

WAP asks to those interested in the event, to send a mail to:

Volker DL8JDX (info@strecke.de) or to

Gianni I1HYW (varettos@tin.it) or to

Max IK1GPG (wap_info@virgilio.it) to pre-register the eventual participation.

If the number of participants will be such as to guarantee a certain level of adhesion and give the right emphasis to the initiative, then it will be possible to launch the 60^th ATS event

While looking forward to having a successful event, WAP wish everyone to enjoy Antarctica as much as we do.  More details and update,  will come later-

Rifugio Elefante is an Antarctic refuge located in the ice-free area at the foot of Fourcade glacier (62° 15’ 18″ South, 58° 37′ 56″ West) is located about 1000 mts from Punta Stranger,on the Potter peninsula of King George Island.

The refuge is a construction of 25 m², used from March to October by research groups as a resting point.

Recently,  members of the Solar Energy Department (CNEA) stepped on the Antarctic, did install on the site, an autonomous system that would provide energy to the “Elephant Refuge” located 2.6 km northwest of Carlini Base (WAP ARG-2Ø) of the Argentine Antarctic Institute.

Being Rifugio Elefante  WAP ARG-NEW, we hope someone in the near future can activate it on Ham radio HF bands!

Dr. Eddy De Busschere is the Secretary of the Belgian Polar Exploration Society (BPES).

For many years, Belgian and Dutch Antarctic teams carried mail from collectors during the involvement of the Antarctic programs  often in cooperation with other nations. The scientists and expeditioners  did their utmost to take care of the philatelic mails and BPES, through Eddy, has done  great efforts to  set and forward  boxes of self addressed envelopes  to the various Bases and Camps as well to polar ships starting their Antarctic campaigns in order to have the precious covers with Base leader’s signature mailed in the polar regions  or as near as possible. If many of the Antarctic philatelic collectors (including myself) have some or many of these rare envelopes,  have to thank Eddy and BPES for the service!

Recently I have received a mail from Eddy. He states: «Polar philately is nearly not existing this season because of Corona. I am offering a collection of stamps and covers related to Marconi. May be one of your Radio amateur friends is interested?  Exchange is also possible against Antarctic QSL cards».

In addition to this, Eddy sent a scan of the old QSL card  of OR4OR Gene (Jean Hooghewys). That is really a rare one! Eddy is still looking to have one of this card for his collection.

He said:  « Jean Hooghewys OR4OR is no longer with us and I cannot contact his family to find out if any cards are left. It is the only card I am still missing from the Belgian Antarctic base 1957-1967. I think I have all the others. The only person that has such a card is Ghis Penny (ON5NT). May be there is someone able to offer me such a card. I keep my fingers crossed.

Now, if someone could be interested in exchanging Antarctic QSL cards with  Marconi’s stamps and covers (see some in pics attached) or having a card of OR4OR can eventually write to me:

Eddy De Busschere

Kriekenstraat 5

BE-8310 Assebroek, BELGIUM – Belgique

email: pole@telenet.be

Dr. Eddy De Busschere  sent greetings to the passionate collectors and Polar lovers and  hopes Polar Philately and Ham Radio activity from Antarctica will soon resume.

TNX Eddy De Busschere @ BPES