Search Results for: emp

Four Letters Re: EMP Preparedness and Countermeasures

…However, keep in mind that EMP can also be carried beyond line of sight (BLOS), via coupling through any linear metallic objects that can act as an antenna. These include phone lines, power lines, and even railroad tracks. The coupled EMP could conceivably travel many hundreds of miles. The bottom line: In Alaska you should be safe from the EMP generated by most anticipated terrorist use of nukes, but in the event that nation states start tossing around nukes, all bets are off. James: Why isn’t there an EMP category on your site? A while back, I inquired about back-up computer modules for vehicles and other means of protecting vehicle electronics, but you didn’t post it.. – Stephen F. JWR Replies: Sorry about the delay, but I was saving up a few letters regarding EMP to answer all at once. I have been filing most of the EMP letters and…


Letter Re: Some Details on the High Altitude EMP Threat

…(space-based) EMP with a hydrogen bomb is presently a capability of only a handful of nation states. China is the biggest threat, in my opinion. As for fusion bombs concealed inside satellites, that is conceivable, notwithstanding the Space-Based weapons treaty. (The US and the former Soviet Union were signatories, but China was not.) In my opinion, of far greater concern is EMP from a nuclear bomb on-board an aircraft. Assuming detonation at a high altitude, detonated suicidally, inside the aircraft, rather than being dropped) that would provide a broad line of sight (LOS) for EMP to provide a “footprint” radius of perhaps more than 200 miles, and far beyond line of sight (BLOS) indirect EMP coupling (via power lines and telephone cables) to a much larger radius. I first discussed LOS calculation for EMP in SurvivalBlog back in October of 2005, and I wrote the following more detailed piece in…


Three Letters Re: The Simple Reality of EMP — Different Than You Might Expect

…that prevents the usual recharging of the NiCd or Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery packs. So, unless you are a ham radio operator, expect a long delay before normal radio communications are restored. Due to the limitations and vulnerabilities of public service two-way radio networks, reestablishing a nationwide network of radio communications is going to take time. Sincerely, – Bruce C. James: Andru’s outlook about EMP is in part misleading. The main item that Andru got correct is that an EMP attack will be more devastating that any other attack on America. I am an engineer and have read the Critical National Infrastructures (CNI) Report and this report is based on educated opinions without large scale testing since large scale testing has not been performed due to banning of nuclear testing. Localized EMP testing generally wipes out the electronics depending on how close the EMP generator is to the electronic equipment….


Two Letters Re: The EMP Threat May Be Worse Than We Had Thought

Hi Jim: I understand about an EMP attack and it’s possibilities to wreak havoc. But I can’t help but wonder when I hear about a possible future EMP attack if we are trying to convince the terrorists through disinformation to detonate their nuclear weapons at a safe altitude instead of over the capitol during the state of the union speech. I am thinking that for an EMP attack to be effective they would need at least 4 or 5 high yield nuclear weapons of at least 1 megaton each . These would have to be evenly spread over the US relative to population density. Russia could pull it off, and I am sure they would begin a nuclear attack an EMP. But I think the EMP effects of one 15 kiloton range weapon a terrorist would have would be isolated. I could be wrong, but I can’t help but wonder….


Letter: EMP Foil Wrap

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Good morning, Hugh and James, I’ve posed questions before RE: EMP protection, and now I have one or two more. Survival blog had a recent series of posts about how to EMP-proof steel ammo cans; I found them enlightening. but they sparked some questions. A Faraday Cage The purpose of a Faraday cage is to completely enclose the item one wishes to protect with a conductive material. This will not permit passage of electromagnetic energy of certain wavelengths. The usual approach to Faraday cages is to exclude all wavelengths of electromagnetic energy. Different electronic components may also be susceptible to energy of different wavelengths. An EMP event may include myriad wavelengths of electromagnetic energy. This creates the preference for solid material, rather than mesh, EMP protection. I’m wondering why wrapping electronics in sturdy aluminum foil, completely enclosing them in the foil like a well-wrapped Christmas package, would not work. My…


