Refuge General Jorge Boonen Rivera (former General Ramon Cañas Montalva) WAP CHL-NEW

View Point was the location of the British research Station “V”. It was active intermittently with the intention of searching in the survey, meteorology and geology. Located on Duse Bay, Trinity Peninsula, at 63° 32′ 15″ South 57° 24′ 15″ West,  the site was selected on 8 Feb 1953, foundations of first hut laid 3 June 1953. A second hut was erected on 20 Mar 1956 and called Seal-catcher’s Arms or View Point Hut ,
Station “V” was erected as a satellite base for  Hope Bay Station  “D”  WAP GBR-Ø4 (ceded to Uruguay in 1997 which renamed it  Base Lieutenant Ruperto Elichiribehety  WAP URY-NEW).

On July 29, 1996 the Station “V”  was transferred to Chile who renamed it General Ramon Cañas Montalva. Today Refuge General Jorge Boonen Rivera (former General Ramón Cañas Montalva) is a small Chilean Antarctic refuge, administered by the Army of Chile.

The refuge consists of a cabin enabled as a room and a second machine house, bathroom and storage. It is located about 50 km away from the Chilean base General Bernardo O’Higgins (WAP CHL-Ø2), on which it depends.

 

Currently the installation is regularly maintained by Chile, for use as an emergency shelter, allowing 8 people to survive in it for 20 days in the event of an accident. For this purpose, the station has an electric generator, as well as fuel, food, water and gas.

For full listing of all station histories, see: History of British stations and refuges.

https://www.bas.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/British-Antarctic-Stations-Refuges-v6.2-2016.pdf

Prathyusha inspires many towards Antarctica dream

Prathyusha Parakala is the only one from AP and TS to be part of the ClimateForce: Antarctica (CFA) expedition 2018.

HYDERABAD: Scores of Hyderabadis are making the city proud by trekking to Antarctica. Prathyusha Parakala is the latest trailblazer from the city, who was among the 90 global climate force ambassadors selected to create awareness about climate change.
“Until last year, there were spots in Antarctica where humans could not reach as it was covered with thick ice. This year, we could do so. This was after climate change, which led to melting of ice,” said Parakala, who was felicitated for her achievement by Telangana chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao with the ‘Visisht Puraskar’ on Formation Day.
Parakala is not the only one to have made it to the group of  ambassadors. Apart from this, city-based entrepreneur and engineer Vijay Raghav Varada was also selected to fly to Antarctica to evaluate performance of his innovation, a 3D printable vertical wind turbine that generates energy.
In 2016, Thammala Sandhya, a mother of two, was among many explorers from across the world to be a part of the International Antarctic Expedition. In January 2018, doing away with a comfortable job in an e-commerce firm, Sunil Kumar, a city-based chartered accountant took part in the expedition

This was the last year that the two-week expedition to Antarctica was hosted by reputed environmentalist Robert Swan.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/prathyusha-inspires-many-towards-antarctica-dream/articleshow/64501307.cms
TNX: 
Bhagwati Prasad Semwal (VU3BPZ Ex-AT10BP/8T2BH)
(20,24,29,31,35th, WOT Maitri/Bharati )

ITALIA Valley Memorial, a job to be proud

The tireless PH D Julius Fabbri IV3CCT did accomplish the mission to build a Memorial to recall the Giacomo Bove Base (WAP ITA-Ø2) in Antarctica and the 1st Italian Antarctic Expedition (Antarctic summer 1975-1976) led by Renato Cepparo, I1SR, with the aim of bringing Italy into the group of states adhering to the Antarctic Treaty.

 

Following the laying of the foundation stone on February 24th 2018, last May 25 when the job was done,  a nice  ceremony was held at the “A. Malignani” High School of Cervignano (Udine); the inauguration of the Memorial, with Authorities and Students was a great moment of satisfaction even for the young students, Professors and all those who did help the construction of this Memorial which now a reality to be proud.

Malignani School will also be the location for the 2019  WAP Antarctic Activity Week,  on the air with the special call  II3BOVE WAP-271.

TNX IV3CCT & IV3RYQ

US Yesterday Field Camp, WAP USA-44

WAP and the Ham’s Antarctic Community are grateful to Dr. Ron E. Flick K6REF, for the New WAP Reference, USA-44 issued after his activity from the US  Yesterday Camp.

Here is a brief story told by Ron, K6REF, when he did come back home after his season in Antarctica.

Returned from Antarctica on schedule tired and sore (with wrist problems that should resolve) after many hours of flying! We deployed over 30 seismometers over the Ross Ice Shelf to measure ocean swell-induced vibrations, and to determine the structural properties of this largest ice shelf in the world. Ham radio was part of the public outreach for this National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored project.

I was able to operate from the McMurdo Ham shack (KC4USV,  WAP USA-21) with about 450 contacts between 5 and 13 Nov 2014. We spent that time there training and getting equipment ready, and waiting for weather suitable to fly to the field camp.

 

On 15 Nov 2014 we departed McMurdo in an LC130 from Willy Field and arrived at Yesterday Camp (78° 57.35 South by 179° 53.19 West) located near the Dateline in the middle of the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS), which is the size of France.

We camped at Yesterday Camp in amazingly cozy mountain tents for 19 days. We had several larger heated work and eating tents as well, and after a few days the cold didn’t seem so bad! The temperature was about -25°C (-13°F) when we arrived, gradually warming to a balmy -10°C (+14°F) by the time we left. We drank some beer outside once during a cold snap, and by the time I got half my can empty the rest was turning into frozen slush!

I operated from Yesterday Camp as KC4/K6REF between 18 Nov and 3 Dec 2014, making about 150 contacts in 27 countries and 23 US states. I used my Yaesu FT847 barefoot with a simple wire dipole mounted on flag poles about 8 feet off the ice. Conditions were often frustrating with one-way in propagation. I spent almost an hour trying to reach TY2CD in Benin (where there are only two licensed amateurs), all the while hearing Wynand at 58, but with him utterly unable to hear me. There were a few pileups, especially from European stations eager to log a once-only Antarctica contact. Picture above show the science tent QTH shack with diplole antenna on flag poles.

Thanks for all the QSOs, and apologies if you could not get through! I’m especially grateful to Bill K7MT and Bob K4MZU for their relay help and general support, and to Bob KK4KT and Roy KR6RG for their perserverance  and the timeless (old fashioned) phone patch to my wife Myra (boy, was she surprised!). Also thanks to Joe AB6RM for posting a publicity piece in QST and to many other hams who spotted KC4/K6REF on the DX sites!

TNX K6REF

QSLs  for KC4/KC6REF (Yesterday Camp WAP USA-44) have to be requested  to:

REINHARD E FLICK, K6REF,  10764 LOIRE AVE, SAN DIEGO, CA 92131. USA

For more information on the science see: https://scripps.ucsd.edu/centers/iceshelfvibes/taking-the-pulse  and the pages linked from there .

 

Albatros Refuge (WAP ARG-27)

Antarctic shelters are facilities open to all countries, to be used in cases of emergency or to support activities in the field. They are equipped with food, fuel (there are with generators and communication equipment), accommodation facilities and other logistics. On  King George Island (aka Isla 25 de Mayo), just to the South of Argentine Base Carlini ,WAP ARG-20 (ex Jubany Base) on Potter Peninsula  there is a Special Protected Area  (ASPA 132) which extends from Potter cove to Stranger point.

Outside the zone, there is a small shelter, called Albatros, on the cliff which looks towards the coastline, about 50 meters high from the beach and less than 1 Kilometer from the Elephant shelter, in the E-SE direction.

Ham radio activity from Albatros Refuge (pic above, WAP ARG-27) have been performed recently for a very short time on March 2016 by LU4AA/Z operated by Juan Manuel Pereda LU4CJM  (see pic aside).

