A winter evac has happened using a twin-otter in late April 2001 of the doctor suffering from pancreatitis. It is possible to land at night at the South Pole - Lot's of oil drums with lit jetfuel line the runway. Temperature -90F. It's doable but has to be life threatening and is a real risk to the pilots.

I've heard of people using Tin Cans at both ends as an antenna - really cheep with not too much work - Look at http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html Have fun