Vernadsky Research Base (WAP UKR-Ø1), the only Ukrainian station in Antarctica, is located on Galindez Island in the Bellingshausen Sea, close to the Antarctic Peninsula, some 2,700 kilometers away from the South Pole.

Ukraine is one of the 30 countries in the world, which has its permanent station in Antarctica, which operates all year round. A team of 26 Ukrainian biologists, geologists, and engineers is to spend more than two months conducting important scientific research, according to the National Antarctic Scientific Center , the Ukrainian public body formed in 1993, responsible for coordination, managing and executing Ukrainian activities in Antarctica..

The 24th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition  set sail for the icy continent last Jan. 18^th.  Roman Bratchyk, UT7UA (ex UA1OT & UB5KBE, UX1KA, pic aside), is among the Team actually  travelling to reach Vernadsky Base, Galindez Island; Ronan will operate on HF Bands on his spare time, signing EM1UA and EM1U .

QSL via UT7UA:
Roman Bratchyk , Post office Box-19, Kyiv, 01001 Ukraine.

According to Pavlo UT1KY (a Ukrainian Antarctic veteran), it will take 2-3 weeks to reach the site, so we do not expect to hear Ronan before the beginning of February. The license issued, will expire 1st February 2020.

TNX UT1KY

In 1996 the British Faraday Station (WAP GBR-Ø6) was transferred to the members of the 1st Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition and then renamed to the Akademik Vernadsky Station which is capable of supporting complex and systematic scientific research in Antarctica.

A revision has been made on Argentina Sub Antarctic Tierra del Fuego (WAP ARG-23).  At the light of new evidence showing Huts and Navy outposts, 2 New Ref. (WAP ARG-29 & WAP ARG-3Ø) has been issued; today we’ll see WAP ARG-29.

The  Isla de los Estados (Staten Island) is located in the South Atlantic Ocean to the east of Miter peninsula of the Big Island of Tierra del Fuego, from which it is separated by the 24 km of the Le Maire Strait. It belongs to the Department Ushuaia of the Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands province .

The entire archipelago is administered by the Government of the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands with the participation of the National Administration of National Parks and the Argentine Navy, which together make up the mixed Commission of Isla de los Estados.

Let’s have a quick view of this New WAP reference for Argentina Sub Antarctic Territories:

WAP ARG-29 – Isla de los Estados (Staten island)  54°47′00″South, 64°15′00″West, hosts a scientific station (pic aside) of the CADIC (Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas). In other sites of the Island,  there are Scientific Stations that study different aspects of flora, fauna, etc. which, forced us to decide to inserted Isla de los Estados  as a “New entry” into the WAP Directory.

WAP ARG-29 will also include: San Juan de Salvamento LH (WAP ARG-LH-Ø7), Puerto Parry  &  Com. Luis Piedrabuena Naval oupost-

Puerto Parry where the Navy post is the only refuge (See last pic below). The guard of the post changes every 45 days and the young soldiers remain there in the middle of that paradise of solitude. Only a radio and a radar link them with the base of Ushuaia.

Com. Luis Piedrabuena Naval oupost (Apostadero Naval Piedrabuena) of the Argentine Navy.

(Historical Note: Piedrabuena was the sole owner of the island, after the National Congress granted him the ownership of the island, along with an island at the mouth of the Santa Cruz River, which he named Pavón. He believed that in order to defend the sovereignty of this still-gestating state, it was necessary to give life to these places by populating them).

In the last issue of Radio Ref. January 2019, the French radio magazine there an article about the  16th AAW  (Antarctic Activity Week) , written by François  F8DVD – TM16AAW  .

This unique event, promoted by WAP (Worldwide Antarctic Program) has been  launched  16 years ago by WW Ham Radio community and lasting continuously  every year. Purposes of the event is  to draw attention to the Antarctic Continent,  to share what  Nations and Organizations are doing to protect this still non contaminated corner of the world, to share a WW message of peace.

TNX François  F8DVD – TM16AAW.

One of the last entry in this year’s edition of the AAW is KØANT, WAP-198, a special Club callsign (Kansas Antenna Club)

TNX Jim, KBØMZF, Secretary and Trustee for KØANT

2019 Edition  of the WAP-WACA & WAP-WADA directories (release 1.33 of Jan 16^th 2019) have been uploaded on WAP website together with the IK6CAC software (release 032 to manage your WAP Awards). The 2019’s edition contains the new entries such as new Antarctic sites come to light  or identified last year.
WAP-Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Lighthouse 2019’s edition is online as well, with the issued references and a list of callsigns that qualify each of the references assigned.

