Photo: Š T. Janecki / www.arctowski.pl

UPDATED

After a long break in activity, HF0POL ?? well known station from the Polish base of Henryk Arctowski, South Shetlands (IOTA AN-010), appeared in CW mode on 20 and 40m in last two days. Marek SP3GVX (not Tomek SP3WVL as stated before) has been transmitting around 22.00 UTC as HF??POL/LH. He’s been well audible across Europe short path and via long path in Japan. Signals weren’t booming but even though that was not so hard to work him with a GP and barefoot power.

Marek operates from a shelter located next to a small lighthouse (which explains the /LH suffix being used) [see pic 1 & pic 2 ] that is situated on rocks approx. 100m from the base right next to shore line.


The Henryk Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station, see full res. picture ?
Photo: wikipedia.org

We’re trying to get some more details regarding this operation and will announce as soon as we get more information.

HF??POL appears as a club station callsign used by many operators during different shifts. As operators change, QSL routes do, too. QSL cards for the current 2008 activity should go via Marek’s QSL manager -  SP3WVL (direct or via bureau). It is possible to send online qsl request via email to: hf0pol (at) wp.pl by providing your QSO details.
Confirmations will be sent to you via bureau without any need to send cards by mail. Note, this option is valid ONLY for operations that took place ONLY 2000, 2005 and 2008.

The Henryk Arctowski’s station is situated on the King George Island ?? one of many islands of the South Shetlands archipelago situated in the North of the Antarctic Peninsula. The base built in 1975 was one of the pioneer stations with permanent residents in the Antarctic peninsula. Its long lasting scientific research provides many useful data regarding oceanography, geology, geomorphology, glaciology, meteorology, seismology, and the most important – ecology. Feel free to browse many of the very scenic pictures provided by a researcher at the station’s site:

http://www.arctowski.home.pl/?act=k69

More info about the base in English ?

HF0POL’s QSL gallery ?

This news Š Stan SQ8X / DX-HAMSPIRIT.COM