Pico transmitters an solar panels at the AGM
Eden Radio Club Launches a Pico BACAR
Pico Balloon Launches to Celebrate BACAR Legacy and SARL Centenary
Secunda, South Africa – The Secunda Radio Club (ZS6SRC) is proud to announce the kickoff of a series of 12 commemorative pico balloon launches, starting on Saturday, 24 May 2025, from the Trichardt Model Aircraft Club. These launches form part of the 100-year centenary celebrations of the South African Radio League (SARL), founded in May 1925.
The project also pays tribute to more than a decade of BACAR – Balloon Carrying Amateur Radio – and honours the individuals who contributed to its success since its inception. The first BACAR event took place over 12 years ago, and the idea itself dates back to the late 1970s, when Hans (ZS6AKV) laid the foundation for amateur radio ballooning in South Africa.
“This is a unique way to celebrate the SARL’s centenary while also recognising the people who carried BACAR forward. Every balloon will fly in someone’s honour,” says Christo (ZR6LJK).
Commemorative Launch Series: Honouring the BACAR Pioneers
Each pico balloon will commemorate one of the individuals who made a significant contribution to BACAR. The target launch window runs from 24 May to the second Saturday in October 2025. While the balloons will be launched during this period, each is symbolically linked to the person’s birthday to determine the order of the launch, as listed below:
| # | Honouree | Birthday | Notes |
| 1 | ZS6SRC Launch | 24-May | First launch of the commemorative series |
| 2 | Stewart | 03-Feb | Built the first South African pico balloon |
| 4 | Tiffanny | 29-Jan | |
| 3 | Nico | 31-Jan | |
| 4 | Willie | 4-Apr | |
| 5 | Elna | 28-Apr | |
| 6 | Bianca | 18-Jul | |
| 6 | Christo | 18-Jul | |
| 7 | Cor | 11-Aug | |
| 8 | Gert | 27-Sep | |
| 9 | Hans | 31-Dec | Founder of BACAR in the late 1970s |
| 10 | ZS6SARL | — | In honour of the SARL’s 100-year legacy |
Balloon Technical Details
Each launch features a 50-inch silver “party” balloon carrying a custom 20-gram solar-powered payload. The onboard tracker transmits signals using the WSPR (Weak Signal Propagation Reporter) mode on HF bands.
All amateur radio operators are encouraged to monitor the signal and upload reception reports to PSK Reporter using WSJT-X or JTDX software.
Transmission Frequencies (dial):
– 14.09560 MHz
– 14.09578 MHz
“We’re hoping some of these balloons will travel great distances — perhaps even complete a full loop around the southern hemisphere,” adds Gert (ZS6GC).
Join Us
The public and all amateur radio enthusiasts are invited to attend the launch events and be part of this historical celebration. The first balloon will be filled with helium early Saturday morning (24 May) in Secunda, with launch expected around 09h00 SAST, weather permitting
For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact:
Christo (ZR6LJK)
Gert (ZS6GC)
BACAR Centenary Launch 11 October 2025
For more information or to participate contact Christo Kriek at christo.kriek@sasol.com