Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

Starlink Mini Performance Report

We live in sort of a low hollow area in our semi-rural desert home with rising terrain to the north and a couple of places towards the southwest. Even under conditions of placing the Starlink Mini dish on the roof of the house, we would have a limited view of the sky. That being said, I did not want to climb up on the roof to put the dish up there, so I placed it on the spa in the Arizona Room (screened-in patio) by the RV Drive behind the house. Due to the limited sky view from the patio, the Starlink App reports the following 3-D graphic of the obstructions the unit “sees.”

The “dish,” in reality, is a planar phased array antenna which scans the sky for satellite signals and plots the areas blocked by obstructions. The App admonishes that the map of obstructions is collected over several hours and should be stable-ish after a while. The map shown has been integrated over the last day or so with the current antenna placement. Blue equals clear sky shot and red is obstructed. The white square is the antenna. I estimate clear sky to be no more than 35-40 percent of the dome. Regardless of the overwhelming obstructions, the system can deliver the performance seen in the OOKLA download rate seen below.

That rate is sufficient to do most internet streaming services, but may not perform as well for interactive gaming or other similar stuff for which we have no need. There is a caveat on the megabit performance shown; the satellite constellation is on the move and the performance (rate) may suffer as things go in and out of range, so some buffering (delays) may be possible.

Another note of interest: during the past few weeks, our Cox Internet Cable has gone down for several hours at a time. With the (approximate) setup shown in the top image, we continued internet service in spite of the outages on the cable.

We should do OK on the road with all of our internet needs as we take off for a nice long RV excursion in a few weeks.

This is not a paid plug, but I notice that the Starlink Mini is on sale for 40 percent off or so ($299 vs $499).

17 May 2025 by Aerospace Cyberspace Notions Rocket Science Technobabble 0

Armed Forces Day

Take a few moments today, to think about and pray for our military heroes, past, present and future. Pray for their safety, security and success in their efforts to keep America safe and secure. Pray for their renewal and restoration to be the mightiest force in the world, that they might ensure peace on Earth.

Image courtesy of Mark Alexander and the Patriot Post.

In his first annual message in January of 1790, then-President George Washington declared, “To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” In his 1793 annual message, Washington said likewise, “If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war.”

That is a timeless truth attributed to Roman author Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus’s tract, “Concerning Military Matters” (c400 AD), in which he wrote what is now paraphrased in Latin, “Si vis pacem, para bellum” — “If you want peace, prepare for war.”

Our Founders understood the merits of a strong defense, as all learned men throughout history have understood, but presidents who have neglected to heed the wisdom of that maxim are responsible for the loss of thousands of American military lives when unprepared for war, as was the case with Franklin Roosevelt before World War II.

Clearly, Donald Trump is the strongest advocate of “Si vis pacem, para bellum” since President Ronald Reagan, and our Armed Forces know they have a commander-in-chief they can both respect and trust.

Si vis pacem, para bellum, indeed. If you seek peace, prepare for war.

17 May 2025 by Military Patriotism 0

Mothers Day 2025

We have no children or other descendants living close by, so we will be celebrating Mothers Day quietly while remembering our departed Mothers in Heaven as we prepare a nice Sunday Feast of smoked London Broil steak. The meat is marinating as I write this and will be put in the smoker soon.

Damsel is a Mother and Grandmother as well. We will celebrate her with a card and a gift from myself and the puppies for whom she does a good job of “mothering.”

Our three grandchildren living in California are now all Mothers since the birth of the latest (5th) great-grandchild in early March of this year. We will be wishing the young Mothers a very happy Mothers Day.

Mothers day falls in the spring when flowers from the various cacti are popping up. The (clickable) image above is of a saguaro cactus flower taken earlier on Saturday (05/10/2025), complete with some pollinators doing their thing.

So, we wish God’s Blessing on all the mothers out there, past, present and future. Happy Mothers Day!

11 May 2025 by Culture Flowers Holidays Home & Garden Notions 0

Beltane – Celtic Feast Event

Celtic Beltane Feast — Click to enlarge.

We celebrated this ancient feast today with a traditional meal usually associated with our Irish ancestry: Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner with Low-Carb Veggies. Very tasty and filling, indeed. Happy Beltane!

From the LEO AI:

The Celtic Beltane Feast, also known as Beltane, is a traditional spring celebration marking the beginning of summer in ancient Celtic culture. It typically takes place on May 1st or May 2nd, corresponding to the spring equinox. During this time, the Celts would light bonfires to purify and protect their homes, livestock, and people from evil spirits. They would also decorate their homes with flowers, leaves, and other natural elements to welcome the arrival of summer. The Beltane Feast was a joyous occasion, filled with music, dance, and feasting, as the Celts celebrated the fertility of the land and the return of warmth and light.

Disclaimer: Our celebration of the Feast of Beltane in no way shall disassociate us with our firm belief in Jesus Christ and the Christian Faith.

03 May 2025 by Food & Dining Holidays Notions 0

As the Bell Trolls

I just back ordered one of these awesome hats from Trump Store for Damsel. It was on backorder since the hat trolling the leftist idiocy seems to be very popular among the supporters of this administration. We love the trolling and watching the idiots and leftists (I repeat myself) go berserk.

From Duck.ai:

The “Trump 2028 Troll Hat” has emerged as a symbol of both political satire and fervent support for former President Donald Trump. This distinctive headgear, often emblazoned with bold slogans and vibrant colors, serves as a playful nod to the idea of Trump running for president again in 2028, despite his ongoing legal challenges and the controversies surrounding his previous administration. The hat has become a favorite among supporters who enjoy the blend of humor and political commentary, using it to express their loyalty while also poking fun at the unpredictability of American politics.

In the realm of social media and political discourse, the “Troll Hat” has sparked conversations about the nature of political branding and the role of humor in campaigning. It reflects a growing trend where merchandise not only serves as a means of support but also as a tool for satire, allowing individuals to engage in political discussions in a lighthearted manner. As the 2028 election approaches, the hat is likely to remain a fixture at rallies and events, embodying the spirit of a movement that thrives on both enthusiasm and irreverence.

Caveat — Trump 2028 hats run USD $50.00 plus tax & shipping.

27 Apr 2025 by Humor Notions Whacko Politics 0

Easter 2025

Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is Risen!

We wish you a Joyful and Happy Easter!

20 Apr 2025 by Religion 0

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