3 Things You Need to Know to Survive an EMP Event
Have you read Ted Koppel’s book about an anticipated EMP event? In the past, almost all the warnings about an electromagnetic pulse – whether from a massive solar storm or a terrorist attack – have been voiced by conservatives.
That’s fine for us, but roughly one-half of the population considers us alarmists, and so they put little credence in our warnings. But now that Mr. Koppel – a well-respected newsman and trusted anchor of Nightline for many years – has made his opinions known on the subject, more people are sitting up and taking notice.
In his book, Lights Out: A Cyberattack, a Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath, Koppel proclaims that an effective cyber attack against our electrical grid is not just a possibility, but a probability.
He also states that it will be a devastating attack that will plunge America into darkness, not just for hours or even days, but rather weeks and months. He adds that the U.S. is woefully unprepared to deal with it.
What would it be like? Well, it’s possible that some or perhaps all of the country will be thrown back into the 1800s. That’s actually even worse than it sounds because people back then knew how to live without electricity. We don’t.
People will find themselves without running water, sewage disposal, refrigeration or indoor electrical light for an extended period of time. Food and medical supplies will be cut off. Previously clean water will become contaminated. Banks will cease to function.
And as soon as martial law breaks down, lawlessness featuring marauding gangs will rule. It will be nothing short of chaos, and only those who have fully prepared will have even a chance of surviving.
How easy would it be for a terrorist to wreak this kind of havoc on our country? Global investment strategist Richard Young points out that a terrorist with a short-range missile containing a nuclear payload could pull up to a U.S. shore in a fishing boat and launch the payload into the atmosphere above the country.
This could cause an EMP that would seriously damage communication systems, computers, electrical appliances, and automobile and aircraft ignitions systems within 1,000-plus miles of a high-altitude nuclear detonation.
Now, for the “3 Things You Need to Know to Survive an EMP Event,” I could list the most obvious ones, such as how to stockpile food, water and other essential items, including weapons. But as a reader of this blog, you already know all that stuff.
So, I want to mention three things that perhaps you have not thought about. They are currency, information and fiber optics.
- Currency. This will be crucial after an EMP attack because people will not have access to funds cataloged in electronic databases. So, keep a good supply on hand. It’s also a smart idea to have as many bartering items around as you can.
- Information. This will also be key for you. Those who are able to stay tuned into announcements regarding where aid is available and other emergency information will have an advantage over those who can’t. Owning a reliable battery-powered radio is essential.
- Fiber Optics. Networks such as AT&T U-verse and Verizon are likely to return to service sooner than copper line systems because copper wires act like antenna, drawing in electromagnetic energy and multiplying effects of the waves. The sooner you can start communicating after an EMP event, the better.
The military uses special paint and wiring to prevent this in devices
This stuff is very expensive and hard to get
They used to test in the desert to check to see what worked but not sure now
Distance is the key factor accordingly to my schooling
Best think is I found throw your device into double wall safe and then throw into water if you want more protection
I work for a phone company, fiber optics always converts to copper sooner or later. So it will be down with everything else. Portable radios is about all that will work if a EMP pops off.
EMP will take out just about anything with a circuit board even Portable Radios and cell phones . Solar is good if you run DC only. My house is all solar and I have been told that a EMP could take out my power to unless the circuits were covered with 1/8-1/4 inch shield but you still have DC which can run some lights and cooking if it runs off DC also
Every able bodied American has a duty to provide for their family. Don’t expect the gov. or fema to provide for your well being, they will too overwhelmed. Each family should have enough food and water stashed away to last several months, start small, a can of beans this payday, two cans next payday. Store water in washed out one gal. milk jugs. Pick out a corner of one room to start your reserve. Conceal it if possible. Also save enough money to buy a firearm and ammo, if you are not crazy or suicidal. Otherwise buy a long “sword” knife. Buy one of those radios that has the hand crank for powering it up, cost: $25, or less. Wrap it in plastic and store it inside a all metal container. This will put your family ahead of 95% of the other people who do nothing.
Don’t store water in used milk jugs – there is too much chance of contamination no matter how well you wash them. Use containers that have never had anything but purified water in them.
You all talk like your going to have a warning that this thing is coming. It’s going to happen so fast that even if you’ve prepared, it’s going to be a surprised. My best advice is get the Hell out of the city and don’t panic. We humans are good at adapting and I think that those who use their wits and day by day, learn. you’ll make it. At least the clowns (government) will pay and I find comfort in that fact.
Why is a ham radio license required if all this EMP stuff goes down and the FCC is in shambles?
Ever heard of a solar flare? We are past due for another big one that will give us a predicable, huge EMP pulse!
Getting out of town and adapting is only possible if you are not aged or handicapped. You also have to be in pretty good physical shape. If you have a desk job and don’t keep yourself physically fit, you won’t have a chance “out there”.
Through research, I have learned that an EMP weapon is the latest “preferred” method for many countries including Russia, Israel and many Middle Eastern countries. It is inexpensive, easy to implement and leaves the target area infrastructure untouched. However, it is more difficult to reach the ideal 200 mile altitude with a sufficiently powerful nuclear weapon to affect a substantial portion of the United States. But a weather balloon and a suitcase sized weapon could affect several states. Regarding vehicles, an EMP event attacks electronics and microprocessors, so that cars made in 1973 or older typically have none of these. Regarding a Faraday Cage, a full metal enclosure does not necessarily do the trick. The ideal approach is a fine copper mesh material attached with no gaps, to well grounded copper pipes in the ground.
The “rapture” is a false teaching. Store front preachers lying for profit from donations and “seed” money. The faithful will not be lifted up and flown away. Not in the bible. A falsehood started in recent times by a women after having a dream. Jesus did not teach rapture nor does the bible teach rapture. Jesus turned water into wine and fed the many with a few loafs and fishes. No one else is going to do that for you because they cannot.
