Mese: Aprile 2019

New references coming up for next South Orkney Expedition?

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Gene Spinelli K5GS (pic aside: Left-Gene K5GS, Right-Steve W1SRD) did respond to the question we put him about next planned South Orkney Expedition.  We recall him that: –The 3 locations: Cummings Hut, Foca Hut and Gourlay Huts  (see the article of 18 march 2019 here on the page of WAP website) have never been put on the air, so the interest could be  higher at least among the Antarctic Hunters if you eventually can activate one or more of them!-

 

Gene said: –We will have a look at them and determine if any can be used. The skipper of Braveheart has been to South Orkney and is familiar with the location used by VP8ORK in 2011…   Distance from the beach is important, we have to carry everything we bring ashore-
Gene Spinelli K5GS  will be at Friedrichshafen (next June 21-23), I’m sure some of the Antarctic Chaser friends will meet him and come back with some fresh information! Let’s keep our finger crossed !

For now, read of the planning South Orkney DXpedition  at: https://sorkney.com/

Enjoy Antarctica, enjoy WAP

Uruguayan chapel in Antarctica?

On: By: Gianni Varetto

General Artigas Station (WAP URY-Ø1) is the larger of the two Uruguayan scientific Research Stations in Antarctica, the other one, is Elichiribehety Base (WAP URY-NEW)

Archbishop Sturla would like a chapel at Artigas Base, but the military authorities do not seem inclined to grant the request!

The cardinal of Montevideo, Rev. Daniel Sturla expressed the desire that Uruguay, like other nations of Latin America and other Countries of the world, have its own Catholic chapel in Antarctica.
The existence of a letter was revealed by the weekly Busqueda magazine  and was written in September 2015 to General Claudio Romano, who then presided over the Governing Council of the Antarctic Institute of Uruguay. The cardinal’s letter, awarded in September of that year with this title by Pope Francis, begins by referring to request that came from people linked to the Artigas Base of Uruguayan Antarctica.

Artigas Base is a small scientific research station founded in 1985 in the white continent. It is precisely here that, the Archbishop of Montevideo would like to have a “chapel dedicated to prayer and personal reflection” erected.

The base is active all year with an allocation of 8 people in winter and 70 in summer. -We think that for our compatriots who spend a season there-  writes the archbishop of Montevideo, -the presence of a chapel and a place suitable for the image of our Patroness can only be beneficial-.

In Artigas Base operates a meteorological station that forms part of the worldwide network. For years in the Base,  there has been an image of the Virgen de los Treinta y Tres (Our Lady of  the Thirty-Three), Patroness of Uruguay. -This call of the Mother of Jesus is linked to our homeland history- observes Monsignor Sturla .

National independence was proclaimed at the foot of the original image. Many patriots worship her and General Don Manuel Oribe, as a vote after a shipwreck, placed the golden crown with which he was honored on her head. Other nations present in Antarctica also have their chapels”.

Here below, an interesting video that tells the history which we would like to share with the Antarctic chasers:

Our Lady of the Thirty Three may not be very well known, because She has little history. In 1825, the 36 centimeter statue was brought to what is now Florida City, Uruguay by 33 orientals. In 1857, one of them, Manuel Oribe, gave her a small golden crown. In 1962, Bishop Humberto Tonna crowned it solemnly, and soon afterwards, Bl. Pope John XXIII declared it Patroness of Uruguay.  In 1988, during Bl. Pope John Paul II‘s visit to Uruguay, he consecrated it.

Windless Bight Field Camp (WAP USA-NEW)

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Windless Bight (77°42’00”South, 167°39’48” West) is the prominent bight indenting the South side of Ross Island Eastward of Hut Point Peninsula.

Windless Bight‘s location on the Ross Ice Shelf is unique for its very low wind levels, which makes infrasound detection possible. Infrasound can detect volcanic eruptions, winds over distant mountain ranges, large storms at sea, auroral and meteor events, earthquakes, avalanches, and human-caused events such as very large explosions.

A field team, equipped with standard remote field equipment (including snowmobiles, PistenBully, and Mattrack vehicles) stays over there  in this self-supporting field camp several weeks a year.

The camp  consists of two Polarhavens and six individual mountain tents. The team  remains at the field site but will intermittently return one or two team members to McMurdo Station for supplies and overnight stays. The USAP also provides year-round on-site support from a support contractor research associate (RA), who occasionally visits the site during winter months for maintenance and troubleshooting.
Read more at: https://www.usap.gov/scienceSupport/sciencePlanningSummaries/2018_2019/results.cfm?formAction=detail&ID=199

Windless Bight Field Camp will be add to the WAP-WADA Directory to appear in the next update. So far no ham radio activities have been performed from this site. If it will happen, a new WAP Reference will be given.

