Posted on 10/21/2012 1:25:23 PM PDT by Kartographer
The first thing that we need to look at is the distinct lack of information available about EMP and its effects. Most of what we know is from nuclear tests, both American and Soviet, in the 1960s. Data and information after that period is still highly classified, so all we have to go on is what has been declassified from this earlier era of tests. However, this information, along with a few pieces of recent data, is enough to make some reasonable projections.
The second thing we need to understand is that a HEMP attack on the United States is about as bad as it gets. Experts predict that 70% – 90% of Americans would be dead within 12 – 18 months after an EMP attack. The reason for this is the extreme dependence on electricity and the delocalization of resources, like food, water and sanitation abilities.
EMP is survivable, but you need to start preparing for it now. Unlike other disasters, there is no warning or precursor, and no ability to, “finish prepping,” once it occurs. EMP is an instantaneous event. One second after an EMP attack, it’s lights out forever.
(Excerpt) Read more at thesurvivalmom.com ...
A few cases of foil wrap from Sams Club won’t work?
EMP/HERF/Shock Pulse Generators
http://www.amazing1.com/emp.htm
This EMP Cannon Stops Cars Almost Instantly
http://gizmodo.com/5454295/this-emp-cannon-stops-cars-almost-instantly
If EMP was only microwaves, it would work, but that isn’t what EMP is
EMP is broad-spectrum, xrays, neutrons, gamma, radio, etc....
I don’t know when a house fire might start either, but I am prepared with extinguishers, yet I do not have a fire truck parked in the driveway and everything in the house wrapped in fire retardant blankets. You place spare parts and small electronic devices in protective enclosures. Just things you might need to get by.
The best preppers use common sense a dwindling commodity in the world as a whole and seemingly even here of FR.
That is true for EMF, but this is EMP, similar but not the same.
Your room is going to get hit with broad spectrum energy.
Don’t forget the AFDB to stop that EMP!
http://zapatopi.net/afdb/
Does not work. The proof is if it did,neither of you could be posting.
My college physics is decades behind me now, but the EMP field will decrease by either the square or cube of the distance which makes me wonder just what the effective range of an EMP weapon would be, especially if it were a low sophistication fission weapon rather than a russian or chinese fusion weapon.
I know that the pulse would take out large transmission lines but I wonder what the effect would be on something not plugged into the grid sitting hundreds of miles away from the detonation.
Right Angles do work the best.
A Iron Box like a safe is actually one of the best shapes (if completely sealed), the problem is you have to align it to the poles of the blast to get the optimal protection.
since that is impracticable, the best is to either be able to electrolytically align the cube or have a sphere with many points of entry and exit for the magnetic waves.
Also, if you want to get some real basic
You want a point in which the waves enter and leave. If you can’t do a sphere, a cylinder is the next best.
You have to have it completely sealed with ferrous metal though.
For the galvanized garbage can (which I wouldn’t use due to hidden defects), I would first turn it upside down. Put your stuff on the lid instead of down inside the bottom when you are ready to close it up.
Next, strip the galvanized coating off the lead and the lip of the can so you get bare metal to bare metal.
Put in a ground strip to the inside of the can to the lid. Make sure not to create a hole in the metal. Copper Brad Grounding wire works the best.
Follow all the other instructions on the blog accept substitute flame proof lagging material for the cardboard.
Put your stuff into mylar bags with desiccant, now weld it up. Yes, Weld it shut.
Put the entire can at least 6” deep in the ground and use a copper grounding stake to ground the entire thing.
If an EMP happens, cut open the can and enjoy your working electronics. (assuming you aren’t close enough to get hit by higher energies)
For more examples of this: http://www.coolmagnetman.com/magshield.htm
Remember, you need multiple shielding for emp. Different energies require different materials and techniques.
Here's the thing: there are a whole range of frequencies of geomagnetically-induced currents that can be produced from a single nuclear explosion in the ionosphere, but MOST of them are very low and important to power distribution systems, not individual pieces of electronics. This does NOT have much to do with the yield of the bomb in kilotons; it has much more to do with the tuning of the gamma ray energies, which in turn produce Compton electrons, which flow to produce the EMP itself. It also somewhat varies with the explosion altitude, and the ionozation level of the atmosphere (therefore, the time of day, and solar activity). Mostly, we don't know. But we can take examples like Starfish Prime test and the Russians' Khazakh test, to look at what would happen.
In my opinion, FAR TOO MUCH emphasis is put on what an EMP would do to individual electronic devices or vehicles. I guarantee you: there will be people whose pacemakers are not affected by the EMP. There will be 2000 and newer cars that will still be running after an EMP. This will be determined by the particular field strength in Volts per Meter, and the frequencies making up the pulse, in that particular area. There will be peaks and there will be troughs, determined by landscape, urban structuresm, etc. There will be direct line of sight, there will be reflections, and there will be shadows.
One thing that is for CERTAIN, though, are the low-frequency geomagnetic currents, and that long-distance power lines CANNOT hide from them. There is no shielding when the entire EARTH conducts them. In the Russians' Khazakh nuclear test (#184), a 1000-mile-long underground power line was completely fused. And it was 600 km from the point under ground zero.
So, in summary, in a significant EMP attack, our power grid is going DOWN, permanently. Millions will die just from that. But your electronics may work just fine.
Cool thanks.
Hell you could just hand out free tennis shoes
When they say affect the entire CONUS, it doesn’t give a good estimate of the power density of the effect at a distance. Unfortunately, I live right in the middle of the CONUS so I would get the most effect if it went off over Kansas, but somebody in Virginia my just have a measurable pulse wave but not enough to knock out electronics which aren’t plugged into the grid.
Like I said, I just don’t know but the energy density should drop off quickly with distance.
Old microwaves are farraday shields, can pick them up real cheap. got my radios, batteries and other electronics in them for lt storage.
So I guess that lucky fellow that Max his credit cards to by that tricked out AR 15, 10K of ammo, food and water for 2 years wins?
So no working servers, no hard drives. Does that mean all the money I owe is gone? We all start at zero?
No internet.
No fuel, memo to keep that bike.
Note to those pesky rabbits in my garden, be nervous.
Note to my chickens, need more eggs.
Note to me, buy a rooster, will need more fertile eggs.
Note to finish that hand pump well...
Note to me to buy a bunch of antibotics from the feed and grain store. My goats and maybe me might need them.
It depends on several variables. The yield of the weapon, design of the weapon, the altitude of its detonation, distance, and terrain. EMP is line of sight so if you're behind a mountain you may be ok. The only protection not plugging stuff in would offer is from secondary surges. Not plugging something in offers no protection from EMP.
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