Many translations of the bible lost the true meaning of the words written. Thou Shall Not Kill is not a correct translation and led many to doubt their actions in war or self defense. The correct translation is Thou Shall Not Murder and makes much more sense. The few are not going to fly away in the “rapture” leaving the rest. Not in scripture or letters of the bible.
You may want to reread the bible again, pay close attention to Thessolonians (sorry if I spelled that wrong) it does explain that the dead in Christ shall rise first then those followers that are alive will be called up in a twinkling of an eye to meet Christ in the clouds..
Actually that is true, the “rapture” is a modern (John Darby 1830) teaching and is foreign to the early Church years. Also, you know that it says in the Holy Scriptures (Holy Bible) that the content written therein isn’t of private interpretation but is supposed to be explained within the original early Church continued till today. In my study, I’ve found that dogmatically speaking (sets of beliefs) and historically speaking the early Church has been continued within the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church… I strongly encourage people to research this! Take care everyone and may God bless and guide us all!
Tom S. So 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 are a modern addition to the Bible? Or are you saying those verses are not meant to be taken literally?
Although I believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it does not mean that the old testament should be abandoned. An eye for an eye in certain situations still would be our Lords will. Kill rather than be killed. Self preservation is not a sin, God engraved the natural fight or flight emotion into our brains. You’d give your life rather than fight an evil enemy for it? I feel sorry for you because I feel you’re incorrect as far as keeping ones life goes. Peace.
better read again brother.What bible you reading from
If you really believe that the rapture is a false teaching, then why be so concerned to try to warn other people ? If it’s a real thing that will happen, it would be smart to be on the right side, by believing and being prepared. Then if it turns out to be false ,as you say, then you loose nothing.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but it’s always been my understanding that any vehicle is already a Faraday cage owing to being shielded by the (rubber) tires? Thanks
Sorry, rubber tires has nothing to do with EMP protection, Shielding comes from a metal enclosure 100% surrounding its contents. Any holes, slots or apertures in the shield compromise the shielding effectiveness. For factual presentations, visit http://www.emp-safeguard.com
Sorry Don but you are incorrect. Cars made primarily of fiberglass with many circuits in their computers will have a good chance of surviving a EMP blast. Mainly because the rubber tires will be like an insulator keeping the auto from touching the earth. Let’s hope that the government takes out the potential threats before they implement this destruction on the US.
Would a steel semi van work as a faraday cage if it had a steel floor? If so, how often or close together does the door need grounded to the body and does it need grounded to a ground rod.
Faraday cages, however you plan to build one MUST be grounded to one or more ground rods in order to get the electro-magnetic pulse to route AROUND the cage, not thru it, thereby protecting your sensitive electronics, including AM/FM and survival communication radios, from the effects.
I have a liberty gun safe with an E lock. Is there any way to protect this so that I will be able to open my safe after an emp?
Chances are good that the electronics will not survive a satrong EMP. However, as most burglars are aware, electrionic safe locks are not secure. you pop open the panel and touch the 2 wires going into the safe door to the battery pack and the safe unlocks. It’s that easy!
If you get your water from a well, you may want to check out the Emergency Well Tube (www.emergencywelltube.com). Allows water to be drawn from a well without power and without having to pull the well pump to use it.
If you have a shallow well it is easy to add a hand pump to the electrical pump so when it quits you still can easily pump your water the old fashioned way. I have one and it works good.
I really get the best advice about, survival from Frank Bates and the patriots websites Candy
Pailer
I’m amazed that our country hasn’t taken this threat seriously enough to make preparations. Military communications equipment is hardened, military weaponry is hardened, why not the civilian infrastructure? Too costly? It’s the sad old story: “It costs too much”. If we think it’s costly to prepare for an EMP airburst, imagine how costly it will be to repair its effects.
Personally, I’m investigating the use of an extremely large Fahraday cage (maybe a freight container) that is large enough to park a Jeep in, along with a complete set of computer parts for that Jeep, just in case. I’m also looking for a pre-80s pick-up truck that will be immune to EMP. I will stash two-way radios, medical articles that use computer chips, and anything else that I can think of. I also want to be able to pump gasoline out of underground tanks, so an electric fuel pump with tubing is on the list, too. In short, I want to be able to survive and without adequate preparation, that won’t happen.
If you think this is a joke, you need to readjust your thinking. It’s inevitable … and imminent.
I have already done these preparations. I also help others to convert select semi- modern vehicles to be EMP resistant. On gasoline fueled vehicles, it requires removing the vehicle computer(s), converting the ignition system back to a points distributor system and replacing the fuel injection system with an Edelbrock intake manifold and carb. I recommend to install shielded critical wiring and a hardened alternator, ect. It’s a lot of work to do properly, but well worth it if you live in an area with no emissions testing.
Dan. I’ve been trying to figure out he exact same thing. Store generator. Fridge. Old 4-4 pickup. Batteries. Solar panels with inverter. I’ve been thinking of a insulated semi van that’s grounded. Will that work? Old steel fuel tanks. Would a guy have to seal the door seams solid or just periodically make continuity?
A terrorist with a short range nuclear tipped missile, launched from a nuclear submarine supplied by Germany to a rogue lawless state in the middle east, The same country responsible for the attack on the U.S.S. Liberty, 9/11 and other false flags. The same nation that threatens the rest of the world with the Samson Option. The same nation that murders innocent men, women and children in Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon. The same country so many xtian-zionists support without question, the same country that has corrupted and blackmailed 90% of the Rethugnican party and much of the Dumbocraps. The same country that claims to be god’s chosen people, who are, in fact the Synagog of Satan.
yes, that country is Izrahell.