The Albatros Refuge (WAP ARG-27) depends on Carlini Base (WAP ARG-2Ø ) and is located on the Potter Peninsula at  62 ° 15’09 South,  58 ° 39’23 West,  3 km from the Base, about 100 m above sea level.

The refuge houses a repeater of analogue / digital VHF of the latest technology powered by solar energy that provides telecommunications support from radio frequency to all the scientific and logistical personnel in the

 

field, allowing the geo-location of them in real time and a coverage of more than 35 kilometers.

 

Another Refuge nearby is Elephant Hut (pic to the left);  it is located about 1000 mts from Punta Stranger, in the northwest direction. It is usually used by research groups as a resting point. The shelter occupies an area of about 25 square meters and has capacity for two people. Elephant refuge still remains a brand “New One”!

TNX LU4CJM/LU1ZI

Svea (WAP SVE-Ø2) & Wasa (WAP SVE-Ø4) Antarctic Swedish Stations

Svea is located in the Scharffenbergbotnen valley in the Heimefrontfjella mountain range, about 400 km from the coast. It was built during the 1987/88 Antarctic expedition and was the first Swedish research station in Antarctica since the Snow Hill station in 1901 and Maudheim in 1949.

Svea (WAP SVE-Ø2) pic to the left is a satellite station to Wasa  (WAP SVE-Ø4) pic to the right and is an excellent Base for small, transient research teams performing fieldwork in the area. The station, comprising two joined fibreglass modules, is about 12 m2 and has four beds and one pantry.

The Station is currently the home base for two permanent monitoring projects: continual geodetic measurement using GPS technology, run by the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, and a seismograph that records movements in the earth’s crust, run by the German Alfred Wegener Institute.

Japan in Antarctica: Sixty Years of Antarctic Research

The story of Japan’s involvement in the Antarctic goes back to 1955, when it announced at a special committee on the International Geophysical Year in Brussels that it planned to begin research in the region.

 

On November 8, 1956, Japan’s first Antarctic research ship “Soya”  departed from Harumi Terminal of Tokyo port, carrying the first Japanese  Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) Team, consisting of fifty-three members.

Seventeen members of the Team landed on Ongul Islands. They selected the  place for the Main base for their expedition and named it “Syowa Station”.

Since then, scientific research have been carried out for more than sixty  years involving about 3,400 members so far.

 

On January 29, 2017, the Japanese research Base “Syōwa Station”  (WAP JPN-Ø3) did celebrate 60 years since its opening.
A sixtieth birthday is a landmark date in the life of any person or institution. Over the course of those six decades, Japan has steadily carried out scientific research in Antarctica, publishing numerous results. These include many new discoveries that no one could have predicted when work began in Antarctica, as well as a number of important clues for predicting the future of the global environment.

 

2017 did mark this important anniversary! Thanks to Yath Yoshikawa (JG2MLI)  the official station 8J1RL was again on the air  from Jan.1-2017 through Jan.20-2018 at SYOWA Station (WAP JPN-Ø3).

In addition to 8J1RL Yath did operate also with the special callsign “8J6ØJARE“. After a year in Antarctica, now Yath is back home and we just got the QSLs for the contacts made.

Great job Yath, thanks a lot!

TNX: JG2MLI/8J1RL-8J6ØJARE

 

Read more at: https://www.nippon.com/en/currents/d00249/

Nanda Devi Hut, Antarctica (WAP IND-NEW)

Nanda Devi Hut is a summer shelter in the area of the Indian Maitri Base (WAP IND-Ø3).

Hut name comes from are Nanda Devi in Himalaya mountain, the second highest mountain in India, and the highest located entirely within the Country.

An old photo (1989/90) shows the Hut that was in use before the build of Maitri Station (WAP IND-Ø3).
It was erected by the construction Team, which came from Daskshin Gangotri Station (WAP IND-Ø1) by helicopter & staying in that hut for rest.

TNX Bhagwati VU3BPZ (aka AT1Ø0BP, 8T2BH)

Korean Barton Refuge (WAP KOR-NEW)

Barton Refuge is a Hut of 3 by 3 mts with gas stove, food, water, dry clothing and dry boots. Located little East of Narebsky point at 62° 14’ 18” South, 58° 45’ 20” West, this Korean outfits is used as emergency shelter  and for scientific purpose. Korea’s King Sejong Station  (WAP KOR-Ø1) lies 2 km to the North-East.

 

Narębski Point is a headland  on the South-East coast of the Barton Peninsula, at the South-Western end of King George Island, in the South Shetlands of Antarctica  with an average elevation of 0 feet above sea level.

The Area is delimited as latitude 62° 13’ 40” South – 62° 14’ 23” South and longitude 58° 45’ 25” – 58° 47’ 00” West, and easily distinguished by mountain peaks on the north and the East boundaries and coastline on the Southwest boundary.

 

Barton Refuge is the unique facility in the area of ASPA N° 171; over there, camping is prohibited except in an emergency, but if necessary, the use of the Refuge facility located on the shore near the Eastern boundary of the Area is strongly encouraged.

“Giacomo Bove Antarctic Base” (WAP ITA-Ø2) relives in Italy thanks to the students

Students of the “Malignani Institute” reconstruct  the basement perimeter of the Italian scientific outpost built in Antarctica in 1976 by the Cepparo’s Expedition. It’s called MAVI  (Memoriale dell’Antartide “Valle Italia”, Cepparo-Bove) and it’s a Memorial to not forget . The Ministry of Cultural Heritage (MiBACT) is one of the sponsors of this “National Antarctic Memorial, Renato Cepparo”

Saturday 24 February 2018, at the “Malignani School 2000” an informal ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the first Italian scientific base in Antarctica has begun: the Tricolor flag is still waving from the “New Giacomo Bove Camp” and the “National Antarctica Memorial, Renato Cepparo” at Cervignano (UD) is growing up; thanks to Alpini corp, Italian Navy, Civil Protection and to all participants who works among the students as well reported on a local newspaper.

Today, the reconstruction of the Giacomo Bove Base Camp foundations, is completed and the Memorial will soon be inaugurated

President of Adri-AntarticaProf. Julius Fabbri, Ph.D. with the Cultural  Association “ Adri-Antartica”  in collaboration with the Municipality of Cervignano del Friuli (UD) and the School “Malignani 2000” member of the UNESCO network are pleased to announce the inauguration ceremony of the Antarctica “Valle Italia” (MANI), Cepparo-Bove, on Friday 25 May 2018 at the headquarters of the “A.Malignani” Technical Institute in Ramazzotti street , 41 – Cervignano del Friuli (Udine). The event falls into the National Competition  of the MIUR “Future Present”, in agreement with UNESCO Youth – second edition –school year 2017/18

 

TNX Julius IV3CCT /II3BOVE (New callsign of the “Malignani 2000” School is IV3HIY )

German research and supply vessel R/V Polarstern

DJØHO/MM has been confirmed as being located on the German icebreaker and Research Vessel R/V Polarstern!

Jörg, DJØHO, is an electronics engineer on board the German icebreaker “Polarstern”.Jörg uses a Red Pitaya STEMLab 125-14 with an active receiving antenna to monitor up to eight WSPR frequencies  simultaneously and regularly uploads reception results to wsprnet.org through the vessel’s satellite link.

DJØHO will be on board until the ship returns to its home port of Bremerhaven, Germany, in June 2018.

Read more at: http://pa7mdj.blogspot.it/search/label/RV%20Polarstern and

https://www.awi.de/en/expedition/ships/polarstern.html

TNX DL5XL and PA7MDJ

Blaiklock Island Hut (WAP GBR-NEW)

The Hut (67° 32′ South,  67° 12′ West) was built in 1957 and used as a satellite and advance base for survey and geological parties for personnel based at Horseshoe Island Station “Y” (WAP GBR-14). It was also used by parties from Detaille Island  Station “W” (WAP GBR-26) and Stonington Island Station “E” (WAP GBR-Ø5). The sea ice around the island had proved unreliable during the previous two seasons, limiting the amount of sled travel and survey work that could be carried out from base.

