Morse signals from North Pole – Russian LSP ship “NORTH POLE” c/s RI41POL

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Dear Sparks,

this morning at time 10.27 UTC on frequency 21.008 kHz I made a QSO with the Russian special ice ship “NORTH POLE” known as – ICE-RESISTANT PLATFORM “NORTH POLE” – operated by R/O Oleg Yu. Stribny (RD1A) and with callsign RI41POL.

LSP “North Pole” is a special-purpose ship with the functionality of a research center that performs year-round integrated research in high latitudes.

The platform can arrive at the work site without involving an icebreaker, drift in the Arctic Ocean for up to two years and return to the port. The ship’s hull is able to withstand the compression of multi-year ice, which is confirmed by model experiments in the AARI ice basin. Comfortable and safe working and living conditions for the members of the expedition are provided on board, and on one of the decks a helicopter landing pad will be equipped to receive Mi-8 and Mi-38 helicopters.

There are 15 scientific laboratories on board the platform, which cover the entire range of studying the natural environment of the Arctic:

  • ionospheric observations;
  • geological, chemical and environmental research;
  • studies of ice loads and ice fracture mechanics;
  • studies of acoustic tomography of the Arctic Basin;
  • studies of the boundary layer and free atmosphere;
  • magnetic and gravitational research, and much more.

At a distance of 400-500 meters from the vessel on drifting ice, it is planned to organize a mobile field camp with laboratory houses, where scientists will carry out research in the natural environment.

Read more:  LSP “North Pole”

The conditions for the propagation of radio waves and the parameters of the ionosphere in the Arctic and Antarctic are dealt with by the department of geophysics, in whose team I joined. Read more:  Department of Geophysics

A website is currently being developed to display real-time information on the propagation of radio waves in the Aktichesky region of the Russian Federation, the position of the aurora oval and other information can be viewed at:  http://www.geophys.aari.ru

Ship’s details:

Overall length 83.1 meters
Overall width 22.5 meters
Draft 8.6 meters
Displacement 10,373 tons
Propulsion engine power 4,200 kW
Speed ​​10 knots
Crew 17 people
Research staff 31 people
Ice vessel class KM Arc5 [1] AUT1- C HELIDECK-F Special purpose ship

Below the chart with the position of the ship this morning when I have done the radio contact:

Have a good watch and 73,

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