Your stupidity is only surpassed by your illiterate ignorance. Learn to read and spell and be less of an angry infantile libertird crying because your diapers are dirty.
we are all terminal, I wish to prolong the end…I do pray… HOW do you prevent EMP damage to a vehicle???? I’m 75, and if a large percentage of the world lives on beans/rice (not that I want to) this should be considered. don’t foget your vitamins, they help with STRESS……
Faraday cage = Outer box of metal – all seams touching – no gaps – heavy copper wire fastened to both the outer box and to heavy grounding rod driven deeply into the ground. … Inside box – adhere NON-CONDUCTIVE material like rubber to entire inner surface(s) so that electronic items placed inside the cage can’t TOUCH or even SEE the metal outer box – remove batteries from devices to avoid corrosion – one can, and probably should, also place electronic devices inside specially made EMP proof bags sealed tightly. Prep the best you can with what you’ve got. I love God and want to be with Him, but I hope to be here to help my family and community as long as I can.
Don’t throw away any inoperable microwave ovens. they make great Faraday cages.
Right on, I gutted a microwave oven for this. I store my ham radios and other radios there.
Great idea!! Do you have to keep it plugged into a grounded outlet?
Thank you for being on the front line, and keeping us informed on those who call good evil, and evil good. God bless you, give you continued wisdom, and the strength and endurance to keep on keeping on. You have my gratitude and prayers, and continued spiritual support. The list of information I’ve learned from you is frighteningly long, as are the lies, and corruption that you’ve helped expose. Please continue being salt and light for us all.
I live in a manufactured home with aluminum siding…Is that like living in a faraday cage? If my car is in the garage surrounded by aluminum siding, is that like having the car in a faraday cage?
unless your siding makes a continuous circuit including the roof, floor and door of your garage, then no.
Frank. Would a steel semi van work steel floor. How often would you have to complete continuity from the door to the body? Steel pipe with welded ends should work too right?
The Fedreal Government uses steel shipping containers grounded in all 4 corners with 10 foot long copper rods driven into the ground. Inside is sprayed with a rubber sealent. Items loaded and doors locked and welded shut. Copper rods are also welded to container. Thousands are located in southern Utah.
The truth is that there will be a Rapture. The truth also is, we don’t have a date for that. All we can do is mimic the “heroes of faith” described in Heb. ch. 11. Delivered or not, we wil not give up our faith.
Disposable lighters. A great idea. Thanks
Lets call it what it is, ok??!! A metal enclosed box to protect electronics is called a “Faraday Cage”. BUT, I’ve also read that Faraday Cages NEED TO BE GROUNDED to work properly.
FRANK, any insight as to whether this is correct or not?? (that they need to be grounded, that is!!!!)
AKMguy … you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! A faraday cage DOES need to be grounded. Make sure the metal all the way around is electrically connected to one another (SIX sides) and it has a VERY GOOD, preferably an earth, ground. Just like your electrical panel has with that fat ‘ground rod’ pounded deep into Mother Earth, with a heavy guage wire connected into your main electrical distribution panel. However … it DOES NOT need to be an airtight box! It can be very heavy, heavy screen, or extruded metal panels in metal frames. A Faraday Cage is very easy to construct from simple pieces of scrap metal that can be found at your local scrap yard for pennies on the dollar. Make it up, and then paint it (once all of the electrical connections are made very well). It doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it doesn’t have to be an eyesore either.
If you want to store electronics so they are safe from an EMP just store them in a large popcorn tin. Another way is to keep them in an all metal storage cabinet. You will need to sand the paint off so the doors make metal to metal contact with the cabinet. The more it resembles a completely enclosed metal box (no air gaps) the better. You can also improve the seals by adding steel wool or magnetic strip between the doors and cabinet. Its really easier than it sounds.
Could you put electronics into a safe to protect them?
Keep an eye out in your emails. In November, I’m going to offer a new product that I think you’re going to like!
Frank-How do you change out or protect motorcycles. Just traded for a 2015 Honda Interstate. Need advice on change that needs to be made.
No. unless it is properly grounded.
What do you do with your emergency supplies if your neighbors or anyone else comes looking for food, weapons, water, etc.???
First your neighbors shouldn’t know you have any quantity of food, weapons, ammunition, etc.. Second if they do not know what you have you can dole out a small amount to them if you wish while treating it as a real sacrifice on your part that will leave you short. Even then you should be very careful who you give anything to.
These are times when we need to help each other as much as possible but the coming events is in Revelation and is no surprise so just prepare and pray for the best.
Very well put .pray , pray, pray…love one another… our time here is drawing near…very near…LOVE ONE ANOTHER…PEACE OUT…
I concern myself with transportation. Like most, I have guns and ammo. I am also trained from childhood how to hunt, purify water, make clothing and shelter, etc. But how do we get around?
When younger and my legs worked right walking with heavy loads was never a problem. But these days I could hardly make the first five miles, never mind under load! I cannot afford much so I looked for ways to do what I can with what I either have or can afford.
I build and rebuild bicycles. I have over 200 of them. (Barter anyone?) But I also redesigned the poorly engineered and constructed bicycle engine. This will work after an EMP strike. It has been tested! I have a lightweight utility trailer and gun racks. And with a load such as a deer I may have to pedal assist, it is still much easier than walking or pedaling alone and is much faster.
Of course my old pickup will run and it is in great shape! Just have to have gasoline treated for long term storage.
BTW, how much notice do you think you will get when a strike occurs? Good luck!
Oh, and the most important, keep God at the forefront of everything!
There is a very small about 15 to 25 CC Diesel bicycle engine available that needs no ignition from wiring that would be fried, Just do a search for diesel bicycle engine, They have been made for over 50 years I think in Germany a friend of mine had one 40+ years ago, Requires a good one block of hard pedaling to get it warmed up enough to run on heat and compression only but it does well once you get it going.
