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Tuesday

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129 comments to Tuesday

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      John F. Hultquist

      The U. N. seems to have had a few dozen meetings each year, some to plan for more meetings. There was one from 16 to 26 June in Bonn. There is a general statement here:
      The U. N. seems to have had a few dozen meetings each year, some to plan for more meetings. There was one from 16 to 26 June in Bonn. There is a general statement here:
      https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/what-are-united-nations-climate-change-conferences
      Had my high school counselors been useful, I could have become a participant and world traveler.

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      David Maddison

      Recall that for COP30 they destroyed thousands of acres of Amazon rainforest.

      To save the planet you know.

      Even the BBC reported it.

      https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vy191rgn1o

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      David Maddison

      Here’s the private jet guide for COP30.

      It’s always tough finding parking for private jets at COP conferences.

      If you didn’t book early, you may have to park your private jet elsewhere.

      And do you know what a VVIP is? A very very important person.

      https://www.universalweather.com/blog/operating-to-2024-cop-29-comprehensive-guide-for-business-aviation-operators/

      Operating to 2025 COP 30: Business Aviation Guide

      Slot and Parking Restrictions
      Given the anticipated influx of VVIPs, dignitaries, and chartered delegations, SBBE will operate under strict slot and parking limitations during the COP 30 period.

      Slots Mandatory: All GA and non-scheduled commercial flights must obtain prior confirmed slots. VVIP and diplomatic movements will receive priority.

      Application Deadline: Submit slot requests no later than October 25, 2025. Late requests may be denied.

      Remote Parking: Parking space near the main terminal is limited. Some aircraft will be assigned remote parking, requiring shuttle coordination for crews and passengers.

      Tip: Secure slots and parking arrangements as early as possible to avoid last-minute issues.

      And yes, there will be an Australian delegation at COP30. But how many taxpayer-funded public serpents and politicians will be going on this taxpayer-funded exotic holiday? Why can’t they meet online like they expected us to do during covid?

      https://unfccc-cop.dcceew.gov.au/cop30-pavilion-event-eoi-1

      The Australian Pavilion at COP30 will showcase transformative opportunities for global climate collaboration to deliver the net zero transition, strengthen climate resilience, mobilise climate finance and contribute to measurable environmental outcomes.

      I can’t see how many taxpayer-funded Australians are going or the cost or if they are using chartered jets. The Government is probably too embarrassed to say. That’s the sort of question “journalists” and opposition politicians would ask if they were doing their job.

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      Sambar

      https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/time-is-running-out-98-per-cent-of-australians-all-agree-on-one-thing-about-the-great-barrier-reef/news-story/01d8215ca2fa018c2b35af8e463535ca

      Here down under, the barrier reef, is still on life support in ICU, and one electrical outage from death. Also thrown in a little way down the blurb is also the threat of “agricultural run off” and crown of thorns starfish just to keep every aspect of fear mongering alive and demanding more money to fix the problem.
      Oh well, Hope I live long enough to actually see some real political change but I’m not holding my breath.

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      Graeme4

      Sorry for the down vote David. Slip of the finger.

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    Paul Cottingham

    Simon said “Neither Lindzen nor Happer have successfully published peer reviewed papers that disprove the fact the atmospheric temperature is governed by greenhouse gas concentration”.

    But nobody has successfully published a peer reviewed paper that ‘proves’ or ‘disproves’ the assumption that atmospheric temperature is governed by greenhouse gas concentration. However, Max Planck ‘proves’ why it must be ‘zero’ in “Theory of Heat Radiation (Planck, 1914)” and Gerhard Gerlich, ‘disproves’ the assumption in “Falsification Of The Atmospheric CO2 Greenhouse Effects Within The Frame Of Physics”.

    But the best observational proof of the ‘Hoax’ comes from a theory that depends on ‘zero’ carbon dioxide radiative warming on Venus. Ned Nikolov & Karl Zeller used NASA data from the Magellan mission to produce the “Unified Theory of Climate (2011)” using observations (not assumptions) to produce evidence that Venus with a quarter of a million times more carbon dioxide than the Earth provides the best answer to the problem by showing that carbon dioxide produces ‘zero’ warming above the lapse rate.

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      Bronco

      Hi Paul. My post on this topic was hurried. To repeat the post in response to Simon. In his 99.8% consensus on man made climate change, Simon was probably referencing the Lynas et al publication. This did claim a 99.8% consensus supporting man made climate change. Lynas and his team read through the abstracts from 3000 papers. These were categorised as follows:
      Explicit quantitative support 19 papers
      Explicit no quantitative support 413 papers
      Implicit support 460 papers
      No position or uncertainty 2104 papers
      Implicit rejection 2 papers
      Explicit rejection no quantitative support 1 paper
      Explicit rejection with quantitative support 1 paper

      If we discard the papers that take no position, we get 892/896 and viola 99.5% consensus.
      However, whilst Lynas did mention this, it was not the main method used to establish the consensus. Of the papers examined, 282 were considered as non climate related. This left 2718 climate related papers. As there were only 4 papers that rejected man made climate change, this gives us a 99.85% consensus. The paper openly states that the methodology used “…defines consensus as a lack of objection to a prevailing position or world view.” Or, in other words “if you are not against it, you are for it.” It would be equally consistent with the Lynas methodology to state the following about the number of papers supporting the AWG hypothesis
      892/2718 = 33% (rounded up)

      Papers rejecting the AWG hypothesis
      1826/2718 = 67%

      Or, in other words, “if you don’t openly support it, you must be against it.” An equally valid claim.

      As has been seen in other “consensus” papers, “it is not reasonable that scientists working in a scientific field in which a certain paradigm prevails would disagree with this paradigm and that disagreement with this prevailing paradigm must be expressed via an explicit rejection.” So, circular reasoning prevails and, as we have seen so often in climate science, any disagreement amounts to career suicide.

      Clearly, biased results. However, in reality, those who reference this 99.8% consensus, such as Simon and Skeptical Science, only demonstrate scientific illiteracy, a complete lack of integrity and show just how low they are prepared to stoop to defend the indefensible. Makes them quite irrelevant really.

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        KP

        Its very hard to get a scientist to disprove global warming when his salary depends on it…

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          ozfred

          It’s very hard to get a politician to show disproval of global warming theory when his future employment may depend on it…

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        Paul Cottingham

        A 100% consensus of belief in a hypothesis without evidence from experiments, taking into account convection and atmospheric pressure, and observations, taking into account of changes in albedo, is a quasi-religious movement predicated on an absurd scientific narrative. So I suppose the 99.8% consensus is motivated by fear of losing money and reputation, for not agreeing with Greta and the environmental activists who call themselves journalists.

