Mese: Ottobre 2020

In a message just received, Lee Sang-hoon says that after 15 days of self-isolation, he will ride I/B Araon tomorrow.

Lee wrote: Fortunately, I got a chance to be back to King Sejong Station.  It is last day for self-quarantine today, I will be on ARAON the Korean Icebreaker.

We will leave here on 31 oct 2020 and drop by Jangbogo station (WAP KOR-Ø2) for a while  and then King Sejong station (WAP KOR-Ø1).
I will be at King Sejong station  around  January 15^th 2021. I’ll keep in touch.

TNX Lee Sang-hon DS4NMJ
Lee, return for the 6^th time in Antarctica … our congrats!  Take care Lee, we’ll be looking for you though!

King Sejong Station,
62° 13’ 22” South, 58° 47’ 18” West,   is located on the coast of Maxwell Bay, surrounded by King George Island and Nelson Island in the South Shetland Islands, parallel to
the Antarctic Peninsula of West Antarctica.

The King Sejong Station (WAP KOR-Ø1) was inaugurated in February 1988 as year-round station. Overwinter party, consisting of around 17 crew members, is on duty for the operation and maintenance of station.

In the Austral summer season, approximately 100 international researchers visit the station to conduct various scientific research activities.

Thanks and credit: https://eng.kopri.re.kr/eng/html/infra/02010101.html where you can get lots more

Become familiar with philatelic terms is not an hard task.  WAP is proposing some of the most common definitions to help the novices, in particular those who enjoy Antarctic philately.

Cachet: A commemorative marking, illustration or description on an envelope which explains the commemorative purpose when it was mailed and is usually applied by a rubber stamp.

In particular, the ones from Antarctica are tracking the story of the scientific expedition in the Icy continent

Cancellation: An authorized mark applied to a stamp to prevent its reuse by defacing it surface

Cover: Philatelic cover is an envelope prepared with a stamp(s) and address and sent through the mail delivery system for the purpose of creating a collectible item. Stamp collectors began to send mail to each other and to themselves early on, and philatelic mail is known from the late 19th century onward. The Antarctic philatelic covers are the most wanted ones among collectors.

Ship Cover: In philately, a “ship cover” is a cover that was mailed aboard a ship, while a “naval cover” is one posted on a Navy vessel. Shipboard postal facilities are ubiquitous on ships of any size, although the “Post Office” may consist only of an alcove and a sailor working it part-time.

Postmark: Any markings on a postal item, such as a cancellation, which records the date and/or origin of its connection with the postal service and its transit through the mail system

Paquebot, what does it means?
Ship covers usually carry a Paquebot postmark and/or a postmark unique to the vessel. Collectors of ship covers will look for different types used at different periods, as well as for covers indicating routing through particular ports, and so forth.

Beginners may have noticed, some cover with a handstamp of “PAQUEBOT” . For those who don’t know what it means, here is a brief explanation: «The word in French, translates literally to “ship”. A letter, a postcard on an envelope  that has that postmark PAQUEBOT handstamped on it, means that it has been posted at sea».

Read more at:https://www.warwickandwarwick.com/news/guides/philatelic-terms

Recently I have received a big folder full of Antarctic envelopes, sent by a well known Antarctic veteran, DL8JDX Volker (ex Y24LN, Y88POL). My collection of Antarctic philatelic matters has increased a lot, but thanks to Volker we’ve been happy to use some of these envelopes to explain a few items.

TNX DL8JDX

Korea’s Antarctic Scientific Base King Se-Jong (WAP KOR-Ø1).  on King George Island,  South Shetlands 62°13′ 26″ South, 58°47′ 27″ West

After almost 3 years  from his previous  stay,  Sang Hoon Lee, DS4NMJ is going to return at KSJ Base, as part of the next Korean scientific Team. Call sign will be again DT8A. Lee,  hopes to be active from late December to the  beginning of  January 2021.  QRV on FT8, CW & SSB, 100w.

QSL via DS5TOS (DIRECT with  SASE + 2-3$ )

Halley VI (a) WAP GBR-40

Seba SQ1SGB will sail to Halley VI(a) Base next December. He hopes to be active for 5 weeks, starting beginning of January 2021.

Callsign SQ1SGB/VP8  if that VP8 will not be allowed due to the new strange rules of the Falklands authorities, Seba will use in alternative SQ1SGB/A or maybe /ANT or /P. WAP did ask him to  check if some others Huts or Refuges have been set nearby  Halley in the last 10 years. Perhaps there could be some  not yet listed into the WAP-WADA Directory. We know that there are 2 potential new entries:

Bob-Pi hut was erected in the hinge zone on 6 November 1962. It was used as a depot and staging post for journeys into Coats Land as well as for recreational purposes.

