Communications Building
Australia'a Antarctic research stations are located in some of the most isolated & harsh places on Earth and are totally cut off from the rest of the world except for brief supply ship visits during the short antarctic summer. Reliable communications are therefore vital for the efficient running of the stations as well as the safety and well being of station personnel.

Macquarie Island Radio (callsign
VJM) houses the ANARESAT Ground Communications Equipment, HF & VHF communications console and a public area equipped with general access computers, scanners, photocopiers, printers, CD ROM burners etc. There is also a modern workshop and  a well stocked store of spare parts.

The building also contains the station PABX, main LANnet hub, NT server &  routers. Remote HF & VHF transmitters / receivers are accessed from the communications console. There are normally two communications technical personnel stationed on the Island for a year at a time who are responsible for operating & maintaining the wide range of equipment in use as well as installing new equipment as required.

The small mast on the building supports a remote controlled video camera which is used for monitoring helicopter & boat operations during the brief re-supply periods as well as providing an image for the daily Webcam. 


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