ANY form of transportation will be coveted by the “bad guys”. Unless we are prepared with others in safe compounds, roving bands of thugs will kill for what we have. I am concerned about being on the road in the country when “it” hits. No way home to the supplies. Only so much stuff can be carried in the trunk. Just my thoughts……
I would add salt and sugar to the store list. Should be great barter goods.
If… we had a commander in chief who really cared about the USA. A terrorist might realize payback is a fact. And, thus refrain from such an attack on our soil.
We Are in serious trouble. He does Not care.
Alcohol is also an item that would be valuable for barter.
Only if you don’t drink it yourself first when things get really, really bad!!
I have older diesel cars that will remain unaffected by am EMP and run on mostly any thin oil. make sure that they don’t have the modern day electronics stuff ..
Microwave ovens could be used to protect sensitive electronic devices. Even if the microwave no longer works (blown magnetron), the electrical “insulation” designed to keep electro-magnetic energy inside the oven will also work the other way – to keep EMP energy out. It is also quite possible refrigerators, dishwashers and regular ovens could provide some level of protection.
This is an excellent idea to store and protect electrical devices that would normally be destroyed if exposed to EMP. Another thing, don’t wear digital watches, or you will be out of luck if you want to know what time it is. Wear the old fashioned wind up or self winding models with hands on the face.
I’ve been thinking about the watch issue lately, and have bought a wind up watch, mechanical. My only problem is that it probably won’t be wound up when the SHTF so I will probably be behind on actual time.. Unless the SW time stations are still broadcasting, I’m in trouble.
I think this is good ifo to know for us law abiding US citizens. Also, it is info that does NOT need to be so easily assessable for the one’s who are not!!! Love your country, don’t help destroy it cause of GREED!!!
I agree with several commenters that currency will become worthless in a very short time after an EMP event. I recently read an account by a man of a year spent in Bosnia (I think it was) during a period of social upheaval and infrastructure breakdown. He said that “barter” was the only currency most folks had access to and he advised anyone preparing for such a situation to stock up on…disposable lighters! The demand for them was tremendous and you could basically name your own price in barter goods for one. I have been following this man’s advice and I buy a 7-pack of Scripto “Views” lighters (better than Bic because you can see how much fuel is inside) every time I go through the grocery checkout line. At Walmart they’re only like $1.99 per pack. I have over 200 collected now in addition to my other preps.
Sams club has 100 Lighters For 9.95
Also keep a few strong magnafying glasses handy. Very good for ftarting a fire if you have sun.
I was wondering if I could wrap my computer or phone in a foil-covered solar reflector that is the kind you buy to cover your car windshield in the summer. It is flexible and has foam on the inside and a plastic type foil on the outside. Would that work?
Patrio Headquarters:something you might want to consider. Or not maybe; I believe your costing yourself money by not doing so. I have now bought 72 hour food supplies from 4 different suppliers. So I can have a variety at least that’s my hope. Of course I have not tasted any of these. I’m taking it on faith of the people who recommend them I’ve gotten to the Glenn Beck’s recommended. You’re one of those and 2 that other people has recommended. I plan to continue to do this until I have what I think is adequate. I supplement this with a vacuum sealer grains lentils etc. you’re making me learn how to do without you that’s why say you’re costing yourself money. Mark1776
Mark – try your stored food. Once I got my supply up, I started trying it. It’s good to be comfortable with preparation methods before a crisis. It’s also good to know what you and family like best. I plan on using everyone’s favorites at first but as hunger sets in, they’ll eat whatever I give them. Of course, I’ll keep some of the favorites stashed away for morale boosts while they’re eating less enjoyable food.
I have made a faraday cage using an aluminum trash can and put, plastic one inside the aluminum omen. Also used Mylar bags and Franks case for his solar generator. How do ?I ground this? Right now it’s in my home Candace Pailer
Metal ammo cans make good EMP protection for small electronic devices. Make sure the lid makes good electrical contact with the rest of the can. I recommend sanding the paint off the latch, to make a good electrical connection, rather than removing the rubber gasket, which is necessary for keeping water out.
EMP will destroy all semiconductor devices. Tubes will be the only thing to work. Cars, radios, TV’s, cell phones and all will be inoperable. Probably all AC power will be out also, so battery power will be the only source of power.
Why a Ham Radio is important after an EMP.
Information is not only important, it is critical and can be life saving.
Even if you don’t have a license, you can listen. Buy one, protect it in a Faraday cage along with a solar system to recharge or run it.
Better yet, learn to use it and get licensed now while things are relatively normal. When everything else is tougher is not the time to start the learning curve.
1. Can be used as a warning network in case of: foreign invasion, martial law, riots and looters locally, hurricanes, winter storms and severe thunderstorms and tornados, that a shipment is arriving, and all kinds of stuff.
2. Can be used to keep up to date on the news and progress; locally, nationally and globally.
3. Can be used to muster people together for a common purpose. Defend against foreign invaders, our own tyrannical government out to confiscate weapons, food and put people into fema camps, gather people for large projects and search and rescue. (I.e. farmers and ranchers WILL need thousands of people to hand pick the wheat, corn and other crops instead of them rotting in the fields, deal with thousands of animals that had been handled with automation now require hand milking and feeding, etc. Requests can be sent out and relayed to try to get people to help work — in exchange for getting fed. Yes I realize people may have to travel by older vehicles, bike, horse or even foot)
4. Psychological benefit of just knowing that you are not alone. WWII was before my time, but if you check the stories, people were hungry for any news from the war front. They would have news reels at movie theaters, The radio was the only noise in the house while everyone silently listened. Just look at all the tweets and texts when something big happens. People want to share information and receive information.
I am sure you can come up with more uses for ashtf scenario.
News/information is nice, good, desirable, but not essential. Focus on the essentials.
A hamm radio is essential and could save lives. Coordinating help, locating food/water, etc. My advice, get one.
Studying for my HAM Extra now, to take in 3 weeks. Have had my HAM ticket since 2009.