Coats Station, established in Coats Land, at Lat. 77° 54′ S, Long. 24° 08′ W, 200 miles south of Halley Station on 30 November 1964. It was positioned to allow the triangulation of ionospheric measurements to be taken in conjunction with Halley Station and the Argentine General Belgrano Station. It was manned until 18 March 1965 when it was removed (?)

If ruins may exist,  that will be a place valid for WAP.

TNX Gabry IK1NEG

For a year the German icebreaker  “Polarstern” was on a MOSAiC expedition in the Arctic to study the effects of climate change. In the early morning of October 12th,  R/V Polarstern of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research is finally back in its home port of Bremerhaven.

This ends the most extensive expedition in the history of North polar research.
Andreas, DL3LRM, did arrive on board for the last leg of the MOSAiC expedition. He  was occasionally active onboard under the callsign DPØPOL/MM. The greatest chance of contact with the international expedition and it was really a great deal of pleasure to work DPØPOL/MM  on CW when operatedHF by from the ship. QSL Via DL5EBE.

TNX DL5XL Felix, DL1AX Harald and DL8JDX Volker

https://www.funkamateur.de/nachrichtendetails/items/MOSAiC-Ende.html

Research vessel Polarstern (IMO 8013132 , MMSI 211202460, Type Ice breaker), was first commissioned in 1982. Since then, the ship has completed almost 270 expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. Specially designed for working in polar seas, Polarstern is currently one of the most sophisticated polar research and supply vessels in the world.

Read more at: https://www.research-in-germany.org/en/research-landscape/research-organisations/research-infrastructures/research-vessel-polarstern.html

 

The Hut, 68°28’18”South,  78°11’16”East, is temporarily moved to the sea ice near the Plough Island skiway for up to 2 months in summer, then returned back to Ace lake.

This refuge (pic below to the Right) consists of 1 Apple type Hut, and provides accommodation for 2 people. The hut is equipped with food, fuel and cooking facilities and has a list of instructions peculiar to the hut’s fittings and contents. A radio is available at this location. Ace Lake Refuge Hut (WAP AUS-NEW) is located near the north-western extremity of Long Fjord, 0.5 hours by quad from Davis Base (WAP AUS-Ø3). Under normal conditions, no point in the Vestfold Hills is further than 3 hours travel by vehicle from a refuge or the station. The refuge was established in summer 2004/05 to support research projects at Ace Lake.

Tech features: Apple huts,  such as the one at Ace lake, are constructed from eight basic curved wall sections and four floor panels, with an access door and clear windowpanes. The market approach of this product is to offer a ‘rigid tent’ rather than a sophisticated accommodation module. The hut are fitted with a circular ventilation/escape hatch at the apex of the dome.

The fibreglass fabrication is designed to allow erection in the field with minimal logistical requirements for deployment, limited cold-paths for improved thermal performance, including 6mm thick fire retardant polyurethane spray foam insulation.
Apple huts have been used by the AAD since the mid-1980s.

For the above pics of Ace Lake Refuge Hut, thanks and credit to AAD (Australian Antarctic Division)

The Browning Peninsula Refuge (66°28’10” South, 110°33’00” East) is 21 km due south of Casey Station (WAP AUS-Ø2).

The 60 km inland route for all vehicles is hard. Vehicles may become bogged or stuck; deadmen, planks and winches must be carried. Browning Peninsula may be accessible across the sea ice from Robinson’s Ridge during winter, and depends upon prior measurement of the ice thickness.

Browning is the furthest of the huts around Casey Station at about 60 km from station by GPS route. The area around Browning is spectacular with lots of hills, rocks and lakes. The Hut can sleep 6 people.

Browning Refuge is a custom-built sled-mounted hut made from AANBUS panel and accommodates 4 people, equipped with a radio, food, fuel, cooking facilities and comprehensive first aid  kit and has a list of instructions peculiar to its fittings and contents.. The Refuge is used in summer to support field personnel, and for recreation.

Who knows if someday a willing Ham could set in and operate HF from there?

Thanks and credit: AAD (Australian Antarctic Division) and https://eies.ats.aq/Ats.IE/ieGenRpt.aspx?idParty=2&period=1&idYear=2019

Australia’s Aurora Australis is going to be gifted to Argentina to work on their Antarctic program, and will be sailed  to South America by an Australian crew before the end of this year.

In November the ship will be brought from Australia by sailors from that country,  to Ushuaia, where Argentine personnel will embark. Then both teams will sail  to Buenos Aires, where the transfer ceremony will take place.

An article by Adrian Luciani reported on Argenports.com ,   Adrian says that  before the end of the year 2020, quite possibly next November, Argentina will add another icebreaker ship to accompany its  “Admiral Irízar” in the Antarctic campaigns. The Argentine  I/B Irizar,  was launched in 1977, although she was out of service for 10 years for maintenance works after a fire onboard  (2007/2017), she’s actually back in employ.