Chasers can download and print  the Directories that for convenience, have been uploaded in pdf  format.

Don’t forget that WAP Directories are a unique WW tool to follow Antarctica since the epic era.

The oceanographic research vessel  R/V Hespérides  of the Spanish Navy,  is sailing to the frozen Continent to participate in the XXXII Spanish Antarctic Campaign. About two hundred scientists and technicians will be in charge of the research projects, which will be carried out in the transits of the ship which will serve as a platform for carrying out 24 research projects. The deglaciation of the Antarctic, the activity of submarine volcanoes and the impact of parasites and contaminants on the penguin’s immune system, are some of the most outstanding projects in the XXXII Spanish Antarctic Campaign.
One of the interesting things of this Antarctic campaign,  is that R/V Hespérides hoists in its forward mast, the commemorative emblem of the V Centenary of the first round the world made by Fernando de Magallanes and Juan Sebastián de Elcano. The frigate’s captain José Emilio Regodón, commander of the ship, explained that during the voyage they will stop at the ports of Montevideo (Uruguay) and Ushuaia (Argentina) to later go to the South Shetland Islands to support the Antarctic Spanish Bses down there.

Spain has two bases in Antarctica: Juan Carlos I (WAP ESP-Ø1) and Gabriel de Castilla (WAP ESP-Ø2). R/V Hespérides will also support international research in Colombia, the United Kingdom, Chile, Norway, Brazil and Portugal.

At 70° 45’ 51”South, 11° 37′ 01”East  within the Schirmacher Oasis,  Whichaway Camp  (WAP MNB-NEW) is located within the wider study area comprise the Indian  Maitri Research station (WAP IND-Ø3), and Russian  Novolazarevskaya Research station (WAP RUS-Ø9).

Whichaway Camp is on Shirmacher Oasis in Queen Maud Land, located between the edge of of the Antarctic Ice Shelf, and the Novolazarevskaya Nivi Ice Shelf; behind camp there is  a frozen lake, then a giant ice fall, and then glaciers and ice as far as one could see, with Nunatak in the distance.  Arrival at Whichaway Camp is impressive and fascinating , a luxury hotel site in Antarctica; three centralized pods held the kitchen, lounge, and dining room and … more; just watch and enjoy the video!

As soon as some Hams will operate from there, a New WAP reference will be given.

The 16^th edition of the Antarctic Activity Week (AAW) will be on air next February  16^th and will last till the 24^th.

Some station will start  earlier  and will continue to operate their special callsigns  till the end of the month. If you are Ham, if you enjoy  Antarctica and its fashinating world , It’s time so sign in. Just apply for your special that may recall the Icy Continent,  or use one of the old callsigns already classified with a WAP reference, and join the event, the unique one worldwide of this greatness.

Last  Hams to have sign their participation are:  F8DHE Pierre who will operate 80 to 10mts,  CW and SSB  as TM16WAP (WAP-299) from his QTH located in center France, Department 42 in FFF-026. QSL via Home call, all info on QRZ.com, full color QSL  card for collection … of course !
II5ANT (WAP-Ø25), Massimo IZ5BTC will operate from the historical city of Lucca, in Tuscany Region. Info for both, available at QRZ.com, as well aa all the others that have already signed up.

We are just warming up … and you?

Danilo IZ1KHY is actually at Concordia Station (WAP MNB-Ø3) following a group of researchers. He will stay at Concordia till Jan 15th.

Danilo is operating as IAØ/IZ1KHY/p using the base equipment (100W), when available.

He is experiencing a real negative propagation condition; only few openings with Australia-New Zealand. Not to forget that, when there is air traffic, the HF radio is room is busy for the air traffic controllers.
He said to copy some signals from North America and Europe, but even if he is calling, nobody answer!  Actually he has few VKs in the Log.

We suggested him 14280 from 16:00 UTC and ahead and 7180 from 23:00 UTC.

TNX IZ1KHY

The Atka Bay Skiway site  (70°36’45” S, 8°07’25” W) is the location of the Emperor Penguin colony. The Camp, managed by White Desert Company lies not too far away to the structure of German Research Station Neumayer III (70°40´S, 8°16´W),  and stands right between Neumayer III (WAP DEU-Ø8) and Neumayer Emergency Base (WAP ZAF-11).

