Full title: “From Morse Code to the Worldwide Web – the Changing Face of Antarctic Communications”. There was an excellent turnout of 20, including several former ship’s radio officers, for this very well-presented talk. Mike Gloisten GM0HCQ joined the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) in 1990 and has served on the Royal Research Ships Bransfield, Ernest Shackleton and James Clark Ross (JCR) in his time with BAS. His amateur radio preference for CW rather than SSB has been a big benefit in his job. In addition to operating and maintaining all the radio equipment his duties also include the servicing of all the onboard washing machines and other equipment! He was awarded the Polar Medal in 2004 by HM the Queen and showed it at the LRS meeting.
Mike’s presentation included photographs of various radio installations on the JCR and shore stations on the Antarctic Peninsula including Halley and Rothera Bases as well as many shots of Antarctic wildlife – whales, seals, penguins and many types of seabirds.
Mike tries to operate on the Amateur bands from the various bases as VP8SGK, VP8SIG, VP8SGB, & VP8ROT, and as GM0HCQ/MM and VP8CMH/MM when at sea. Operation as Maritime Mobile is less in demand as /MM stations do not count for awards.
After the Powerpoint show, Mike called up Rothera Base on the landline and several LRS members had the thrill of speaking to operator Tom there.
In addition to the following photographs shown during the presentation, see Mike’s website: www.gm0hcq.com
The Royal Research Ship James Clark Ross
Note the large VSAT dome mounted above the superstructure (see below).
As the ship is registered in the Falkland Islands, it is not possible to call in at Argentina for supplies!
Striking shot of the James Clark Ross in ice-flows.
In addition to the commercial gear, Mike’s amateur station consists of a Kenwood TS-480, MFJ Versatuner II and Bencher CW paddle. CW is Mike’s preferred mode. He works most of the HF bands, usually at lunchtime and evenings, depending on which band(s) are open. He has many QSOs with QRP stations. Operation from the ship is like having a giant groundplane and puts out a very good signal.
The antennas on the James Clark Ross including a 10m whip, D/F loops, compass and voyage data recorder.
There is also a large VSAT dome above (see earlier and following photos).
Inside the VSAT dome, used for satellite communication on KU Band (14 GHz). It provides a 128 kB link to Aberdeen. The 2.3m diameter dish can be seen above. VSAT stands for Very Small Aperure transmission. The dish attitude is maintained automatically to within plus/minus half a degree even in the roughest weather .
Old radio gear, after decommisioning.
New radio gear ready for installation at Mike’s VIP operating position on the bridge of the James Clark Ross .
Mike operating from the radio room of the James Clark Ross .
The enormous HF log-periodic beam at Rothera Base.
Compare its size with the operating building beneath it.
Operating position for VP8SGK at King Edward Point, South Georgia.
The base makes a lot of communications with fishing boats there.
Operating position at what is now the Ukrainian Vernadsky Base, formerly the British Faraday Base.
The equipment was installed by Gavin VP8GAV, now GM0GAV.
A light mantled sooty albatross chick at Bird Island on South Georgia, which Mike decribes as one of the most beautiful places on earth. The James Clark Ross can be seen in the distance.
A black browed albatross, one of many species of albatross.
King penguins at King Edward Point on South Georgia.
A leopard seal, an aggressive species.
Whales seen off the Antarctic peninsula, studied by scientists at the bases.
Mike showed several video clips of these whales.
Beautiful view of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Raising the CTD assembly, used for measuring the Conductivity, Temperature and Depth of the sea.
Mooring work – raising a seabed sample retrieving assembly.
Scientist listening to the hydrophones.
And now the bad news – Mike’s duties now include the servicing of all the washing machines and other equipment on board the ship! This is one of the searchlight gearboxes being worked on.
LRS member Melvyn GM4HYR in conversation with operator Tom at Rothera Base in Antarctica after Mike’s presentation.
Mike proudly shows his Polar Medal, presented to him by HM the Queen in 2004