Marble Point, (WAP USA-28) 77° 26′ South, 163° 50′ East, is a rocky promontory on the coast of Victoria Land, Antarctica. The United States operates a Station at the point. The outpost is used as a helicopter refueling station, supporting scientific research in the nearby continental interior such as the McMurdo Dry Valley. Weather permitting, helicopters are able to fly in and out of the station 24 hours a day during the summer research season.
The station’s remote location and adjoining frozen sea have largely stemmed tourism in the area. However, the Russian icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov conducts cruises in the Ross Sea and McMurdo Sound. In 1993, the icebreaker docked at fast ice offshore Marble Point. Tourists aboard helicopters launched from the icebreaker, flew excursions into the McMurdo Dry Valleys.
The way station at Marble Point, is located on a narrow strip of land between Wilson Piedmont Glacier and the sea about 50 miles from McMurdo Station WAP USA-22.
United States military forces built the camp on the western shores of McMurdo Sound in 1956 in conjunction with the forthcoming 1957-58 International Geophisical Year (IGY).
Christopher M Post, N3SIG (aka WZ3Q) has been active on 2004 from Marble Point Field Camp (WAP USA-28) signing KC4/N3SIG
Chris reports: -In March of 2005 I returned from my last trip to Antarctica… I have no further dates for deployments. After spending 18 Months working at McMurdo Station I made over 5,000 contacts! My last tour to Antarctica I served as Captain of the Antarctic Fire Department at McMurdo Station. Thanks to all the hams I contacted who made my unique journey to Antarctica a Ham operator’s dream adventure!
QSL card, has to be requested direct with proper return postage to:
Christopher M Post,
447 E. Garrison Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018, USA