This paper describes the communications systems installed at the National Science Foundation's Greenland Summit Camp. The camp sits atop the peak of the Greenland icecap and is physically isolated from the nearest point of land by over 400 km of ice. During the summer 2000 field season, the camp's communication infrastructure was significantly upgraded from an HF radio based system to a satellite link that provides phone and Internet connections. A wireless local area network allows for network access throughout the camp, which consists of only two permanent buildings and a number of temporary structures. The system has been an important factor in the successful winter-over operations at the camp and the lessons learned are now being applied to other NSF-supported field camps in the Arctic.
VECO Polar Resources (VPR) provides logistics support services to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs for sponsored researchers in the Arctic. As logistics providers, VPR's support services include managing of field camps, providing fixed wing and helicopter support, transportation of personnel and their equipment, and providing communications in remote, arctic regions. The arctic regions serviced by VPR include Alaska, Russia, the North Pole, Canada, and Greenland. Presently, the largest science camp in Greenland serviced by VPR is the Summit Camp. Located at the peak of the Greenland icecap, Summit Camp provides a number of logistical challenges. The site is over 400 km from the closest point of land and sits on top of 3200 m of ice. The camp itself consists of two permanent buildings and a number of temporary structures which are relocated as needed by the 20 scientists and staff who work there during the summer season.