SMART idea to have use of a good radio…..
73
KD0JGB
If the SHTF and the FCC is no more, what good is a ham radio license?
Get your license now so you become familiar with
your radio equipment, operational procedures, emergency procedures, etc. Learn about simple, portable antennas, to be deployed after the EMP strike. No worries about FCC after EMP, but it’s the route to take before the big emergency.
An air burst over the center of the US could
present a 10,000 volt potential across a conductor
(wire or metal surface) one meter long, for the whole continental US. Any metal will reduce the
electric wave, but the M in EMP is for “Magnetic”.
The magnetic wave will go right through non-ferrous metals. Use two magnets to verify their attraction through a piece of aluminum.
Then verify that the repulsion of two like fields does not go through a similar thickness piece of steel. Bottom line? Steel cargo containers-good,
aluminum truck trailers-bad. The copper screen
Faraday cage is good for the electric wave reduction, but even the earth’s weak-gauss magnetic field goes everywhere using a compass,
unless inside a steel cargo container, where the compass becomes useless.
Build a faraday cage and put a small generator, small motorcycle or large scooter, power tools, battery operated perimeter alarms, chain and circular saw, drill, etc. You test one by putting a battery operated FM radio inside. If you do not get reception….you are probably in good shape. Get a cheap used 55 gal barrel and store treated gasoline. Have a mobile home rated wood stove.
Of course, food and guns. Plan to help a few others. This is not a self centered venture.
i guess if your disabled and live at poverty level, I’m screwed. living in a small apartment. if you knew it was coming, you could unplug all your electrical items and disconect both battery cables and attach jumper cables to them and lay the cable clamps on the cement. cover the battery terminals with plastic tape and cover it with foil. i have no room for a faraday cage. a nuke exsplodeing 1000 ft above ground would cause fall out of nuceluar radiation. so just kiss your butt good bye.
Yeah. Well, you’re not alone, Paul. I too am living at poverty level and am just getting by doing the best I can. However, this is helping to build my faith in God Who sustains me. And besides, if I die, life gets WAY better!
At Paul, I too am retired with little income, but for the last few years I’ve been squirreling away a few cans of foods (tuna, spam, cheap veggies, and washed out milk jugs to store water in. A few 5 gal pails for sanitation, and toilet paper from public bathrooms. I bought a used dehydrator and have bagged enough foods to last several months, I also make meat jerky, and dried veggies.
Need to know how to power things that will need to be charged. You say get a generator for a faraday cage. What powers that generator, and if it’s solar energy, how do you expose it to sunlight so that it’s not vulnerable to outsiders coming in and taking it?
Solar panels can work inside your windows. Large solar panels can be roof mounted, reducing theft possibilities. I put my solar charged radios and flashlights in the south-side windows for daylight charging. Panels work even on cloudy days; not as well, but they do work. A large household solar array will be an EMP concern. But there are other emergency situations where solar backup is desirable.
As for generators, the current, inverter type, are quieter, and use less fuel. However,
I’m not fond of gasoline powered types because of the fuel storage hazard, along with the gas degradation problem. You can’t safely store enough gas even for a month unless you have an “approved” underground tank. Figure 5 gallons a day for 6 months. I prefer propane power.
the 20 pound tanks are safe to store for a VERY long time, without the fuel deteriorating, not to mention the 500 gallon tanks from propane dealers. There are propane conversion kits out there for some gens. And the propane can be used for heating, cooking, lighting as well. Not so with gasoline.
Dearest Deborah,
Tens of thousands of Christians were put to death by Hitler. Many of their children were beat to death with baseball bats to save bullets. No “rapture” happened to save them. There is no promise you will not suffer in this life. Do not be lead astray by those who preach a Doctrine of comfort and and self centered laziness. Remember the passages about those who will “tickle your ears” with false promises of peace and prosperity?
To all who have “ears to hear”,
By a Hydrodrill and put in your own hand pump water well. Do not register it with the county. Remember “The Book of Eli”? Get out of the large cities now….or you will go the way of…..Deborah.
ding ding ding ding. You hit the nail on the head
Frankly I am with the other guys. Food, water and shelter would be mine and my family’s main c9ncern. Money will be meaningless. Useful items that can be traded for any of the necessities is wht I would have. I don’t smoke or drink coffee but I do have a few cartons and some cans of coffee. What would someone give for just a few cigarettes or a cup of coffee when none is to be found. Gold or money won’t feed us but barter items will. It would take decades more than likely to restore thr infrastructure in cities more than likely and out laying areas even longer possibly.
You got it. This is the worst list I’ve ever seen. Food, water, shelter, and a means to protect it and yourself.
I would rather have a 72 hour kit on hand than information. Food, water and shelter will be more important. EMP will likely shut down equipment that provides these. Otherwise, I think the other two are good suggestions.
When an emp attack occurs, you will need a LOT more than a 72 hour kit. It could take 1-2 years to get power back.
You are grossly mistaken.
Currency – if the system is as damaged as predicted, cash will become worthless. Gold is too expensive to break up into tradable amounts. Food will be the new currency.
Information – your radio will like be damaged. Who will you listen to anyway with a power grid that will take years or decade to repair? No one of consequence will be broadcasting. The shortwave radios, if operational will be the beat meAns of voice and limited data communications.
Fiber optic networks will not be restored. They require power. Almost all of them use switches that convert photons to electrons. This equipment will fail. The equipment that switches photons will not have power and does not convert data into something a computer can use. Computers will be damaged so use of the network is not relevant without functioning end points.
I agree with everything, but Satellite”Phones & TV” will work for those who can afford to operate them and have solar to power them. Then cash will be used in the beginning because there will be no other methods known until communication is brought up and then the merchants and cash holders are told there cash is worthless. That point Silver not Gold with have incredible value along with food and water.
