Here below, is a  bit of history on how Russia marked his presence in the Icy Continent with its several Scientific Bases at the beginning of international scientific expeditions to Antarctica.

The first plans for a Soviet Antarctic expedition were drawn up just before the second International Polar Year (1932-1933), but the expedition never took place. Soviet Antarctic expeditions began general, comprehensive scientific research covering the southern oceans as well as the Antarctic mainland in 1956, when preparations were begun for International Geophysical Year (IGY).

In February 1956 the participants in the Soviet Antarctic Expedition (SAE) established the Mirny observatory, a Scientific Station (WAP RUS-Ø7) on the Antarctic mainland.

In May 1956, observations were begun at Pionerskaya (WAP RUS-1Ø), an inland station located some 375 kms South of Mirny.

In October 1956 the Oasis Station (WAP RUS-NEW) began working, located at the Bunger Oasis, on the coast of Wilkes Land.

The inland station Vostok-1 (WAP RUS-14), Komsomolskaya (WAP RUS-Ø5) and Vostok (WAP RUS-13) were founded in 1957; the latter was located near the South Magnetic Pole.

In 1958 the Sovetskaya  (RUS-NEW) and Polyus Nedostupnosti (Pole of Inaccessibility Stations WAP RUS-NEW) began observations.

Between 1956 and 1958 eight stations were thus established under the IGY program. After IGY, observations continued at the Mirny observatory and the Vostok station.

In the following years a number of permanent, seasonal and temporary stations and bases were built.

As form 1968, Molodezhnaya (WAP RUS-Ø8) became the main base of Antarctic research as well as the Antarctic Meteorological Centre.

Year-round observations are now made at five stations of the Russian Antarctic Expedition (RAE): Molodezhnaya (WAP RUS-Ø8), Mirny (WAP RUS-Ø7), Novolazarevskaya (WAP RUS-Ø9), Bellingshausen (WAP RUS-Ø1) and Vostok (WAP RUS-13 which was temporarily closed in 1994). They measure meteorological and upper-air parameters, receive satellite information, an measure the levels of total ozone and of several other atmospheric trace gases. They also conduct a number of studies of the ionosphere.

Source: https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/Antarctica/Ant-cat-Rus-Fed.html

We would like to remark that Russia is probably the solo Country that have always been “On the Air” since the Antarctic epic, with hundreds of very professional Radio operators that, still now are very active on HF  Hams bands. Our appreciation to the constancy and tenacity of  all Russian radio amateurs who are an example of professionalism!

Let us not forget that , to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Russian Robinson Club,  RRC club members Alexander/RW3RN and Oleg/UA3HK/ZS1OIN  have been active on last  December 2013, from the Russian Antarctic station “Bellingshausen” on the Island of King George signing RI2ØANT &.RI2ØANT/MM

It was on 20 November 1984 that China dispatched its first Antarctic research expedition team, and by the end of this expedition, the country established its first Antarctic research station, the Great Wall Station on 20 February 1985. So far, China has done 35 national Antarctic expeditions and established two year-round research stations, namely the Great Wall Station (1985) in West Antarctica and the Zhongshan Station (1989) located in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica; one inner land summer station, the Kunlun Station (2009) located on “Dome A”, the highest place in Antarctica and one camp, namely the Taishan Camp (2014) located in Princess Elizabeth Land.

The Chinese National Antarctic Program is largely organized into a 5-year program called “Chinese Polar Environment Comprehensive Investigation and Assessment Programs” (2015-2020). Regarding Antarctica, the Program comprises three parts: the Antarctic Marine Environment Survey, the Antarctic Terrestrial Environment Survey and the Comprehensive Assessment of the Antarctic Environment. The program is implemented through a series of surveys and assessments, involving various disciplines. In addition, China continues to conduct routine observations at the Great Wall Station (WAP CHN-Ø1)and the Zhongshan Station (WAP CHN-Ø2). To strengthen international cooperation in Antarctic research, international participants are encouraged to join in the Program through collaboration with national institutes and universities. Notably, China has been preparing to launch its fifth Antarctic research station, which is expected to be finalized by 2022.

After the establishment of the Great Wall Station, China obtained the status of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party. In order to implement the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and other related legal instruments under the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), China had been updating its domestic law-making process.

Read more at: https://www.ispionline.it/it/pubblicazione/chinas-antarctic-program-and-antarctic-treaty-system-23526

China have a lot of nice Ham radio operators and now China have 4 Scientific Stations in Antarctica; let’s hope to hear shortly some Chinese callsigns calling CQ from Antarctica!

