Professor Miroslav Kasal on the U.S. release of his book and a lifetime dedicated to radio electronics

Professor Miroslav Kasal is one of the most prominent Czech experts in radio electronics and space communication technologies. He recently reached a significant milestone – his book on receiving weak radio signals from space was published by the prestigious American publisher Wiley. In the interview, he describes how complex the process of preparing the English edition was, why receiving weak signals from space is technically so challenging, and why experimentation is crucial for scientific work. He also shares how, in his free time, he measures signals reflected from the Moon, keeping his lifelong passion for radio electronics alive. Professor Kasal’s story shows that Czech science definitely has something to offer – and that passion and curiosity remain the greatest driving forces.

Professor, congratulations on the publication of your book by the American publisher Wiley. What does this event mean to you personally?

I am, of course, pleased.

Your book "Weak Signals" was published in Czech only two years ago. How did the idea for the English edition come about?

Information about the book published in Czech reached abroad through various channels, and several colleagues working in this field contacted me requesting a copy of the book, even in Czech. Prof. Raida suggested we try approaching the publisher Artech with an offer to publish the book in English. From there, we were redirected to Wiley. They requested a detailed table of contents as well as the Czech edition of the book. Two independent reviews were carried out, and Wiley requested an explicit statement from VUTIUM confirming that their copyrights applied only to the Czech edition (or possibly Slovak edition). Since both reviews were unequivocally positive, Wiley offered me a contract to deliver the manuscript in English.

How challenging was it to convert the technical text into English? Did you consult with the publisher or undertake it yourself?
The creation of the English manuscript took over a year of intensive work. The initial translation was done by Prof. Zbyněk Raida. The very demanding editorial work was carried out by Ing. Ivana Jakubová. It should be noted that the manuscript had to precisely meet Wiley’s requirements and typographical conventions, which differ significantly from ours. My main task was editing the images, of which there are 191 in the book. All had to be edited, not only due to text captions but also because Wiley prints books in black and white. We sent the manuscript chapter by chapter and received it back with comments and requests for corrections. The final language proofreading into American English was done by a Wiley native proofreader.

Does the English version differ from the original Czech edition in any way, e.g., in scope or structure?
In terms of content and structure, both books are the same. However, the publisher recommended changing the title to "Reception of Weak Radio Signal from Space," which better reflects the book’s subject.

The book deals with the reception of weak radio signals from space. Could you explain this topic more simply for non-specialists?
Weak radio signals reaching us from space are of several types. The best-known are signals from satellites and space probes, some of which travel beyond the solar system. Other signals include reflections from celestial bodies, especially the Moon. Finally, there are “radio signals” from natural sources – pulsars, quasars, neutral hydrogen H I, etc., studied by radio astronomy. These signals are generally very weak, at or below the level of the accompanying thermal noise. This thermal noise level is much lower than in terrestrial communication because antennas receiving these signals point to the cold sky. Therefore, it is important that the receiving equipment has minimal internal noise and is optimized accordingly.

What do you find most interesting about this topic – how and when did it capture your interest?
At the Institute of Instrument Technology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, I worked on high-frequency spectroscopy, particularly Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, which is the study of weak high-frequency signals “par excellence,” even in a “closed” system. Since the mid-1970s, I have also been involved in satellite communication.

In one interview, you said that experimental radio electronics is your life credo. Can this be seen in this book?
I believe it can. I have always enjoyed modeling and calculating systems, then implementing them and bringing them as close as possible to the predicted parameters. Computational and simulation techniques, as well as measurement and experimental techniques, have made tremendous progress during my career. I try to take advantage of this.

Who is the book intended for – mainly specialists, or will it also appeal to the broader community of radio amateurs?
These two communities are more connected than one might think. Based on the feedback I have received for both books, it seems they have been well received in both communities.

You are an internationally recognized expert in radio communication and played an important role in the early research and development of space technologies at VUT. What moments in your career do you consider the greatest milestones?
My time at the Institute of Instrument Technology of the Czech Academy of Sciences was very formative, where I learned a great deal. Then there was the invitation from AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, a worldwide organization of radio amateurs, editor’s note) to collaborate on their experimental satellite projects. Finally, my work at the Department of Radio Electronics at FEKT VUT, where I had excellent conditions for working with students and on research projects.

Your new book was published in the USA, but international collaboration has accompanied you throughout your career – from NASA and ESA to the U.S. Naval Academy. Which of these experiences was most significant for you?
My collaboration with AMSAT had a decisive influence on my focus. With my prior experience, I participated from the beginning in the project of the large maneuverable satellite Phase IIID. The European hub for this project was AMSAT laboratories at the University of Marburg, Germany. My collaborators then included many experienced professionals from ESA and NASA projects. Work in Orlando, Florida, or in Kourou, French Guiana, was invaluable experience.

How do you perceive Czech research in radio communication and space technologies in the international context?
I am glad that space technologies are developing in our country and that there is considerable interest. Especially in Brno, there are companies achieving good results. I am also pleased that VUT supports this development and creates study programs with this focus. In the research area, perhaps a more concentrated effort of a larger team on a significant project would be beneficial.

What still excites you about your work after so many years?
Perhaps it is inertia, but I feel the need to keep thinking about a problem. When I discover something interesting, I feel compelled to learn as much as possible and, if possible, try it myself. For example, I am currently engaged in measuring galactic neutral hydrogen at 1420 MHz.

In addition, you also research communication via Moon reflection. Could you explain what this research involves?
Two-way long-distance communication can also utilize the Earth’s only natural satellite, the Moon. However, it is a challenging discipline, considering that it is 360,000 to 410,000 km away and the lunar surface is a very imperfect reflecting surface. Communication devices therefore need top-tier performance. In recent years, we have been developing digital modes that allow this communication with much smaller antennas and power. On the other hand, high stability and precision of the communication frequency, on the order of atomic clock accuracy, are required.

At your cottage in Eastern Bohemia, you built your own observatory to monitor Moon signal reflections. How is such an observatory built, what exactly do you observe, and how much time do you spend there?
It started when I purchased additional land at our cottage near Litomyšl and built a small cabin on it. In front of it, I erected a mast with a parabolic antenna 1.8 m in diameter. The antenna is computer-controlled. I designed and implemented the radio-electronic equipment myself and continuously improve it. It is essentially a radiometer combined with a transmitter. Sensitivity is calibrated using the noise from the Sun and Moon or, alternatively, the Earth’s surface. I can also measure radiation from other objects, e.g., H I at 1420 MHz. Now in retirement, I spend time at the cottage practically from spring to autumn, with short breaks.

What would you like to say to students and young enthusiasts of radio amateur activities and space technologies?
I have always been fascinated by people who did something not for money or promotion, but simply because they were interested and wanted to “figure things out.” I wish that young people, at least occasionally, catch this “bug” as well.

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Author	Mgr. Kamila Šmídková
Published	2025-12-04
Link	https://www.vut.cz/en/but/f19528/d311502