Located on the  North side of Blaiklock Island, the Hut has been occupied intermittently  in  1957 and 1958. Currently Blaiklock Island Hut is designated as Historic Site No. 63 under the Antarctic Treaty, 19 May 1995 (included with Horseshoe Island Station). The site has been cleaned up and minor repairs completed in Mar 1997.

Horseshoe Island Station, has been activated by Mehdi F5PFP  signing VP8DLM on last March 2011.

 

 

Picture aside shows Horseshoe Island Station “Y” as it was in 1956

Massive Antarctic glacier could collapse, US and UK join forces

International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration will incorporate other nations’ research to time a potential collapse and assess implications for sea level rise, coastal infrastructure.

The collapse of the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica could significantly affect global sea levels. As part of a new $25 million research collaboration, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the United Kingdom’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) announced today that teams of scientists at U.S. institutions will deploy to Antarctica to gather the data needed to understand whether the glacier could begin to collapse in the next few decades or centuries from now.

The research collaboration, called the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), was announced at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) headquarters in Cambridge, England. The collaboration’s scientists will begin their first research season in Antarctica in October 2018, establishing a logistical support structure for future work. The collaboration will continue until 2021.

Thanks and credit NSF.  Read more at: https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=245261&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click

RRC (Russian Robinson Club) 25th Anniversary.

Yuri Sushkin N3QQ (aka UA9OPA) informs that next September 20-23rd 2018, several Radioamateurs will join the “RRC Anniversary meeting” in Orel, Russia, 200 miles from Moscow. A wonderful opportunity to have lot’s of fun and meet all RRC hard core guys!

The Club Council has developed a program which includes “On air” radio station R25RRC and other call signs with RRC abbreviation from different corners of Russia (according to the RRC club programs) and other the countries  worldwide, and the launch of the anniversary diploma and a plaque “Russian Robinson Club – 25”. New RRA Directory, is complete and RABA are complemented with the class “EXCELLECE” Award.

From the pages of WAP (Worldwide Antarctic Program) we would like to express our gratitude to the efforts always done in these past 25 years by the Russian operators  wherever they have been, whether they are activating new Islands, new Countries,  Bases or rare locations in Antarctica, They have always done a great job. You are simply great guys,  thanks!

Host Representative, Eugene, RZ3EC and friends,  will help participants  with logistics coordination between Moscow and Orel.

TNX Yuri Sushkin N3QQ cell/text +1(206)779-1011

https://www.na-234.com

 

Envelopes coming from Indian Bases in Antarctica

Thanks to Bhagwati VU3BPZ and Rajesh VU3LBP, few  envelopes are now coming at the end of the XXXVI Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica.

It’s always a great emotion to get mail with covers and postal cancellations, envelopes signed by the Base Leaders, or rubber stamped with names of the famous ships that are working in the Icy Continent.

Even if the first stamps produced specifically for use in the Antarctic  were issued by the “New Zealand Post Office on January 15th, 1908“, collecting Antarctic stamps, Covers , Antarctic ship covers, Polarogrammes, or any other envelopes or post cards coming from Antarctica is undoubtedly a great satisfaction … same as receiving QSLs  after an Ham Radio contact with an Antarctic Base!

 

Probably it’s true, all those who have approached even marginally to the radio world, will surely have intuited which indisputable charm it emanates!

Macquarie Station WAP AUS-Ø8

Norbet  Trupp VK5MQ,  is currently operating from Macquarie Island as VKØAI.  He uses an Icom IC-7300 with vertical and has been already reported active on 20, 30, 40 & 80 mts bands in FT8 Mode.

QRZ.com says that Norbert who will stay at Macquarie Island Antarctic Research Base until March 2019, has Internet access, and is an avid user of both FT8 & eQSL.cc.

QSL via VK5MQ

In 1911, Australia’s Sir Douglas Mawson established the island’s first scientific station to conducti geomagnetic observations and mapping the island. Studies were made of the island’s botany, zoology, meteorology and geology.

The Macquarie Island expedition also established the first radio link between Australia and Antarctica by setting up a radio relay station on Wireless Hill that could communicate with both Mawson’s main expedition group at Commonwealth Bay and Australia.

In addition, on Macquarie Island (WAP AUS-Ø8), are still present the Wireless Hill Hut, the Operating Hut  & Engine Hut and few other Huts, all of the are WAP AUS-NEW.

The Wireless Relay Station  Wireless Hill, 54° 29’ 41”South, 158° 56’ 29” East. 

The last remaining pieces of the Macquarie Island masts were recovered nearly 100 years later in April 2011, by the Mawson’s Huts Foundation in partnership with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, which has responsibility for the island on behalf of the Tasmanian Government. The fragments were returned to Hobart for conservation by the Foundation at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, where they will be displayed.

The locations are listed on Section 2 of WAP-WADA Directory among the other Macquarie Huts which are still un-numbered (WAP AUS-NEW) … just wondering if in the future some of the Hams at tha Base can try to activate them!

Read more at: http://maritimeradio.org/other-stations/macquarie-island/ 

Bob Hines K4MZU, the top of WADA & WACA score

W.A.P. – W.A.D.A. (Worldwide Antarctic Program – Worked All Directory Award)  is one of the  most famous Antarctic Awards actually  present worldwide.
It is issued by A.R.I.  (Italian Amateur Radio Association), through the A.R.I. division of Mondovì (Cuneo) and supported by  W.A.P. Staff.

Being Top Honor Roll, Bob K4MZU is, among the 194 owners of   WAP-WADA Antarctic Award, the Ham Radio operator  who has made 2 ways contacts with the highest number of Research Stations in the Icy Continent.

A good amount of will and determination, years of hard work, always beaming South, hours and hours of  patient listening to find out a signal coming from the Pole of to achieve results like that.

Today, Bob Hines K4MZU is at the top of WAP-WADA worldwide ranking; Antarctic chasers are happy and proud  to congratulate him. Gathering 196 of Stations, Huts, Refuges, Camps in Antarctica, is not an easy task, it takes years and years!

But this is not enough … another 50 New entries from Bob on WAP-WACA Award; that makes Bob jumping over 465 different callsigns been worked in the Icy Continent including Sub & Peri-Antarctic Territories; believe it or not, that means a life of hard  work.

Congrats Bob, you’re Great, a real DXer, a real Old Timer!

Antarctic expeditioners mark Anzac Day

Casey Research Station (WAP AUS-Ø2):
Snow, ice and below-zero temperatures haven’t dissuaded Australia’s Antarctic expeditioners from paying their respects on Anzac Day.
The team of 26 held a dawn service at Casey Research Station (WAP AUS-Ø2) on Wednesday morning. It was led by expeditioner Rebecca Jeffcoat, who has been with the Royal Australian Navy for 28 years and served in the Middle East.
“I’ve been to many Anzac Day events over the years and today’s service, held against a backdrop of icebergs in Newcomb Bay, is one I will never forget,” she said.
The team, who are spending the winter at the research station, gathered under the flag-pole in -15°C.
“Expeditioners took the opportunity to proudly share their family member’s service experience; in the Boer War, lost at sea in World War II and in Afghanistan,” Ms Jeffcoat said.
Source: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2018/anzac-day-in-antarctica

Mawson Research Station (WAP AUS-Ø4):
Anzac Day represents a significant day in the calendar of events down south. With calm winds and a pink sky at Mawson we held a Dawn Service on ANZAC Day to remember those men and women from Australia and New Zealand who died or suffered in the tragedy of war.