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

TNX Matthias DH5CW & Felix DL5XL

As soon as some Hams will operate from Atka Bay Skiway Camp, a New WAP reference will be issued.

Located at 75°53’ South, 162°45’East,  Starr Nunatak marking the North site of the mouth of Harbord glacier  on the coast of Victoria Land, Antarctica.

What is a Nunatak?
Nunatak is an exposed, often rocky element of a ridge, mountain, or peak not covered with ice or snow within (or at the edge of) an ice field or glacier.

Last week, Danilo IZ1KHY Expert Scout of the Italian Army, technical support of the scientific missions of the 2018-2019 Antarctic campaign,  has been at  Starr Nunatak field Camp with a group of geologist and researcher.  (See pics on this page)

This  Multinational field camp has been set for a  German-Italian Team who did conduct mapping and geological studies.

Danilo Collino, did operate HF SSB from this remote site, signing IAØ/IZ1KHY/P , using a dipole and 100W. He just worked few VKs and ZLs, unfortunately, even if he did try hard, there was no openings to any other  direction. To this remote site a new WAP reference MNB-1Ø has just been given .

Pics hereby show the site and Danilo IZ1KHY. Notice the mast and dipole antenna behind the blue tent.
Congrats to those who did work this brand new one!

TNX IZ1KHY

Every year, in the month of February, a special event  called  ANTARCTIC ACTIVITY  WEEK is set up. This year, the 16^th AAW will be held from February 16^th to 24^th.

All WAP (Worldwide Antarctic Program) special stations  has been issued a WAP reference number to be given during the QSO. Hams from all over the world are invited to join the unique worldwide event launched by radio amateurs to rise awareness and sensitize the world on the problems of both environment and peace, study and research.

To celebrate this event, as  already done last year as well, Paolo IK3GER has set a fully free diploma for OM/SWL, available at Paolo’s web site https://www.ik3ger.it  starting  Febr.1^st 2019.

Our appreciation to Paolo IK3GER for is great initiative!

The purpose of the Antarctic Activity Week (A.A.W.) launched by WAP (Worldwide Antarctic Program) www.waponline.it , is to improve the Worldwide interest around Antarctic Continent and its related  matters, with the aim of stay close to the researchers and personnel  who are spending their time away from home and families,  studying the Antarctic life and its secrets.

Antarctic Activity Week,  is celebrated every year on last week of February, in concomitance with the 22^nd of February, when Argentina celebrates the Argentine’s Antarctica Day (Dia De La Antartida Argentina).

Again our intention is to draw your attention to the Antarctic Continent, to understand what the Nations are doing to protect this still non contaminated corner of the planet, to share a message of peace among the World. This year the AAW is at the 16^th edition.

Once again, WAP wish to remind WW Hams to join  the event; apply for your special call sign, get your own WAP reference at be on air!

The “New collection TAAF 2019”  marks the tribute to Mario Zucchelli, director of the Italian Antarctic Program, who deceased on 24/10/2003,

The TAAF (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises)  will shortly issue a stamp  dedicated to the Italian scientist Mario Zucchelli (1944 – 2003), for years a reference figure for the Italian Antarctic Program. In particular, the TAAF celebrate its important contribution to the realization of the French-Italian Concordia Station (WAP MNB-Ø3), depicted in the stamp along with the portrait of Zucchelli on a tricolor background.

In 2004 Mario Zucchelli was also dedicated to the Italian Antarctic Station in Baia Terra Nova (WAP ITA-Ø1).

The stamp, soft size with report 1,35 €, author Yves Beaujard, will be issued by 25 stamps per sheet for a total of 30.000 stamps

Other TAAF issues planned for 2019 at: http://philatelie.polaire.free.fr/spip.php?article1055

TNX Maurizio IZ1GJK

Matthias, DH5CW (Pic to the Left), and Felix, DL5XL (Pic to the Right), will be active from Neumayer Emergency Base (also known as SANAP Summer Base, WAP ZAF-11), Grid Locator IB59uj, from January 8 to 9, 2019 (weather permitting). The call sign used will be DP0GVN/p.
QSL via DL5EBE.

Main modes of operation are expected to be CW and FT8. They will be running 100 watts to a multi-band dipole antenna. To make it a little easier to find this rare base on the bands, the following CW skeds have been arranged:
08-Jan at 22:00 UTC on 10,122 kHz, 08-Jan at 23:30 UTC on 7,033 kHz,

09-Jan at 00:30 UTC on 14,042 kHz.

