This past Sunday, 7 Septermber 2025 the Moon turned blood red — and the world was watching.
One of the most watched lunar eclipses in history went down.
A total lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon's ascending node of orbit on Sunday, September 7, 2025, with an umbral magnitude of 1.3638. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon's near side entirely passes into the Earth's umbral shadow. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of Earth. A total lunar eclipse can last up to nearly two hours, while a total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes at any given place, because the Moon's shadow is smaller. Occurring about 2.6 days before perigee (on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 8:10 UTC), the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.
This lunar eclipse was the second of an almost tetrad, with the others being on March 14, 2025 (total); March 3, 2026 (total); and August 28, 2026 (partial).
(Click on image for larger view.)
The eclipse was completely visible over east Africa, Asia, and central and west Australia. It was seen when rising over most of Africa and Europe, and when setting over the central Pacific Ocean.
The Sept. 7-8 total lunar eclipse has come and gone, treating stargazers
to a breathtaking blood moon that was witnessed by over seven billion
people.
Several local radio amateurs in South Africa joined the stargazers and send in images of the event. Unfortunately the Southern Parts of South Africa was covered by clouds which resulted that the event could not be observed in this area. None the less our amateur radio friends in other parts of the country provided images of the event.
Images (Click on images for larger view.)
Above Images: Christi ZS4CGR, Luckhoff (Click for larger view.)
Above Images: Zayn ZR3VO, Orania (Click for larger view.)
Above Images: Gordon ZR2GW, Port Elizabeth (Click for larger view.)
Above Images: Jimmy ZS1RB, George (Click for larger view.)
Above Images: Johnny ZS3JDL, Kimberley (Click for larger view.)
Above Images: Warren, Bryan, Dennis and others (Click for larger view.)
Hulle sê as jy ’n probleem het, moet jy eerste die probleem
definieer en dan vir die antwoord soek. Nou wat is die probleem? Dat
ek twee frekwensies uit een radio wil aandryf wat te vêr uitmekaar
is vir een antenna en (te naby is vir ’n 'splitter'). Hi!
Nou verskoon maar die foto’s, want my werkstafel is of my hok se
tafel of my kombuis/eetkamer tafel.
Die probleem is met Burg-B / Marnet se frekwensies. Die simpleks
frekwensies lê van 67.000 tot 67.125MHz terwyl die herhalers lê
tussen 69.925 tot 78.6625MHx. met ’n 'off. Set' van tot 7MHz.
Bitter wyd vir ’n maer mobiele antenna om te dek. Ek het voorheen
reeds ’n antenna gebou wat tot vyf frekwensies van 2m tot 70cm
gedek het, so ek moes nou net ’n eenvoudiger een bou met wat ek
beskikbaar het.
Ter sefdertyd wil ek dit ’n 'verskuifbare mobiele antenna maak, met
die mins moontlike uitgawes.
Laas toe ek by ’n smidswinkel was, het ek daar 2mm ronde plaatjies
uit die afval gebedel met die om gly skarniere vir my verkyker
staander te maak. Met een van hulle en ’n paar stukkies 20mm plat
yster het ek ’n basis gemaak vir die monteerstuk van die antenna.
Onder die voetjies het ek duodenum magnete monteer. Ek het nogal baie
uitgesien na die magnete vanaf die 'communikasie winkel' (ek mag nie
adverteer nie) daar uit Centurion. Nou sal julle verstaan hoe teleur
gesteld ek was toe my pakkie hier op die plaas aankom en een of ander
kluitkop het die magnete uit die pakkie gesteel. Vroeg die volgende
dag kontak ek die winkel en verduidelik en gee foto’s van die
beskadigde pakkie, nou moet ek maar kyk wat gebeur waar ek weer geld
vir magnete sal kry, want om hulle nou te vervang beteken hulle kos
my nou drie-maal die eerste prys (courier ingesluit).
’n Pluimpie vir my verskaffer: Daardie selfde middag ontvang ek ’n
kennisgewing dat die vervangings magnete reeds by die koerier is, wat
’n vreugde. So inplaas dat my projekkie uitgestel word, is die nuwe
pakkie die volgende dag hier en ek kan laai waai.
(Klik op fotos om te vergroot)
Die magneet basis se basis Montering van die magnete.
Kyk mooi, die bout wat die magneet monteer het ’n plastiese
insetsel wat deur die staal gaan en langer is as die plaat dikte, aan
weerskante is daar wassers om die plastiek effe vas te druk in die
staal. Die doel is om te kompenseer vir skuins vlakke op ’n
voertuig sodat die magneet maksimum kontak op die voertuig het, die
magneet kan dus effe kantel.