        However, a U.S. Senate Minority Report found that more than 700 International distinguished scientists refuse to participate in the IPCC process, and others have resigned from it, because in the end the advice that the panel provides to governments is political and not scientific: https://www.sec.gov/comments/climate-disclosure/cll12-20122556-278593.pdf

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      Ronin

      The atmospheric pressure is what the heat is caused by, if the temp is sensed at the altitude that gives 14.7 psi, voila, the temp is the same as Earths.

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        el+gordo

        True.

        ‘While the surface of Venus is very inhospitable to humans, conditions at altitudes of 50 km above the surface have been identified to be not only hospitable for indigenous but also for human life, more so than anywhere else in the Solar System.’ (wiki)

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    David Maddison

    435am here in Melbournistan.

    Temperature from my weather station: 5.2C.

    I bet BoM declares October one of hottest eeevvveeerrrr.

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      Greg in NZ

      Lucky you’re not in the Divided Nation’s capital where a sub-zero frost and -1 C greeted the grovelling seat-warmers this morning.

      And Sydney is now suffering our climate [sic] with a chilly 18 C max, ouchies! At least Perth and Darwin will warm up to their usual 30s.

      Motorists were stranded in their vehicles last night on a number of roads in the South Island as HEAVY SNOW & GALE FORCE winds brought down powerlines & trees – friends sent me photos so eye know it’s not my 3-D implant – while some of the ski areas are looking the best they’ve looked all year. Sure glad I’m a long way north…

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        Sambar

        Bloody cold in the low part of the high country as well. Have had to have the wood fired heating system belching out particulates the last 3 nights, unprecedented at this time of year. Except it’s not.
        Spring in my area has the most unsettled weather of the year. Rain, hail, high winds then boom, a break in the clouds and the temp climbs 4 or 5 degrees, then plummets again.
        Frost warmings out, sheep grazier warming out, flash flood warnings out and the the daily bushfire rating just in case people were complacent

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          Bushkid

          Yep, you don’t even have to be in the high country of Victoria, just in Victoria ,for there to be snow in October.

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      a happy little debunker

      Yesterday, Hobart experienced it’s coldest morning of the year (probably the last 4 or 5) with snow settling on the higher suburbs and snow falling in the City centre.
      But … rest assured the BOM have declared this just a weather event and completely normal (if unusual, during mid-spring).
      Of course, every ‘heat wave’ is reported as the unnatural impacts of climate Change.
      Meanwhile, thousands of Tomato plants cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced…

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        Greg in NZ

        No 😱 not the tomatoes!

        My brother has lived in Aus too long – he believes last week’s 39*C to today’s 17*C max (Newcastle area) is a sure sign of CCCCCC due to the extreme ‘change’ in temperature. Borax! It’s called ‘spring’. He probably watches their ABC.

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      MrGrimNasty

      Done deal!

      “October heat records broken across Australia as Sydney braces for temperatures way above the norm.”

      https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/21/australia-weather-october-heat-records-sydney-birdsville-temperature-forecast

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      Annie

      Melbourne is positively tropical compared with here in NE Vic! We had -1.6C at 0622 with frost. (Low part of the high country).

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    Paul Cottingham

    The Health of King Charles since his AstraZeneca jab:

    *Wednesday 10th February 2021, Prince Charles was vaccinated with the AstraZeneca jab at Highgrove.
    *Tuesday 16th February 2021, Prince Charles was admitted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for a precautionary health check.
    *Tuesday 9th March 2021, Prince Charles was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital for a precautionary health check.
    *Wednesday 31st March 2021, Prince Charles was vaccinated for a second time with the Pfizer jab.
    *Friday 29th October 2021, Prince Charles was hospitalised for a brief period at King Edward VII’s Hospital.
    *Wednesday 8th December 2021, Prince Charles was vaccinated for a third time with the Pfizer jab at Highgrove.
    *Thursday 10th February 2022, Prince Charles was vaccinated for a fourth time with the Pfizer jab, and tested positive for Covid.
    *Tuesday 15th February 2022, Prince Charles was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital for a health check.
    *Tuesday 14th June 2022, Prince Charles was admitted to the Royal Marsden Hospital for a medical procedure.
    *Wednesday 5th October 2022, King Charles caught Covid again.
    *Thursday 30th March 2023, King Charles was vaccinated for a fifth time with the Pfizer jab.
    *Friday 26th January 2024, King Charles was admitted to the London Clinic Hospital for treatment for an enlarged prostate.
    *Monday 29th January 2024, King Charles was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on the day he left the London Clinic Hospital, and has been receiving his weekly cancer treatment at a London cancer unit, since the diagnosis.
    *Friday 14th February 2025, King Charles was admitted for a two-night stay at the London Clinic Hospital for Cancer treatment.
    *Thursday 27th March 2025, King Charles was admitted to the London Clinic Hospital after suffering from the side effects of cancer treatment.
    *Wednesday 2nd April 2025, King Charles was admitted for a two-night stay at the London Clinic Hospital for Cancer treatment.
    *Saturday 28th June 2025, King Charles was admitted for an overnight stay at the London Clinic Hospital for Cancer treatment.
    *Friday 15th August 2025, King Charles was admitted for an overnight stay at the London Clinic Hospital for Cancer treatment and health checks, which reveal he is dying and may not live till Christmas.

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      David Maddison

      He was jabbed five times.

      Everyone I have heard of who was jabbed multiple times has multiple health issues.

      It seems to be backed up by this South Korean study, note that not everyone agrees with the conclusions of this paper:

      https://biomarkerres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40364-025-00831-w

      Published: 26 September 2025

      1-year risks of cancers associated with COVID-19 vaccination: a large population-based cohort study in South Korea

      Hong Jin Kim, Min-Ho Kim, …Eun Mi Chun Show authors

      Biomarker Research volume 13, Article number: 114 (2025) Cite this article

      Abstract
      The oncogenic potential of SARS-CoV-2 has been hypothetically proposed, but real-world data on COVID-19 infection and vaccination are insufficient. Therefore, this large-scale population-based retrospective study in Seoul, South Korea, aimed to estimate the cumulative incidences and subsequent risks of overall cancers 1 year after COVID-19 vaccination. Data from 8,407,849 individuals between 2021 and 2023 were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance database. The participants were categorized into two groups based on their COVID-19 vaccination status. The risks for overall cancer were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, and data were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The HRs of thyroid (HR, 1.351; 95% CI, 1.206–1.514), gastric (HR, 1.335; 95% CI, 1.130–1.576), colorectal (HR, 1.283; 95% CI, 1.122–1.468), lung (HR, 1.533; 95% CI, 1.254–1.874), breast (HR, 1.197; 95% CI, 1.069–1.340), and prostate (HR, 1.687; 95% CI, 1.348–2.111) cancers significantly increased at 1 year post-vaccination. In terms of vaccine type, cDNA vaccines were associated with the increased risks of thyroid, gastric, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers; mRNA vaccines were linked to the increased risks of thyroid, colorectal, lung, and breast cancers; and heterologous vaccination was related to the increased risks of thyroid and breast cancers. Given the observed associations between COVID-19 vaccination and cancer incidence by age, sex, and vaccine type, further research is needed to determine whether specific vaccination strategies may be optimal for populations in need of COVID-19 vaccination.