So far the only operations from 2 of the 4 bases, have been put on the air by Russian operators:
R1ANF/A from Great Wall Station (WAP CHN-Ø1) on last September 1999 and R1ANP/A from Zhongshan Station (WAP CHN-Ø2) on last October 2010, so we are missing some real Chinese Hams operating HF some days to give the Antarctic chasers a chance to put them on the log! In addition Kunlun Station and Taishan Camp are brand two  new ones!

Dome-Fuji Station, 77°30’South, 37°30’East was established in January, 1995 to conduct deep ice-core drilling at the highest dome of Dronning Maud Land, some 1000 km away from Syowa Station. After completing 3035 m deep drilling, the station is being closed temporarily.

Dome Fuji (also called Dome F or Valkyrie Dome) with an altitude of 3,810 mts or 12,500 ft above sea level, is the second-highest summit or ice dome of the East Antarctic ice sheet and represents an ice divide.

January 2019 saw the conclusion of WindSled’s Unexplored Dome Fuji expedition. The Spanish team of four, led by Ramón Larramendi, completed a 2,500km return journey from near to Novolazarevskaya base to Dome Fuji (3,768m) in 52 days traveling in a series of customized sleds with built-in living quarters and powered entirely by kites.

See  a 2,46′  video by clicking  here
Since the project’s inception in 1999, the WindSleds have been used on 11 expeditions, covering more than 20,000km in Antarctica, Greenland, and Canada.

On the Hamradio wise, Dome Fuji (WAP JPN-Ø4) was last time on the by  8J1RF on 2003-2004  (44^th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition) operated by JAØWJN Ichio Obinata (Obi).

Since that time, nobody else have been active from there.

Colombia works on establishing a scientific station in Antarctica. Military forces are set to support “Admiral Padilla Summer Station” that will accommodate the various Colombia Antarctic Program (PAC) organizations as well as Colombia’s National Technical Committee for Antarctic Issues.

Colombia plans to set up its base at a point along the Gerlache Strait, a body of water 100 miles long and 20 miles wide that separates the Palmer Archipelago from the Danco Coast on the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and the United States already have bases in that area.

Colombian Navy (Armada Nacional) will test icy waters after announcing plans to establish a naval base on Antarctica; five to 10 years is the allocated time frame for Colombia to establish a permanent presence on the icy continent with a base that will be shared with international scientists to monitor the effects of climate change.

The strategic objective is part of the Navy’s Colombia Antarctic Program (PAC), operational for more than three decades, and which is currently conducting the 4^th  Scientific Expedition with researchers on board the ARC “20 de Julio”. Colombia makes it once a year to Antarctica with its own ships, an accomplishment only four nations in the world have achieved.

As a member nation of the Antarctic Treaty, the ARC “20 de Julio” has invited naval officers from Mexico, Spain, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and New Zealand to work alongside them, as well as a team of Colombian scientists researching this remote continent’s biology, oceanography and geology. The ARC “20 de Julio” is a fully-equipped ship for both military and scientific operations. A helicopter does photogrammetric mapping and zodiacs collect cold-water samples.

Source: https://thecitypaperbogota.com/features/colombias-navy-plans-to-establish-permanent-base-on-antarctica/18932

During this Antarctic Winter Season there are at least 4 Stations active:
Neumayer III (WAP DEU-Ø8), Davis (WAP AUS-Ø3), Scott (WAP NZL-Ø1) and Syowa (WAP JPN-Ø3). It is worthwhile looking for them in FT8 or in WSPR using http://www.PSKReporter.info  and WSJT-X Software. See also: http://www.wsprnet.org

DPØGVN, Neumayer III, Op: Andreas, DL3LRM

See  http://www.qrz.com/db/dp0gvn

VK0HZ, Davis, Op: Matt, VK5HZ

See  http://www.qrz.com/db/vk0hz

ZL5A, Scott, Op: Adam, ZL4ASC

See  http://www.qrz.com/db/zl5a

8J1RL, Syowa, Op: Yath, JG2MLI

See  http://www.qrz.com/db/8j1rl

Good hunting! Volker, DL8JDX Antarctic Overwintering Expeditions:

1.AE Georg Forster 1988-1989 Y88POL (WAP DDR-Ø1)

4.AE Georg Forster 1990-1992 Y88POL (WAP DDR-Ø1)

13.AE Neumayer II 1992-1994 DPØGVN (WAP DEU-Ø2)

About the impression that  new generation of Hams, are using FT8, FT4 and other digimodes that really depersonalize the genuine SSB contacts as we were use to made, Volker said: -yes sure CW or SSB are the original contact modes. But other possible opportunities in getting in contact with Antarctic wintering station in FT8 or WSPR would be of interest for other polar station hunters anyway.
TNX Volker, DL8JDX

WAP ECU-Ø2 is a new reference, just issued to this Antarctic Refuge.

