12 Radio Communications

i	Report on the suitability and effectiveness of the radio equipment issued to you at Scott Base. Comment on battery power, condition of aerials and utilisation of solar panels.

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It is generally not possible to contact Scott Base from Allan Hills using VHF radios, so HF communications are used. The Codan radio assembly we were issued performed well in the field, but the radio was built into a heavy wooden box which added considerably to its weight and bulk. We appreciate that the radio is an expensive and critical piece of field equipment which has to survive many field seasons and therefore has to be protected, but the box makes it almost too cumbersome. The solar panels were sufficient for charging the batteries.

For communications amongst ourselves in the field while at Allan Hills, and with Scott Base while at Mt. Feather and Table Mtn., we were issued the new Motorola handheld VHF radios. These are great little radios but possess a shortcoming in that they cannot currently be connected to high-gain aerials. While at Allan Hills we were extremely fortunate that Alex Pyne, a member of the K047A event who were with us there, brought one of the old Tait handhelds and a high gain aerial (see point 'ii' below).

ii	Report on reception/transmission conditions and suitability of radio sked timing. Note particularly any periods during your field trip, or regions you visited, where radio reception was especially bad or unexpectedly good. Comment on conditions where repeater stations were used.

During 'normal' operating conditions at Allan Hills we are able to contact Scott Base without difficulty using HF, however, this summer was a period of intense solar flare activity which severely disrupted our HF communications. We were fully briefed on this by the Operations Manager (Peter Geary) when we first arrived at Scott Base and were advised that we would likely experience extended periods when we could not contact Scott Base. He showed us the contingency plan he had developed which involved using non-standard channels, including the American aviation channel (8998 kHz), if we were out of contact with Scott Base for 48 hours or had an emergency. As the season progressed we experienced many times when we could not contact Scott Base (or any other station) using HF despite following the contingency plan - the disruptions tended to completely block communications rather than simply degrading the signal until it was weak and broken. The longest period without communications was more than 48 hours and we grew anxious to contact Scott Base so two members took a Tait handheld VHF radio and high-gain aerial and climbed a high ridge (thereafter informally dubbed 'Radio Ridge') (see Figure 2). After many attempts, they were able to get through to Scott Base by hitting the Erebus Repeater. The skill of the Comms Op (Katie) was greatly appreciated because the signal was so weak and broken that we would not have understood her without her constantly repeating simple and clear messages.

At Mt. Feather we communicated with Scott Base using VHF and the Mt. Erebus Repeater. We did not experience any communications difficulties. We were also able to communicate with K047A at Table Mtn. using handheld Ch. 6 simplex line-of-sight.

At Table Mtn. we communicated with Scott Base using VHF and the Dry Valleys Repeater. We did not experience any communications difficulties.

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iii	Comment on Scott Base's general efficiency during radio skeds in providing details of forthcoming field movements (eg helicopters), weather forecasts, resupply, or news service.

We generally did not have a problem with the performance of the Comms Ops, but felt that the operators in the second group were inferior to those in the first group. Katie (an operator from the first group) stood out as the best by far of both groups. Operators in the second group (in particular the two males) were often vague with information we had requested and ignorant of flight operations despite repeated requests for schedules. We became used to the precise and unambiguous manner of the better operators and found these two males to be less effective. Additionally, there were times when one of these two operators was working when we were unable to contact Scott Base at all despite continued attempts for more than 30 minutes. We realise that the operator can become very busy at their post, but a brief acknowledgement of our call and request to have us wait can be done in an instant.

iv

Remember that you are strongly encouraged to keep a detailed radio log while in the field, in particular if you are a deep field party. The log is to be given to the Operations Manager when returning your radio at Scott Base. Such a log can become a vital and lifesaving source of information in the event of a Search & Rescue operation and can become an important LEGAL document.

page 11 Notes: L/C - loud and clear, G/R - good and readable, W/R - weak and readable, V/U - very weak and unreadable.

K042 Radio Log for 2000/2001 Field season (excluding Table Mtn.)