The impacts of EMP are uneven at best. It’s highly unlikely that everything will be knocked out. Some estimates say as little as 5% of electronics will actually be damaged. Being on fiber will get you back up and running faster than being on copper, relatively. Currency doesn’t just mean gold or cash. Currency is anything you can use to pay for something. Ammo, liquor, whatever lasts a long time without losing its value and is small enough to trade. With radio, again, not everything will be knocked out by EMP, it doesn’t work that efficiently. There would be some communications networks available, and even if they were all knocked out (which has the odds of a miracle), building a radio broadcast system is not difficult. People don’t build them today because the FCC agents would shut them down if they did, but it’s not difficult. It is unlikely that we wouldn’t be able to put together a new one quickly, in which case having a radio receiver would be quite handy.
I am interested in the radio concept. Would very much like to build my own. I am not an electrician or an electrical engineer. Just a housewife who is able to do just about anything if I have directions and supplies.
Can you tell me where I would get the necessary components? Years ago, there used to be kits to build radios, TV’s etc. Are they still available? My brother built himself a TV that worked great.
Thanks for any info that will help me.
EMP can make a serious mess. Here are a couple of footnotes.
EMP is picked up by any metal object and be ampilifed and spread through power lines while generating tremendous electrical charge. Any item connected to this conductor is burnt toast. If the item is grounded while off it has zero chance of survival.
If you are going to store batteries do in a plastic non-conductive material. But the real trick is to remove that battery inside those electronic devices that “protect??” the volital memory. That like your short term memory. It’s far less convent but if will protect your device.
What is an example of plastic non-conductive material? …..Will Ziploc plastic bags work?
Transportation: Without the ability to move one loses his ability to resupply and survive.
I have too many people against me who just don’t care what happens to me and the kids. I know Jesus will rapsure us out of this mess, and promised us we will not go throught anything we can’t handle for those of us that have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. No mark of the beast for me. I still need to prepare, because we don’t know the day or the hour, it is near.
Deborah, there are those who don’t know you but care. Be safe, Be prepared and Trust in God but, don’t expect the rapture to save you. I say this not to be mean but there are thousands of Christians being tortured and killed in 3rd world countries right now and have not been raptured. Survival is not that complicated, learn to can and store your own food it’s cheaper than buying prepper foods. Barter items are good to have if you can afford them. Cigarettes, coffee, bathroom tissue, candles, lighters and soap. Just think of the thing you just COULDN’T DO WITHOUT.
And really, what does “”we will not go throught (sic) anything we can’t handle”” mean, anyway???
To me, it means if I can handle the death of a loved one, then my loved ones will die. THINK ABOUT IT??? What can you really handle?? And what will He do if we can’t handle the death of a loved one, say a son or daughter at the hands of a angry mob because YOU prepped and they didn’t?? Will He just make the mob go away?? I’m not mocking God, I’m just asking a simply question??
I think HE won’t give us anything we can’t handle, but that doesn’t mean a free thinking human, like a thug, will follow the rules of God if he’s starving to death and so is his family!!!!!
Best to pray, but also be prepared to KILL to defend yourself and loved ones!!!!
Deborah,
I too am a Christian and believe in the rapture (or maybe the rupture? don’t know which will come first!) but all throughout Church history Christians have expected to suffer — and they did. This idea of pre-tribulation rapture just came out in the 1800’s and could easily be wrong. Be prepared spiritually and do what you can materially. Jesus will see us through whatever it is.
Deborah, As a believer you
Must know your authority in iJesus Christ. Read Ephesians and, Ps 91, and learn spiritual
Warfare. use Mathew 18 and
have faith in commanding the
Host of Gods angels to protect
you, your house and family
How will an EMP blast affect my Solar Power system?
It depends on electrical conductors, and it’s open to the sky, therefore it’s bye-bye.. Sorry. IF you covered it with a heavy metal mesh which is well grounded, it will reduce the efficiency some, but it MIGHT have a chance to survive, but remember, it’s got wires going to the batteries and the inverter, and they are in the way of an EMP also. Using heavy shielded wires, such as RG-8 coax with the shields well grounded MAY be enough to survive. Have the batteries and all wiring and electronics inside a Faraday cage MAY let it survive, but any wiring going outside of the cage can conduct the pulse in to cause trouble. Use flat copper ribbon instead of wire for grounding – it has less inductance so is a better material for grounding a pulse. Keep it short with no sharp bends. And finally, talk to God – PRAY!
Let’s examine those three recommendations:
1) Currency: How much will that colored paper be worth, and to whom, in the wake of a national EMP strike? Yes, in the day or so afterward, when people MIGHT still be reeling and believe that the government will still be in charge and things will quickly return to normal, you MAY be able to use cash to get some basic supplies at stores that still are conducting business. The number of those will be incredibly small, since most cannot process purchases without power, since they need to enter the lost merchandise into their inventory system. Chain stores will almost assuredly be closed (and looted once people start panicking). Currency will lose all faith, and therefore value, once the situation resolves into the long term anarchy that will follow the destruction of the grid. ALTERNATIVE: Barterable supplies that would retain value after the supply chain breaks down. Weapons, tools, ammo, ‘sin’ items like tobacco and alcohol, food items such as canned fruits and vegetables, tinned meats, or chocolate/candy. There is a school of thought that says not to barter away food that you might need or weapons/ammo that might be used against you. So make your own choices accordingly.
2) Information: Standard Radios, tv, cable, satellites, and other such Electromagnetic communications will be out of order, likely forever. You will get nothing but static on the radio this article suggests storing. ALTERNATIVE: Store (in a Faraday cage, safe from the effects of the EMP) a Shortwave Radio and external antenna. There may be signals from other countries that have NOT been hit by EMP nukes, and you could get useful info from the BBC, Japan, Australia, or other nations. ALSO: It might be useful to store handheld FMS/GMRS radios that can allow groups to talk to each other locally, some handheld CB 40-channel units, and if you are licensed, some ham radio sets. Remember to store lots of batteries for these.
