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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1977-78: VUWAE 22

D. Communications

D. Communications

There were few communication problems. Compak 8 radios were used by all VUWAE Events and performed very satisfactorily. Battery life was somewhat variable with rapid tail-off being experienced with the Ni-Cd cells. Events 13 and 25 were very fortunate to be provided with lightweight lithium cells while travelling on foot shifting camps down the Upper Wright Valley, Olympus Range and Finger Mt. The weight advantage is considerable with a reduction of at least a third in radio weight. Detailed transmission and receiving times were recorded and returned to the Post Office at Scott Base. The life of these battery packs was exceptional. Traffic was kept to a minimum when using the lithium batteries and they were used for a total of twenty-one days by Event 13 at various stages of the field work.

On only one day was communication with Scott Base or Vanda impossible, although relaying via Vanda was used on several occasions. The primary frequency of 5400 was used on all but five to six days. In this the reception was poor at Scott Base, but in the field, reception was generally excellent.

At Marble Pt., the Event 13 radio was used entirely to communicate with Scott Base who then relayed messages via telephone to McMurdo. McMurdo could not be raised with any of the helicopter radios, proving how vulnerable cummunications are for the helicopter crews when the machine is on the ground.

Scott Base supplied good radio service, thanks to John Lythgoe (main skeds and music); Mike Bradstock and Trish Harris (news); Paul Dennison and Simon Cook-Willis (radio servicing and repairs).