Republica del Ecuador it’s an Antarctic Refuge located at Hennequin Point, 62°07’16” South,  58°23’42” West inside the Admiralty Bay on King George Island (or 25 de Mayo Island). It was installed by the first Antarctic expedition of Ecuador and inaugurated on January 13, 1988 with the assistance of delegations from Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, United States, Poland, Russia and Uruguay, which have Bases, scientific stations and shelters in the island. Its first occupants were Ecuadorian scientists who performed hydrographic and geological works. Republica del Ecuador Refuge consists of a six-meter container that has basic medical supplies, non-perishable food and two bunk beds with a capacity for four people. It is for researchers and tourists who want to rest or study the area.

Mehdi F5PFP together with ON7ZM (see 2 pics aside), made a short stop on Republica del Ecuador Refuge on Febr.22, 2009 just before landing on Macchu Pichu Base (WAP PER-Ø1).

He was active from there as HC/FT5YJ (see pics attached)  and logged 5 QSOs with South America (LU3XPM, CX8OX, LU8XW, PY2BQA, CE8RPA), even if nobody claimed the card …!  Mehdi wrote:-we discovered an high QRM level coming from the generator that provided S7 to S9 of QRN on 20mts. We spent most of the time trying to resolve that problem but … nothing! So, Republica del Ecuador was on air even if it was a very brief!-

Ecuadorian Navy provide regular maintenance: Ecuadorian mission did repair the Refuge on February 9, 2006 working 37 days, and also from December 16, 2013 through  January 18, 2014, Officials of the INOCAR (Oceanographic Institute of the Navy), performed the integral maintenance of the Refuge including graffiti, repair of walls, ceiling and floor.(pic on the right)

See also: http://www.periodicolaprimera.com/2014/01/personal-del-inocar-efectuo.html

Now to “Republica del Ecuador Refuge” already listed on WAP-WADA Directory, at the light of the information provided by Mehdi F5PFP- HC/FT5YJ , whose  log says: -22/02/2009 from 14:05 to 14:20utc 20m SSB; LU3XPM, CX8OX, LU8XW, PY2BQA, CE8RPA-, a reference has been given as WAP ECU-Ø2

It was a brief operation due to a problem with the generator –says Mehdi–  I also remember  the refuge is not well situated to anchor  with a sailing boat due to an inappropriate depth of the sea floor , so we stayed just  maybe an hour then we moved to Machu Picchu a neighboring place of Admiralty Bay – King George Island-.

TNX F5PFP

“Sun or not, the view is  magical”.
There are no clouds, the view around Concordia Station   (WAP MNB-Ø3) seems almost endless. When it’s cloudy, the world seems to close around us, making isolation more acute.

In the end, the sun came out a couple of days later, on 12 and 13 August, even though the temperature dropped to -65, -80°C.

Antarctic winter still stands.

Welcome to the light to the overwintering Team!

Leith Harbour was a whaling station on the northeast coast of South Georgia, established and operated from 1909 until 1965. It was the largest of seven whaling stations, situated near the mouth of Stromness Bay. The whaling stations of South Georgia were laser scanned by Geometria Ltd (http://www.geometria.co.nz), with support and funding from the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the Norwegian Foreign Ministry.

Thanks and credit to: Daniel McCurdy

This video shows interpretation of 3D laser scan data collected from the Leith Harbour whaling Station (WAP GBR-NEW), South Georgia. The buildings explored are the Boiler House and the Machine/Engineering Shop.
No Ham radio activity have been performed from this site of the South Georgia Sub Antarctic Islands, still full of Stations, and Old Refuges, quite easy to be reached and be put on air ….

Mizuho Station 70°41’58’’South, 44°16’52’’East was established as a summer Base in July, 1970 on the Mizuho Plateau, 2230 mts above sea level, 270 km south-east of Syowa Station (WAP JPN-Ø3). Mizuho Station (WAP JPN-Ø2) in one of the fourth Japanese scientific installations in Antarctica.

It was a permanent Japanese Antarctic transshipment Station (1970-1987) operated for 17 years by the Japanese National Institute of Polar Research, performing studies in meteorology, glaciology, physics of the upper atmosphere (mesosphere and exosphere).