Date	Time	Locn	Radio Type	Freq TX/RX	Signal	Comms / Comment
23/11/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400 kHz	G/R	SB requested weather report (given) and requested recontact at 0900h.
	0900h	AH	HF	5400 kHz	−	SB (P.Cleary) told us that the helo schedule changed and that the helo 'HNO' will fly to Lake Vida to shuttle all K047a gear (2 underslung, 1 internal) to AH this morning. The American helo '08H' will shuttle 2 pax (Dickinson and Pollard) plus 1 underslung and 1 internal. We are to maintain open comms on 5400 kHz and Speak with HNO on VHF 142.2 MHz.
	0900-1955h	AH	HF	5400 kHz	L/C	Comment: No further contact with SB re: helos. VHF contact with HNO on 142.4 MHz L/C, but could not contact 08H on that frequency.
	2000h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz, 11570 kHz	None, then W/R	Comment: Carl did comms. He could not contact SB using the three different frequencies given to us by P.CIeary. This is a year of very strong solar flare activity and Cleary warned us that this could severely disrupt HF comms. He gave us instructions on what to do if we could not contact SB on 5400 kHz and Carl followed them with no success. He then contacted them with K047a's HF radio and our aerial but his signal was weak and readable.
24/11/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Reinformed SB of our missing short guylines and notified them of the missing floor for the polarhaven. They said Cleary and Dave Brice (FSO) were discussing it.
	2000h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	SB (P. Cleary) told us that Steve Hicock is in Christchurch. His earliest southbound is 26/11/00. We are tentatively scheduled for drillrig and possible camp move on 28/11/00 but the timing of this is open to discussion. Hicock will come in on one of these helos and our cache will be flown out then too. Briefly discussed work progress.
25/11/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz, 11570 kHz	None	Comment: Could not contact SB using all three frequencies on the K042 HF radio and then the K047a radio. All batteries used (2 for each radio) were in the lower to mid part of the green zone on the voltmeter.
	2015h	AH	HF	5400	W/R	P.CIeary requested confirmation of our desire to move 28/11/00 or tomorrow at noon.
26/11/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz	None to V/U	Comment: Could receive a weak and broken signal from SB, but they could not receive our signal. Attempted secondary frequency with no luck. Battery was well-charged and in the green.
	1200h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz, 11570 kHz	None	Comment: Attempted to contact SB on all three frequencies but failed.
	2000h	AH	HF	5400 kHz	W/R	Carl did comms. Arranged a meeting on radio with P.CIeary for 2100h.
	2100h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz, 11570 kHz	None	Comment: Attempted comms with SB but failed.
	2230h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz, 11570 kHz	None	Comment: Attempted comms with SB but failed.
27/11/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz, 11570 kHz	None	Comment: Attempted comms with SB on all three freq's but failed. This is now 12 hours without contacting SB. Since the comms are poor due to solar flares P.CIeary said he would not panic if we went 24 hours without contact, but that we can't go more than 48 hours.
	2000h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz, 11570 kHz, 2773 kHz	None	Comment: Attempted comms with SB on four frequencies but failed.page 12
28/11/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400 kHz, 8010 kHz, 11570 kHz	None	Comment: Attempted comms with SB but failed. This is 36 hours with no contact.
	1900h	AH	VHF	142.8/ 138.8, 143.1/ 140.0	W/R	Comment: No comms with SB for almost 48 hours so Carl and I walked up to the top of the dyke that runs east from Roscalyn Tor. We used a Tait Handheld VHF and high-gain aerial and on our last attempt, at the very end of the ridge, got through on Ch.5 (143.1/140.0 MHz). SB were very glad to hear us -apparently there has been a total radio blackout for the last few days because of the intense sunspot activity, even all aircraft have been grounded. Comms: Comms were very weak and very broken from SB but our signal to them was strong and readable. As we talked for a bit their signal became clearer. At the end of the comm we tried them on 142.8/138.8 MHz and the signal was L/C We passed along the following messages from Alex Pyne and W. Dickinson: 1) We do not require a local drill site move by helo, 2) We still want Hicock and K042 resupply (change to 2 food boxes). Close support for cache put-in at AH. We will also use this helo to retro to SB. 3) K047a move to Marble Ft./Table Mtn 01/12/00 a) 4 pax + camp to MP via Battleship Promontory (2 hrs close helo support). Alternatively task Battle Prom, from and return to MP. b) 2 pax + camp to MP. 4) People and camp into Table - MP to Table Mtn - 2 flights. 5) 3 underslungs from AH to Table Mtn. Possible one additional underslung from MP to Table. We set an 0800h sked on HF for tomorrow or failing that an 0900h sked on VHF 142.8/138.8 MHz then 143.1/140.0 MHz from Radio Ridge.
29/11/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400 kHz	G/R	Successful comms with SB. The floor of the polarhaven was found at Marble Pt. They can move K047a people from here to MP 01/12/00, but can't move the underslungs until 02/12/00 because they can't task the helos for that long. Hicock is still in Chch and the RNZAF Here is on standby - hopefully they fly this afternoon. Apparently there has been more snow this Nov at SB than ever before.