Pic aside: The ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Mawson. (Photo: Pete Layt)

Australia’s Antarctic program has long links with the Australian Defence Force since it was founded in 1947.
TNX and credit to: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/

Too bad, no Ham radio operation has been performed to mark Anzac day! Hope to hear some VKØs active on HF from there soon.

UAE to tow icebergs from Antarctica for drinking water

The United Arab Emirates is planning to tow icebergs from Antarctica to its coast to solve its issues with drinking water.

The National Advisor Bureau Limited company plans to provide a new source of freshwater for the region by towing the iceberg from Antarctica to the coast of the eastern emirate of Fujairah.

The Masdar city-based company then plans to mine the iceberg for drinking water.

Read more at: https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/uae-tow-icebergs-antarctica-drinking-water/3174475/

The Guardian did reports another interesting statement about such an ambitious project.
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/05/could-towing-icebergs-to-hot-places-solve-the-worlds-water-shortage 

Thanks and Credit: Northenstar and The Guardian 

Henry Perk KC4/VEØHSS … quite an adventurer!

Starting his career as a Certified Swiss Mountain Guide, Henry Perk  acquired his commercial pilots license and Ham license while guiding in the Canadian Rockies.

 

In 1984 (before GPS and satellite phones) Henry started flying a DHC Twin Otter in Antarctica for Kenn Borek Air. Over the following 32 years, in support of both private expeditions and national science programs, Henry has logged over 30,000 flight hours.

At an average cruising speed of 170 miles an hour, it can be estimated that Henry has flown greater than 5 million miles, mostly on the windiest, driest, highest, coldest and most remote Continent.

While in Antarctic each summer in the 1990’s Henry operated from many large and small locations as Siple Dome Station (WAP USA-18), Vostok Station (WAP RUS-13), WASA (WAP SVE-Ø4), ABOA (WAP FIN-Ø1), South Pole Station (WAP USA-21), McMurdo (WAP USA-22), Dome Charlie (WAP USA-Ø5), and many others.

Now Henry and friends sail around the Pacific in his 15 meter sailboat enjoying the warm waters.. what a nice retirement for him! Henry Perk… quite an adventurer

The above photo of Henry is courtesy of The Antarctic SunHenry Perk.

TNX Bob K4MZU

Petermann Bay, Antarctica

Ice makes Antarctica unforgettable
By Daphne Bramham,  Postmedia columnist

The iceberg graveyard in Petermann Bay in Antarctica provides plenty of opportunity for whales, seals, penguins and other seabirds to feed along.  Wind and current have created an iceberg graveyard here. The ice groans and sighs. The icebergs crackle and sparkle, buck and roll in the brilliant sunlight, reflecting every shade of blue.
They ride great swells. Water washed up and over one massive piece of sculptured ice sending cascades of watery fireworks. They are anything but static. Next to it, another iceberg seemed on the verge of rolling over. With each wave, the front edge nearly disappeared before soaring up again to full height.
Icebergs do roll occasionally, setting off mini-tsunamis. It happens if the balance is disturbed either by the iceberg striking the bottom and getting hung up or by a substantial chunk above the water breaking off.
Read more at:  http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/the-last-continent-ice-makes-antarctica-unforgettable-and-makes-it-habitable-for-penguins-whales-seals-and-seabirds 

Petermann Bay or Petermann Island?
We did ask Daphne where was Petermann Bay located, as we weren’t able to find it in any books or maps.

Good and kind answer from her:
You are quite right and I was quite wrong. It was Petermann Island.
All the best,
Daphne Bramham, Columnist-Vancouver Sun
Thanks Daphne Bramham

Chapel of San Francisco de Asís. Base Esperanza (WAP ARG-Ø4)

On one of the thirteen Argentine Research Stations in Antarctica, Esperanza Base (WAP ARG-Ø4), we find the Chapel of San Francisco de Asís. The Esperanza base is inhabited all year round by civilians and is considered by the Argentines, as the southernmost city of the country, although it is only a small village. Besides the church, the base also has a school, a museum, a bar, a casino and a hospital with permanent maternity service and where enough Argentines have  come to the world.

As a curiosity, to say that the first human born in the Antarctic continent, Emilio Marcos Palma, (born 7 January 1978) is an Argentine man known for being the  first documented  person born on the Icy Continent . Emilio Marcos Palma was baptized in the Chapel of San Francisco de Asís.

see also: https://www.waponline.it/11122008/

In addition to the Base Esperanza chapel, there are other Argentine Antarctic chapels permanently located in the operational bases. We’ll see them all  shortly … follow us and enjoy Antarctica as much as we do!

Indian Post Office in Antarctica

The Post Office was part of the Research Base known as Dakshin Gangotri (WAP IND-Ø1). It was set up during the third Indian expedition to the Antarctic but after six years of rigorous service, the place was decommissioned. The whole place got buried under the heavy blanket snow and is now marked as a historical site. The Post Office became operational on February 24, 1984 and was part of multiple support systems at Dakshin Gangotri. The other facilities included an ice-melting plant, accommodation, recreation facilities, laboratories, storage, a clinic and a bank counter. The Dakshin Gangotri Post Office was established under the Department of Post Office at Goa on January 26, 1988. Scientist G. Sudhakar Rao was appointed as the first Honorary Postmaster. He had gone to the Antarctic as a member of the Seventh Indian Scientific Expedition in 1987. In the very first year of its foundation, almost 10,000 letters were posted and cancelled in the Dakshin Gangotri post office..

Read more at: https://www.newsgram.com/indian-post-office-antarctic-circle

Groussac Naval Refuge, Antarctica (WAP ARG-18)

Opened on February 6, 1955, Grussac Naval refuge  (65° 10’ 33” South, 64° 08’ 10” West), on Petermann Island,  was originally named to Hipólito Bouchard. , It takes its current name in homage to Paul Groussac (1848-1929), a  French writer and historian based in Argentina and author of an allegation about the Argentine sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.  Close to this  Argentine naval refuge ( an old corrugated iron shack in rusted colors), lays a simple cross monument, an unreadable metal plaque  with  just one word “John” recalls the dead of a man of the British Antarctic Survey, who tried to get here over the sea ice in 1982..

Within the framework of the 2017-2018 Antarctic Summer Campaign, a crew of 8 members of the Argentine Navy came to Groussac Naval Refuge with the mission of restoring it. The refuge, which did not receive maintenance work since 2007, is again fully operational, ready to be habitable and provide support to science and to the navigators who pass through there. In addition, during the repairs, the crew found the foundation’s charter of the refuge, a document of significant historical value.

Turkey to establish its own Base in Antarctica

 

Ankara, April 12: Turkey will establish its scientific Base in Antarctica in 2019, Turkish Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Ozlu said on Wednesday.

“We will go there to establish our scientific base next year. The foundations of Turk Scientific Base will be laid,” Xinhua cited state-run Anadolu Agency quoting Ozlu as saying.

“First, we will build our base, then we will apply for the status of  “advisory state”. Advisory states are those that have a say in Antarctica’s today and tomorrow,” he said.

Turkey currently owns the status of “Observatory State” in Antarctica. A Turkish expedition team consists of 28 scientists went to Antarctica for the second time for polar research in February, and will return this month. The Team is also aiming at assessing the feasibility of establishing a scientific base in Antarctica. Turkey conducted its first expedition to the continent in 2017.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/turkey-plans-to-set-up-scientific-base-in-antarctica-in-2019-118041200118_1.html

UK researcher Prof. Julian Dowdeswell will lead the international effort.

A scientific expedition will next year try to find the Endurance, the ill-fated ship of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.  The vessel sank in 1915, crushed by sea-ice in the Weddell Sea and lost in 3,000m of water.