SANAP Summer Station/Neumayer Emergency Base 70º38´59´´South, 08º14´59´´West, WAP ZAF-11

In December 2009, the German Station “Neumayer II” (WAP DEU-02) has been handed over to South Africa. SANAP (South Africa National Antarctic Program) did continue to use this facility as a replacement for the old South African “E-Base” (WAP ZAF-01). “E-Base” is short for “Emergency Base” and it is used as a logistical facility in order to support supply operations to SANAE IV Base (WAP ZAF-Ø3) in Antarctic summer. In 2009, a team of 16 people arrived onboard SA AGULHAS in order to take down Neumayer II and install the new E-Base right on top of it above the snow. The remains of Neumayer II Base, large hollow metal tubes which once hosted living shelters and laboratories, are buried under thick ice. Today, just the garage is used as a storage facility by SANAP.

As far as we know, the only HAM radio activity from this remote Antarctic site, was done by Lars Lehnert DL1LLL who did operate as ZS7/DL1LLL on last 26 Oct. 2012 so, this new operation by Matthias DH5CW & Felix DL5XL  (that will sign DPØGVN/P) will be a great opportunity for the Antarctic Chasers … stay tuned and do not miss the chance!
TNX DL5XL (DP1POL) and DH5CW (DPØGVN)

Hams of Radio Club Ushuaia plan to activate the six protected areas of the Tierra del Fuego Province, doing radio activity in each and every one of them. Date will be announced gradually as long as each  the small expedition is fully organized. The tentative calendar includes January, February and March 2019.
These protected areas are under the supervision of the Government of the Province.  TNX Miguel Angel Lavalle LU1XU (ex LU1XPK)

To WAP ARG-23 belongs Puerto Almanza (54°52’12″South   67°33’51″West),  a town in the Ushuaia department,  of the province of Tierra del Fuego. In this site, there is a monitoring and control post for maritime traffic of the Argentine Navy.  Same reference is for  Base Naval Buen Suceso (LU1XY/X) and Isla Redonda on the Beagle chanel.

Buen Suceso is a small bay located on Peninsula Miter on Le Maire Strait,  in front of  Isla de los Estados (Staten Island) in the department of Ushuaia, on the east coast of the Great Island of Tierra del Fuego.  In the place, since the mid-88 there is a Navy Base with heliport;  it’s an excellent support since it has powerful radio equipment which provide maritime traffic control, thus ensuring efficient communication with Ushuaia. The Buen Suceso surveillance post, is covered by an officer and five non-commissioned officers who are periodically renewed. They have the mission to control  of maritime traffic in the area of influence and provide assistance to vessels sailing through the Strait of Le Maire.

FD83 stands for  Fuel Depot 83; the site is located at  83°00’ South, 11°38’ East.  FD83-South Pole camp is used as a stopping point, and refueling location by the White Desert during the 2018-2019 season.

We did suppose Oleg Sakharov RI1ANX could have been there and today, thanks to Felix DL5XL/DP1OL who have spoken with Oleg,  we got a confirmation from him directly, so that a  NEW WAP reference  WAP MNB-Ø9 has been issued to this Antarctic site.

Here, some news about it:  The Fuel Depot 83 location site (83°00’S 11°38’E), henceforth referred to as FD83, has been used as fuel storage depot and logistical base facility jointly by the Antarctic Logistic Centre International (ALCI) and The Antarctic Company (TAC) since 2010. The site is used during the austral summer, between November and January as a refuelling and rest stop location for onwards visits to the South Pole. It is used by TAC for refuelling in order to carry out visits on behalf of White Desert as well as other organisations.

Each year a group of “Arctic Trucks employees” participate in different projects throughout Antarctica and this Antarctica summer, seven members of the team have been working there on three different projects, one of which is the New site called Fuel depot on FD83 for  aircraft on their way to the South Pole.

The mission start from Novo Runway (WAP MNB-Ø6) with a traverse of 1700 kilometers journey to FD83. The journey was 90 hours, with 69 hours of driving! Since then the group has stayed there, preparing the landing strip and the fuel depot, servicing aircraft that have stopped there on their way to the South Pole. The Team is responsible for making sure the landing strip is safe, receive oil barrels that were dropped in by parachute and make the depot ready for the servicing of the aircraft. For a whole month the team stayed in this isolated place, in tents, with the temperature at around minus 40 degrees Celsius! On this 2018-2019 recent occasion, a group of Russians (RI1ANX is among them), who are still there,  did join the traverse that reached the site.