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    • #
      Graham Richards

      King Charles isn’t very bright is he. He was obviously almost a late king. Wonder if he ever contemplated vaccinating the perpetrators as a show of gratitude?? He obviously has/had a pretty strong constitution to have survived long enough to suffer the ALL the side effects.
      I sympathise with him. Astra Zeneca had a go at experimenting on me as well. Fortunately I was able to self diagnose and nearly died only once. Long live the King & me!

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      Peter C

      *Monday 29th January 2024, King Charles was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

      I am pretty sure it should say prostate cancer.

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      John Connor II

      I spotted the anomaly when the first report came out but deliberately didn’t say anything waiting for someone else to spot it, but no-one has.

      King Charles vaxxed and now ill.
      Anyone?

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      Peter C

      King Charles Health is currently a matter of concern and conjecture.
      https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/king-charles-health-big-updates-uk-monarchs-serious-health-struggles-emerge-as-doctors-issue-urgent-advice-1274952/amp/

      Not much detail, as is usual.
      He said prayers with the Pope last week.

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      Ross

      Doctors now really baffled.

      20

  • #
    David Maddison

    Why are hundreds of Chinese EVs parked next time Amberley Air Force Base in Queensland?

    There was nowhere else to park them?

    Sky News Australia discusses:

    https://youtu.be/OUvzlIelnDk

    Recall the spying potential of EVs. Other countries, even Once Great Britain, don’t allow Chinese EVs near military installations.

    https://san.com/cc/uk-military-sites-ban-evs-with-chinese-parts-over-spying-fears/

    Some military bases in the United Kingdom are banning electric vehicles with Chinese parts because of concerns over potential spying from Beijing. The move comes amid a report that warned of potential covert operations from China through EV technology.

    The concerns come as practically all EVs have some Chinese parts.

    The UK government plans to introduce a fleet of 40,000 EVs for government officials by the end of 2027.

    Even the Biden Maladministration had concerns about Chinese EVs on US roads.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/22/biden-rules-ban-chinese-made-cars-spying-fears

    Biden administration proposes rules to ban Chinese-made cars over spying fears

    As Chinese carmakers become more powerful, US fears installed sensors and software could be used for espionage

    The Biden administration has proposed new rules that would in effect prohibit Chinese-made vehicles from US roads after a months-long investigation into software and digital connections that could be used to spy on Americans or sabotage the vehicles.

    The new rules, described as a national security action coming out of the US chamber of commerce, focus on Vehicle Connectivity System (VCS) and software integrated into the Automated Driving System (ADS).

    “Malicious access to these systems could allow adversaries to access and collect our most sensitive data and remotely manipulate cars on American roads,” the department said in a statement on Sunday.

    It added: “Certain technologies originating from the PRC or Russia present an undue risk to both US critical infrastructure and those who use connected vehicles.”

    The Australian Government appears to be asleep at the wheel, as usual, or worse, is allowing this.

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      Graham Richards

      But, but, but the CCP is Albozo’s new found friend……I know, Albozo even said so a couple of days ago. Surely Albozo isn’t telling porkies , he’s not like that …. Or maybe…..?

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      Hanrahan

      Why are hundreds of Chinese EVs parked next time Amberley Air Force Base in Queensland?

      Q. Are brand new Chinese EVs parked at a water park?

      A. Yes, approximately 1,600 brand new Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), primarily from BYD, were parked at Jamberoo Action Park, a water park on the NSW South Coast of Australia, during the park’s winter closure.

      20

      • #
        Ronin

        Must be because they are rushing off the sales lot… or not.

        20

      • #
        KP

        “. Yes, approximately 1,600 brand new Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), primarily from BYD, were parked at Jamberoo Action Park, a water park on the NSW South Coast of Australia, during the park’s winter closure.”

        Cheaper to land them there then drive them to Sydney & Melb?? Maybe they were worried the ship would catch fire…

        10

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          Hanrahan

          They are still there even though the park has reopened for summer. Must make more money out of the car park than the patrons.

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  • #
    David Maddison

    What does this 525 year old painting mean?

    The “Laughing Fool” by Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen, ca. 1500.

    https://youtu.be/2N8ej5-S5Q4

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  • #
    David Maddison

    A friend in Victoriastan who already has a 12kW solar system told me he was offered a 5kWh house battery that with taxpayer subsidies would cost him $2500. Does that seem like a worthwhile deal? He hasn’t yet calculated how many kWh of power he uses per year.

    20

    • #
      Chad

      Well it is cheap,..but it depends what is included and if it will integrate with the existing system inverter etc.
      And it seems totally out of proportion to his 12 kW solar system.
      5kWh is unlikely to supply his overnight demand, let alone back up an overcast day.
      He should really be thinking of a 15-20+ kWh battery to benefit from all the surplus solar he will be generating.
      There are deals currently available on 40+kWh battery installations for under $6k.

      50

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      Graeme4

      Agree with Chad, not going to help much, perhaps only cover the occasional grid outages of a few hours. And as Chad says, not going to help much with the evening power draw after cloudy days. Does the cost include interest payments, or is there an additional Opportunity Cost loss to be added to the total cost? Regardless, he will have to save an additional $500 minimum each year, on top of his solar savings, to make it worthwhile.

      40

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        Hanrahan

        Rick has been discussing the wisdom of running household electronics on domestic inverters recently. How many failed items to ruin the economics?

        And a warning from personal experience: Don’t expect much help if your system performs poorly. The industry is only interested in NEW installations.

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          Graeme4

          Most of my failed electronics I’ve attributed to spikes/surges on the mains power. So have fitted surge protectors wherever I have anything with electronics. When designing electronic systems, we used to do a lot of electrostatic testing to determine the weak points, then see if we could re-design to eliminate or reduce the weakness.

          10

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      Eng_Ian

      I buy ZYC batteries, (Simpo 5000), each at 5kW for about $1700 a piece, (direct from distributor). They need a cabinet to house them and all the interconnection devices, including a charger, etc. They do not just plug into the wall.

      In general, if the offered battery is a full system, where it includes a battery, a charger and an inverter, then WALK AWAY. A failure on any one part will render the whole lot useless.

      A 5kWHr battery is TOO small to be of any practical use. A household should be aiming for at least 20kWHr just so that they have the option of self supply in the event of a power outage.

      AND if the system will not self supply in an outage, then WALK AWAY.

      I recommend that a household use a Victron Multiplus 2 inverter charger, rated at 10kW, (ideally), and pass their full load through the unit. Have the batteries connected to the DC terminal and the important connections to AC out 1, any incidental loads to AC out 2. In normal operation the battery will be maintained fully charged. Using custom settings, the unit will drain the battery down in the hours that you chose and then recharge it when it is cheap. If the power goes out, the inverter will keep AC out 1 alive, minimising the rate that the battery will discharge, (AC out 2 goes black).