3) Fiber Optics: What specifically are they suggesting that you store for this? It isn’t likely that any sort of power system will be put back online by AT&T so you can watch Duck Dynasty on Uverse! While it is true that fiber optics as a stand-alone would be unaffected by an EMP, unlike old-style copper wires, there is still the problem of the grid itself, which provides power for the server farms of the Internet and the transmitters for high speed communications, which will be knocked out and unavailable to run any fiber optic networks. ALTERNATIVE: the radio comms suggested above for local and international communications and news, plus keeping a hard (optical disk cd/dvd) copy of any important data such as photos, documents, e-books, and reference programs such as a digital backup of Wikipedia, and a cheap netbook and external hard drive and/or dvd reader in a protected Faraday cage or EMP-proof construct.
Excellent comments EXCEPT: IMO paper currency will be good for a week or a month after SHTF, in other words squirreling away what most of us can afford is recommended. Barter items will have high value in the long term but are not very portable.
1998 ice storm eastern ont. 14 days without power. U need to have candles, kerosene lamps, Canned and dried food and Warm clothing. As experienced campers we did ok! Would be nice to have a generator to keep the sump pump going.
A cheap Faraday cage can be made out of an old microwave oven.Make sure and CUT the power cord off of the oven so the EMP charge will not travel threw the cord into the oven containing your backup electronic devices..Aluminum screen wire stapled around electronic devices make a Faraday cage.Buy ”Static strips for your cars and trucks and let them drag the ground.They discharge static electricity on fuel trucks and is said to possibility discharge an EMPor solar charge into the ground.When your car or truck is sitting at the house hang a piece of chain off the bumper hitch and they say this will discharge any EMP that might hit in the middle opf the night while ytour car ois parked. A metal garbage can is also said to make a Faraday cage just keep the lid on the can at all times,some say to ground your Faraday cages that protect your electric devices..
I thought that grounding your vehicle should provide some amount of protection. The ‘Static Strips’ are a good idea, but for overnight parking I would rather use a ground rod along my driveway and connect vehicle frame with jumper cables.
I work for Richard Young and I just want to clarify a point that is being somewhat misinterpreted by some people here. Mr. Young does NOT believe that fiber optic networks will be immune to the effects of EMP. However, given that those networks contain fewer copper wires acting as anntenae attracting EM waves, they could return to service sooner than all-copper grids. This is a RELATIVE estimate, not an absolute prediction. There are a wide variety of factors that could alter this prediction either way. Mr. Young believes people should be prepared with multiple redundancies. The recommendation of moving to fiber optic networks is based on similar suggestions in the official Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack found here: http://www.empcommission.org/docs/A2473-EMP_Commission-7MB.pdf
The report cites in a number of places the benefits of fiber over copper, including on pages 77, 81, 82, 88, and especially on page 90.
Way to go Charlie! With Jesus as our Savior, no need to worry about surviving THIS world. The next one will be so much better. I just hope the Rapture happens before all “hell” breaks loose in this world!
Que Sera, Sera . I wont live in fear.
with todays technology almost anything is possible, but what does it bennifit u if u survive here on earth but u dont survive in the life hereafter- MAKE SURE YOUR HEART IS – RIGHT WITH JESUS -so if u die you will have a happy eternity – clight
Another source of EMPs is our Sun. The solar activity reaching the Earth is also a threat.
Is there any way solar panel equipment can be protected against solar flares?
The real tips, in my opinion, are ways to use aluminum foil and mylar to wrap vulnerable electronic items in to protect them. I understand that wrapping the item, then boxing it in a metal box (what’s wrong with a filing cabinet?) keeps it relatively useable. Just learn the items in your car that are vulnerable, buy an extra item of each kind, box it, and learn how to replace them yourself (maybe even practice). Same for clocks, cell phones, CB radios, if you think there might be some working infrastructure in your area.
All these things could happen and probably many of them will and we do need to be wise. I’d like all of us to consider a few thoughts from a biblical perspective. I know, I know, lets keep this real but just hear me out for a moment. I’m doing and taking all of these things very seriously. The time is coming when the bible says,
Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
Notice that the ones who refuse the (Mark of the Beast) will not be able to buy or sell but the ones who receive the (Mark of the Beast) will be able to buy and sell. Obviously the Bible speaks of a time when there will be a economic struggle maybe similar for the one we are preparing for in this forum. The question for all to ask themselves is, consider the consequences from God Himself if we accept the (Mark of the Beast) but also consider the promises from God Himself if we refuse the (Mark of the Beast).
.
Those who are already under the mark of the Beast are those that hold any of the following:
Social Security Card, Driver’s License, Birth Certificate, Passport, Bank Account (Debit/check card), Credit Card, etc.
All of these have numbers, just like the Beast; and without them you cannot trade, travel, work or survive.
We never had a choice. Numbers were assigned to every one of us the day we were born. So have no illusions, you are now, and have always been under the mark of the Beast.
WAKE UP!!!
But the prophecies that leads up to the mark of the beast in Revelation haven’t happened yet. So you cannot say that those things are the mark. They may well be, after the prophecy in Rev 13:15 happens, most likely once a global government and currency are in place. But they are not now. And while most people will indeed be deceived into taking the mark, it is still a choice.
No – the prophesy specifically states that the mark will be IN the hand or forehead! I think that somehow the device that will be planted into the hand or forehead will be used to program the person, and that is why that person cannot be saved. They will have no desire for God.
The North Korea is suspected to use the EMP weapon to occur social caios instead of ABM.
This is a real threat to our computer society.
