T
he new Vostok as seen at the end of the 2023-24 austral summer. The sign НОВАТЭК on the front of one of the modules is for the Russian contractor Novatek which has been constructing the station.
The installation and interior finishing of the first 3 modules was completed in the 2023 winter, and in the 2023-24 summer the module systems were tested, including a “test winter.” During the 2024 winter 30 folks worked on the station, with the plans being for dedication and occupancy of the new station in January 2025.
The new building at Vostok Station (WAP RUS-13) includes five modules with a total area of about 2000 m2 . The length of the building being constructed is 140 m, the maximum height is 17.5 m. The modules are installed on 36 three-meter supports, which will allow the station to remain free of snow for many years. The building includes scientific laboratories, residential and public spaces for polar explorers, energy centers and technical units for a water treatment and storage system, as well as a garage. The station has a modern medical unit with an operating room, a pressure chamber, a dental and X-ray room, a wardroom with billiards and a cinema room, a gym and a sauna. New building will be able to provide a comfortable stay and research activities for 35 seasonal specialists and up to 15 people during the wintering period.
In addition to 25 builders, 5 specialists from the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” will be involved in the test wintering. Also, from February to December 2024, a group of winter workers consisting of 30 people plans to carry out work on the installation of internal engineering systems and finishing of the premises of the completed blocks. From January 2025, full commissioning of the Vostok new building is planned
Much of the above information was provided by the Russian delegation to the September 2024 46th Antarctic Treaty meeting held in Kochi, India.
Click here for more information and photos about the New Vostok Station (WAP RUS-13)
The first hike, which set off a week ago from the coast of Antarctica to the center of the icy continent, reached the Vostok station.
At the same time, two new sledge-tracked hikes were launched along the Progress – Vostok – Progress route.
The task of the first one is to deliver 85 tons of fuel to the 1100 km sub-base located along the route of the transport. The second one will transport 175 tons of cargo to the East, including fuel, equipment for equipping a new wintering complex and a replacement team of polar explorers.
No Ham radio operations are planned during the convoy traverse.
TNX Oleg UA6GG @ DX Design & Polar Trophy
HI Folks,
LT Danilo Collino IZ1KHY/IAØ should be shotly active (SSB) from Little Dome C- Beyond Epica camp (
SWAIS2C, acronym for “
West Antarctica is largely covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, but there have been signs that climate change is having some effect and that this ice sheet may have started to shrink slightly. Over the past 50 years, the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula has been – and still is – one of the most rapidly warming parts of the planet. and the coasts of the Peninsula are the only parts of West Antarctica that become (in summer) ice-free. 
SWAIS2C drill sites are: 
Crary Ice Rise Site 1 or 
What do the researchers study in the most remote scientific corner of Ukraine, at the Antarctic Station “Academic Vernadsky” 
The Italians did participate in the first Antarctic missions mostly as members of expeditions and/or with the support of other Countries.
Lieutenant Franco Faggioni carried out seismic measurements at Scott Base during the International Geophysical Year of 1957. (
It was the austral summer of 1975-76 when Renato Cepparo, entrepreneur from Milan, conceived and organized a completely self-sufficient private expedition with the aim of carrying out scientific measurements and building a permanent refuge; fifteen men on board a 900-ton Norwegian ship headed for King George Island (Antarctic Peninsula) and the base, named after Giacomo Bove (
Pierre Dayné
In 1903, learning that the Nordenskjold expedition was lost in Antarctic waters, Charcot decided to rush to its rescue with the “Francais”, a 32 meter long, 3 masted ship. Its crew was made up of French scientists and sailors with the sole exception of an alpine guide from the Aosta Valley: Pierre Dayné. The ship, having left France on April 31, 1903, docked in Brazil and then reached the mouth of the Rio de la Plata where it underwent repairs from damage suffered during the crossing. Here Charcot learned that the purpose of his voyage was no longer valid since in the meantime, the Nordenskjold expedition had been saved. Charcot nevertheless continued southwards, towards the Strait of Gerlache around which his expedition would take place.
In Dayné’s Alpine Guide booklet we find very interesting attestations issued by Charcot at the end of the 1903-1905 expedition. “The guide Pierre Dayné was part of the French Antarctic expedition that I commanded. I was very satisfied with him from all points of view. Extremely courageous and equipped with exceptional physical strength, he rendered great services on several occasions due to his habit of long marches and glaciers. In particular, 2 beautiful ascents completed in adverse conditions on Wandel Island and Wiencke Island are to be highlighted. We have christened the latter with the name of “Pique Louis de Savoie”. I am very happy to issue him with this certificate. Done in Paris on 18/7/1905
And about the climb to Louisi Peak made by Dayné with the naturalist Jabel, Charcot wrote in his logbook: “Finally the two of them reach us exhausted by fatigue because they have been marching for over 22 hours. Pierre says that it was one of the hardest and most dangerous climbs he has ever made. We congratulate them and I decide to give this 1500 m high peak the name of the Duke of the Abruzzi to please Pierre Dayné and to pay homage to the great royal explorer.”
first made VP8ADE out of (in 1978 approximately). It has a new keyer based on a PIC to replace the original G8AGN diode matrix keyer which broke down.
antenna used for HF SSB comms with aircraft and sledge parties can also be seen as well as are marine & aeronautical VHF and an Iridium satellite antenna on the tower.