Video Above: OriesTV Video
ARISS Youtube Video available HERE
A successful direct contact with the International Space Station (ISS) via Amateur Radio took place at 11:35 CAT on Friday 29 August 2025, allowing youngsters to ask their questions to astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AI and encouraging students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in extracurricular activities.
Eight schools participated, with representatives from each school present at the ground station asking their individual questions. In total, 15 questions were answered by Mike from the ISS before contact was lost. The event was streamed to the participating schools and on social media.
Congratulations to Dr Gerhard Gericke, ZS6CRS and the team of dedicated radio amateurs from the Alberton Amateur Radio Interest Group, who supplied equipment and manned the ground station. The callsign ZS9LSO was operated within the school hall. In attendance at this remarkable event were all the learners of the school, teachers, and invited guests.
The SARL was represented by the President, Nico van Rensburg, ZS6QL, and Vice President, Guy Eales, ZS6GUY, who expressed their appreciation to the ground station team for making this event possible and for promoting amateur radio to the public.
Several local ZS Link Network Group radio amateurs participated in the event by recording the ARISS contact between NAISS and ZS9LSO using the allocated frequency of 145.800 Mhz. Different radios and antennas were used. Even portable radios were used.
The following ZS Link Network Group radio amateurs participated:
- Rulhof ZS4RM
- Thys ZS1TBP
- Gerrit ZS1KLO
- Fred ZS5SAM/1
- Keverne ZS1ABU
- Christi ZS4CGR
- Johan ZS1I
- Deon ZS1DDM
Herewith a few videos and audio recordings:
All three videos provided by Gerrit ZS1KLO. Thanks, Gerrit!!
Audio recordings:
- Christi ZS4CGR recording available HERE.
- Fred ZS5SAM/1 recording available HERE
- ARISS recording available HERE
- Keith ZS6TW recording available HERE
Finally: A big thank you to all who made this contact possible, to many to mention here. Thank you also to all the radio amateurs that participated in this event and also those who directly recorded audio from the ISS on 145.800 Mhz. Your participation is highly appreciated!
