Antarctica WAC Award

[ai8o]

I just looking at the WAC rules on the ARRL website.
Apparently, the IARU does not require a contact from Antarctica for the WAC award.

I have seen several mentions of Amateur radio staions at McMurdo and SouthPole Station.

I was just curious, has anyone ever earned WAC operating FROM McMurdo or some other base in Antarctica?

 

[n9mxq]

As big as their pile ups are when they actually get on the air, I would suspect yes, several times over.

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

When the sunspots were smiling it can be done in a day or two

I haven't operated from down there for several seasons- there's always a good book instead to be read-- but the last time I did, it really cured me from DX'ing on 20 metre's- the pile ups were something awesome. I easily worked all continents several times over in a few days.

Today I quickly satiate on DX'ing; If I operate its becuz I want to chat - something not so easy if half the world wants a "59, 73's, QRZ" contact. Fortunately the KC4 prefix has been do diluted down that if I say it fast enuff, with no emphasis at all on "Antarctica" - its slips by as just another KC4 in Florida.
(The US assigned calls are KC4US[plus anoth'r letter]- format. Saying that fast enuff, infrequently and on a frequency like above 14.300, and I can usually 'rag chew' below the radar )

Something that many hams don't know about 'the ice' is that you don't have to be licensed to operate the stations. It can be puzzling for some to make a contact, ask about the equipment and receive a "its got knobs and lights......."

Lauri

 

[ai8o]

Well that doesn't look like you took that picture in Florida.

 

[Lauri-CoyoteFrostbite]

Hee Hee.... no, hardly Florida

If you are looking for Antarctica 8O, good luck.... KC4's are on the air, but please keep in mind my operating techniques- unless you are one of those (illegal) kilowatt-pileup-busting stations- you are best to look for operators like me in the hinderlands-- 17 metre's is my favorite-- a pseudo- twenty metre band.

BTW. those rabid Plus Plus High power stations I ignore-- and if they get to be too obnoxious I switch bands, or go back to my book.
If I heard you, and I say this seriously, I would certainly make whatever efforts necessary to see your KC4 contact was confirmed ....

(hint 18.113 MHz )

Happy New Year's !!


Lauri