Letter Re: Motor Vehicles and the EMP Threat

…started listening to EMPAct America on Blog Talk radio where I heard my EMP friend speak, and where I have frequently heard authors like you and William Forstchen speak.  Forstchen of course wrote the book One Second After. In that book the EMP event takes out almost all automobiles instantly and gridlocks the roads, streets and interstates.  This led me to discuss the likelihood of vehicle susceptibility with my EMP friend.  He directed me to the EMP Commission results. (This was a commission set up by the US Congress.)  There I read not only the executive summary, but the full report.  Later I discussed the report with my friend.  He reiterated, (and I quote loosely), “If you are focused on the direct and immediate effects of EMP to your automobile, you may be disappointed and you will have missed the main point.  The effect of an EMP event could be…


David in Israel Comments on EMP Protection

…has likely reduced these preparations as has the Cold War threat reduction. Power grid is questionable with many miles of “antenna” ready to fry regulating components. Have no doubt that your DSL and cable modems will die a quick death, likely shoving a serious spike through your wired network, the tiny WiFi antennas with 1-2 db gain will likely survive even if the WiFi card fails so this may actually protect your laptop if it is properly surge protected again you can make dischargers for your network cable if you want to take the time. DSLAM‘s on the Telco side have no requirement to be EMP resistant, so it is likely all broadband will die after a EMP incident. BTW, up to the old Intel 386 there was EMP hardening designed into processors I am not sure which 386 model was the last to include this feature. References: http://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp.htm http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Falls/1984/emp.htm…


Getting Home In The Event Of An EMP- Part 1, by B.M.

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…of truck bodies) may leave a vehicle running or nearby vehicles able to be ‘rebooted’. Unless you’re prepared with all the needed electronics and tools to replace them quickly (not drawling attention too yourself too ) just get out. EMP damage has a strong debunking crowd to divide and conquer us on the ability to survive , and in my opinion to cut their competition so their ‘friends’ have best chance. As many quote it’s “prepare for the worse and ‘hope’ for the best” Kroneborge The EMP commission didn’t test under full power. They just tested till they got the first problem. A real EMP will almost certainly be worse. Paul Seyfried Bron Cikotas was directly involved in the testing of light vehicles. He told me they tested to 50kv/m2. Some consider this a light insult in the context of possible Super EMP weapons, but we really won’t know until…………


Using EMP-Hardened HF Ham Radio to Send/Receive E-Mail During Nationwide Outage- Part 1, by PrepperDoc

There are multiple possible scenarios that may result in a regional an/or national combined loss of Internet connectivity and cell/telephone service, during which you would probably wish to maintain communications to loved ones and others. EMP may destroy routers, cell towers, and power sources; solar coronal mass ejection (CME) may remove power from all communications systems; cyber warfare may have similar outcomes. Travel in some of these circumstances will be difficult, or dangerous to impossible. Ham radio VHF/UHF repeaters may go down, due to power outages or EMP. Direct, point to point simplex VHF Ham radio will still work (even after an EMP, if hand-held radios were at all hardened or protected) over modest distances. Long range HF direct Ham radio communications will work (possibly after a delay of any EMP), presuming you had protection (if EMP) and have your own power. However, they will be of less usefulness if…


Letter Re: Does EMP Affect Solar Panel Systems?

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EMP Engineer There are plenty of misleading claims about EMP effects and protection to both extremes: 1) Everything electronic will die = you need nested faraday cages (not true) 2) All nuclear power plants will go “Fukishima” (not true, they were all EMP hardened back in 1984). 3) Simple lightning arrestors will save your solar. example https://ironedison.com/midnite-solar-lightning-arrestor (not true) Cyberattack, Solar Flare, and EMP would all destroy the Grid and most appliances plugged in. Here is a video showing EMP testing of solar panels, inverters, and other appliances. See Solar EMP testing here. https://youtu.be/ZbHK6Uqmzog In addition to us (www.PortableSolarLLC.com), both military and non-military EMP labs have tested “protected” solar panels and systems. tz The panels themsleves aren’t likely to be a problem but they usually go through modern electronics (MPPT) to the batteries and outputs. Those have the microcontrollers just like cell phones. Some are in metal like a faraday…


Effects of an EMP Attack or Severe Solar Storm on Nuclear Power Plants, by B.Z.