      They are cheap, they are serviceable and they have a great warranty. You are NOT tied to a specific battery brand and you can always add more batteries as you require. Nothing proprietary in the connectable goods, they have open communication allowing others to connect. You do not have to have them internet connected and you can operate either from the grid or from the battery at your call.

      As a bonus, almost every decent installer will know these systems and can quote.

      And as Rick would say, (if not already installed), get yourself some solar. My suggestion is to aim for the same kW solar on the roof as your average daily demand, that way, you can go off grid, (as long as your battery is around 4-5 times your average demand). 5kWHr battery for 12kW solar is a waste of time, aim bigger for the battery, at least 5x solar panels would be a good start.

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        Eng_Ian

        First line should be 5kWHr battery, not 5kW, (although that is what they will actually delivery, when they are above 20C).

        00

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        ozfred

        A somewhat alternative perspective:

        I have a bit more than 6kw panels on the roof
        Yes I would like a couple of kw more with a winter orientation. Alas it seems currently adding any more panels means the FIT goes to zero.
        I would like a battery sized so that I can power my fridge and freezer in islanded mode during daylight hours if the grid power “disappears” (and ULP becomes optimistically available and expensive). Lighting/computer at night would be very nice but no large mandatory power draws.
        We do have regular grid outages and substation resets.

        What are the pros and cons within the limits of current technology?

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          Hanrahan

          If you are adding more cells with a different orientation than the existing they must be wired in parallel, not series, otherwise they will simply reduce overall efficiency.

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            Eng_Ian

            Very, very wrong advice there Hanrahan.

            The best solution when using another set of panels, especially if facing another direction, is to use ANOTHER charge controller or inverter.

            Having a second set in parallel is a disaster. Imagine the first set of panels, Voc=150V. Second set, because they are not going to be the same manufacturer/model, may have a Voc of 175V. Not unusual numbers. So when you stick them in parallel, the higher voltage set will dictate the voltage arriving at the charge controller or inverter. The lower rated panel will not deliver any power.

            Note the above assumes that the current wiring code applies and a series diode has been installed in each panel string, old and new. If this is NOT done, then the higher voltage panel will drive current INTO the lower voltage panel, (Vdiff = 25V), this will waste power and result in the total power output being lower than either sets of panels. It could also damage the lower rated panels.

            So DO NOT use parallel wiring of solar panels without a series diode AND only IF all panels are equivalently illuminated AND the same brand and model and preferably age too.

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              Hanrahan

              you should have disclaimer that you are in the industry, making a living out of overselling stuff.

              what you are saying is that fred needs a second parallel system.

              if you series two strings, the weaker dictates max current so what happens is as you describe.

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                Eng_Ian

                Hanrahan,
                No disclaimer required. I’m not in the industry.

                If you series two strings, then the weaker sets the current. Not quite true. You can have a solar panel generating 1A of current and still push another amp through it, producing a total of two amps at the outlet. The panel will get hot do to over current but it can do it.

                So YES, you do need two charge controllers or inverters if you want to use TWO strings with different properties and not break stuff or shorten lifespans.

                And another point often missed, when you series connect strings you raise the voltage of the total, often needing a higher rated device to receive the power. If you parallel an additional string you raise the current, often exceeding the device input capacities, it either limits the input, wasting input power, or it cooks itself.

                Sometimes doubling the number of solar strings DOES require purchasing something extra to accept that power, you just can’t keep adding without bumping into a limit, (and I think we all know that the original installation was borderline working with what was already on the roof too).

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            ozfred

            Actually not an issue.
            I already have two inverters. One of the issues of rural 480v in WA.
            One with the capability of adding a second string of panels (and separate from the existing string(s))

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        Graham Richards

        Has the Government guaranteed the manufacturer immunity from prosecution in case of fire resulting in damage to property & / or loss of life or injury.

        They granted immunity to dodgy Pharma companies for Covid Vaccines!!

        After all CC warrants everyone having a ticking time bomb in their home!

        10

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      Hanrahan

      Assuming that it is fully utilised EVERY day he saves $1/d [$0.30.kWh tariff – $0.10 kWh FIT]

      Notice there are few commercial solar farms in Vic. There must be a reason. 🙂

      https://anero.id/energy/solar-energy

      20

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        Eng_Ian

        Few in vicdanistan….. really, drive up the Hume and have a look out around Glenrowan, they are a blight for all to see and a lot more are proposed stretching all the way back to Shepparton.

        They are following the HV powerline. Hoping that they will get a cheap connection before the grid says no more, (see Rick’s comments for more info).

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      Ross

      I’ve got a battery backup system for my home too. No solar panels, but the battery is a $700 petrol generator and a recharge (4L of unleaded fuel) costs around $8. Now that’s cheap🤪

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        Eng_Ian

        And the switchgear to control it? That’s where the money comes into it. Or do you just unplug the fridge and stick an extension lead through an open window?

        20

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          Ross

          Good question- yes, got an electrician to install “switchgear” or a plug with a bypass switch into the main house switchboard. So, add another $700 for parts and labour. It’s pretty basic, but does the job. You can install a high tech gas generator into your house as well, with all the sensors etc. Detects a power outage and then fires up the generator via your gas supply. Even one of those would be far cheaper than a solar panel/battery setup if you want to have back up. I can’t be bothered with all the off-grid stuff.

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            Hanrahan

            I can’t be bothered with all the off-grid stuff.

            Me neither. I learned Ohm’s law 65 years ago, it was my job, not my passion.

            20

  • #
    David Maddison

    It almost defies understanding that three important Anglo countries Canada, Once Great Britain and Australia are all “ruled” by people who not only hate their own country and Western Civilisation but seem intent on destroying them and are doing a very good job at it. The US was the same under Obama/Biden but then along came TRUMP who saved them.

    Even Their ABC acknowledges the dramatic decline of our standard of living in Australia. But no one, present company excepted, seems to care. Once Great Britain seems even worse and seems not too far from civil war if the open borders are not shut down and the invitation for the entire Third World to move there is not cancelled.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-07/can-albanese-government-fix-the-economy-four-corners/105260320

    Australia is in a cost-of-living nightmare: what can the new Albanese government learn from its last term?

    In recent years, Australians experienced a sharp decline in living standards. Households suffered steep rises in the cost of essentials like fruit, bread, dairy and housing.

    170

    • #
      Steve of Cornubia

      All three are ruled by governments (and a permanent bureaucracy) with suspicious ties to the CCP.

      150

    • #
      Eng_Ian

      The question is WHY are they doing it.