Turkey & Belarus sign Antarctic research agreement

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Antarctica, the coldest continent on earth, has served as a scientific research zone since the signing of a 1959 treaty. Recently, Turkey and Belarus signed an agreement that  covers scientific cooperation on environmental conservation and study of Antarctic geology; the cooperation on Polar research, happens  months after Turkey completed its third National Antarctic Science Expedition.

The agreement on scientific and technical cooperation in Antarctica was signed by Turkey’s Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank and Vladimir Gusakov, the chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

 

Covering cooperation on topics of joint research about the Antarctic as well as exchanges between the countries’ scientists and experts, it prioritized environmental conservation and the monitoring of human impact and pollution on Antarctica.

Earlier in February, a Turkish team traveled to Antarctica as part of a research expedition and spent 30 days in the frozen continent.

Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkey-belarus-sign-antarctic-cooperation-agreement/1459643

Camara Base (WAP ARG-16), 66th Anniversary

On: By: Gianni Varetto

One of the 7 temporary Argentinean bases in Antarctica, has recently celebrated its 66th Anniversary. Located between Carlini Base (WAP ARG-20) and Base Decepción (WAP ARG-12), Camara Base  is open in summer to carry out specific scientific studies such as: meteorological observations, oceanography, coastal geology, bird studies and environmental management.

Camara Base (WAP ARG-16)  was named after Frigate Lieutenant Naval Aviator Juan Ramón Cámara.

As of 2014, Cámara was one of 13 Research Bases in Antarctica operated by Argentina. From 1953 to 1988 it served as a permanent base; since then it is open during the summer season only.

Although the average temperature is -2.9 °C, on August 12, 1954 an absolute minimum of -30ºC was recorded.

Georg Forster Station , WAP DEU-Ø1

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Since 1959, guest scientists from East Germany had stayed for wintering and worked in the field at several Russian Antarctic Stations,  likewise scientists from West Germany joined US expeditions.

In 1974 the Antarctic Treaty was signed by East Germany, which reached Consultative Status in 1987. The first permanently operated DDR Research Base,  named Georg Forster Station,  (WAP DEU-Ø1) was established in 1976 in the Schirmacher Oasis at 70°46’ South, 11°41’ East.

On 22 March, 1988, a 35p stamp to commemorate the 12th anniversary of its founding,  was issued by East Germany depicting the Research Station, some distant hills and the Southern Ocean. Below on the stamp, is the inscription Antarktisforschungsstation der DDR “Georg-Forster”. 

At that time the concept using pre-fabricated container modules for laboratories, power plant and accommodation was pioneering. Altogether eight container modules were carried on sledges from the unloading site at the ice edge of the Lazarev Ice Shelf, over a distance of 120 km into the Schirmacher Oasis and assembled to a Research Base within only six weeks. Since then, the Station was permanently used and operated as an annex to the Russian station Novolazarevskaya until 1987.

Following the German reunification on 3 october 1990, the East German Antarctic Program was absorbed into that of German Federal Republic which maintains the name of the Base as  Georg Forster Station  WAP DEU-Ø3, until 1993 and then dismantled in the frame of a German-Russian project, which was completed in 1996.

Long-term studies of magnetospheric-ionospheric processes, geophysical investigations, biological studies and sea-ice observations using satellite imaging were performed. One module close to the antenna mast accommodated the radio transmitting system for ionospheric studies.

Last time CO2 levels were this high, there were trees at the South Pole

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Pliocene beech fossils in Antarctica, when CO2 was at similar level to today point to planet’s future.
Trees growing near the South Pole, sea levels 20 metres higher than now, and global temperatures 3C-4C warmer. That is the world scientists are uncovering as they look back in time to when the planet last had as much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as it does today.

Using sedimentary records and plant fossils, researchers have found that temperatures near the South Pole were about 20C higher than now in the Pliocene epoch, from 5.3m to 2.6m years ago.

Leaves of the extinct southern beech (Nothofagus beardmorensi) have been  found at Oliver Bluffs, in the Transantarctic mountains, Antarctica.

Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/apr/03/south-pole-tree-fossils-indicate-impact-of-climate-change 

RI1ANL & RI1ANW, Novolazarevskaya Station

On: By: Gianni Varetto

We must applaud the Russian Antarctic operators and their QSL managers for the punctuality with which they deliver our QSLs.