“Aurora Australis”, is a used unit that was deactivated by Australia and that will be transferred free of charge to the Argentine Navy.

The Australian “Aurora Australis” is a 30 years old vessel that until recently, was in e service of the Australian Antarctic Program and is now being replaced by the “I/B Nuyina”.

Read more at: http://argenports.com/…/argentina-suma-al-rompehielos…

A new earthquake of significant magnitude occurred on Monday afternoon (oct. 5, 2020) in Argentina’s Antarctica, reported the National Institute for Seismic Prevention (INPRES) based in San Juan.

It was reported at 16:01 local time (19:01 GMT) with its epicenter near Base Carlini  5.2 degrees on the Richter scale at a depth of 7 and 11 kilometers. At the moment, there are no reports of damages or people affected.

Scientific Base Carlini (WAP ARG-2Ø) lies 1019 kilometers southeast of Ushuaia TdF (WAP ARG-23)

Source:  https://www.infofueguina.com/tu-ciudad/2020/10/5/sismo-en-la-antartida-de-52-grados-de-magnitud-51156.html?fbclid=IwAR0Ts22NhfJodR9pUhzyqw7c6i0Jdn8bSY4AtA27oVN5Y-xrczFOiYF3HTo

Thanks to Dr. Volker Strecke DL8JDX (ex Y88POL) a well known German Antarctic veteran (pic aside), WAP is now able to retrace the history of two unknown Huts, later joined and became a Refuge.

These two forgotten Huts  and a Refuge will be inserted into WAP-WADA Directory which, day by day becomes more and more accurate.  Even if these Huts and Refuge have been dismantled and removed, it will be great to document their existence.

Lake Podprudnoye Hut, (WAP DDR-NEW) Built in 1987, this Hut  shown on the right, was a living container which was placed at that site as,  at that time it was considered to build a new Georg Forster  Station nearby. Later this plan was cancelled.
The Hut was located at  70°46′ South,  11°37′ East,  close to  Podprudnoye Lake.
(the two Pics to the Right,  show the hut on its positions on Podprudnoye.  The man  near the hut is Volker. Pictures were taken from different angles)

Lake Prilednikovoye Hut, (WAP DDR-NEW)  located at  70°46′ South,  11°36′ East , (see picture below to the Left)  was built in 1985 and remained in operation till 1988. It was located close to Prilednikovoye Lake.

A decision decision to join Lake Podprudnoye Hut with the other hut moved from Lake Prilednikovoye was taken in the Antarctic summer season 1988-1989 .

Old hut from the Lake Prilednikovoye was relocated and combined with the hut existing at the northern coast of the Lake Podprudnoye.  Both Huts together were called “Domik” (hut in Russian language) , they were set at  70°46′ South,  11°37′ East..

Both Lake Prilednikovoye Hut   and Lake Podprudnoye Hut were about 9 km west from the site of Georg Forster Station (WAP DDR-Ø1)

Picture aside shows both huts together.

Lake Podprudnoye Hut (at his second  and last setup) was though formed by both  the huts present in that area:  the one  moved from Lake Prilednikovoye  and  the Hut already  in place at Lake Podprudnoye.

This Refuge did remain on place  from 1988 through 1993 when it was dismantled

A detailed map below,  show the locations of both Lake Podprudnoye and Lake Prilednikovoye

Volker DL8JDX wrote: «These huts  were used as small support base for the scientific activities in the western part of the Schirmacher Oasis. Because this area of the Oasis could be explored only by foot,  it was good to have a shelter to work and sleep apart of the main Station».
Volker said that there were no Hamradio activities from these two huts, just VHF and HF radio traffic to the Georg Forster main station and neighboured bases even if  «I was myself working and sleeping in the “Domik” at lake Podprudnoye between 1988 and 1992 several times».

TNX Volker Strecke, DL8JDX (info@strecke.de)

Radio Club Ushuaia is  very grateful to the Hams  that have operated from September 25 to 30 in a special radio event to celebrate  60 years anniversary of the creation of   “Tierra del Fuego National Park”  together with a  tribute to the people who work every day to conserve and beautify this beloved national park Tierra del Fuego.

Tierra del Fuego National Park (Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego) is a national park on the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego, within Tierra del Fuego province (WAP ARG-23) in the ecoregion of Patagonic Forest and Altos Andes, a part of the sub antarctic forest. Established on 15 October 1960 and expanded in 1966, it was the first shoreline national park to be established in Argentina.

A special Certificate “60 Years of the foundation of  the Tierra Del Fuego National Park”  is available to Hams that made  the required contacts . To get more info send a mail to lu8xw@lu8xw.com.ar  or visit the page of Radio Club Ushuaia at:

http://www.lu8xw.com.ar/site/323-60-anos-del-parque-nacional-tierra-del-fuego