      Oz, we are importing the third world and seeing crime climb, no surprises there, so why are we still doing it?
      All of the three, welfare costs are ballooning and the taxpayer pool is shrinking, why not cut spending instead of raising revenue?
      UK, hate crime is a criminal offence even if you offend somebody. Why isn’t it an offence for a police officer to say that you can be jailed for speaking in public, surely the potential criminal is offended by being told they will go to jail?
      All three, cost of living and inflation, why are the numbers so high in reality yet officially so low?
      All three, energy costs and industry leaving. Someone please join the dots for the useless government officials.

      So why are they doing it? Is it bribery? Is it virtue signalling? Is it a promise of a better life, later, elsewhere, in a safe country, (where is that safe country that they are planning to run to)?

      90

  • #
    David Maddison

    The following is a very important video about a number of “gender” cases going on in Australia right now but most Australians are not aware of them because they are not being reported.

    Thankfully Irene in the USA is voluntarily reporting for us and doing the job the Australian Lamestream Media can’t be bothered doing.

    It’s 26 mins but we’ll worth watching.

    https://youtu.be/r7U_VTs_D6M

    50

  • #
    David Maddison

    Have you seen pictures of the Obama Presidential Library?

    It looks like a return to brutalist architecture or some kind of alien monolith.

    https://share.google/Nd4mWhdFFTHwYz6J5

    50

    • #
      Graham Richards

      Hmmmmm! Obviously designed by a genius with great taste & a small foot print fetish. Oh well???

      30

    • #
      Steve

      I will never understand the appeal of Brutalist architecture.

      When I graduated from college in the early 90s, I did the whole backpacking through Europe thing and saw first-hand how the architecture went from beautiful classic and gothic stuff west of the iron curtain to hideous Brutalist apartment blocks on the east side. It really threw me for a loop how in the span of a couple of blocks in Berlin you could go from one of the most beautiful cities in the world to a city full of ugly soulless utilitarian cinder-block tenements.

      That was the trip that really convinced me that my dad was right about collectivist socialist ‘utopias’ being evil and destructive towards the humanity of the people who lived there. I always thought the old man was just engaging in hyperbole, but seeing it first-hand was really shook me.

      How anyone can look at that type of architecture and find ‘beauty’ is beyond the scope of my imagination. That Obama chose to design his library in that style says all you need to know about Barry O.

      121

    • #
      Forrest Gardener

      My money is on alien monolith. There really are some things which can’t be explained any other way.

      30

    • #
      Hanrahan

      I heard recently that it will cost about $400 M and that the Obama foundation has chipped in about $1 M. They got the land for $10 from Chicago even though it was public park.

      What a contrast to Trump’s ballroom the (D)s are having a hissy fit over.

      30

  • #
    another ian

    FWIW

    “Deportus interruptus”

    https://davidgriffey.blogspot.com/2025/10/deportus-interruptus.html

    Via https://instapundit.com/753043/#disqus_thread

    Would you call that a “short time reward”?

    20

  • #
    David Maddison

    Obama’s White House renovations. Copied from Farcebook:

    Obama spent … $376 MILLION…

    Project Year(s) Highlights Impact

    State Dining Room Refurbishment 2015–2016 New carpet, silk draperies, mahogany chairs Revitalized formal entertaining space

    ~~

    White House Kitchen Garden 2009–2017 Over 50 produce varieties, educational use Promoted sustainability and health awareness

    ~~

    Basketball Court Conversion 2009 Added hoops and court lines Personalized recreational space

    ~~

    Interior Modernization 2009–2017 Artwork, furnishings, lighting upgrades Enhanced daily functionality

    20

  • #
    David Maddison

    Don’t forget Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally this weekend.

    About two hours drive from Melbournistan.

    https://www.lakegoldsmithsteamrally.org.au/

    70

  • #
    another ian

    FWIW – more on “They’re keeping you healthy”

    “Earlier this month, the gold-standard Cleveland Clinic published a shocking study titled, “Effectiveness of the Influenza Vaccine During the 2024-2025 Respiratory Viral Season: A Prospective Cohort Study.” In short, the Clinic found that last year’s flu vaccine was at least as effective at preventing the potentially deadly disease than using Himalayan prayer beads or nailing a dead raccoon over your front door.”

    “aha, I’m just kidding. According to the study of some 53,000 healthcare professionals, dead raccoons and prayer beads work better than the flu vaccine. The Clinic found that, after about 90 days following the injections —well after any FDA-required postmarketing trials stop looking— staff who got the shots became increasingly more likely to get the flu than their unjabbed coworkers.

    In technical terms, the Clinic’s researchers discovered the flu vaccine had a negative efficacy of -27%.”

    More at

    https://open.substack.com/pub/coffeeandcovid/p/preparedness-monday-october-27-2025?

    And the next item there

    “Late last week, the Washington Post (of course) ran a vaccine story with a headline so definitive and so magically wonderful I decided to screen-grab it for you. Behold:”

    “I suspect the cascade of studies lately showing increased rates of cancer following mRNA vaccination were getting too inconveniently crowded, so Big Pharma needed some friendly scientists to put some stuffing back in the jabs. If so, it resulted in the stupidest example of engineered $cience since, well, the last time.”

    70

  • #
    another ian

    FWIW

    “DEAL WITH THE DEVIL: UK Muslim Tells UK Progressive This Brutal Truth”

    “”No we’re not” was one UK Muslim’s curt response to a well-meaning lefty’s assurance that “We’re on the same side, bruv.” ”

    More at

    https://pjmedia.com/vodkapundit/2025/10/27/deal-with-the-devil-uk-muslim-tells-uk-progressive-this-brutal-truth-n4945310

    60

  • #
    John Connor II

    New breakthrough treatment destroys up to 90% of skin and colon cancer cells in just 30 minutes

    In the new method, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin fired infrared light, a type of light invisible to the eye, from LED bulbs at test tubes that contained human skin cancer or colon cancer cells and healthy human skin cells.

    The tubes also contained nanoscopic flakes of tin oxide, or SnOx nanoflakes, which were absorbed by the cancer cells.

    The scientists found that when the light was fired at the cells, the nanoscopic flakes absorbed it and heated up, turning into ‘microscopic heaters’ that damaged cancer cells and caused them to die, while leaving the healthy cells mostly undamaged.

    After 30 minutes, researchers found that the treatment had killed up to 92 percent of skin cancer cells and 50 percent of colon cancer cells, while the healthy cells remained largely unaffected.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-15230991/light-based-cancer-treatment-30-minutes-ut-austin-study.html

    Anything’s better than barbaric chemo.

    110

    • #
      Steve of Cornubia

      I hope that, one day soon, one of these ‘stunning breakthroughs’ actually cures cancer. I’ve been reading these stories for most of my life yet here we are, with cancer deaths RISING and millions of people still having poisonous chemicals injected into them and/or mutilated by drastic surgery that often has life changing after effects. I hate to think of the stupendous sums of money that have been, and continue to be, poured into research, funded by taxpayers and charitable donations, while any profits arising are privatised.

      Until an ACTUAL cure emerges, this highly profitable business model will continue.

