TRANSPOLAR SKITREK PROGRESS REPORT #7: March 12, 1988 Prepared by Rich Ensign, N8IWJ, AMSAT Science Education Advisor For Use With The AMSAT Teachers Guide "Exploring The High Arctic From Your Classroom" The ears of students and teachers around the world have been glued to scanners and HT's this week as the UO-11 Digitalker began to mark the steady progress of the Russian-Canadian Transpolar Skitrek Expedition over the frozen Arctic Ocean. After a short delay on March 9th and 10th while programming problems were being solved, the Digitalker is now transmitting SARSAT/COSPAS derived positions for the Expedition. In the first few days of the trek the skiers own celestial fixes were reported on the digitalker. It is interesting to note that the celestial and SARSAT/COSPAS fixes are in very close agreement. Measurements taken on March 10th differ by only 1.8 minutes of arc in latitude and 2.5 minutes in longitude, the equivalent of just a few km on the polar ice. As per the request of the skiers, Digitalker transmissions have been lengthened. Repetition definitely improves the readability of the signal as many of us to the south have found as well. Many hams working with school reception of the morning Digitalker passes have found the HT and whip antenna combination far superior to the vertical antennas at their QTH's. Antenna orientations for best reception often make it look like trek listeners have "gone fishin' or metal locating". Many novel antenna designs are being tried and we'll keep you posted on results. The Canadian Communications Support Station, CI8C, at Resolute Bay has been monitoring EX0VE, the skiers', 80 meter transmissions and found propagation to be better than expected. Daily messages, relayed to the south by CI8C have given listeners a near real time look at what life on an arctic expedition is like. Here is a message from EX0VE on March 9th after one week "on the ice": Frost bite scaring most faces. Toes and fingers permanently numb and painful even when warm. A skier has blisters on his feet and is taking medication for them. We have been making good distance with only one lead blocking us for 1/2-day. Moisture is a big problem in tent, clothing and boots. No chance of drying clothes that are not being worn as they freeze instantly when taken off. Richard (Weber) and Christopher (Holloway) have slept outside every night to avoid condensation from the tent with the success of perfect igloo building skills. Three pairs of Russian skis broken and we will replace them with Canadian. We have received telegrams from (Secretary) Gorbachev and (Prime Minister) Mulroney wishing success. With our 90km behind us we press on with good steerage and look forward to longer days and warmer weather. Those alarmed after hearing this report should take a good look at polar expeditions of the past. The extreme is the norm in the artic and it has been planned for by the leaders of the expedition. The first air drop will take place next week, bringing needed supplies and replacement skis. The trekkers will take a needed rest for a day or so at the time of the drop. Daily Progress to date: 03 MAR 7 km -41C 04 MAR 20 -28C 05 MAR 14 -21C 110 km Total 06 MAR 0 (lead blocks trek) 07 MAR 17 08 MAR 20 -40C 09 MAR 12 -40C 10 MAR 20 -45C * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A continuing series of Progress Reports like this one may be accessed via packet BBS, AMSAT Nets and the main educator source, the W0RPK AMSAT Bulletin Board (1-515-961-3325). Comments and questions about the reports should be addressed to Rich Ensign, 421 N. Military, Dearborn, MI 48124, U.S.A. Progress Report #8 will be issued on March 19, 1988. TRANSPOLAR EXPEDITION POSITION/CONDITION REPORTS VIA NORDSKI COMM & HF MARCH 3 TO MARCH 11, 1988 REP# PRIOR. DATE/TIME(GMT) LAT (N) LONG REMARKS ====================================================================== ======= --- --- 03MAR88 07:31 81d 15.0'N 95d 45.0'E Start point ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- 01 000 03MAR88 11:24 81d 21.2'N 96d 12.8'E ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- 02 000 04MAR88 11:13 81d 32.3'N 97d 0.0'E ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- 03 000 05MAR88 12:44 81.6d N 96.87d E Skiers via HF: Cloudy/snow/temp at start -18C at end -21C...some open water Skiers report moisture build-up in their suits that is not draining properly. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- 06MAR88 Digitalker repeats yesterday's data Skiers via HF: Snow, high winds & large open water leads. Camped beside a lead in hope it would close during the night. Only 1 or 2 Km progress to the ENE today. Outer garments functioning perfectly. Inner garments retaining too much moisture. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- 04 000 07MAR88 12:23 81d 50.6'N 97d 15.1'E Significant progress made ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Celestial Nav 08MAR88 Digitalker repeats yesterdays data Skiers via HF: -40C and windy. Two skis broken to be replaced with first air drop. Tent is very damp. Two Canadian skiers will sleep in igloo tonight which one of the Russian skiers taught them how to build. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Celestial Nav 09MAR88 12:30 82d 09.3'N 97d 47.0'E UO-11 Re-programming Today's conditions are rough. Current temp -40C wind 25km/hour. Expect -47C today with dropping temp tomorrow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Celestial Nav 10MAR88 11:58 82d 16.9'N 97d 24.6'E UO-11 Re-programming SARSAT/COSPAS 10MAR88 11:57 82d 18.7'N 97d 22.1'E -45C ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- 07 000 11MAR88 11:36 82d 28.8'N 97d 13.0'E ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- (The condition/position report is for your use and NCS reference but need not be read verbatim on nets.) TRANSPOLAR SKITREK / PROJECT NORDSKI COMM - SKI TEAM POSITION LOG ----------------------------------------------------------------- DAY/TIM UTC LATITUDE LONGITUDE REMARKS ----------- -------- --------- -------------------------------------------- 03MAR 07:31 81d15.0m 95d45.0mE Cape Arctic starting point 03MAR 11:24 81d21.2m 96d12.8mE ELT/SARSAT/UOSAT (ESU) #01 7km 04MAR 11:13 81d32.3m 97d 0.0mE ESU#02 Temp -28dC 20km 05MAR 12:44 81d35.8m 96d52.4mE ESU#03 Cldy Snow wind 33meter/sec -21dC 14km 06MAR No significant progress due to lead - Very windy - camped early 0km 07MAR 12:23 81d56.6m 97d15.1mE ESU#04 17km 08MAR No position report available 20km 09MAR 12:30 82d09.3m 97d47.0mE via CI8C at Resolute:-30dC 12km 10MAR 11:58 82d16.9m 97d24.6mE via CI8C: -45dC 20km 11MAR 11:36 82d28.8m 97d13.0mE ESU#07 12MAR No position report available 25km 13MAR 11:16 82d52.2m 97d19.8mE via CI8C: -42dC wind 3-4meter/sec 24km