Even if at present, Mizuho Station is being temporarily closed,  it is a logistical support point between the Syowa station and the Mount Fuji base. Mizuho Station closed in 1987,  still have installation and it is sporadically occupied for meteorological and glaciological observations.

On the Ham Radio wise, Mizuho Station  (8J1RM) was on the air at the time of it’s life and in particular on the 22^nd Antarctic Japanese Expedition (1981-1982-TNX I2MOV for QSL).

Since 1986 no HamRadio operations have taken place from there.

Antarctica, a continent of ice and rock, was the last place on Earth to be discovered by humans, only two centuries ago, and remains almost completely uninhabited.

Larsen cairn, 64°14’13” South and 56° 35′ 7″ West, is located 2 kilometers from the facilities of Marambio Base (WAP ARG-21)direction E-N-E (76˚) and 230 meters to the S-E-S of the Chavez lighthouse, 40 meters above sea level and 70 meters from the coast.

Thanks to the joint work of Argentine scientists and diplomats, Larsen cairn will remain protected and disseminated as a new Antarctic Treaty Historic Site and Monument approved with nr. 94, on July 11 by the recent 42^nd  Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting from Argentina, Norway, Sweden and United Kingdom joint proposal, symbolizing the achievements of science and international cooperation, fundamental pillars of the Argentine Antarctic Program.
The “Cairn of Larsen” is a site where various expeditions from different countries at different times left messages of their passage through that remote place, while waiting for their rescue or looking for survivors.  In this way, this new historical monument stands as a witness to the exploration of those regions, as well as Antarctic science, being a symbol of the birth of polar paleontology.

The history of the site begins in the summer 1892/3, when Norwegian Captain Carl Anton Larsen explores that region with the idea of extending the whaling industry to the South.

Larsen would then descend on what we know today as Vicecomodoro Marambio Island, in an area near the Argentine Base, leaving the first human footprints there. On that site, Larsen did collect some invertebrate fossils, which would later be the first in Antarctica to be studied. Before leaving, he installed a stone marker on the island with a two-meter post in which he wrote the year and the name of the expedition ship Jason.

For this reason, the footprints of the first Antarctic pioneers have an extraordinary heritage value for all mankind. The historical sites of the sixth continent are so scarce, that, in all its extension, including the surrounding islands, we find less than one hundred of them, however, a new site has been added to that select list thanks to the work promoted by the Argentine Antarctic Program, promoted by the National Antarctic Directorate (DNA), through the Argentine Antarctic Institute (IAA).

Read more at: http://www.marambio.aq/mojonlarsen.html

Looking at the three abandoned whaling stations in Stromness Bay, South Georgia, from the sea. The stations said to be closed to visitors because of their dangerous state, including contamination by asbestos. The Sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia had five main shore stations at the height of whaling in the early 1900s.

Here below the details of the five Stations;  all are  WAP GBR-NEW
(see WAP-WADA Directory-Sub Antarctic Section)

Leith Harbour Station located at Leith Harbour,  54°Ø8’27″South, 36°41’16″West

Ocean Harbour Station  at  54°2Ø’ØØ”South, 36°16’ØØ”West

Prince Olav Harbour Station  at 54°Ø4’ØØ”South, 37°Ø9’ØØ”West

Rosita Harbour Station at 54°Ø1’ØØ”South, 37°27’ØØ”West

Stromness Station,  located at Stromness Bay, 54°Ø9’36″South, 36°42’42″West

The last of them closed in the mid 1960s. This clip is attached to the monthly website newsletter on www.sgisland.gs

Hams from the US are plamming a DX-pedition for the beginning of 2020 to South Orkney Islands as VP8/VP8DXU… let’s hope one day somebody can think to operate from the South Georgia, there are a lort of new sites to activate from there!

We must thank Mr. Fabricio Tavares  for the pictures of  Refuge Cabo Gutierrez Vargas (WAP CHL-NEW) which  we were looking for since quite sometimes!

Mr. Fabricio Tavares  from Brazil, is the responsible of a Twitter account which loads so many useful Antarctic information;  he wrote: – Congratulations for the important job WAP website accomplishes! Feel free to use any info WAP  may wants from my Twitter account-.

Mr. Fabricio Tavares  collects pictures of almost every Antarctic facilities and outpost in the Icy Continent, and says: –it’s possible that I have some images you need (do not hesitate on asking those to me, if you need).  The only problem is that I have so many photos that it’s impossible for me to indicate their original sources-.