(Klik op foto om te vergroot)
Terloops, die magnete het 'versinkte onderkante en die boutjies
(5mm) het versinkte koppe.
Terloops, die midband antenna het ek verlede maand van dieselfde
winkel afgekoop, diens is puik produk is puik prys is baie goed en
aflewering is meestal die volgende dag (hier na my toe).
En so lyk die antenna basis, as jy eers agtergekom het hoë hy in
mekaar sit, is die ontwerp eintlik oulik en goed.
(Klik op fotos om te vergroot)
Nou vir die truuk om twee antennas te monteer (ek sal later die VNA
prente plaas). Vir die montering het laas keer ’n geelkoper skyf
gebruik, maar dit kos geld en ek sou moet Bloemfontein toe gaan vir
die materiaal. Dis, maak ’n plan.
Ek wou eers soek vir ’n geelkoperstaaf sodat ek skroefdraad in die
gaatjies kon sny, maar toe vang my oog ’n stuk gegalvaniseerde
'ready bar' (wat is dit in Afrikaans) en ek sien ’n nuwe plan.
(Klik op foto om te vergroot)
Hy moet maar groot bly dan kan julle makliker sien wat ek gedoen het.
Ek moes die gaatjie op die antenna basis uitboor na 3,2mm sodat ek ’n
sterker middel-stuk kon gebruik. Die staak het 3mm gaatjies 100mm
uitmekaar en een in die middel. Op die foto het ek nog SS-moere om
makliker te werk maar ek het hulle later vervang met selfsluitmoere.
As grondvlak gebruik ek die bokant van ’n 210ℓ drom wat ek op ’n
staander met drie pote monteer, dit maak toets werk baie makliker al
is dit nie ’n ideale opset nie. Die magneet staander moes ek
omtrent 50mm verhoog omdat die kabel uit die antenna monteerstuk nie
haaks uitkom nie en ek dit nie skerp wil buig nie
(Klik op fotos om te vergroot)
Hier is die drie latte waarmee ek getoets het. Van bo na onder No 1,
2 en 3.
No 1 kom saam met die antenna, 2 Is ’n gewone 51" lat en No 3
is ’n gewone SS-vervangings lat.
(Klik op foto om te vergroot)
Net om ’n idee te gee van hoe die kombinasie lyk.
Goed, hier is nou die reeks VNA prente, ek sal hulle volgens nommer
bespreek. Eerste net die enkel latte direk op die basis gemonteer,
sonder die T-stuk.
(Klik op fotos om te vergroot)
Lat 1
Lat 2
Net om te wys waar elkeen resoneer sodat dit vergelyk kan word met
die verandering wanneer in kombinasie. Die T-stuk verleng die antenna
met ongeveer 100mm, wat die resonante punt ook sal skuif.
Lat 3
Nou vir die kombinasies. Moet nie na die resonante frekwensie kyk
nie, die idee is om te sien wat gebeur as ek twee stokke gelyk
monteer. Onthou die twee antennas moet tussen 2 en 11MHz uitmekaar
resoneer (wanneer dit finaal ingestel moet word)
Latte 1 en 2.
Latte 1 en 3.
Latte 2 en 3.
Latte 1 en 3 met die frekwensie grense aangedui.
Laastens lat 1 alleen op die T-stuk. (vlg. Met eerste VNA prent waar
lat 1 direk op die montering is.) Omtrent 2MHz verskil.
Die volgende taakie gaan wees on die twee latte uitmekaar (dus
parallel) te hou en daarna om die T se onderste been te verstewig.
Dan kom die 'langpad toets'
Image:A radio image of the centre of the Milky Way with a portion of the MeerKAT telescope array in the foreground. . Credit: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory
A while ago a few radio amateurs discussed innovation in Amateur Radio, specifically the "Wow Factor" and deep space amateur radio communications to and from MARS on the ZS Link Network in South Africa. Many at the time were of the opinion that we currently do not have the equipment and money to setup a Deep Space Amateur Radio Station. I at the time was of the opinion that deep space communications are possible and that equipment were not the stumbling block but rather the will to just do it and to explore different methods to communicate successfully to and from Deep-Space via amateur radio.
Amateur reception of deep space probes is a fascinating and challenging field that blends elements of microwave RF, space communications, space exploration, and radio astronomy. While data from space probes is commonly received and processed by space agencies using very large antennas and sophisticated equipment, it is possible for hobbyists to home-brew modest systems capable of receiving signals from deep-space probes. This is currently one of the only ways in which private citizens can directly experience planetary exploration.
