Surviving a Nuclear Attack on Washington, D.C.

National Journal ^ | June 24th 2005 | By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

[ExSoldier]

Problem with most radios is that the electromagnetic pulse from the bomb will fry the silicon.

That poses an interesting question: Would EMP also fry a radio that was powered by a hand crank? If it's components were microchips, I'm betting yes.

[Nowhere Man]

And, evidently there were civilizations in the Indus valley eons ago with flight and nukes.

I've heard and read that too, there was green glass discovered in many places there and perhaps scores of skeletons as well and some say this is the mark of an atomic weapons used in a long time ago, perhaps like 11,000 years ago. Isn't it ironic that it could happen again with India and Pakistan?

[GOPJ]

End of the world and his glasses are broken?

[GOPJ]

Sorry, don't mean to sound snide. But some of the reactions to this thread are depressing. Freepers certainly seem jaded and embittered. ~sigh~ We've attracted a lot of "too cute by half" types recently. Usually that type of personality is liberal. I have no idea why they're here other than to be impressed with how silly they are... They're not quite trolls, more like narcissistic blowhards. You know the type -- they talk endlessly and contribute nothing... they live for the sound of their own voice... Sound and fury signifying nothing...

[GOPJ]

Sorry, don't mean to sound snide. But some of the reactions to this thread are depressing. Freepers certainly seem jaded and embittered. ~sigh~

We've attracted a lot of "too cute by half" types recently. Usually that type of personality is liberal. I have no idea why they're here other than to be impressed with how silly they are... They're not quite trolls, more like narcissistic blowhards. You know the type -- they talk endlessly and contribute nothing... they live for the sound of their own voice... Sound and fury signifying nothing...

[Nowhere Man]

That poses an interesting question: Would EMP also fry a radio that was powered by a hand crank? If it's components were microchips, I'm betting yes.

I think EMP is overrated from what I've read about it. Basically if your radio or electronic device isn't connected to a power source (usually the A/C line) or an antenna, it should be safe but if you want added protection to make sure, put it in a grounded metal box. I think your Walkman should still work and even with cars, the body is metal so that should shield any electonics. The problem is that an outside antenna and the power lines will act as an antenna and direct the EMP into the device in question. Of course, nothing is 100% so it is a good idea to protect them as well as you can.

BTW, I do have a battery powered tube radio, my grandfather's 1953 Philco 53-656, it even has the Civil Defense symbol on it past the AM band. B-) IIRC, above 1610 kc to about 1800 kc, it was used for local Civil Defense communications by the authorities at that time. Many police departments still used 2000 kc for their radios although even at that time, they were using VHF-Lo/Hi.

[ExSoldier]

even with cars, the body is metal so that should shield any electonics.

According to the notes I took at NBC school (Nuclear, Biological & Chemical warfare), EMP will fry the electronics of most any civilian vehicle line of sight to the detonation, especially the rather delicate computers associated with the starter and regulating the engine especially in the more upscale cars. In other words, anything with electronic start or even electronic fuel injection won't work. I'm guessing if you have a 1975 or prior Ford Bronco, you're ok. Maybe one of the original IH Scout 4x4's.

[Black Tooth]

Maybe you misunderstood me. I never said they would never be able to do it.

No misunderstanding. This is what you said below.

If they could have done it already, they would have.

That is why I said, your statement lacks logic.

[TLI]

Three nukes of 200 kton or more in the wrong places would ruin the country for decades.

Just a thought... we busted a LOT of nukes right here during the `50's and we are still here. 97 to be exact. We could recover from a terrorest attack involving multiple locations, even urban locations.

"The United States conducted 119 nuclear tests at the NTS from the start of testing in January 1951 through October 1958. Most of those nuclear tests were carried out in the atmosphere. Some tests were positioned for firing by airdrop, but metal towers were used for many Nevada tests at heights ranging from 100 to 700 feet (30-200 meters) above the ground surface. In 1957 and 1958, helium-filled balloons, tethered to precise heights and locations 340 to 1,500 feet (105 to 500 meters) above ground, provided a simpler, quicker, and less expensive method for the testing of many experimental devices. The tests of the atmospheric era took place in Yucca and Frenchman Flats. The 119 nuclear tests that were conducted at the NTS during the atmospheric testing era (1951-1958) consist of 97 nuclear tests conducted in the atmosphere, of two cratering tests, detonated at depths less than 100 feet (30 meters), and of 20 underground tests."

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/facility/nts.htm

[GOPJ]

ping

[RightWhale]

we busted a LOT of nukes right here

Location, location, location as they say in real estate. In the wrong places it would set the national economy back years, even decades, and that ignores the immediate effects of destruction of population and improvements.

The effect of fallout is usually vastly overrated.

[cvq3842]

OK, thanks for the smile.

Have a nice day . . .

[rmlew]

The loss of D.C.... and this would be bad because...?
Because it is the seat of national government, it has historical value, the Constitution would literally be destroyed....!
On a personaly level, the economy would tank and there would be mass panic.
When did you start hating the government and nation? When did you stop being a patriot?

[rmlew]

They could hit Elizabeth NJ, taking out the port, 1-95, rail service and other communications, while merely irradiating New York City.
A bomb in New Orleans would decimate the city and disrupt the Missisipy river traffic.
There are dozens of sites.
Of course conventional attacks on Oil Refineries, Chemical plants etc would also be quite devastating.

[righttackle44]

How is anyone going to survive when the best plan for protecting our national leaders is to run through the hallways of the buildings of our nation's capitol yelling, RUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!'?

[Blzbba]

"On the 7th Day we nuke China, for having tricked us into killing a billion people, we should have no problem killing another billion people."


True- they're packed in densely. Thank GOD Clinton didn't sell them any of our satellite or nuke technology and the Chinks can't respond!! /s


On the 8th Day we use the rest of our nuclear arsenal to blackmail and take control of the rest of the world, saying that we will nuke you if you do no follow our orders.


Awesome.

[Blzbba]

"That's OK. They are next."


True. Kill 'em all!

[djreece]

marking

[durasell]

This is a very good thing to have. You can either buy the book or download it for free. The summary cards at the back are very good indeed.

http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1731/

[Cvengr]

For all those people who think 'duck and cover' was foolish, it might not be so foolish for those living within a five mile proximity of places perceived by enemies as likely targets.