On Apr 11, I sent an e-mail to LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, and on Apr 14 I received this reply (translated from Spanish by Ed):
"Hello Manuel, we at the Esperanza Base, Argentina Antarctica, are often off the air due to weather. This is a very cold, temperatures are often below zero and strong winds, sometimes exceeding 150 or 200 km per hour, then that is difficul to go on the air. Our station is technically operated this year by Mr. Mario Gallardo assisted by four young guys... From Monday to Friday between 1800 and 2100 Sandra Fernandez and I, Ofelia Bottazziare, are in the studio and the general supervision is Mr Gustavo Gomez. We are the southernmost Radio station in the world. Sincerely LRA Team 36". Their e-mail address is: lra36@infovia.com.ar and you can even request songs, promising to be put on the air. Here it is heard best between 1840 and 1930. (Méndez)
15476, LRA 36, R Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza, *1800-2010, Apr 14 and 17, opening ann: "Transmite LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, por 15476 kHz, banda de 19 metros transmitiendo desde Base Esperanza, Antártida Argentina", many songs, ann: "Muy buenas tardes queridos oyentes, aquí empieza nuestro programa de Esperanza al mundo" and at 1845: "Seguimos con las noticias internacionales", news, earthquakes in Afghanistan and Chile. 1859: "Pasamos a la segunda hora, para que el mundo conozca Argentina a través de la radio, Radio Arcángel San Gabriel, de Esperanza al mundo, de lunes a viernes de 15 a 18 horas, para todo el mundo por la frecuencia de 15476 kHz". "Vamos a conocer todo sobre la música folclórica argentina", 15322 - 24332. (Méndez and Mille)
Yes, there is no such place as "San Gabriel" in the Argentine sector of Antarctica. The location is Base Esperanza, the largest of several Argentine Army bases on the Antarctic Peninsula (others include Base San Martin, Base Gen. Belgrano, etc.). I think, perhaps, the Archangel Gabriel is a patron saint of the Argentine military. Because the base -- albeit small and barren -- is a stopping off point for various Antarctic cruise ships, and their passengers are welcome ashore, Esperanza is an odd mixture of scientific work and tourism. It has a permanent population of only about 55. There is a school for the 22 children among them. Because there are quite a number of visitors, there are lots of great photos on line including great panorama views that one can both pan and zoom to get great detail! One also can find a map of the various buildings. Using it for comparison with the panoramic photos on other sites, (gigapan.org and others) one easily can see, close up, the exterior of R(adio) Nacional Arcangel San Gabriel, and its antenna tower, some distance away from the "station" on a rocky bit of high ground. It is quite interesting. (Jensen in HCDX, Apr 28)
(DX Window # 375 via Anker Petersen)
"Hello Manuel, we at the Esperanza Base, Argentina Antarctica, are often off the air due to weather. This is a very cold, temperatures are often below zero and strong winds, sometimes exceeding 150 or 200 km per hour, then that is difficul to go on the air. Our station is technically operated this year by Mr. Mario Gallardo assisted by four young guys... From Monday to Friday between 1800 and 2100 Sandra Fernandez and I, Ofelia Bottazziare, are in the studio and the general supervision is Mr Gustavo Gomez. We are the southernmost Radio station in the world. Sincerely LRA Team 36". Their e-mail address is: lra36@infovia.com.ar and you can even request songs, promising to be put on the air. Here it is heard best between 1840 and 1930. (Méndez)
15476, LRA 36, R Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza, *1800-2010, Apr 14 and 17, opening ann: "Transmite LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, por 15476 kHz, banda de 19 metros transmitiendo desde Base Esperanza, Antártida Argentina", many songs, ann: "Muy buenas tardes queridos oyentes, aquí empieza nuestro programa de Esperanza al mundo" and at 1845: "Seguimos con las noticias internacionales", news, earthquakes in Afghanistan and Chile. 1859: "Pasamos a la segunda hora, para que el mundo conozca Argentina a través de la radio, Radio Arcángel San Gabriel, de Esperanza al mundo, de lunes a viernes de 15 a 18 horas, para todo el mundo por la frecuencia de 15476 kHz". "Vamos a conocer todo sobre la música folclórica argentina", 15322 - 24332. (Méndez and Mille)
Yes, there is no such place as "San Gabriel" in the Argentine sector of Antarctica. The location is Base Esperanza, the largest of several Argentine Army bases on the Antarctic Peninsula (others include Base San Martin, Base Gen. Belgrano, etc.). I think, perhaps, the Archangel Gabriel is a patron saint of the Argentine military. Because the base -- albeit small and barren -- is a stopping off point for various Antarctic cruise ships, and their passengers are welcome ashore, Esperanza is an odd mixture of scientific work and tourism. It has a permanent population of only about 55. There is a school for the 22 children among them. Because there are quite a number of visitors, there are lots of great photos on line including great panorama views that one can both pan and zoom to get great detail! One also can find a map of the various buildings. Using it for comparison with the panoramic photos on other sites, (gigapan.org and others) one easily can see, close up, the exterior of R(adio) Nacional Arcangel San Gabriel, and its antenna tower, some distance away from the "station" on a rocky bit of high ground. It is quite interesting. (Jensen in HCDX, Apr 28)
(DX Window # 375 via Anker Petersen)