Now Oleg Sakharov RI1ANX is now on the way back  and we did work him again in the evening of Jan 2, 2019 at 23:25 UTC

Read also: https://arctictrucksnewsfeed.com/2017/12/19/project-1-fuel-depot-on-fd83/
TNX Oleg RI1ANX & Felix DL5XL/DP1POL

Thanks to Eugene RZ3EC, to Alexei RN1ON and to Alexander RW3RN, here below are some information about the now a day activity by  Russian Hams in Antarctica:

RI1ANM (op: Alex, RX3ABI). QTH: Vostok Sation WAP RUS-13. QSL via home call.

RI1ANV (op: Aleksey, RD1AV). QTH: Vostok Station WAP RUS-13. QSL via RN1ON

RI1ANX  (op: Oleg, UA1PBA/ZS1ANF-pic aside). Now in logistic campaign (over 83° South), WAP RUS-NEW.  QSL via RK1PWA.

RI1ANW (op: Serge, R3IW ex.RW3IW) 63^rd RAE at  Novolazarevskaya Base WAP RUS-Ø9. QSL via RN1ON.

As regard to RI1ANX, it’s about Oleg Sakharov (see pics on this page together with VU3BPZ at Maitri Station 2012), we are talking about an Antarctic veteran ZS1ANF/UA1PBA ex.RI1ANR, RI1ANF etc.who gave us several new ones!  RI1ANX it is new call-sign of Oleg who is actually among a logistics convoy in southern Antarctica and for time to time active on CW 30 & 40 mts bands. His last coordinates/Grid locator KA06: Lat. -83.40448, Long. 20.58928.

TNX RZ3EC, RN1ON, RW3RN

Felix Riess, DL5XL, is actually signing DP1POL/P from Kohnen Station (WAP DEU-11), Antarctica. The time of Felix stay at Kohnen is not known. QSL via DL1ZBO

Kohnen (75° South, 04° East) is a German summer polar research station in the Antarctic; it is named after the geophysicist Heinz Kohnen (1938–1997), who was for a long time the head of logistics at the Alfred Wegener Institute.

The station can accommodate up to 20 researchers at a time, and the personnel constantly change with each new research project.

The scientists work and live in the eleven containers, each of which rests atop steel struts above the surface of the ice.

Some of these containers were salvaged from the Filchner Station, which had to be dug out of the ice in 1999. Some contain living quarters, a kitchen and mess hall, while others are home to the radio station, a snow-melting machine for drinking water, and the station’s power supply (100 kW).

To keep Kohnen Station running smoothly, convoys of up to six caterpillar-track vehicles – called Traverses – from the Neumayer-Station III (WAP DEU-Ø2)  pay regular 3 resupply visits.

Just to remind the chasers that   Norbert (VK5MQ) is  still active as VKØAI from Macquarie Island and expect to be there till March 2019; follow the spotson the Cluster. .He has internet access, and is an avid user of both FT8 & eQSL.cc, so if you make a contact expect it to be confirmed via eQSL within minutes!

QSL via VK5MQ, eQSL, LOTW.
Direct QSL to:
Ne Trupp, Po Box 1359, Mount Gambier, Sa, 5290, Australia.

See the Macquarie webcam at: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/webcams/macquarie-island

Francois F8DVD, is forwarding some info, just received from RN1ON Alexei.

RI1ANC – Vostok (WAP RUS-13):  Alexei Turkeev, RD1AV (Season Team leader),  just arrived at Vostok Base for the new campaign, is now active as RI1ANC during his spare time

On December 24,  the RI1ANC license will end, a new license is coming to be registred. The new call-sign will be  RI1ANV. Alex will be at the station until February 2019. QSL via RN1ON

RI1ANM (Alexander Solodov, RX3ABI) was at Vostok the whole 2018 as well; he  was not very active and his overwintering at Vostok Sation ends soon.