Image: Master satellite spotter, Greg Roberts ZS1BI of Cape Town, South Africa, is one of several amateur astronomers and skywatchers who tracked the first X-37B space plane from Earth in 2010.
A South African Radio Amateur by the name of Greg Roberts ZS1BI achieved many outer and deep space successes that was at the time thought to have been impossible.
The following links provide more information about Greg's wonderful achievements:
Now there are many more achievements by Greg Roberts ZS1BI. Unfortunately I cannot publish them all but from the above you will agree that Greg Roberts ZS1BI is no ordinary radio amateur and amateur radio astronomer. Greg has paved the way for the younger generation in amateur radio and astronomy to follow in his big footsteps. His achievements surely merit him being inducted to the SARL Hall of Fame if not already done.
Image: One of the dish antennas that Scott Tilley VE7TIL uses to receive signals from Deep Space
Another Radio Amateur by the name of Scott Tilley VE7TIL also a Amateur astronomer made international headlines when he rediscovered NASA's IMAGE satellite 13 years after it mysteriously disappeared. In this interview with Freethink, Scott discusses his role in the satellite's recovery, why he enjoys amateur astronomy, and how citizen scientists like him have contributed to our knowledge of space from the space race to the present day.
As reported on Spaceweather.com, Canadian radio amateur Scott Tilley, VE7TIL copies signal from Mars-Orbiting Satellite from deep space. His latest conquest has been to copy the signal from China’s Tianwen-1 (pronounced “tee-EN-ven”) probe, which went into orbit around Mars on February 10. Tilley told Spaceweather.com that the probe’s X-band signal was “loud and audible.”
“It was a treasure hunt,” Tilley told Spaceweather.com. He explained that while the spacecraft did post its frequency with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), it was too vague for precise tuning (X band is between 8 GHz and 12 GHz).
Launched last July, Tianwen-1 represents China’s first Mars mission. It consists of an orbiter and a rover, which will land on the Martian surface in May or June 2021. It is able to photograph the planet’s surface while in orbit.
Finding signals from deep space is a sub-hobby for Tilley, who seeks what he calls “zombie satellites” among other signal sources. In 2020, he tracked and identified signals from the experimental UHF military communication satellite LES-5. Tilley said he found the satellite in what he called a geostationary “graveyard” orbit after noting a modulated carrier on 236.7487 MHz. Launched in 1967, LES-5 was supposed to shut down in 1972, but it continues to operate as long as its solar panels are facing the sun, Tilley explained.
In 2018, while hunting for an undisclosed US government spacecraft lost in a launch mishap, he spotted the signature of IMAGE (Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration), a NASA spacecraft believed to have died in December 2005. The discovery delighted space scientists.
Tilley has also picked up signals from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the United Arab Emirates Hope probe, both orbiting Mars some 124 million miles away. He uses a homemade 60-centimeter dish and relies on software-defined radios (SDRs) to accomplish the task.
Radio amateurs have been listening for signals from space since the 1957 launch of Sputnik 1, which transmitted at around 20 MHz.
The following links provide more information about Tilley's wonderful achievements:
The above radio amateurs and amateur astronomers are a good example of how one can explore Deep-Space with a moderate dish antenna, SDR and Software. You might ask me to elaborate on how this can be achieved. Well I am not going to try explain how to receive Microwave Signals from Deep-Space. I will however introduce you to David Prutchi, Ph.D., N2QG who wrote a comprehensive whitepaper that focuses on amateur reception of deep-space probes at S- and X-band frequencies. He explains the selection and construction of antennas, feeds, LNA's, down converters, receivers, software for antenna tracking and SDR signal processing. The whitepaper consists of 55 pages with valuable information. A must read if you are interested in Deep-Space communications, space exploration and radio astronomy.
In the vast landscape of technological advancement, there are countless unsung heroes whose contributions have had a profound impact on the modern world. Among them, amateur radio operators stand tall as pioneers of innovation in the field of communications. From the early days of Morse code to the era of digital signal processing, the innovations driven by amateur radio enthusiasts have left an indelible mark on the way we connect and communicate today. Receiving Microwave Signals from Deep-Space is a reality as proven by the above radio amateurs.
I am convinced that receiving microwave signals from deep-space is now more accessible and possible than ever before for amateur radio operators that's also amateur astronomers. But what about transmitting signals to deep-space?
