North Pole 32 - Russian Arctic Ice Station

UPDATED: 25 Nov 2005

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Russian Ice Station NP-32

North Pole - 32 was established on April 25, 2003 at latitude 88.07 North, longitude 142.45 East. The site was built using aircraft. The AN-12 and AN-26 aircraft were used as well as the MI-8 helicopter. The Station Leader was Vladimir Koshelev. The team consisted of 12 members.

The purpose of the station was to conduct scientific research. The science programs were in the areas of oceanology, hydrobiology, ecology, meteorology, and ice research.

On March 6, 2004 the ice island broke up as the station floated into the warmer waters near Greenland. The evacuation of the personnel from the island drew world-wide media attention. All personnel were successfully rescued from the ice. Last reported position at the time of evacuation was 84.41 North latitude, 03.33 West longtitude.

Men on NP-32:

Station Leader - Vladimir Koshelev

Victor Karassev

Radio Operator NP-32

The radio operator of drifting station SP-32, Victor Karassev, was also operating a radio amateur station from the ice floe under the call sign R0PA in his free time.

He made contacts with nearly 5000 radio amateurs all over the world before the station was abondoned in March 2004. The logbook with details of his contacts was saved. It is a custom amongst radio amateurs to send a postcard confirming the radio contact, the so-called QSL card.

With my radio station, call sign PA0HRM, I made contact with Victor on August 17, 2003 and I received his QSL card a few weeks ago (Early 2005).

Closeup of the text on the QSL Card above

Information courtesy of: Hans Mulder, Delden (Netherlands) Amateur Radio Station PA0HRM

References:

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