Shackleton and his crew were forced into lifeboats to make an extraordinary and heroic escape across the Southern Ocean.

He expects to have the cruise on station in January/February.

Locating the shipwreck is not the primary goal of the expedition; the major objective is to visit and study the Larsen C Ice Shelf, which last July calved one of thr biggest icebergs ever recorded in Antarctica.

But because Larsen is so close to the last known position of the Endurance, it makes sense to also have a go at finding the famous ship.

Read more at: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43703723

Antarctic greenhouse at Neumayer III Station

Scientists in Antarctica have harvested their first crop of vegetables grown without earth, daylight or pesticides as part of a project designed to help astronauts cultivate fresh food on other planets.

Researchers at Germany’s Neumayer Station III (WAP DEU-Ø8) say they’ve picked 3.6 kilograms (8 pounds) of salad greens, 18 cucumbers and 70 radishes grown inside a high-tech greenhouse as temperatures outside dropped below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit).

Picture provided by the German aerospace center (DLR) shows engineer Paul Zabel with fresh salad he harvested in the EDEN-ISS greenhouse at the Neumeyer-Station III on Antarctica.

Read more at: http://gazette.com/scientists-harvest-1st-vegetables-in-antarctic-greenhouse/article/feed/554219

 

Thanks and credit: German aerospace center (DLR)

Dakshin Gangotri Station (WAP IND-Ø1)

Indian Antarctic Program did start in 1981 with the first Indian expedition to Antarctica, a huge geo-political achievement. Dr. S Z Qasim, Secretary of Department of Environment and former Director of NIO was selected as the leader of the 21 member Team.

The expedition left Goa on December 6, 1981, on board M/V Polar Circle, a chartered ship from Norway. They landed in Antarctica on January 9th , 1982 and returned to Goa on February 21st , 1982, thus marking the end of their 77-day expedition

Dakshin Gangotri was the first Indian scientific research station established in Antarctica, as part of the Indian Antarctic Program. Located at a distance of 2,500 kilometres from the South Pole, it was established during the third Indian expedition to Antarctica in 1983/84. This was the first time an Indian team spent a winter in Antarctica to carry out scientific work Dakshin Gangotri was built in eight weeks by an 81 member Team. With help from the Indian army they did  complete the construction in January 1984.

January 26th , 1984, India’s Republic Day was celebrated at the station along with Soviet and East German scientists

Dakshin Gangotri was decommissioned in 1990 after it got half buried in ice. It is now marked as a historical site.

Shortly before the first station Dakshin Gangotri Station did bury in ice and abandoned in 1990/91,  an India’s second permanent research station in Antarctica (Maitri Station WAP IND-Ø3) was built and finished in 1989.

Maitri Base is situated on the rocky mountainous region called Schirmacher Oasis. India also built a freshwater lake around Maitri known as Lake Priyadarshini.  The research station is only 5 km away from the Russian Novolazarevskaya Station and is equipped to carry out research in various disciplines, such as biology, earth sciences, glaciology, atmospheric sciences, meteorology, cold region engineering, communication, human physiology, and medicine.

Antarctic Philately

This is a good time to recall the Antarctic followers that post mail sent from the various Bases during the last Antarctic summer season are now coming.

Great job is done by several worldwide Polar Philatelist Societies, just available on the web to learn and share the common interest in stamps, covers, and postal history. An interesting site with lots of links and information can be found here: http://www.webring.org/l/rd?ring=worldpostalhisto;id=8;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Enewzeal%2Ecom%2Fsteve%2Fantarctica%2Ehtm

This page contains links to separate Antarctic sections which we are continually adding to two or three times a week. 

To get info and suggestions on how to start collect stamps from Antarctica can be found here: http://stamps.mybalconyjungle.com/antarctic_covers/antarctic_covers.html

Inside the WAP Antarctic QSL Gallery at https://www.waponline.it/photo-gallery/qsl-gallery/   there is a large Antarctic Philatelic Gallery to enjoy, pay a visit!

Demise of Shri. Subhajit Sen – Member 37th ISEA

With deep sorrow we (at WAP) knew at this moment that a young researcher engaged in the Antarctic campaign at the Indian Maitri Base, was victim of an accident in the Ice shelf.

Born on 13th April 1994, Shri.  Subhajit Sen did pass away  on  Tuesday the 27th March 2018 while at Indian convoy route to Maitri Station , Antarctica in service to the Nation.
He met with an accident during convoy operations at Ice Shelf and suffered a major trauma late evening of 26th March 2018.
He was immediately rushed towards the Expedition Vessel and Doctors joined with medical help around 23:15 hrs (UTC+01). Unfortunately, attempts to revive him went in vain and he bid farewell due to fatal injuries to this mortal world at 00:12 hrs (UTC+01).

The  student participant  Shri Subhajit Sen,  was deputed to Antarctica  a member of the short term Team of the 37th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) in November 2017 and was expected to return back home by April 2018. Through a competitive process, he was selected for the expedition based on his research project “Deformation – Fabric in Sub-glacial Till Exposed in Schirmacher Oasis”.

Shri Subhajit Sen  was an intelligent young scientist, adorable personality with many facets and an energetic member of the team who would bring smile to many faces, would go an extra mile to help others and would stand by in the hour of need, is no more with us– is the sad comment of the Indian Antarctic Center – Shri Sen will always remain in the hearts of fellow Antarcticans and remembered with fondness. His contributions to Antarctic Sciences will always be admired.

 

With profound grief and sorrow we at the Indian Research Base, Maitri Antarctica and at National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa condole the death of Shri Subhajit Sen and pray to God almighty for his soul rests in peace and for strength courage and solace to the family.
Read more at:  http://www.ncaor.gov.in/news


On behalf of the WAP community, sure to interpret the sentiment of the thousands of Hams, Antarctic chasers, Scientific colleagues  as well as all the Antarctic followers, worldwide, we send our deepest condolences to the family and to everyone in the NCAOR Department.
His soul rest in peace.

For condolences to family and friends write to condolence.sen@ncaor.gov.in

Happy 50th Birthday Palmer Station! WAP USA-23

Officially opened on 20 March 1968; the US Palmer Research Station (WAP USA-23) on Anvers Island focuses primarily on Antarctic marine biology and zoology.

Located on Anvers Island near the Antarctic Peninsula, Palmer Station (64° 46’S, 64° 03’W) is named for Nathaniel B. Palmer, who in 1820 on a sealing expedition in his 47-foot (14-meter) ship the Hero became the first American to record sighting Antarctica. The original station was built in 1965. In 1967, the U.S. Navy began construction of the current larger and more permanent station approximately a mile east of the original site. The first building at the new station, the biology laboratory, opened its doors to science in 1970. Today, two main buildings and several smaller structures make up Palmer Station and provide housing and research facilities for scientists and support personnel. Of the three U.S. Antarctic stations, Palmer is the only one that is accessed routinely during the winter.

Palmer Station Webcam is mounted on a tower overlooking the smallest of the United States Antarctic stations, as well as Arthur Harbour and the Bismarck Strait beyond. Palmer station webcam at: https://www.usap.gov/videoclipsandmaps/palwebcam.cfm

Thanks and credit  to National Science Foundation (NSF)

And now … a quick tour of Palmer Station WAP USA-23

Argentine Chapels in Antarctica

Humans have left their mark on the once virgin continent, Antarctica. In the research bases we can find a number of services that many less isolated places do not have. School, Post office, Hospital, bowling alley or ATM are some of the services we can find in the Icy Continent,  and among all these buildings, Churches could not miss.

