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* Bulletin nr.309 (23 October 2025) *
* *
* W.A.P. Worldwide Antarctic Program *
* Antarctic, Sub-Antarctic and Peri-Antarctic News *
* SINCE 1979 *
* *
* Bases, Activities and Informations for *
* Amateur Radio Stations and Antarctic Enthusiasts *
* *
* WAP Antarctic Bulletin is a free of charge information sheet *
* edited by Max IK1GPG, Gianni I1HYW and Betty IK1QFM *
* *
* WEB Page : http://www.waponline.it/ *
* *
* Others Antarctic WEB Pages with our WAP Bulletin *
* http://f5nod.chez-alice.fr/antarctica.html *
* *
* Antarctica Mailing List *
* http://groups.yahoo.com/group/antarctica_list/ *
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* W.A.P. Special Edition *
* 22 issues are available at WAP web site !! *
* We are waiting volounteers to continue the Monthly Issues pubblication *
* Those interested to do this work for free, PSE contact IK1GPG or I1HYW *
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* W.A.P. - W.A.D.A. (Worked Antarctic Directory Award) *
* Antarctic, Sub-Antarctic and Peri-Antarctic Directory *
* (24th Edition - Release 1.46 - 10 July, 2025) *
* List of more than 1.018 Bases, Camp, Hut, Refuge and Station used in *
* Antarctica since 1945. *
* *
* W.A.P. - W.A.C.A. (Worked Antarctic Callsigns Award) *
* Antarctic, Sub-Antarctic and Peri-Antarctic Directory *
* (24th Edition - Release 1.46 - 10 July, 2025) *
* List of more than 4.404 Callsigns used in Antarctica since 1945. *
* *
* Updated DataBase for Software WAP by IK6CAC #49 (July 2025) *
* Updated Software WAP by IK6CAC Version 2.8 (20 December 2021) *
* http://www.ik6cac.com/en_WAPprg.asp *
* *
* Result of 45 years of Antarctic passion! *
* Information, reports, suggestions and/or comments could be sent to: *
* E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] *
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* For this number we thank: All of WAP Chasers *
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* Antarctic Net: 23.00z random on Saturdays 7.078MHz by LU4DXU *
* Also check 14.160, 14.188, 14.203, 14.243 MHz from 17:00z and ahead *
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LU-X Various (ARG-23) - Tierra del Fuego Province
Several stations are frequently on the bands from Ushuaia.
Latest Stations spotted in the Web Cluster:
LU1XP, LU1XPR, LU1XU, LU1XZ, LU2XG, LU6XQB, LU7XZ, LU8XW.
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CE8-Various (CHL-13) - Magallanes and Antartica Chilena Province
Several stations are frequently on the bands.
Latest Stations spotted in the Web Cluster:
CE8EIO, CE8MGZ, CE8PVT, CE8RPA, CE8SIW, CE8TDO, CE8WCI.
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DP0GVN (DEU-08)- Neumayer III Station
Alex DL2ALY is already very active.
Manager: DL5EBE
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VP8AWU (GBR-25) - Stanley (East Falkland Island)
Operator Neil is always very active all bands.
Manager: K4MZU
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VP8LP (GBR-25) - Stanley (East Falkland Island)
Operator Bob is always very active all bands.
Manager: QRZ.com
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VP8ON (GBR-25) - Keppel Island
Operator Donald is always active.
Manager: QRZ.com
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VP8NO
(GBR-25) - Stanley (East Falkland Island)
Operator Michael is always active.
Manager: QRZ.com
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VP8VK (GBR-25) - Saunders Island
XYL operator Suzan is active now.
Manager: GM3ITN
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AT44I (IND-04) - Bharati Base
Denney, VU2DGR is part of the scientific team (Polar Ocean Research) within
the 44th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (44-ISEA) which will be
based at Bharati Station.
Manager: VU2DGR
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8J1RL (JPN-03) - Syowa Station (NIPR)
Operators are member of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition team
(JARE).
Manager: QRZ.com
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RI1ANI (RUS-11) - Progress Station
Looks like this is a brand new callsign given to Alex UG1A for his next
Antarctic campaign 2025-2026 which should start next beginning of November
at Progress Base.
It seems there will be a possibility to activate Ridge B (WAP RUS-NEW)
See: https://www.waponline.it/knowing-the-antarctic-domes/
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IV3CCT/MM, R/V OGS Laura Bassi, first time ON AIR
500 QSOs and 45 Countries worked! Great success for the first activation of
the Italian R/V OGS Laura Bassi!
On Friday, September 26, ARI Grado OdV did activate the Research Vessel
Laura Bassi, the Italian icebreaker moored in Trieste (locator JN65VP),
together with the Adri-Antartica Cultural Association, thanks to the
collaboration of the OGS, which kindly granted permission. A team of five
radio amateurs took turns connecting 45 Countries, totaling 500 QSOs.
The idea of activating the R/V Icebreaker OGS Laura Bassi, launched by the
Worldwide Antarctic Program (W.A.P.) to Adri-Antartica President Julius
Fabbri IV3CCT, was proposed to the OGS, which granted authorization. For
the “First time On Air” activity, the call sign IV3CCT/MM has been used.
As soon as the Ham Team boarded on the Ship, an officer explained the
ship's characteristics, including a tour of the lifeboats and a description
of the equipment used to stabilize the vessel during core drilling. The
icebreaker also serves as a container carrier for logistics at the MZS (WAP
ITA-Ø1) and Concordia (WAP MNB-Ø3) Stations. The aspect that most impressed
the Radio Amateurs, were the three HF radios the ship is equipped with, and
their three vertical antennas. On board are 2 Sailor 6301 MF/HF transceivers
and another JRC model WRC-12 NCM2150 emergency radio, also in MF and HF, all
with telephone receivers. The activation was performed with a single station,
a verticalantenna positioned at the bow and identical to the one already
present on the ship. The bands used were 15, 17, 20, 40 meters SSB, CW, FT4.