This time we have to thank RN1ON Alexei V. Kuz’menko (pic on top) for RI1ANW and RI1ANL QSL cards received very fast!

Alexey is QSL manager for several stations operating from Antarctica and he has been in Antarctica several times as well.

Check his page on QRZ.com to get the list of the Russian stations he is manager for.

Alexey is asking QSL direct o via bureau  and says: All QSL`s received direct (with SASE = SAE + 2USD or 1 NEW IRC) will send direct also. QSL received Direct without SASE will send buro.

RI1ANL and  RI1ANW (QSLs shown below) are both transmitting from  Novolazarevskaya Station, Shirmacher Oasis, Dronning Maud land, Antarctica and that’s WAP RUS-Ø9

TNX RN1ON

SANAP Summer Base, WAP ZAF-11

On: By: Gianni Varetto

Matthias, DH5CW, and Felix, DL5XL, have been  active from the South Africa SANAP Summer Base, WAP ZAF-11 (also known as Neumayer Emergency Base), Grid Locator IB59UJ, from January 8 to 9, 2019 as DPØGVN/p. They left the German Neumayer III Station and in few hours trip,  they reached the site from where, they have been active for 2 days.

For those who did work DPØGVN/p from this rare Station  in Antarctica, a brand new QSL card will be available shortly through DL5EBE Dominik, the QSL manager.. Front side of the card is shown here,  thanks to Felix DL5XL & Dominik DL5EBE

 

Talking about  this  Neumayer Emergency Base or  SANAP Summer Base is something not too easy as there is not much literature available due to the changes over the years  of both the South Africa SANAE Bases and the German Neumayer Stations.

Both Countries had to decommission their Bases more than once, due to the instability; several stations have been built to replace older stations that had to be abandoned due to snow drift.

Just for example, the first E-Base was constructed and commissioned in January 1985 as a refuge in cases of emergency for the SANAE 3 (now decommissioned) over wintering station; She was located at 70° 17’ 80” South,  02° 25’ 56” West on the Fimbulisen ice shelf approximately eleven kilometers inland from the Penguin Bukta. During the summer periods, E-Base was actively used as accommodation for relief voyage and logistical personnel.

Actually, E-Base (SANAP Summer Base) is located at 70° 30’ South, 08° 15’ West  on the  route between SANAE IV (70°40’79” South, 08°16’15” West)  and Neumayer III Station (70°40’25” South, 02°49’44” West) and is a South Africa logistical platform, resulting by a joint venture between the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) and the German Alfred Wegner Institute (AWI).

ANTARCTIC QRP TROPHY

On: By: Gianni Varetto

DX TROPHY AWARDS GROUP  issues a Trophy called  “ANTARCTIC QRP TROPHY” which is given for QSO’s with  Antarctica for QRP  QSO report marked on QSL.

This is the last one of the three Russian Awards recently issued by DX TROPHY AWARDS GROUP (the other two have been already shown in the previous pages of this website)

“ANTARCTIC QRP TROPHY” is issued 4 Award’s Classes:

Bronze, 10 QSOs
Silver, 15 QSOs
Gold,  20 QSOs
Honor Roll  for more 30 QSOs

Any Antarctic Bases or Stations are valid. Plaques will be issued for CW, SSB or MIX. Confirmation: scans of QSL cards or screenshots LOTW/Club Log.(your CALL/QRP marked on each QSL is needed for cfm)

Plaque made on a glossy silver, size 250 x 200 mm.

Plaque cost: $ 53 or 48 EURO. (Payment via PAYPAL)

The application in a free form and questions can be sent to: mydxtrophy@gmail.com

Other Trophies issued by the same Dx Trophy Awards Group  can be seen at:  https://mydxtrophy.wixsite.com/fjl-dx

Tierra del Fuego by DL2OE

On: By: Gianni Varetto

MiKe Luedemann, DL2OE (pic aside),  has been in the Argentinean & Chilean sides of Tierra del Fuego (Sub Antarctica) where he has been active for quite a while, in CW and SSB.

 

Mike did sign LU/DL2OE from 27 March through April 4th operating from the city of Tolhuin about 100 km north of Ushuaia (Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego) WAP ARG-23.

From April 4 to 7 he was on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego and he operates  as CE8/DL2OE from Karukinka Park, the southernmost National Park in Chile (locator FD55PU), WAP CHL-13.