WAP  would like to express gratitude to this great friend; his Twitter account  https://twitter.com/antarctic_infra?lang=it  is a huge source of Antarctic information.

See: http://www.propolar.org/notiacutecias2013-2016/permantar-3-deception-en-el-refugio-chileno-buscando-los-sensores-abajo-130m-espesor-de-nieve

and: http://www.propolar.org/notiacutecias-2012-13/permachange-dirio-de-campanha-14-01-2013

TNX to Mr. Fabricio Tavares  and to PROPOLAR .org from which, pics of Cabo Gutierrez Vargas Refuge (WAP CHL-NEW) are coming from.

WAP is  looking for some pics of Refugio Cabo Gutierrez Vargas  (WAP CHL-NEW) which is located 1Km close to the Presidente Aguirre  Cerda Base (WAP CHL-Ø4). On several  websites it is reported that ruins of the Refuge are still in place.  On last 2011, Mehdi F5PFP was very close to it, when he did activate Presidente Aguirre  Cerda Base (CE9XX, see QSL on the side); Mehdi  reports to have seen the remaining of this Refuge but he did not take direct picture of it!

WAP is actually in  contact with Mario Reyne CE3BFE (Jefe Expedición Antartica Chilena www.marioreyne.cl ); he is trying to get pics of Vargas Refuge (62° 56′ 41.15″ South , 60° 35′ 59.96″ West), even if he said, it will be an hard task!

Refugio Cabo Gutierrez Vargas  so called in memory of the aviation Captain who died on December 30, 1955, was located at 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) from Aguirre Cerda Station and was inaugurated on February 12, 1956. Its purpose was to serve as a Refuge for the members of the Station in  case of fire.

On December 4, 1967, the Refuge was definitively abandoned, as well as the Aguirre Cerda Station, due to a violent volcanic eruption.

The poor remains of the refuge structure can still be seen on the beach where it was located (aside a picture from Google Earth)

TNX F5PFP & IZ8EWB

In 1955 Chile inaugurated its station Pedro Aguirre Cerda at Pendulum Cove (62°56 South, 60°36 West), to increase the Chilean presence in the sector claimed by that nation.

At the Chilean station Pedro Aguirre Cerda andthe nearby Gutierrez Vargas Refuge scienmtists did perform studies of meteorology and volcanology.
Today only ruins remain.

When the US Coast Guard icebreaker Eastwind visited Deception Island in 1963/64, the British and Chilean scientific stations were active. The Chileans had an airstrip, with a DeHavilland Beaver supplying their base from Punta Arenas.In 1969, a violent volcanic eruption demolished the Chilean stations Pedro Aguirre Cerda and Gutierrez Vargas Refuge. Remains at Whalers Bay include rusting boilers and tanks, an aircraft hangar and the British scientific station house (Biscoe House), with the middle torn out by the 1969 mudflows. A bright orange derelict airplane fuselage was removed in 2004. Deception Island has become a popular tourist stop in Antarctica because of its several colonies of chinstrap penguins, as well as the novel possibility of making a warm bath by digging into the sands of the beach.

Last activity from this rare Old site in Antarctica (WAP CHL-Ø4) was made by F5PFP operating as CE9XX  on March 2011.

On WAP website, we have recently add a new page called “Arctic & Antarctic Global Program”, a French proposal for Hams, launched years ago by F5PFP (f5pfp@sfr.fr), to whom address requests of information, or asking for the “form” to list the stations worked.

Pic aside shows F5PFP when signing VP8DLM in Antarctica.

The combination of the Antarctic & Arctic Challenges scores allows the landing to a global scores called Polar Trophy.

Check https://www.waponline.it/arctic-antarctic-global-program/ to get  full infos

The Captain Caillet-Bois, Naval Refuge (63º 54 ’40” South,  60º 47′ 52″ West), is an Argentina’s refuge in Antarctica,  30 meters above sea level on the small D’Hainaut island , Port Mikkelsen bay,  Trinity Island,  one of the Palmer archipelago. It was inaugurated by the Argentine Navy on December 10^th , 1954.  Its original  name was Port Mikkelsen Refuge.

In March 2017, it was renewed by a task force of the M/V ARA Bahía San Blas; a group of 6 Navy men remained for 8 days in the shelter making maintenance and replace spare parts until March 17, 2018.

