R1ANF beacon operational

The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club reports that, after a long odyssey from Germany to the Vostok base (R1ANC) in Antarctica, including a failed start connected with huge logistic problems, the beacon finally was put into operation at the Russian Antarctic base Bellinghausen, R1ANF, on King George Island (belonging to the South Shetlands) on March 8.

Oleg, ZS1ANF (UA1PBA, ex-R1ANF), picked up the beacon during a trip to the Antarctic Logistic Center International (ALCI) on Novo Runway and installed it right away at R1ANF after his return to King George Island.

The beacon consists of an IC-706, AT-180 antenna tuner, a switching power supply, a PROCOM HF-5000 vertical antenna and a GPS synchronized controller.

The beacon is working on 14101.0 kHz and transmits the following text every full minute "VVV R1ANF ANTBEAP (carrier signal reduced similar to the NCDXF beacons, starting with 100 watts) R1ANF AR".

Another beacon is ready to be installed at the Novolazarevskaya base and shall be active on the same
frequency using the callsign R1AND.

A few more beacons will be set up with the Antarctic Beacon Project (ANTBEAP) to explore the wave propagation in the Antarctic region.

Any SWL reports are very welcome and should be sent to Dominik, DL5EBE.