…fire, and radioactive fission products will be released into the atmosphere and much of the countryside downwind of the nuclear power plant will be contaminated for many years. Thus, an EMP attack has the potential to cause a Chernobyl type accident at every nuclear power plant in the country! There are a lot of “ifs” to this scenario. IF there is an EMP attack or solar event. IF the emergency diesel generators will function (or not) and IF the spent fuel pooling system can get power from the diesels or be cross-tied to the shutdown cooling system. Perhaps the emergency diesel generators will still function, but what happens when they run out of fuel? In the event of an EMP attack, can tanker trucks with diesel fuel get to all of the nuclear power plants in the US in time to re-fuel them before they stop running? Will tanker trucks…


EMP-Hardened Ham Radio Communications, by PrepperDoc

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…as the actual dial frequency goes DOWN, because the VFO output is subtracted from a higher-frequency oscillator’s signal. Finally, to complete your EMP hardening of this brand of Ham radio transceiver, you should add common metal-oxide-varistor (MOV)-based surge protectors to the AC power line, and also inline with the antenna feed (your most dangerous EMP gatherer). The reference article (Ref 1) below describes testing where MOV devices did successfully protect Ham radio equipment. Nevertheless, it would be very wise to unplug AC and antenna connections (at a minimum) from the transceiver when not in use, either by removing the connectors several feet away or at the very least by using commercial power-strip switches and antenna-switches. With the voltages possible by an EMP, arcing of these commercial switches is a real possibility. While working on your newly-purchased HF Ham rig, you can avoid interference to others from your transmitter by using…


Pat’s Product Review: Cannon Safe EMP Locking System

…opened using a dial, in the event of an EMP attack, and the electronics in the combination can’t be opened. To be honest, I don’t think anyone knows the full effect of am EMP attack – as to what will be knocked out and what won’t, or for that matter, how long electronic devices won’t work – or if they will be permanently disabled.   I don’t own a Cannon Gun Safe – wish I did! However, if I did, I’d select a model with the new EMP Locking System – just in case, an EMP attack knocked out the electronic lock. The kind folks at Cannon sent me a sample of their new EMP Locking System to test – “no” they didn’t send me a complete gun safe, just the locking system, that I could examine and play with. I also showed it to some other gun owners who have gun…


Letters Re: My Family Preparedness Plan – Part 1, by R.S.

SurvivalBlog had an overwhelming number of people write in about this article. We’ve tried to pick a few of the letters Reader PWS has a pretty good grasp of the whole EMP issue: There is much mythology around EMP. Based on testing done by the Congressional Commission To Assess The Threat of EMP To the U.S., only about 6% of the national light vehicle fleet will be EMP-ruined. The main problem for most will be fuel. Second, EMP will not damage solar panels in a significant way. Some suffered up to 10% degradation but kept working just fine. The charge controllers are a different story, but by minimizing the exposure of conductors in the system (panel-to-controller) we can probably prevent damage to the circuit cards in them, as well. Metal conduit or flex will be good shielding for this. Grid-tie solar systems are toast because of the flashover effect from…


Letter Re: Assessing Those Electromagnetic Pulse Risk Assessments

…An EMP attack is of special concern because it would destroy one or more power grids, which are the underpinning of every other critical infrastructure. In contrast, a nuclear attack on a port city—even one as important as Los Angeles/Long Beach—would have a dramatic but localized effect. In summary, the STRATFOR analysis of the EMP threat fails on two counts. First, the analysis misstates the likelihood of an EMP attack, in both the technical feasibility and motivations of rogue nations such as Iran. Second, the report never explicitly states the consequences of an EMP attack should the US power grids remain unprotected—the likely end of the United States as a functioning country. The United States Congress is currently considering legislation to protect our power grids against EMP. While Survival Blog emphasizes individual and small group preparedness, another important means of preparation is government action. Should you find the EMP threat…