On the evening of the first day of navigation in Antarctica, the M/V ARA “Bahía San Blas” anchored near Trinidad Island, where the Capitán Caillet Bois Naval Refuge is located, thus starting the operations of the final stage of the 2018 Antarctic Summer Campaign.

http://gacetamarinera.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/04-03-17-cailletbois.mp4?_=1

No Ham radio activity has been performed at this Refuge so far; If it will happens in the future, a new WAP Reference will ne given

Volker Strecke, DL8JDX (pic taside) informs that next 14th November 2019 in Dresden, Germany there will be an Antarctic Meeting of many Polar Veterans on the occasion of 30th Anniversary of the border opening between former East and West Germany and the later reunification as well as the related impressions from that time at Georg Forster (WAP DDR-Ø1)and Neumayer II (WAP DEU-Ø2) Stations.

TNX Volker Strecke, DL8JDX 

Nine years ago, Mehdi Escoffier, F5PFP did set a great Antarctic Expedition which have reached several rare spots such as Bases, Huts and Refuges  in Antarctica.

On last 4 December 2018, we did inform the Antarctic chasers that, as regards of VP8DLM, FT5YK , CE9XX  (2011 Antarctic Expedition), Mehdi, F5PFP was going to print a new batch of QSL cards as the old ones  have been almost exhausted.

(see: https://www.waponline.it/new-batch-of-qsl-going-to-be-printed-by-f5pfp/ )

Now the cards are ready (see the pics aside) and  Mehdi , F5PFP has informed, through a post on Antarctica List (antarctica_list@yahoogroups.com ), that these new QSL cards are available.

Those interested can write to Mehdi F5PFP ( f5pfp@sfr.fr ) to arrange how to get them.

TNX  Mehdi F5PFP

We have chosen a couple of sites in Antarctica  (Concordia Station WAP MNB-Ø3,  and Bharati Base WAP IND-Ø4) were the personnel  have shared  the happiness of June 21, better known as Mid Winter Day.

Midwinter Day marks the halfway point through Antarctica’s cold and dark season.

The first Midwinter’s Day was celebrated in 1898 by the crew of the Belgica, a Belgian vessel that became stuck in pack ice and was forced to overwinter until it finally broke free in February 1899. Unprepared to spend a winter in Antarctica, many of the crew suffered from scurvy, which was only alleviated after the men began to eat seal and penguin meat that provided essential vitamins.

Mid Winter Day is marked with a feast and other activities.

Below, the Artigas Base (WAP URY-Ø1) on the longest night on the planet celebrated during the “Day of the Antarctic Confraternity”.

https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoAntarticoUruguayo/videos/355566985161618/

This day marks the beginning of winter and festivities are traditionally held among the Antarctic bases  as “Mid Winter day” in order to motivate themselves to overcome the challenge of the rigor in this unique  geographical site!

June 21, in the northern hemisphere the sun will rise at 5.36 and set at 8.51, remaining in the sky for 15 hours and 15 minutes, while between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole it will not fade at all. The Northern hemisphere will  live the longest day of the year.

In the Southern hemisphere, will happen just the opposite, in other words they will experience what happens to us on December 21st: their night will be the longest of the year, while between the Antarctic Polar Circle and the South Pole the sun will never arise.

Happy summer to all of those living on the Boreal hemisphere, and happy winter to those living on the Austral one!

To our Antarctic friends, Happy Mid Winter Day!

Professional news media invited to apply to visit jointly funded US and UK research on Antarctic Thwaites Glacier.The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) are accepting written proposals from media professionals to visit a “deep-field” camp on the remote Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica in December.

NSF, the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and the ITGC Science Coordination Office (SCO) will jointly select a very limited number of media personnel-no more than three people in total–to deploy initially to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide field camp, which will serve as the hub of the research being carried out at Thwaites Glacier. Media will be free to interview Thwaites research teams as they deploy through that camp. A visit to an additional Thwaites Glacier field camp will be highly dependent on weather and logistical variables, and, while possible, cannot be guaranteed.

There is also a separate opportunity for one person to report from the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer when a team of ITGC scientists sails for Thwaites Glacier in February of 2020 for approximately 50 days.

Read more at:

https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298676&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click

Thanks and Credit to NSF

US Shackleton Field Camp  85°05’24” South,175° 19’ 48” West is a “Summer camp” opened in 2015.

Shackleton Field Camp,  459 Nautical Miles from McMurdo Station (WAP USA-22) is one of the seven field camps managed by USAP in Antarctica where field sites have resident staff to provide logistical and operational assistance to McMurdo and vessel-based researchers. Personnel (logistics, scientists and researchers)  normally leave McMurdo aboard a Hercues C-130 to reach the remote Shackleton Glacier field camp  (WAP USA-NEW).