      70

      • #
        John Connor II

        Gotta keep the staff for those 70,000 research grants employed.😁
        Around $25 billion allocated to those 70,000.
        Global cost of treating cancers around $30 trillion in the next few decades (not factoring in the safe & effective vax fallout)

        Amish: “what’s cancer?”😎

        50

      • #
        Hanrahan

        I feel your pain, I feel the same about Az “cures”.

        00

  • #
    John Connor II

    Homemade 3D printed drone hits 585km/h and consumes 15kW, or 3 households worth of power

    The South African father-and-son duo Mike and Luke Bell have developed what is likely the world’s fastest electric DIY drone. The Peregreen 3 reached a speed of 585 km/h during a flight. Previously, the two hobbyists already held speed records in 2023 and 2024 with the predecessors of the record-breaking drone, Peregreen 1 and 2, before being dethroned in February 2025 by a Swiss development team with a speed of 558 km/h.

    https://www.heise.de/en/news/Peregreen-3-Fastest-electric-DIY-quadcopter-drone-flies-585-km-h-10908286.html

    More like a missile than a drone.

    40

    • #
      David Maddison

      Awesome video.

      I loved their optimisation using CFD (computational fluid dynamics).

      It might be the last science and technology ever done in South Africa as the country is now returning to its pre-colonial roots and dismantling the infrastructure and burning universities.

      TRUMP should offer that father and son team and their family refuge in the United States. (They would not be allowed to immigrate to Australia because they are white as we found with the farmers who TRUMP also took in.)

      60

  • #
    • #
      Forrest Gardener

      Eerily prescient.

      What led the authors to imagine that an apparently intelligent machine might turn against those it pretended to serve. And what led them to imagine apparently intelligent machines in the first place?

      Mind you they got some things wrong like the PanAm branding on the space craft. And Orwell too got his telescreens a bit wrong in 1984.

      Not to worry, I’ll just maintain my belief in time travel and space aliens. You know it makes sense!

      30

  • #
    John Connor II

    Vaccines Are Now Considered ‘Necessary Medical Biogenics’…You Will Be Vaccinated Against Your Will While Under Anesthesia.

    The terms Biologic/Biogenic refers to a certain set of medical products & procedures that contain ‘living organisms’ from human, animal or microorganisms.

    New consent forms, that are required to be signed, do not use the term ‘vaccine’ anymore. Vaccines are within the group of products deemed Biologics/Biogenics, so the informed consent documents will use these terms with the assumption that every patient, parent & guardian knows this information.

    https://x.com/ValerieAnne1970/status/1982324062639538607

    11

  • #
    OldOzzie

    Curious – Is this happening in Australia?

    There is a distinct pattern of trucker crashes in Canada

    More and more 18-wheelers seem to be pulling illegal U-turns, running stop signs and ploughing into construction queues. What’s to be done?

    Note the Names.

    20

    • #
      David Maddison

      In California for example, the fully woke Government was illegally issuing commercial driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Other woke states were or are doing it. This has resulted in many accidents and deaths as the driver’s are not qualified. The TRUMP Administration is trying to stop it. These drivers might be driving into Canada on their illegal licenses.

      https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/27/california-non-citizen-licenses

      https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/truck-driver-fatal-florida-crash-repeatedly-failed-driving-126848981

      https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-takes-emergency-action-protect-americas

      30

    • #
      Hanrahan

      There are very few 18 wheelers in Oz.

      10

      • #
        ozfred

        The equivalent “articulated lorries” would likely have 22 tires making contact with the road surface. Add another 12 for each additional tagged wagon. At least in WA, the use of compacted gravel for the road subsurface has a lower carrying capacity than what would be used in the USA. Perhaps the requirements to handle freezing temperatures which complicate this foundation (water freezing expands) and the bitumen coverings.
        Summer road worker after year two of university.

        30

      • #
        John Connor II

        Australia truck data, 2025:

        Heavy rigid – 400,000
        Articulated – 130,000

        20

      • #

        I’m visiting Canberra at the moment and I actually did it in the way of a road trip, my last one in my life I guess. Two days to drive here, and two days to drive home with two weeks in (freezing) Canberra. (Minus 1C to 14C today)

        I was dumbfounded by the number of B Doubles and Triples on the road down here. I came down via the inland route, via Toowoomba, Goondiwindi, Narrabri, etc. The doubles have the front axle with the two steering wheels, and there are 8 axles with 4 wheels, hence 34 wheelers, and the Triples with 11 axles, hence 46 wheelers. Some triples even have bogies, hence more wheels again.

        I was surprised at how little traffic was on the roads, even though I suppose I was on Secondary major highways. Both legs on the ‘down’ journey were dream runs in fact, even if on a Thursday and Friday.

        Those road trains get up and go too. I turned off at Coonabarabran, and proceeded via Wellington and Cowra to Canberra, and again very little traffic. Just after the turnoff I overtook a B Double as he got up to speed. For the next 160Km, through a couple of small towns, and he was never more than a Kilometre back.

        I rolled up many hundred thousand ks during my time in the RAAF, and I was used to the ‘shock wave’ from rigs coming in the opposite direction, and in those days there were only the 18 wheelers.

        What I noticed on this trip was those shock waves have been virtually eliminated. It’s either better sedans or better rigs, with hardly any buffetting at all. And I was also surprised at just how good the roads actually were in fact.

        I got 48MPG from my 2018 Corolla too, so that was impressive, and for U.S. readers the Australian (Imperial) Gallon is bigger than the US gallon, so that’s just a tick under 58MPG U.S.

        My first few Corollas would hum along at 4000RPM at 60MPH, and this latest Corolla does that same speed at just 2200RPM.

        And in a comment back to yesterday’s road safety thread, most of the Highway sections were regulated at 110KPH, and it was quite an easy and in fact safe speed to keep to, both for rigs and passenger vehicles alike.

        The whole experience was just amazing really. I thought I may be too old for the trip, but it was just a snap really.

        Tony.

        80

        • #
          Graham Richards

          Not bad economy Tony.
          I have a Toyota Aurion powered by a 3.5l V6. 200 kw of power., smooth as, and on the open road this wonderful machine gives me between 7.2l/100km and 7.6 l/ 100km.

          That’s around 35 miles/ imp gallon.!

          Around town it gives the same consumption as my wife’s Holden Astra wagon
          10l/100km!

          I call it my poor man’s Mercedes! It’s also much less expensive on maintenance!

          20

      • #
        Ronin

        The US have better roads than us so can have a higher axle loading so one less axle on the trailer.

        40

    • #
      KP

      ” Is this happening in Australia?”

      Yes- Young guy I build race cars with is a truck and heavy earth-moving machinery driver. He was towing a rally car back through the ravine near Sofala out Mudgee way, and came around a corner just as a semi jack-knifed and rolled the trailer. A panicky Indian jumped out and said he didn’t know what happened. Mate said ten minutes talking to him showed clearly he didn’t have a clue about driving trucks.

