The planned activation of VI0ANZAC over the weekend from Casey Base in the Australian Antarctic Territory has been postponed because of a fierce storm. The operation has been rescheduled for the August 29-30 weekend, weather permitting. The VI0ANZAC activation will be part of the Wireless Institute of Australia ANZAC 100 program to mark the 100th anniversary of the famous World War I Battle at Gallipoli.

Doug McVeigh, VK0DMV, announced August 7 that damage from an overnight storm at Casey base made the VI0ANZAC operation impossible for the time being.

McVeigh, who is currently working at the station, advised, “We had our fair share of damage from the storm that went through yesterday [August 6], and there are still areas to be checked out. Wind reached 112 knots (207 kilometres/hour), but for most of yesterday and last night it was around 100 knots (185 kilometres/hour. There is very poor visibility, so I have not been able to check out the state of any of my aerials or access. There is always some damage after these sort of blows, this is the worse to date this year.”

McVeigh apologized for the delay, but said operations at Casey Station and safety were paramount concerns.

The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART), and the Telsiz ve Radyo Amatörleri Cemiyeti (TRAC) in Turkey have joined forces to commemorate the centenary of the battle. Various special event stations, some with ANZAC suffixes, have been on the air during 2015.