Radio Amateurs already reflect signals off the moon and receive them on earth. So we know that with moderate RF power, and a modest antenna, and an SDR receiver one could do a lot better, because there are losses in the reflection process. However, The distance to Mars varies from 35 million miles to 250 million miles, depending on the positions of the planets. 35 million miles is still about 150 times farther than the moon. To transmit signals into space is quite easy but sending the "correct" radio signals millions of miles into deep-space is another challenge for radio amateurs that should be explored.
Transmitting radio signals to deep space, such as to spacecraft or to search for extraterrestrial intelligence, involves sending electromagnetic waves at the speed of light through the vast distances of space. This requires specialized technologies for transmitting signals, and sophisticated coding techniques to minimize noise and ensure reliable communication.
Here's a more detailed look:
1. Radio Waves as the Medium: Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation, which means they travel at the speed of light, which is approximately 300,000 kilometers per second. While not instantaneous, radio transmissions are relatively fast, especially when compared to the distances involved in deep space communications.
2. Specialized Technology and Techniques: We as radio amateurs need a global network of antennas to communicate with spacecraft, including those that are millions of miles away. Antenna Design: We need antennas that are highly sensitive, able to capture even faint signals from deep space. Coding Techniques: Special coding techniques are needed something similar to WSJT-X to ensure the signal can be distinguished from noise and to maximize the reliability of transmission. Signal Processing: Sophisticated signal processing techniques are used to filter out unwanted noise and extract the relevant information from the received signal.
3. Challenges and Considerations: Long Distances: The vast distances in space mean that signals can take a significant amount of time to travel. For example, a signal to the Moon takes about 1.34 seconds, while signals to outer planets like Jupiter or Saturn take much longer. Signal Attenuation: Radio signals weaken as they travel through space, requiring powerful transmitters and sensitive receivers. Noise and Interference: Various sources of noise and interference can affect the quality of radio signals, requiring careful planning and mitigation.
4. Examples of Deep Space Communication: Spacecraft Communication: The NASA Deep Space Netwrok is used to communicate with spacecraft, sending commands and receiving data from them. SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence): Radio telescopes are used to search for signals from other civilizations in space, although the SETI Institute notes that current commercial demo projects do not significantly contribute to the existing leakage radiation.
5. Future Directions: Deep Space Optical Communications: I and played around with optical communications many years ago. Today there are still many radio amateurs playing around with optical communications. We need to explore higher frequency (and therefore shorter wavelength) light sources to transmit more data efficiently. This new form of spacecraft communication, called Deep Space Optical Communications, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) (.gov), could result in 100 times more data being transmitted. This field of communications provide an abundance of exploration for the radio amateur. Reading the Q65_Quick_Start guide, I saw reference for Optical Scatter using the 300 second period with A tone spacing. What will happen if you use WSJT-X software with optical communications over long distances? Has any radio amateur tried this type of communication?
I am glad to report that radio amateurs are indeed exploring with many communication options relating to Deep Space Communications. At this time I would like to mention two radio amateurs, Joe Taylor K1JT and Rex VK7MO. There are many others out there that is also doing some sterling exploration work in this regard.
Videos: FT8 and beyond! - Joe Taylor K1JT
Videos: Rex Moncur VK7MO
This has been a rather lengthy article about Microwave Signals to and from Deep-Space. A frontier that needs further exploration and serious attention by more radio amateurs. We need to keep on exploring and innovate to be relevant in today's world. Radio amateurs can remain relevant and innovative by embracing new technologies, expanding their activities beyond traditional modes of communication, and engaging in STEM (stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education to attract new members and maintain amateur radio's vitality. This can involve exploring digital modes like software-defined radios, digital voice (DMR, etc.), satellite communications and Deep Space Communications, as well as incorporating AI/GROK and other technologies into our activities.
This article only gave a glimpse of what is happening out there. Maybe it would not be a bad idea to do several future articles about Microwave Signals to and from Deep-Space
In closing Part 1 I would like to quote Scott Tilley VE7TIL:
"Around the world, ham radio operators are doing something once reserved for national Deep Space Networks. “We’re monitoring spacecraft around Mars.”
Image: "The Porcupine Antenna" (Click on image for larger view.)
Christi ZS4CGR enjoy playing around with all types of antennas. Mostly all of his antennas are "home-brewed" and they work great and in some cases even better as store bought antennas. This time around Christi decided to construct a Mag Mount Multi Whip VHF/UHF Antenna that works on multiple frequencies. He is still busy "playing" around with the antenna and a followup article will be published once all tests have been completed.