      Another young mate is the chief mechanic for the company that owned that truck, he just complains about them not doing any maintenance checks and blowing up the refrigeration trailers all the time.

      60

  • #
    OldOzzie

    Canadian Forces veteran James Challice tells John Ivison about his experiences fighting in Ukraine and why there’s ‘no room for a soldier anymore that’s combat-trained’

    “The fast progression of this war was unreal. It started with (the Russians being in the) next building beside you, close quarters combat.

    The next time I went back, there were a few drones for reconnaissance and they were armed.

    And then all of sudden I came back after that, and when I got there, the place was littered with $400 drones with IEDs (improvised explosive devices) on them.

    “The progression has gone so fast, you now have a $400 drone with an AI tech guidance system that can see up from 12 to 20 kilometres away, so you can’t really hide. There are drones that can see you from 20 kilometres away, that can zoom in on a frog through a tree. It’s now become a real chess match. The advancement in technology, the advancement in drone warfare, means there is no front line anymore. You go to the front lines, you go there to draw fire or unfortunately to die,” he said.

    “There is no more close combat. Like I said, there’s no room for a soldier anymore that’s combat-trained. Now, there’s 20-year-old kids that are sitting 15 kilometres away in a hole with 300 drones, and they just send one up after the other, after the other (while) in their boxers eating chips.”

    The change has been a great leveller for Ukraine, which instead of using $250,000 a missile Javelins to take out a tank, now does the same job with a $400 drone.

    They mass produce these things. I’ve been in drone factories from Zaporizhzhia to Kharkiv, to even just north of Pokrovsk, and I’m not talking tens, there’s tens of thousands being built in these places. If one goes down, they send five more up.

    40

    • #
      Ross

      Yep, heard a similar quote from an ex Russian army soldier involved in the Ukraine conflict. ( via a podcast, not personal ) Thousands of drones both sides have made tanks and other armour redundant. Soldiers cannot move around in any groups greater than 3, because they are detected instantly and droned. The Russian now has PTSD syndrome and freaks out whenever he hears a noise that resembles that drone rotor noise. But that’s ok, Australia can send Ukraine some more Bushmasters, which will be just good target practice.

      20

      • #
        Hanrahan

        You were talking about Ru V Uk war, then call Australians idiots. Where’s the connection?

        10

      • #
        Hanrahan

        The post you referenced spoke of the rapid changes in warfare. With that in mind note the dates and Zelensky’s request in this AI answer to when we delivered the Bushmasters

        Australia has sent multiple batches of Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. The first delivery occurred in April 2022, following a direct request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his address to the Australian Parliament, when Australia pledged 20 Bushmasters.
        This initial shipment was followed by additional deliveries: another 20 vehicles were announced in May 2022, and a further 30 were donated in July 2022.
        In October 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an additional 30 Bushmasters, bringing the total to 90.
        Another 30 were delivered in July 2023, increasing the total to 120.
        A final batch was delivered by Christmas Eve 2023, as announced by Australian Ambassador Bruce Edwards.
        This latest shipment was described as a significant gesture, symbolizing Australia’s solidarity with Ukraine.

        10

        • #
          KP

          How many are left of that 120?? A dozen?

          10

          • #
            Ross

            The other day the Ukraine ambassador requested Australia supply another 200. Probably wants them for free. About the only good thing about the whole Ukraine donation thing, is that it employs a lot of people in Bendigo, Victoria. (Thales factory situated there).

            10

            • #
              el+gordo

              They will probably have a new addition.

              ‘AIM Defence’s Fractl Portable High Energy Laser became the ADF’s first directed energy weapon early in 2024. The product can be mounted on a stand for protection at a base or encampment, or attached to one of the antenna mounts on a Bushmaster to facilitate relocation and immediate use in a “shoot and scoot” scenario.

              ‘Its sophisticated targeting and focusing system, provided through multiple computer vision algorithms, allows it to track an object the size of a 10-cent piece travelling at 100kph from over 1km away.’ (EOS)

              01

              • #
                KP

                “‘Its sophisticated targeting and focusing system, provided through multiple computer vision algorithms, allows it to track an object the size of a 10-cent piece travelling at 100kph from over 1km away.’”

                Well, I hope we have 50 or so guys over there trying it out, because words are cheap compared to front-line experiences.

                “Probably wants them for free. About the only good thing about the whole Ukraine donation thing, is that it employs a lot of people in Bendigo, Victoria. (Thales factory situated there).”

                Absolutely wants them free, plus a fat cash donation to the war. We might as well just make them and push them into the sea, its all just a waste of taxpayer’s money.

                21

              • #
                el+gordo

                Its weapons testing time and there is a lot of money to be had. As a Coalition of the Willing member we are happy to donate a complete package.

                Its not a waste of tax money, looking at the big picture, it is an investment that will pay dividends at the end of hostilities.

                11

            • #
              Hanrahan

              So Ross’s flippant putdown was just group think.

              10

          • #
            Hanrahan

            So you have no idea, but does it matter how many still exist after 3 yrs? Ru has lost 3,000 tanks. Stuff gets blown up in war. What you should be asking is how many survived/died in them and whether the grunts would rather be in them or on foot.

            00

          • #
            Hanrahan

            Q. how many ukrainian soldiers have died in bushmaster personnel carriers?

            A. As of the latest available information, one Ukrainian soldier crew member is confirmed to have died in a Bushmaster personnel carrier after it was hit by an anti-tank weapon.
            This incident occurred during the use of the vehicles in Ukraine, where three Bushmasters were destroyed, with two crews surviving and one crew losing a member.
            The Bushmaster is designed to protect its occupants from mines, IEDs, small arms fire, and artillery blast, but it is not impervious to direct hits from anti-tank weapons or missiles.
            The vehicle’s V-shaped hull provides significant protection against underbelly blasts, which has contributed to the survival of many soldiers in similar incidents.

            The Ukrainian military has reported that the Bushmaster’s protection, particularly against mine explosions, has saved lives on the battlefield.

            10

    • #
      OldOzzie

      The Economist – Western drones are underwhelming on the Ukrainian battlefield

      Most are too expensive, and irrelevant to the kind of war Russia is waging

      AMERICAN SWITCHBLADE drones were once cutting-edge. Fast, clever and precise, they were essential kit for special forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. But when a batch of Switchblade-300s reached Ukraine in 2022, high hopes were quickly shattered.

      The drones were too expensive. They struggled against Russian electronic warfare. They caused minimal damage when they hit their targets.

      “When we tested them, they glitched under jamming conditions,” says Valery Borovyk, a military-drone developer. “When one hit the rear window of a minibus, the front windows didn’t even shatter.”