 

DL2OE is actually ongoing his journey across South American, visiting few different Countries as planned. We are grateful to Mike for 2 WAP references from the Sub Antarctic southern tip of South America,

QSL Direct or via bureau to DL2OE

“Oratory” of the Chapel at Marambio Base

On: By: Gianni Varetto

April 16th, marks the anniversary of the blessing and inauguration of the oratory of the Chapel at  Base Marambio.

On April 16, 1996, a solemn ceremony was held at Marambio Base (WAP ARG-21), where the Military Bishop of the Argentine Republic at the Solemn Pontifical, proceeded to bless and inaugurate the Oratory of the Base, place under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin of Luján .

In this chapel on October 23, 2014, a wooden chest with a glass lid was discovered, containing a rosary and the skullcap that Pope Francis used, along with a parchment framed with the blessing of the Holy Father to the Antarctic, all this brought from the Vatican, when the President of the Marambio Foundation had an audience with His Holiness in the month of May 2014; act performed at Marambio Base, which is recorded in a document signed by the authorities present.

More information, copy of the minutes and photographs at: www.marambio.aq/oratoriomarambio.html

Penguins were a lonely explorer’s Best Friends

On: By: Gianni Varetto

When the ice closed in, the earliest Antarctic expeditions turned to the birds for discovery, meat, and camaraderie.
In the middle of the Southern Ocean, time is measured in latitude and longitude, wave height and wind speed and the proximity of an iceberg. Ice is the language of ocean and land in the waters around Antarctica, and it is on the floating platforms of ice, those liminal places between land and ocean, that emperor penguins gather every year to mate and, if conditions are right, to lovingly raise their chicks.
The largest and heaviest species in the penguin family, the emperor was given its scientific name, Aptenodytes forsteri, in honor of Johann Reinhold Forster, the naturalist on board James Cook’s second voyage to the Southern Ocean. (Aptenodytes means “featherless diver.”) Forster was likely the first person to see the bird, although he mistakenly identified it as a king penguin, the emperor’s closest relative.
More at:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/04/penguins-southern-ocean-explorers-best-friend/586189/

A quick tour among the Huts at Macquarie Island

On: By: Gianni Varetto

A nice and instructive movie on Macquarie island in which appears Kevin VKØKEV from 13mns 00s to 13mns 45s, will lead the Antarctic Chasers through this fascinating Sub Antarctic island, full of history and Research sites.

Out of those already known, there are other four Huts that merit a stop by.

Hurd Point Hut (54° 46.3′ South, 158° 49.6′ East)  is the most remote of all the field huts on Macquarie Island. It is located approximately 32 km south of Macquarie Island station and comfortably sleeps four people. The trek to Hurd Point is generally completed over two days, with an overnight stop at Green Gorge or Waterfall Bay.

The site was originally part of an auroral observatory complex established in 1953 in order to carry out simultaneous observations in conjunction with the station.

Today the hut is mainly used as a base for research in the southern sector of the island and serves as an important base for albatross researchers during summer.

 

Green Gorge Hut (54° 37.9′ South,  158° 53.9′ East) is located on the east coast approximately 15 km south of Macquarie Island station, roughly halfway down the island. It consists of a comfortable Canadian log cabin built to accommodate five to six people, a food store and storage shed. It is a favorite field hut for many expeditioners.

Green Gorge Hut is very popular as a place to enjoy an overnight break on a journey from one end of the island to the other. The Hut is readily accessible from the overland track or via inflatable rubber boat.

 

Bauer Bay Hut (54° 33.3′ South, 158° 52.6′ East) is located on the rugged west coast of Macquarie Island approximately seven km southwest from Macquarie Island station. The hut is easily accessible and is the only hut located on the exposed windswept rugged west coast.

The hut accommodates four to five people and is popular with expeditioners travelling down the island or as a weekend retreat for station-based personnel. The hut is well placed to provide a stepping off point for trips to the north or south of along coastal walking routes.

The Hut is accessed via the Island Lake track, or via the Bauer Bay track that links up with the overland track. It can also be accessed by the featherbed track along the north-west coast. The Featherbed and coast to the north of the hut is designated category one Special Management Area and is generally open for to access from June to July. The featherbed south of the hut is designated category two Special Management Area and is generally open to access from April to August.

 

Caroline Cove Hut –54° 45.8′ South, 158° 47.5′ East- (Last pic to the Left) is located at the foot of Mt.Haswell, in the spectacular Caroline Cove area ; this is within a Specially Managed Area (SMA) with access year-round limited to people approved through a TASPWS access permit.

These 4 Huts have never been activated by Hams, therefore they remain WAP AUS-NEW