The Shackleton glacier is a vast glacier that descends from the polar plateau through the chain of mountains of Queen Maud (Transantartic mountains) and then flows into the Ross platform. Recently, from this well-equipped “base camp”, the researchers went to an area along the McIntyre headland by a Twin Otter and over there, they discovered the oldest Antarctic forest so far known, plus a number of other fossil plants that grew in the undergrowth and collected ashes from as many as six volcanic eruptions. The ashes contain a variety of zircons which in turn contain uranium atoms: this allows the scientists to date the fossils (radiometric dating) and to establish precisely the age of the Glossopteris forests and to understand if these plants have survived the great extinction of mass of the Permian.

See more at: https://www.usap.gov/sciencesupport/scienceplanningsummaries/2016_2017/fieldcamps.cfm

A list of Antarctic field camps can be seen at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_field_camps

So far, nobody (radio amateurs)  has been active on the Ham bands from Shackleton Field Camp which of course is still a WAP USA-NEW one. Now we will add it on the WAP WADA Directory hoping someone to be active one day or another from there!

An old collection of Magazines (1971-1992) from Argentina, tells us the history and life of the White Continent. (pics aside show the covers of a couple of magazines)

A good friend, Ham radio operator: Pedro LU1JHF, wrote:
– Knowing your passion for Antarctica,  I’m pleased to share with you this collection of Magazines, which, I am sure will be of your appreciation!-  ’73, Pedro LU1JHF

Everyone can download one by one the Magazines; they are available on the website of the Argentine Chancellery.

Just for everyone pleasure, here below are  the links:

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar01_0.pdf    December 1971

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar02_0.pdf    December 1972

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar03_0.pdf    May-June 1973

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar04_0.pdf    April-May 1974

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar05_0.pdf    December 1974

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar06_0.pdf    June 1979

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar07_0.pdf    September 1976

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar08_0.pdf    December 1977

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar09_0.pdf    July 1979

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar10_0.pdf    March 1980

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar11_0.pdf    February 1981

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar12_0.pdf    May 1982

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar13_0.pdf    February 1984

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar14_0.pdf    December 1985

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar15_0.pdf    June 1987

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar16_0.pdf    August 1988

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar17_0.pdf   December 1988

https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/ut/revantar18_0.pdf    October 1992

TNX Pedro Sarli, LU1JHF

Argentina reaffirms sovereignty over the Argentine Antarctic Sector extending between the 25th and 74th meridians of west longitude, south of the 60th parallel of south latitude.

Ever since the opening of the first scientific station (Orcadas Base WAP ARG-15) in Laurie Island, South Orkney Archipelago, on 22 February 1904, Argentina has been constantly and uninterruptedly present in Antarctica, which constitutes the longest continuous presence in such continent. Argentina has six Permanent Bases:
(Carlini WAP ARG-2Ø, Orcadas WAP ARG-15, Esperanza WAP ARG-Ø4, Marambio WAP ARG-21, San Martin WAP ARG-Ø8 and Belgrano II WAP ARG-Ø6) and seven Temporary Bases (Brown WAP ARG-Ø2, Primavera WAP ARG-Ø9, Decepción WAP ARG-12, Melchior WAP ARG-13, Matienzo WAP ARG-Ø1, Cámara WAP ARG-16 and Petrel WAP ARG-17).

Argentina is one of the twelve original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty signed in Washington on 1 December 1959. The Treaty sets forth that Antarctica is to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and forbids any military activity, as well as the testing of any type of weapons. Furthermore, it properly protects the reaffirmation of Argentine sovereignty over Antarctica in the face of claims overlapping Argentina’s own. Hence, the geopolitical significance for Argentina of maintaining a strong and effective Antarctic Treaty System, which also ensures the existence of a large peace zone along our southern border.

Source: https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/en/foreign-policy/antarctica

Stamps issued by the Argentine Post Office whose vignettes have designs related with the thematic of the Argentine Antarctic and the Malvinas Islands  are always a source of great interest, whether it is a commemoration of special events, expeditions, scientific activities, Antarctic bases, Argentine ships that sail in the Antarctic waters.

Now, Correo Argentino pays tribute to Antarctica with two postal pieces. We have already seen the 1^st one, celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the foundation of Base Marambio (WAP ARG-21).
The second block sheet, is an emission dedicated to the ARA Icebreaker “Almirante Irízar”, a ship that gives logistic support in the summer campaigns supplying the Antarctic Bases, in addition to performing scientific tasks in glaciology, meteorology, the survey of the submarine platform of the Icy Continent.