QSL for the operation on board of the icebreaker have to be requested only
direct to I1HYW, while e-QSLs will be handled by ARI-Grado IQ3AZ. Correct
information are reported on QRZ.com
Thanks to: WAP www.waponline.it, to Prof, Nicola Casagli (OGS President),
the Ship's Scientific Director, Dr. Franco Coren; Project Manager, Dr.
Roberto Romeo Project Manager; Capt. Vincenzo Caso, and all the radio
amateurs who contributed to the splendid success of the activity.
President of OGS Nicola Casagli sent IV3CCT Julius Fabbri the following msg:
Dear Dr. Fabbri, Thank you for your message and, above all, for the excellent
outcome of the first radio activation of the Laura Bassi R/V on Friday,
September 26th. On behalf of the OGS, I would like to express our gratitude
to you, the ARI of Grado, and the W.A.P. for your collaboration and enthusiasm.
We look forward receiving and sharing your report as soon as the final article
is published.
We remain available for any further initiatives that can strengthen this
positive bond with the amateur radio community.
Regards, Nicola Casagli
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FT4YM – Antarctic Season 2025/26
We got a chat with David, F4FKT/FT4YM, who is getting ready to his new
Antarctic adventure. David was on the way home, coming back from a fire
station call. Even if it was late, we had a chance to know that his medical
visits was perfectly in order and he is ready to depart October 20th for
his long journey to Antarctica.
From November 2025 to February 2026, David will be on air again from Dumont
d’Urville Station (WAP FRA-01), Concordia Station (WAP MNB-03), Little Dome
C (WAP MNB-15).
David said: «Thanks again for WAP site, an infallible source of information!
I'm waiting for confirmation, but maybe a couple of new one WAP references
could be on air...to be continued».
On the mean time David say appreciation to Mehdi F5PFP for the appeal
launched among the OMs for a donation that will allow the construction of a
lightweight amplifier to reduce the weight of the luggage to be carried in
Antarctica.
Looks like the works on this new RF amplifier, seems to proceeding well.
David sent also a link posted on Youtube there is an interesting interview
(in French)made by Dimitri F4FLH where he welcomed F4FKT, about his career,
his mobile and cell phone traffic struggles a radio amateur stationed at
Dumont d'Urville, Cabane Marret, Concordia Station in Antarctica and how he
keeps his passion for radio alive, even at the ends of the earth.
TNX David F4FKT/FT4YM
Note: If other Hams wish to send some help to contribute to the realization
of the new lightweight amplifier for David’s 2025-2026 Antarctic season
activities, can contact Mehdi F5PFP and arrange with him the donation
sending procedure.
After having successfully passed the medical checks, David F4FKT did left
for Antarctica where he should be QRV from November 2025 to February 2026
as follows:
FT4YM/P – Base Concordia (WAP MNB-03 )
FT4YM/P – Little Dome C (WAP MNB-15)
FT4YM – Base Dumont d’Urville (WAP FRA-01)
FT4YM – Lion island Depot –Airfield (WAP FRA-NEW).
See: https://www.waponline.it/lion-airfield-antarctica-wap-fra-new/
VK0/FT4YM/P – Dome C North-DCN (WAP AUS-NEW) the Camp was visited last year
by Danilo IZ1KHY who has been guest at the Aussie Team.
See: https://www.waponline.it/myic-dcn-dome-c-north-wap-aus-new/
FT4YM/Mobile – IPEV-PNRA Logistics Convoy
This is just the scheduled spots, of course the activities could be
subjected to change. Best to stay tuned!
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ZS7ANF
Oleg Sakharov ZS1ANF is moving to Antarctica again for a new season. There
is a plan to activate some new site ... yes, there is a chance. QRX for the
coming msgs from Oleg to whom we all wish GL and TNX.
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WAP QSL Gallery
WAP Antarctic QSL gallery has gone!
It was hosted on a server that have quit its archive system so we have
practically lost the whole job! I1HYW have all the cards in his computer,
but really he doesn't know how and where load all of them in a safe and
cheap site.
Bob, K4MZU suggetes us to go through Greg Cogar VK2GJC, the owner of a
company in Australia. Greg, said that there are many free plugins we could
use for an image library: https://en-au.wordpress.org/plugins/.
We would need to install and configure the plugin and learn how to use it to
achieve.
This is a job that probably we will carry on in the winter time, but for now
we thanks immensely Bob K4MZU and Greg Cogar VK2GJK for their friendship and
help.
In the mean time, thanks very much to all those Hams who are sending scan
copies of their cards, or scan copies of old cards from their friends.
K4MZU Antarcic QSL Gallery & web site at: http://www.k4mzu.net
K6EID Antarctic QSL Gallery & web site at : http://www.k6eid.com
http://www.qsl.net/k6eid/DXCC-Antarctica.htm
RRC Antarctic QSL Gallery: http://www.rdxc.org/RRC/QSL/list_e.asp?ID=1
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Looking Ahead
WE9G/KC4
Look out for Rikk, WE9G to be active from Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica as
WE9G/KC4 in early February 2026.
VP8SG
Optimistic plans are going on: Looks like a DX-pedition to South Georgia
island should take place in March 2027
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Don't forget to check daily information on Antarctic News at both W.A.P.
website at: www.waponline.it
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73s de John I1HYW, Max IK1GPG and Betty IK1QFM
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