McMurdo Station, Antarctica. (Source: USAP.gov)
UPDATE: Check out Nathaniel’s message with recordings.
Many thanks to Mark Phillips (via the SWL Fest group) and Sheldon Harvey (via the International Radio Report) for sharing the following message from Nathaniel Frissell (KC4/W2NAF) who is stationed at the McMurdo Station, Antarctica:
Hi, everyone. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and any other holidaysyou may celebrate!
Things are going well down here (Antarctica), and I’m glad to have worked some of you on the air. I apologize for any weak signals, but there has been a lot of space weather activity recently and the station here is rather modest.
Each year, the residents of McMurdo Station, Antarctica celebrate Christmas by singing Christmas Carols to the remote, Antarctic field camps on the HF radio. This year, we are asking ham radio operators (and shortwave listeners) around the world to listen in and e-mail short wave listening reports telling us how far away the carols are heard. Listen on 7995 kHz USB on 24 December 2014 2300z and e-mail reports to [email protected].
For a Christmas in Antarctica SWL QSL card, please send an SASE to my Blacksburg address. NATHANIEL A FRISSELL, 1412 North Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060 United States Special cards will be made for this event.
Please share this information with as many hams and SWLs as possible. It would be really interesting to know how far we are heard. I believe we will be running about 1000 W for this.
Merry Christmas!
73,
Nathaniel, KC4/W2NAF
When we first found out that our loved ones were going to make the epic journey to Antarctic, we were just as enthusiastic, as our loved ones were. But when the loneliness sets in, and then we start to miss them, I mean, more than life itself, we start asking ourselves, is it worth it. Well, it may not seem like to us, but to them, that is just what life has told them; this is life, go out and live it!
We awake every night wondering, is my Son, my daughter, my wife or husband O.K. Will I ever see them again? These are questions that have been asked from the start of history, and will be asked throughout history. These are all good questions, and the pain we feel now is no different then what was felt by the earlier travelers, this is what they felt when their loved ones left their ports.
You are not alone. I have one too. And I cry every night.
But mine is a little different. You see his has no Mom; she died on his first tour. He has no brothers or sisters and no family. As a father, I thought that was O.K., well it’s not O.K. Kids need brothers and sisters all around them, they need family. Well he has found a family, and it’s you guys & and brothers and sisters alike.
It’s all of you guys and gals at the McMurdo Station; you are now his Brothers’ and sisters.
All of us from the every corner of the world, we must feel the same way. We give you are loved ones, are wishes, and we want you to send them back.
For every one that is over there, Merry Christmas.
Set my Perseus to record while away. Noticed that K index is 3. Did anyone in the eastern USA copy this station? Would be a nice catch!
Merry Christmas to all.
George, NJ3H
Temporarily in Floyd County, Virginia