30/11/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400	W/B	Hicock is hopefully coming down on the Here today. K047a internal helo weights cannot exceed 1800 lbs.
01/12/0	0800h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather to SB. Told to come back on air at 0900h.
	0815h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Contacted SB again to pass along messages: 1) K042 need only one food box in the resupply, 2) K042 will not need 10 minutes of helo close-support because we will not be putting in the cache.
	0900h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	SB told us they could not find foam sausages for W. Dickinson.
	1000h	AH	HF	5400	None	Comment: Unable to contact SB.
04/12/00	0700h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They told us to contact them at 0800h with another report.
	0800h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They told us to contact them at 0900h with another report.
	0900h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They told us that the helo had lifted off at 0800h and would be arriving at AH in 30 minutes.
	2000h	AH	HF	5400	L/C
05/12/00	0700h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They told us to call back at 1200h with another report.
	1200	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They told us the weather at SB was poor and to call back at 1500h with another report.
	1500h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They told us that there would be no flying today and said to call in for our regular sked at 2000h.
	2000h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Comms ops switched over to a new crew.
	2100h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Relayed message through SB to Alex Pyne at Marble Point re: how to get the GPS to work. They relayed his answer and also passed along Carl's grades.
06/12/00	0700h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They asked for another one again at 0800h.
	0800h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They told us to contact them again at 0830h to speak with P.CIeary.
	0830h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	P.CIeary told us that we had a flight(s?) scheduled for just after midday for K047a and to contact him at noon or before if our weather deteriorated. The K042 move to Feather is tentatively booked for 08/12/00. The weather at SB is currently poor.
07/12/00	0700h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They requested us to come back on at 0800h to give weather again.page 13
	0800h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They requested us to come back on at 0900h to give weather again.
	0900h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They requested us to come back on at 1000h to give weather again.
	1000h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They requested us to come back on at 1100h to give weather again.
	2000h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Told P.CIeary at SB that the moves went well. Peter asked if we'd had a PHI (American) helo come in and I said no. SB asked us to give weather tomorrow at 0700h.
	2130h	AH	HF	5400	W/R	Told SB that we received 08H this evening at 2120h and that they took all our retro. SB will pass message on to P.CIeary.
08/12/00	0700h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave SB weather report. We were told that we will not receive a helo today.
09/12/00	0800h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB.
	1000h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. Asked SB for helo schedule and they said they didn't know of any changes.
	1200h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. Asked SB for update on helo schedule and they said they didn't know.
	1300h	AH	HF	5400	L/C	Gave weather report to SB. They said it had launched and was inbound to us.
	1600h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Advised SB that we had arrived at Mt. Feather and that the weather was beautiful and that out flight had been fantastic.
	2000h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Advised SB that everything was fine. Then after the sked I jumped to 143.1/140.0 MHz and heard Alex Pyne talking to SB. I then called him up and we chatted for a bit. I talked to Warren too. We tried 142.2 MHz simplex and it was much better than 143.1/140.0 MHz because that had a lot of static. Their signal became broken due to a low battery so we signed off.
10/12/00	0800h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Advised SB that we are well.
	2000h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Normal check in. No news.
11/12/00	0800h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Normal check in. No news.
	2000h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Normal check in. No news.
12/12/00	0800h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Normal check in. No news.
	2000h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Asked SB about our helo schedule for 14/12/00 but they knew nothing. They said they would ask P.CIeary and then inform us at 0800h tomorrow.
13/12/00	0800h	MF	VHF	142.8/ 138.8	L/C	Asked SB again about the proposed helo schedule for tomorrow but again they didn't know anything. They said they'd ask P.CIeary and get back to us at our evening sked. We ordered the following for resupply: 1 flat Speight's, 1 Bailey's, 6 loaves bread. 1 tomato sauce.