The print of this series, run in 20,000 copies of each theme and is now available for sale in the E-store or in any philatelic branch of Argentina.

Source: https://www.correoargentino.com.ar/

Last Antarctic Activity Week (Febr.2019) has seen a great participation of Hams from several countries WW. Since 16 years, François  F8DVD, one of the most active Antarctic enthusiasts, takes part in the event with a special callsign as usual.

Last past AAW 16^th edition, he got TM16AAW and now he shows the QSL that will confirm his QSOs.
QSL have been printed by the printing shop at IT9EJW company

The picture shows the Base O’Higgins (WAP CHL-Ø2) which is a Chilean station established in 1948. The O’Higgins Base is situated at Cape Legoupil on Trinity peninsula (63°19’ South,  57° 53’ West). The German Antarctic Receiving Station (GARS)   was established at O’Higgins in 1991 by the German Aerospace Center. It is a satellite ground station sited to enable reception of data from satellite-based sensors within the Southern Polar region.

TNX François  F8DVD, TM16AAW

A new postal emission for the fiftieth anniversary of Marambio Base foundation 1969 – October 29 -2019 is now available to collectors!

Inside the  Antarctic Museum of the Marambio Foundation, there is the so-called Antarctic Philatelic Corner,  which exhibits philatelic postal pieces that certify various Antarctic events. The corner, bears the name of “Comodoro Salvador Alaimo”, who was a well-known collector of stamps, envelopes and postal marks related to the theme of Antarctica and  Malvinas Islands.

“Filatelia del Correo Argentino” has just issued a postal series in tribute to the 50th anniversary of the founding of Marambio Base (WAP ARG-21) in Antarctica Argentina (1969 – October 29 – 2019).

Marambio Foundation and  Filatelia del Correo Argentino, did provide graphic, historical material and reporting details about this event such as the design of high artistic quality that makes this emission a real great job. Here aside, the postmark of the 1st day emission

The postal series are available in all the Philatelic stores  Argentina and on the Internet since  April 29, 2019, while the official launching  is expected for the month of June, in commemoration of the Day of the Antarctic Confraternidad, 21 of June.

Read more at: http://www.marambio.aq/emisionpostal50.html
and also: http://marambio.aq/pdf/RESFIL1392.pdf 

Information on how to order or buy this new emission can be seen at: https://www.correoargentino.com.ar/

Doctor Guillermo Mann Base (formerly Camp Shirreff) is the second of the three research Bases that INACH (Instituto Antartico Chileno) has in  Antarctica. It is located at 62º27’00″South, 60º47’00″West on the east side of Cape Shirreff on Joannes Paulus II peninsula on Livingston Island in the South Shetlands off the Antarctic peninsula.

It is near the  US Shirreff Base (WAP USA-NEW) administrated by the United States.

The Base (named after the Chilean zoologist, naturalist and ecologist Guillermo Mann, who participated in 1947 on the first Chilean Antarctic Expedition) , should not to be confused with the “old”  Doctor Guillermo Mann or Spring-INACH Base (WAP CHL-NEW) from 1973 that is located in the  Spring Point, Hughes Bay (today it’s not operational).
http://www.inach.cl/inach/?page_id=12694

Doctor Guillermo Mann Base (WAP CHL-Ø8) has allowed to generate knowledge in terrestrial and marine biology, and disciplines such as geology and glaciology.
Since the site is in a protected area, its access requires a special permit.

The base was inaugurated in 1991, it is equipped with communications HF radios, VHF radios and satellite telephony. Only CE9MFK has been active from Doctor Guillermo Mann Base in 1995 and 1999

Shirreff Base (official name Cape Shirreff Field Station),is located at 62°28’12” South, 60°46’16” West,  on the East side of Cape Shirreff on Joannes Paulus II Peninsula on Livingston Island of the South Shetlands. It’s a seasonal field station operated by the United States,  opened in 1996 .

Every austral summer, the US AMLR Program conducts predator studies at Cape Shirreff field Station.
Each week, the field research team sends updates on their work.

Shirreff Field Station WAP USA-NEW and the nearby Chilean Base called Refuge Dr. Guillermo Mann, WAP CHL-NEW are few meters each other and so far no Ham radio operators have been active from there.  It’s a real shame, particularly if considering  that both locations are visited yearly and an operation from there could qualify both references!

When someone be active from there?