Christianity was first established in Antarctica by Captain Aeneas Mackintosh who erected a cross on Wind Vane Hill in 1916. The first religious service was conducted in Antarctica in 1947 by William Menster with about 2,000 people from different Christian denominations in attendance. Research and whaling stations were erected in the large area of Antarctica in the early 1900s. Since then, several scientists are attending the area especially during summer while a few people stay over during winter. The extended stay in the region can be stressful and challenging for researchers. The Jesuit geophysicists have contributed to the growth of religion in the continent through Antarctica mission work. The religion in Antarctica dates back to the discovery of the continent in 18th century. However, Christianity was the first religious practice in the continent.

Antarctica has several places of worship, and has a growing demand for religious services and worship spaces in its territory. Despite the saying “below 40 degrees south there is no law; below 50 degrees south there is no God”,  the exploration of the continent was closely related to religious activities and had numerous religious (for example, Jesuit geophysicists). Some of the first religious buildings are protected as historical monuments.

Shortly,  WAP will start to publish history and picture of the Catholic Chapels that have been built in most of the  Argentine Research Stations in Antarctica, even if the articles previously published  on the old WAP website have been recovered by Floyd Larck KK3Q are already available through https://www.waponline.it/articles/church-archives/.

Thanks to Marambio Foundation (http://www.marambio.aq/), thanks to Juan Manuel LU4CJM, Roberto LU3CQ, Horacio LU4DXU for providing descriptions and pics,.

French Port Martin Station, WAP FRA-Ø7, Antarctica

The coastal region of Terre Adelie was discovered and named by the French Dumont D’Urville expedition which landed on Debarquement Rock in the Dumoulin Islands at the northeast end of the Point Geologie Archipelago, on January 21, 1840. Terre Adelie was the subject of a territorial claim by France in 1924. This was further defined by a parliamentary decree in 1938 “to cover all islands and lands lying south of latitude 60°S between longitudes 136° and 142° east.”

French Antarctic research station, Port Martin, 66° 49’ 06” South, 141° 24’ 02” East was established at Cape Margerie on the coast of Adelie Land, Antarctica, by the 3rd French expedition on January 20th  1950 and was occupied for two winters, during which time the coastal islands were explored and ground control astrofixes observed with astro-labes and theodolites. Inland traverses were made using Weasel vehicles and dog teams. During unloading for a third winter, the base was destroyed by fire on the night of January 23, 1952. Fortunately no one died or was injured. The Port Martin station (WAP FRA-Ø7) was abandoned and actually, in addition to being the site of an abandoned French research base with scattered artifacts, is the name of the adjacent anchorage. Port Martin is Antarctic Special protected Area (ASPA) No.166 and HSM 46.

Thanks and credit: Archive TAAF ( http://archives.taaf.fr/spip.php?article6871)

 

 

 

It’s worth to know that that, later in 1952, a small wooden hut was built on Ile des Petrels and occupied by seven men under Marret’s command; they overwintered in 1952/53 and enlarged the hut to serve as the new base site. That wooden building, known as ‘Base Marret’ (pictures aside) has been designated as HSM 47 (Historic site or Monument).

The movie in French language shows  Port Martin Antarctic Station  before the base was destroyed by fire in 1952 ,  is now entirely available online. It is an excellent testimony of the daily life conditions in Antarctica in 1950s in which clearly appear FB8AX (René Gros from 7mns10s to 8mns 00s then Mario Marret from  9mns53 to 57s).

TNX Mehdi F5PFP

Petrel island is now the site of the new main French Station, named after Dumont D’Urville (WAP FRA-Ø1), subsequently built 62 km (39 mi) west of Port Martin and opened on January 12, 1956 to serve as the center for French scientific research during the Antarctic International Geophysical Year 1957-1958. The station has remained in active use ever since.

DL8JDX Volker Strecke, an Antarctic Veteran

Volker Strecke DL8JDX is a great friend and an Antarctic veteran who did participate  to several Antarctic Expeditions from 1988 through 1994.

He did operate as Y88POL at Georg Forster Station WAP DDR-Ø1 (1988-1989 and 1990-1992) and been also active as DPØGVN from Neumayer II Station WAP DEU-Ø1 on 1992-1994.

He enjoy hunting stations, so,  at the end of the last 15th Antarctic Activity Week, Volker wrote:

-I would like to thank WAP for your every years organization of the Antarctic Activity Weeks. Due to a lot of QRL I do have not always time, but during the AAW this year I managed to do 16 QSOs with 11 different WAP Stations.

So looking forward to continuously supporting the WAP-.

Thanks, Kind regards and best 73,

Volker Strecke, DL8JDX

Happy and proud to have Volker DL8JDX on the list of the thousands of WAP supporters!

Inside Scott Base WAP NZL-Ø1

Have you ever wondered what it’s like inside Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1) in Antarctica?

Take a quick trip around our base and visit the Hillary Field Centre (named after Sir Edmund Hillary), Hatherton Lab (named after scientist Trevor Hatherton), TAE (Trans Antarctic Expedition)  Hut, a part of the original Scott Base and more!!

Nestled alongside Scott Base (WAP NZL-Ø1) in Antarctica, is Hillary’s Hut,  a small building that’s played a big role in New Zealand’s history. Hillary’s Hut was the first building constructed at Scott Base. It was built by a team led by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1957 and it was from here that Sir Ed later led the historic expedition to the South Pole.

 

Thanks and Cedit to: http://www.nzaht.org/explorer-bases/hillarys-hut-scott-base#

Read lots more at: https://polar-news.com/antarctic/history/254-saving-hillary-s-historic-antarctic-hut-at-scott-base

TM15AAW, WAP-285 by François F8DVD

Thanks to F8DVD, always present since the 1st edition of the Antarctic Activity Week, 15 years ago!

He wrote: -15th AAW is over since few weeks. Propagation wasn’t so good but always nice to work so many friends with special call commemorating Antarctic activities-.

François sent WAP two samples of his brand new QSL cards; both looks great!

Here below a brief description of the subject choice while TM15AAW QSLs are in process of print.

This year, I choose 2 pictures of Port Lockroy base (WAP GBR-Ø1), the British station established in 1944.
Port Lockroy is situated on Goudier Island in the Palmer Archipelago (64°49’S – 63° 30’W) about 700 miles south of Argentina and Chile. The bay was discovered during Jean-Baptiste Charcot’s French Antarctic expedition in 1904 and was named after Edouard Lockroy, a French politician and Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, who assisted the explorer in obtaining government funding for his expedition.

The station is small and basic, compared to its modern day counterparts such as Rothera and Halley, but the spectacular mountain scenery, abundant wildlife and historical interest make Port Lockroy WAP GBR-Ø1 well worth a visit.

 

73 de François  F8DVD/TM15AAW

Five US Scientists rescued in Antarctica

The Argentine Ministry of Defense reports, by the Antarctic joint commander, Marine Commodore Pablo Fal that the crew of the Icebreaker Almirante Irízar rescued five US scientists who were stranded in Antarctica.

The provided Irizar’s assistance is framed in the spirit of the commitments of  the Antarctic Treaty which implies cooperation and assistance to human life on the White Continent and its surrounding waters

Because of the icy conditions of Joinville Island (in the Weddell Sea), the ship waiting for the scientists could not approach the camp to return them back to the Continent. For this reason, the National Science Foundation ( the Antarctic Program of the USA) required the help of the “Irizar” equipped with Sea King helicopters to assist the isolated US professionals and  to rescue them and their camp.

The polar ship, which is doomed to the Antarctic Summer Campaign (CAV) that carries the defense portfolio, acted at the request of the Argentine Foreign Ministry and went to Joinville Island to rescue the scientists.

The location was quite close to Base Petrel (WAP ARG-17) and Base Esperanza (WAP ARG-Ø4) that Argentina has in the Gulf of Erebus and Terror. (Erebus and Terror Gulf is a gulf on the southeast side of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, bordered on the northeast by the Joinville Island group and on the southwest by the James Ross Island group).

