Did the US Air Force take out an Amateur Radio balloon for $470,000?

Quite interesting and quite a coincidence if it was not AR Pico balloon.

 

Was the Object an amateur radio balloon?

https://www.rtl-sdr.com/the-us-airf...wn-an-amateur-radio-pico-balloon-over-canada/

(edit) See also: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/tech...pc=U531&cvid=b4330e5eef794480946b6d328af6d44b

 

Lock your doors.

 

https://aviationweek.com/defense-sp...y-clubs-missing-balloon-feared-shot-down-usaf

 

Glad the mylar radar reflector on my boat was useless. I so got ripped off.

 

Sorry you got ripped off...

 

My dogs used to respond and look around when I said the word "squirrel." Now they only do it when I say "balloon."

 

That version of sidewinder can also seek from a Radar run by the wingman or a F-15 standing by illuminating the object.

 

That's was what Kennedy said yesterday

 

Looks like this one will get back into our Airspace tomorrow, and it flew over North Korea

 

Doubtful. It's not even clear they shot anything down (other than the original Chinese balloon). If they did, they don't know what it was and don't seem to be describing some ham radio/APRS balloon. Originally, they went on about retrieving the debris from the objects. That debris now appears to have evaporated with the morning dew.

 

Moving ahead, you guys better start thinking about ways to increase the radar cross section of ALL APRS or WSPR equipped balloons, especially PICO ones. Make them easy to find on radar. Update APRS /WSPR tracking in real time. Provide visual ID in huge letters.

Team up with DOD.

There really is a concatenation of ignorance here on both sides of the equation. I am just shaking my head...next time cooler heads may not prevail IMO. And then where are we...

Nothing was done wrong. It's just that in this dangerous and crazy time we are in, you cannot assume everything will go right. Mistakes cause wars.

 

Uh oh.