      Since then various Western companies have sought to showcase their drones on what has become the world’s best testing ground. But they have largely fallen flat. Ukrainian companies that once looked to emulate Western tech heroes like Anduril and Helsing now find themselves plotting a path for those multi-billion euro “companies to follow. Mr Borovyk, whose drones have been linked to those used in Operation Spiderweb, a brazen Ukrainian raid that destroyed strategic bombers deep inside Russia, reckons “no more than 20-30%” of the battleground technology is Western. “Ukraine now outpaces almost every country in the world,” he says.

      Cost is part of the explanation, but performance is increasingly as important. Ukrainian drone companies are producing products that are more relevant to the fight. They are more agile and have a keener understanding of the front, its big data, and the fast-changing needs.

      All this makes disposability crucial.

      The average ground drone (UGV) in Ukraine, for example, has a life expectancy of just one week, says Viktor Dolgopiatov, who heads Burevii, a design bureau pioneering this emergent class of weapon. When you multiply such losses along 2,000km of front line, the scale of the challenge is clear. It makes no sense to send a few Western ground systems costing hundreds of thousands of dollars into battle when Ukrainian near-equivalents can be manufactured for $10,000-20,000. Yet that is where Western companies and their governments have often placed their bets. “It’s like choosing between BMWs and Skoda Octavias,”

      20

      • #
        KP

        “The average ground drone (UGV) in Ukraine, for example, has a life expectancy of just one week, ”

        About the same as a UGV operator, the Russians target them especially and there is a bounty paid on killing them. ….as the Ukies do too. Anything that emits a radio signal is tracked and hit as soon as possible, hence the fibre-optic spiderwebs coating the fields.

        30

    • #
      • #
        OldOzzie

        Big Serge above is an excellent analysis

        whilst to quote Big Serge,

        On the other hand, we have the true obsessives who continue to dutifully follow the frontlines regularly and are voluntarily intaking daily updates.

        We end up with a bifurcated system where some people are still highly plugged in to the micro movements on the battlefield, but most people just don’t care, and we can hardly blame the latter.

        I think it would be profitable, then, to think about the broader Russian operational scheme, what it has achieved, and what it aims to achieve in the coming year. This is probably more interesting and less repetitious than fixating on the exact positioning within Pokrovsk or Kupyansk.

        00

        • #
          KP

          Like the battleships of old, you keep them in a harbour as a threat, because they might get sunk if used in a war!

          “In the case of Tomahawks, however, the United States is running the most serious risk of all: what if the Russians simply shoot down some of the missiles and eat the rest of the strikes? It’s immaterial whether the Tomahawks damage Russian powerplants or oil refineries. If Tomahawks are delivered and consumed without seriously jarring Russian nerves, the last escalatory card will have been played. If Russia perceives that America has reached the limits of its ability to raise the costs of the war for Russia, it undercuts the entire premise of negotiations. More simply put, Tomahawks are most valuable as an asset to threaten with.’

          Mainly, if they use Tomahawks they will need more skilled American soldiers in Ukraine doing the maintenance and targeting, and they will be a prized target instantly. ..and even worse, if you use a Tomahawk against Russia they will immediately record its signature and characteristics, and work out how to neutralise it.

          Five enormous, unique trucks to launch Tomahawks, instantly recognisable and a worthy target for an Oreshnik missile, which already get past the best anti-missile batteries America has. It really has lose-lose for Trump written all over it.

          20

          • #
            el+gordo

            Trump said no to the Tomahawks going to Ukraine, which is prudent because Putin is clearly insane.

            The locally built Flamingo has already performed very well and a lot cheaper than buying Tomahawks.

            11

      • #
        KP

        The most important thing of the whole operation is for Westerners to see the propaganda from both sides! To know, when the final outcome occurs, that what they were told was total bullsh1t, no matter which side they supported.

        The war is still Govts versus their subjects, and we are all at war!

        20

      • #
        Hanrahan

        This war is 3.5 yrs on. War fertilises invention.

        In 1939 the Uboat and the Luftwaffe were unbeatable, A few years later the cavity magnetron turned both boats and planes into coffins. Why are you surprised that what was once thought of as “war winning” is now passé? That is Generals using the tools they have and wanting more of them.

        Technology changes during a war.

        40

  • #
    RickWill

    More Emilie Purple to make you smile:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY20hT3ug80

    10

  • #
    another ian

    FWIW – unlikely at “Their ABC”?

    “Crown Jewel Thieves From Muslim No-Go Zones Tried to Flee to Muslim Countries
    Today’s great thieves don’t wear tuxes, they wear beards and hijabs. ”

    https://www.frontpagemag.com/crown-jewel-thieves-from-muslim-no-go-zones-tried-to-flee-to-muslim-countries/

    30

  • #
    el+gordo

    Its already too late, we are doomed to live in paradise.

    ‘Guterres said the lack of NDC ambition means the Paris goal of 1.5C will be breached, at least temporarily: “From those [NDCs] received until now, there is an expectation of a reduction of emissions of 10%. We would need 60% [to stay within 1.5C]. So overshooting is now inevitable.” (Guardian)

    11

  • #
    another ian

    FWIW

    “Shock New Report Lays Out the Full Scale of Environmental Damage Caused by Onshore Wind Turbines”

    “Fresh insights into the ecological devastation caused by onshore wind turbines around the world are contained in a shocking new paper published last month by a group of ecologists in Nature. The paper is paywalled and has attracted little mainstream media interest, but it highlights research that illustrates that the effect of utility-scale wind energy production “can be far reaching and sometimes have large and unexpected consequences for biodiversity”. An annual figure of around one million bats are killed in the countries with the highest number of turbines, but harmful effects are seen in many other parts of the ecosystem. The number of top predators such as jaguars, jungle cats and golden jackals can be changed by turbines in tropical forest gaps leading to the “possibility for cascading effects” along similar latitudinal levels.”

    More at

    https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/10/27/shock-new-report-lays-out-the-full-scale-of-environmental-damage-caused-by-onshore-wind-turbines/

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    another ian

    FWIW

    “Greenwashing Is Not A Glitch – It Has Become The System”

    ““Net-zero” has become the corporate mantra of our time. But every “green” solution from solar panels to EVs leaves a trail of negative environmental impact (and greenhouse gases, that do exist and help to keep a temperate climate on Earth) somewhere else.

    Every time I hear a company announce they are going “net-zero,” I start looking for the asterisk.

    And sure enough, there it is, buried in the fine print next to a “carbon offset” bought somewhere far away or a “renewable certificate” that’s already been sold three times over. We’re stacking „carbon credit“s nine layers deep and calling it progress.

    This isn’t sustainability…It smells of greenwashing.”

    More at

    https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/10/27/greenwashing-is-not-a-glitch-it-has-become-the-system/

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  • #
    another ian

    FWIW

    From an idle pondering on “What is the railway gauge in Ukraine?”

    “European-gauge railway opens in Ukraine, enabling direct cross-border links with EU”

    https://railmarket.com/news/infrastructure/38878-european-gauge-railway-opens-in-ukraine-enabling-direct-cross-border-links-with-eu

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