The assistance was made through four flights with Sea King helicopters in a successful way, and the scientists will be transported during this journey to the US ship Laurence M. Gould.

Source: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/el-rompehielos-almirante-irizar-rescato-cinco-cientificos-estadounidenses-varados-en-la

Francisco de Gurruchaga Naval refuge (WAP ARG-28)

Francisco de Gurruchaga Antarctic Naval Refuge (62°14’03.0″ South, 59°10’02.0″ West), also known as Armonia Refuge or Harmony Haven has been recently referenced with WAP ARG-28 following the activity of Juan Manuel Pereda who did operate from there as LU4CJM/Z from Jan. 8th through 22nd 2017.

The Refuge  is placed in Harmony Point, Nelson Island, South Shetland Island. The administration depends of the Argentine Naval Army. The shelter was built on December 15 of 1954.
This Area was originally designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest No. 14 under Antarctic ATCM Recommendation XIII-8 (1985), after a proposal by Argentina, because this is an excellent example of maritime Antarctic communities of birds and land ecosystems present in the South Shetland Islands, making it possible to carry out long-term research programs without damage or harmful interference.

TNX Juan Manuel Pereda LU4CJM

Ruperto Elichiribehety Station (WAP URY-NEW)

On the hill about 500m from Esperanza is Trinity House, a hut remaining from “Base D”, built by the UK in 1944–45 and closed in 1963. It was transferred to Uruguay in 1997 and is now named Ruperto Elichiribehety Station after the captain of Uruguayan steam trawler Instituto de Pesca No 1, which Shackleton used in his second of three unsuccessful attempts to reach the Elephant Island castaways. The summer-only facility accommodates eight.

Ruperto Elichiribehety Station (WAP URY-NEW)   is located in Hut Cove, South East of Hope Bay in the North East part of the Antarctic Peninsula (63°24′09″S 56°59′28″W) next to the Argentine Esperanza Base (WAP ARG-Ø4).
The Station can accommodate 7 people, and it is dedicated to support scientific projects in the surrender areas. It was a former British Station D, known as Trinity House.

 

Spanish navy Captain dies in Antarctica

The commander of a Spanish Navy Rsearch Ship has died in Antarctica after apparently falling overboard.

Javier Montojo Salazar, Captain of the frigate Hesperides, disappeared on Friday night when the ship was near the Juan Carlos I° research Base on Livingstone Island.

Spain’s Ministry of Defence said a search and rescue operation was launched using “all available resources” but the body of the 53-year-old sailor was recovered from the sea six hours later.

Though the pages of WAP website, on behalf  of the community of the Icy Continent and Hams,  we want to express our deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Javier Montojo Salazar

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5457727/Spanish-navy-captain-dies-Antarctica-falling-sea.html

A secret Penguin supercolony in Antarctica’s found at Danger Islands

Pygoscelis Adeliae is commonly known as the Adélie penguin, after the wife of French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville, the man who first documented them in 1840. Though they are not especially uncommon, scientists have been concerned that their Antarctic population has been on a steady decline for the last 40 years. Now, a new study conducted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has revealed a previously unknown “supercolony” of more than 1.5 million Adélies living in the Danger Islands, a remote archipelago on the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

“Until recently, the Danger Islands weren’t known to be an important penguin habitat,” says Heather Lynch, an ecologist at Stony Brook University who co-led the study, in a release. The remoteness of the archipelago, named by English captain James Clark Ross after he almost crashed into its ice-covered rocks in 1842, makes it hard to access.

Remote images gave researchers a fresh look. In 2014, Lynch and colleague Matthew Schwaller, a scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, spotted some telltale guano stains in satellite photos of the islands. To ground-truth their suspicions, Lynch and an international team of ecologists got on a boat. Upon their arrival in December 2015, the group was confronted with hundreds of thousands of penguins nestling amid the icy rocks. Using neural network analysis of drone images they took of the colony, the scientists were able to determine the size of the population, as well as how changing temperatures and sea ice are impacting the island ecosystem. Their results, published this month in the journal Scientific Reports, show that there are currently more than 750,000 breeding pairs of Adélie penguins in the Danger Islands, more than the rest of Antarctica combined.

Thanks and credit tohttp://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43250744 and https://www.theguardian.com

More about Novolazarevskaya Station WAP-RUS-Ø9

Question did arise when crossing the web (https://www.comnap.aq/Members/Shared%20Documents/COMNAP_Antarctic_Station_Catalogue.pdf) and finding out this paragraph:

In 1962, in 100 km southwest of the main buildings one more panel house was constructed for accommodation of geophysical equipment and the fourth magnetic pavilion near it. Already by the time of the 20th expedition, around 15 service and living constructions were located in the station territory.

Oleg Sakharov UA1PBA/ZS1ANF/RI1ANF was helpful to understand a bit more, so thanks to him,  now the story is more clear.

First station named “Lazarev” was constructed on the ice shelf, no so far from the barrier, yes, around 100 km from the actual Novolazarevskaya, which means “New Lazarev”.

Lazarev moved to the open ocean together with ice shelf and it does not exist right now. This is to say the original buildings of the Lazarev  Station were located   100 km away to the actual location and the name  Novolazarevskaya was given after the construction of the actual Base in the new actual site and  Lazarev was  the name of the old 1962 Base.

UA1KAE/2 being reported from Lazarev Station in 1962 was probably the solo one to operate from there from that site.

Report from the  6th Soviet Antarctic Expedition   says that, from the place where the Old Base was unloaded,  the road to a new station with a length of 100 km was found. During the construction of the first three main buildings (DES, office and residential building), the construction of magnetic pavilions was underway (in order to have time to conduct magnetic observations in parallel with the old station prior to its closure.

TNX Oleg Sakharov,  UA1PBA/ZS1ANF/RI1ANF

Question: Does anyone of our readers have a scan copy of UA1KAE/2 QSL card of October 1962‘s activity with evidence of Lazarev Base, or any old pics of Lazarev Station?
If so, please send one to WAP trough I1HYW (varettos-at-tin.it),  TNX

Antarctica Educational Video

Antarctica, the southernmost continent on Earth, was not discovered by people until modern times. It is the fifth largest continent and the coldest, windiest, driest place on Earth. Antarctica is famously home to penguins and visited by scientists.

Antarctica – Facts and Figures – Geography for Kids. Even if the video is 5 years old and some datas have changed since then, it’s always useful for those who wish to review the geography.

KA4RXP/MM’s update & story

John Landrigan KA4RXP/MM, departed the port city of Bluff, New Zealand on February 9, 2018 aboard the Soviet registered expeditionary vessel Professor Khromov also known as the M/V Spirit of Enderby. During the set up prior to sailing I met Viktor, the ship’s Communications Officer and Ivan, the ship’s electrician. Their assistance was crucial to what success I was to enjoy.

The night of departure contact was made with JI1TIF in Tokyo and then VK4XXL in New South Wales. The power was at 100 watts from the Yaesu 897. Later that evening a 12 volt 25 amp power supply for the backup Icom transceiver was pressed into service to consolidate the auto-tuner power supply, the SCS Pactor modem supply and the Rigblaster Blue supply into one source. The power supply had been tested in Memphis but I forgot to switch it to 240 volt input. It promptly made a loud cracking noise. Shortly after that an attempt to email everyone resulted in another catastrophe. The SPE amplifier was switched in on low output and during a prolonged session of connecting with fairly constant repeating, a failure occurred in the auto tuner. The transmitter then interfered with a guard channel on a radio on the bridge radio and everything had to be shut down.

Inspection of the auto tuner revealed one severely burned relay and probably another burned relay next it. Multiple power supply combinations had been required at the dock to get the tuner operational and there may have been a surge voltage during that particular Winlink transmission that may have led to such a violent RF arcing and distortion of one of the relay housings.