Across the bottom of the globe, between the continents and Antarctica, there are quite a few islands – all interesting and special places. -Many thanks to the many photographers who took these pictures. We are all grateful for your enterprise and skill– wrote  John Paix  when he put the video online last  2 oct. 2016. TNX John Paix

Most of the islands shown on the video are listed in WAP WADA Directory; Among all of those shown, there some such as Tristan da Cunha, that are not included (see below).
On Gough Island (WAP ZAF-Ø5),  about 400 km (250 mi) south-east of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago  there is a Scientific Research base and a Weather Station which the South African National Antarctic Programme has maintained, with British permission, continually on the island since 1956.

Amsterdam and  St. Paul islands belongs to the French TAAF, therefore
they have been incorporated  on the Directory’s list.

Nightingale Islands don’t really count as subantarctic; they  are a group of three islands in the South Atlantic, part of the Tristan da Cunha territory: they consist of Nightingale Island, Middle Islands and Stoltenhoff Island.

Inaccessible Island is an extint volcano, last active six million years ago, with Cairn Peak reaching 449 m (1,473 ft). The island is 12.65 km² (4.88 sq mi) in area, rising out of the South Atlantic 45 km (28 mi) south-west of Tristan da Cunha.

Mehdi, F5PFP wrote: As regards VP8DLM , FT5YK , CE9XX  (2011 Antarctic Expedition) ,  the  QSL cards have been almost exhausted. It is an occasion to print new cards with a new design for a final and limited edition , anyone interested?

Mehdi is trying to find an overview of Port Circoncision (WAP FRA-Ø8) during its occupation in 1908-1909
http://french-polar-team.fr/FT5Y-P_Port_Circoncision_Petermann_Island.php
and something similar for  CE9XX Base Cerda (WAP CHL-Ø4)
http://french-polar-team.fr/CE9_Presidente_Aguirre_Cerda_Station_Deception_Island.php

TNX F5PFP

ISEA is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional program conducted every year by the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, started in 1981. It has gained global acceptance after India signed Antarctic Treaty.

Subsequently, India had constructed Dakshin Gangotri Antarctic research Base (WAP IND-Ø1) in 1983. It was superseded by the Maitri Base (WAP IND-Ø3) from 1990,

The newest base Bharati (WAP IND-Ø4), is the last one  of  the  India Research Programs  in Antarctica; The Larsemann Hills component of XXX Indian Antarctic Expedition, season 2010-11 led by Mr. Rajesh Asthana, a geologist from Geological Survey of India, reached 160m close to the landing site of Bharti Promontory.
Ice Breaker, I/B Vladimir Ignatyuck and the main expedition vessel were deployed during that season; on the year 2011-12 the Station has been completed and commissioned to carry out scientific activities involving various disciplines like, Earth Science, Biological Science, Atmospheric Science, Engineering and Medicine.

The first Ham Radio contact with Bharati Station was made on 27 Aug. 2012 and the operator was Bhagwati Prasad signing VU3BPZ/P

On Nov 27, 2018, the Launching ceremony of XXXVIII Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) and Briefing lectures to the Fourth Batch of members has been held at Seminar Hall, NCPOR. Dr Rajesh Asthana, Deputy Director General, GSI and Veteran Antarctican was guest speaker together with Dr. M. Ravichandran, Director NCPOR; Shri M. Javed Beg and Dr. Thamban Meloth, Dr. K.P. Krishnan, Dr. Mahesh B.S. along with the members of fourth batch of expeditionners ready to head down South!

Mr. P Elango  (pic to the right) is the  38th ISEA Leader at Bharati Station WAP IND-Ø4), Antarctica, but as far as we know, no Ham radio operators are among the personnel down there!

Originally built by U.S. Navy Seabees in 1967, Palmer Station  (WAP USA-23) is located at 64°46′ S, 64°03′ W on Anvers Island, near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula; it is named for Nathaniel B. Palmer, a Connecticut sealer who, on 17 November 1820, during an exploratory voyage ranging southward from the South Shetland Islands, may have been the first person to see Antarctica. (British and Russian ships were in the area at about the same time.)

Palmer Station is situated off the Antarctica Peninsula, on a protected harbor on the southwestern coast of the Anvers Island, and is the only U.S. Antarctic station north of the Antarctic Circle. The temperature is mild, with monthly averages ranging from minus 10°C in July and August to 2°C in January and February. The annual mean is minus 3°C. The extreme range is minus 31°C to 9°C. It has rained every month at Palmer.