The next day, Viktor and Ivan assisted me in pulling the tuner and inspecting it. The concern of the Captain was such that we had to provide him with complete assurance that he would not be aware that I was operating the radio. The decision was made to forgo the amplifier and instead try to use it’s built in tuner to produce a matched input to the Pacific Aerials 7.3 meter vertical. A match could not be achieved. I used the ship’s commercial internet service to notify the group of my predicament and then relegated myself to being a tourist only.

The next day Ivan brought back the power supply that he had repaired. I don’t how or what he did but Richard, this guy needs to be hired by you. Viktor helped trace through possible surviving tuner circuits and felt I could use 7 MHz and 10 MHz. Transmitting at only a 100 watts, caused no further interference.

We did a Zodiac boat tour around Snares Island, made a landing at Enderby Island in the Aucklands Group and made two landings at Macquarie Island. All the Australian philatelic items were postmarked there and are being held for mailing from there in late March.

Rough seas caused us to skip a landing at Cape Adare. We then proceeded to McMurdo Sound and found a previously cut channel by the ice breaker Polar Star had completely re-frozen and blocked us some 12 miles out from McMurdo. Re-tracking, we went to Cape Evans and landed at Scott’s Hut. I brought all the New Zealand Dependency philatelic items with me and will sign and date them for that landing. I will have them postmarked at the Ross Island Dependencies window at the Main Post Office in Christchurch once we return. The Italian Base had previously closed due to heavy ice.

I reinstalled the tuner and it seems to manage without incident on 40 and 30 meters. Reception is very spotty and I have not been able to make any contacts. On February 23 and 24 I heard K7GI in Tuscon and K6MYX in San Diego booming in at S9++. Craig was fighting S9 noise levels on his end and none of the Australian or New Zealand Stations were hearing me from my grid square RB32. Also heard K7UI.

Hope continues ever onward that perhaps this will make it via Winlink prior to us reaching Christchurch.

TNX John Landrigan KA4RXP/MM

We should traverse the remaining 500 nautical miles to reach Campbell Island during the day of March 3, Seas are very rough and biggest roll so far is 27 degrees. 55 degrees is when you really start to pray.

I am looking forward to the International DX Contest on Saturday and Sunday.

John KA4RXP/MM Grid Square RD01xu

The XXXIII Italian Antarctic Campaign is over

With more than fifty scientific projects done, with the lowering flag’s ceremony the activities of the XXXIII Summer 2017-2018 Campaign of the Italian National Program of Research in Antarctica (PNRA) at Mario Zucchelli Station (WAP ITA-Ø1) of Terra Nova Bay,  are finished.

Equally important have been the activities of a logistical nature, maintenance of the structures and preparation of the intermediate airstrip for flights to Concordia Station (WAP MNB-3) and Dumont D’Urville (WAP FRA-Ø1). In this context, the contribution of a specialized engineers team of the Italian Air Force to the realization of the Boulder Clay strip, a remote field 250 km from the base,  is of particular importance.

The project, which is developing during the last expeditions, will see this infrastructure acquiring greater flexibility of access to the Mario Zucchelli Station, allowing it to become an important hub for the movement of international scientific personnel operating in the northern part of the Ross Sea.

Italian Army, Navy and Air Force have guaranteed as every year, full support to the research and logistics activities within the Antarctic Continent;  25 specialists  of the 3 Armed Forces have been involved:  mountain scouts, pilots, weather forecasters, mechanics, riders and divers gave a great contribution to the success of the Summer campaign.

Read more at: http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/comunicazione/notizie/Pagine/20180219_Antartide-conclusa-la-XXXIII-spedizione.aspx

Thanks and credit: Defence Ministry-Italian Air Force

Antarctica tourists: “Don’t’ touch the penguins”

Tourist numbers on the Icy Continent have grown by twenty times in 30 years. Tourism in Antarctica has risen from fewer than 2,000 visitors in the 1980s to more than 45,000 visitors from around the world last year. The number of people travelling to the frozen continent dipped during the economic recession of the late 2000s, but rose again in recent years, according to data kept by the Rhode-Island based International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators.

China forced to tell Antarctica tourists: “Don’t’ touch the penguins”  that’s especially the case for Chinese tourists, so much so that the Chinese government earlier this week established a new list of rules for people visiting Antarctica: No hunting. No leaving behind solid waste…and no touching or feeding the penguins, according to the South China Morning Post.

Read more at: http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/antarctica-china-tourists-dont-touch-penguins-travel-environment-latest-a8203981.html

Scott Base WAP NZL-Ø1

From the history:
20 January 1957 Scott Base  (WAP NZL-Ø1) a New Zealand’s permanent Antarctic research Station did open in Antarctica

As the base was named after British explorer Robert Falcon Scott, the New Zealand flag was raised on a flagstaff that had been used by Scott at Hut Point in 1903. Originally established to support the privately run Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1955-58, it was to accommodate both the New Zealand party and a party of New Zealand scientists attached to the expedition who also contributed to the International Geophysical Year. These parties were the first to spend winter over at Scott Base. At the Completion of the expedition, Scott Base became the property of the New Zealand Government in agreement with the Ross Sea Committee. Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/scott-base-opened-antarctica

Scott Base, New Zealand’s only Antarctic research station, perches on a low volcanic headland called Pram Point at the Southern End of Ross Island, 3500 kms south of Dunedin and 1350 kms from the South Pole.

Located at Pram Point, Hut Point Peninsula, Ross Island in McMurdo Sound (77 51′ South, 166 46′ East), 10 m above sea level, between October through February Scott Base is a bustling hub of science researchers. Scott Base can accommodate 85 people at any one time, during the summer season more than 300 guests stay on Base.

22 February, “Dia de la Antartida Argentina”

 

February 22nd, is  a very important day for Argentina. It was the 22 Febr. 1904 when  the Argentine Flag did flutter on Laurie Island of the South Orkney Islands group, when Orcadas Base was inaugurated.

Since then, every year Argentina’s Antarctic Day is commemorated in the whole State.  114 years of uninterrupted presence (1904-2018) of this Country in Antarctica, is a reality.

WAP is joining the event and since 2004 when the 1st Antarctic Activity Week was launched, we always recall and give tributes to the Explorers who marked the Antarctic epic.

II3BOVE WAP-271

II3BOVE is one of the Special Callsign to be aired, along with several others, within the initiatives of the 15th Antarctic Week 2018 scheduled from 17 to 25 February. In particular II3BOVE (WAP-271) aims to remember the first Italian Scientific Base in Antarctica, set in January 1976 by Cav. Renato Cepparo (I2VZP) and named after Giacomo Bove, the Italian explorer who at the end of 1800 sailed to the South to arrange an expedition on the Antarctic Continent. The Base, was active until 20th  February 1976 as I1SR/MM.

Following some strange political events of the time, the Base donated by the Italian Government to Argentina,  was destroyed only eight months after its construction and now only a stone path remains to remember its foundations. II3BOVE wish to recall the facts and  remember the memory.

In the 15th edition of the AAW 2018, however, II3BOVE will have an even higher meaning in the spirit of  W.A.P. In fact, it will be the name that on 24 and 25 February will inaugurate the Ham radio station permanently set up at “Malignani 2000”, a Technical Institute in Cervignano del Friuli ITALY (JN65qt). The students of the institute, supported by some local radio amateurs, will be able to immerse themselves and firsthand experience  to the radio world and to share the constant support that, this activity promotes with scientific research.
At the same time, with an even more noble significance, the foundation stone of the construction site will be laid in the garden of the Technical Institute for the “ex situ” reconstruction of the Base which has been left in neglect and abandonment for 42 years in Italy Valley (official name) in the Antarctic Peninsula.

To support the nomination of the Antarctic site as “historical site”, sign the petition at the following link: https://www.change.org/p/bove