The station, built on solid rock, consists of two major buildings and three small ones, plus two large fuel tanks, a helicopter pad, and a dock. Construction was completed in 1968, replacing a prefabricated wood structure (“Old Palmer,” established in 1965) two kilometers away across Arthur Harbor. Old Palmer has been disassembled and removed from Antarctica. Somewhat over 40 people can occupy Palmer in the summer. Wintering population is about 10, although Palmer does not have a long period of winter isolation as do McMurdo and South Pole.

TNX  NSF. https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/support/palmerst.jsp

More also at: http://www.palmerstation.com/

Watch a nice video at: https://youtu.be/857x9e5PPOU 
Actually , Hunter Burch , KK4AOS is operating from there as KC4AAC (WAP USA-23) and is sporadically active. Let’s hope to get more info and set up skeds from Europe as well.
TNX Dr. Bill Spindler for his help to set contacts with KK4AOS/KC4AAC Let’s see if we’ll succeded!

Law Dome was roughly mapped by the United States Feological Survey from aerial photographs taken by U.S. Navy (Operation Highjump) in the year 1946–47, and has been the subject of intensive glaciological and geophysical surveys by Australia National Antarctic Research Expedition between 1962 and 1965. It was named by the “Antarctic Names Committee of Australia” for Phillip Law, Director of the Australian Antarctic Division from 1949 to 1966.

Law Dome is a small ice sheet attached to the edge of the main East Antarctic ice sheet with an independent ice flow. The bedrock of Law Dome is an underground island separated from the bedrock of East Antarctica by a deep trench. 

In this area, there is a large drilling Camp subjected of intensive glaciological and geophysical surveys undertaken by Australia since 1962, when the presence and nature of Law Dome was revealed.

Location of Law Dome, East Antarctica, consists in two separate drilling sites: the AWS at 66°44′ South, 112°45′ East,  and DSS at 66°46′ South, 112°48′ East.

Read more at: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/stations/casey/what-is-s2

If and when some of the researchers,  working down there will show up on the air, transmitting on the HF bands,  a proper WAP reference will be given.

In recognition of international two-way FT8 amateur radio communication, the FT8 Digital Mode Club (FT8-DMC) issues Worked Antarctic Bases Award certificates to amateur radio stations worldwide. Qualification for the FT8 WABA award is based on an examination by the FT8 WABA Award Manager, from QSOs that the applicant has made with minimum 3 different amateur radio stations from Antarctica . All contacts must be made from the same country. Band endorsements for 6, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40, 80 and 160m available.

Award Manager is Fawaz Sulaibeekh A92AA (pic below),

Ref: https://www.ft8dmc.eu/media/5aead2d90fad8.pdf

This brand new WABA-FT8 will be add to the Worldwide Antarctic Awards page at:
https://www.waponline.it/worldwide-antarctic-awards/ 

The FT8 Digital Mode Club (FT8-DMC) was founded 12.July 2017 by Jo Engelbrecht, OE4VIE and Hannes Grünsteidl, OE1SGU (OE3SGU) after recognizing a need for a club for FT8 users who would help newcomers and less-experienced operators to learn and improve about this fantastic mode.

Everyone with a love of FT8 is welcome to join our club. All FT8DMC members are eligible to participate in various Club’s activities and award programs.

More at: https://www.ft8dmc.eu/about

Thanks Alexei Kuz’menko RN1ON who did inform WAP about RI1ANM:

Alexander, RX0QM, ex.RI59ANT & RI1ANB (2017) is actually operating from Vostok Station (WAP RUS-13), in Antarctica. He is not very active but, being there till January 2019, there are good chances to work him.

QSL, if no variations from the previous activities, should go through EW4DX

TNX  Alexei, RN1ON

Founded by the Soviet Union on Dec. 16, 1957, the station lies at 78°27’50” South, 106°50’15” East at an altitude of 11,444 feet,  about 800 miles East of the South Pole and to this day, it remains one of Russia’s major base stations, with people living there year-round.

Vostok Station (WAP RUS-13) is a Russian research outpost; it is one of the most inaccessible and inhospitable places on Earth. Some 25 scientists live there in the summer, where temperatures get up to a relatively pleasant minus 25 degrees F.

Only 13 or so remain there through the long winter, when the mercury plunges to minus 85 degrees F. (We mean that metaphorically, because mercury actually freezes solid at around 40 below zero.) The lowest reliably-measured, naturally-occurring temperature on the Earth’s surface happened on July 21, 1983; there, temperatures dropped to minus 89.2 °C (−128.6 °F; 184.0 K).