I have considered this event for some years now, We certainly won’t realize at first what has happened, but it won’t take long. I would suggest 2 hours MAX. Then if we aren’t on top of things as individuals we drive right into the world of Los Angeles during the Rodney King Riots. Only this will be every city in America gone Viral. WOW, America destroying itself from within, and not a shot fired. Ok off the serious worst case stuff. There was a film out about 20 years ago now, called the Day After. yes it had to do with this very thing 20 years ago, Jason Robards, was a Doctor who was trapped in a massive EMP and the aftermath. Point being, the concept and theory is well understood and tested at this point. It seems to me that it is just a matter of who uses it first. I remember back in the Reagan ERA, there was talk of a Proton Bomb which only killed living things w/o destroying the infrastructure. Well if an EMP were used on us here, the enemy would just have to wait till we buckled, then come in in small armies and close it down. no real infrastructure would be destroyed EXCEPT those things that depended on electrical parts.
I am going to try wrapping in foil anything I can live without on a daily basis. “Electrical” of course, and just maybe I will be able to survive the initial impact and be able to hang on till the world settles down. I am not going to wrap my toaster, but the serious items like a calculator, A cell phone, a shortwave radio, a GPS, Ya know how do you protect your microwave oven, it will be fired along with everything else like that. But here is the big main POINT, the electrical grid will be blown as well, it could take years to get back on our feet, so SOLAR would be my only option and I can gaurantee you I will have that stuff wrapped up to protect it. I just wonder about the large car batteries though I can’t see those being harmed, no fine nano circuits or transistors etc. I read a book about 30 years ago now, called how to survive in the coming bad years??? Whatever that was suppose to mean, the author was quite far sighted I must say, I have considered his ideas many times since then. One of the most significant points was that he suggested that you purchase a bag of silver for everyone in the family, say you have a wife and 2 kids, you would own 4 bags of silver. COINS, 40% 50 % 75% silver coins. Just to use as cash in the event of a serious power outage and not having the ability to get to your safe deposit boxes or the bank. That was then this is now, how things have changed. Most all the cash I use comes from an ATM or the grocery store when I check out. If I ever even carry cash, most of the time I don’t have but $10.00 in my wallet. But 5-6 credit cards Gas, Food, Lodgeing, Dept. stores, who needs cash? Think again, so yes I have begun to purchase silver when the prices fluctuates, DOWN, A few coins here and there, mostly just silver blanks, they are the cheapest. but they are 999.99 pure silver. I can spend em like dollar bills back in the old west. and when the currency is not real plentiful they will be worth twice what I paid for them now.Also we talk a lot about batteries, how about rechargeables, ya know c-cells, AA, AAA’s, they do make rechargeables and you could just use them over and over with a little planning and recycling. OPPS I FORGOT NO ELECTRICAL POWER from the GRID shucks. Well I guess I will have to hook up my solar panels and use them to charge my batteries and run my cooling fans and cook my breakfast and have lights to live by at dark, and run my little ice maker, and so on and so on. WHAT A GREAT IDEA. You don’t understand all this nonsense, get on the internet and start digging it is all there, educate yourself. or order Franks living off the GRID CD. I am 63 years old and have acquired all this knowledge now for the last 5 years you can too, but ya gotta start today. Ya know I bought a water storage kit about 1 year ago, my wife said now what? I said ya want to have water when the lights go out?
This is it. It is a plastic bag with an i/p spout and a drain spout, or a hand pump. It costs about $20.00 bucks, easy to store, it just folds up, if you should need or believe you may be without water soon or imminently, just unfold it in the tub, and fill it to the brim, it follows the shape of the tub, and ya got 75 to a 100 gallons of water right there. Of course ya can’t carry it, but if you are staying inplace you have the water right there. THINK SURVIVAL. maybe even a big ole black heavy duty construction type trash bag would work, 2 or 3 even. ya gotta start somewhere. Sorry for how long this one was, I had alot to talk about, it is all true, and THAT WAS SORT OF THE FIRST CHAPTER.
What about a stash of batteries. And what can we do to protect our own circuits if we have solar power or other sources of electricity. How can I shield my power source?
Great book that Newt has the forward on. I think it is “One Second After” which is a great read. I have a question. what is the last year trucks were manufactured without have a computer to run the engine etc? I sure would like to have a couple. also same question about tractors.
This is good info!! Fortunatly, because of my son-in-law, we are prepared with exactly what you suggested. Don’t underestimate what can happen. The more prepared you are the less likely you are to need it. Thanks
EMP devices are weak and limited range (generally less than a mile) unless you are talking about tactical or strategic nuclear weapons, in which case, EMP is going to be the least of your concerns. EMP does not effect devices with no power (batteries, stand-by modes, or turned off but plugged in are still powered, they must be completely disconnected). Shielded cover like the cages mentioned provide some protection against weak EMP. Sufficient energy will penetrate them, but are good for minor levels. Someone mentioned bags being sold, these are most likely anti-static bags for electronics and would provide little protection from an EMP burst.
In War Of The Worlds,Tom Cruise had A mechanic replace which part on non running vehicle because he seemed to know what the problem was, EMP, and the mechanic said by golly you were right.I would like to purchase this part,Thanks,Billy
Thanks for your info. It seems we are always vulnerable from Eurasia. Maybe we wrong to, in the efforts of peace, to dismantle our nuclear armaments.
Hello,Are solar panels safe from an EMP or do they have to be in a Farraday cage? What about batteries? I have a galvanized steel trash can that i put some stuff in. Do you know if the farraday bags that they sell on ebay work?
Don White
1 day ago
You need to look at the bigger picture. EMP survivalists are acting out of default because the government has done almost nothing to emp protect the civil sector of residence, commercial, industrial and electric utility. EMP Survivalists move out to the country to avoid the big increase in crime from the Have Nots seeking the survivalists because of their water, freeze-dried food, medications, barter items and guns and ammo..
But they lose their jobs after an emp event in contrast to a hamlet, villge and town who become EMP protected via Home Owners Associations or local county who issue bonds to pay for the EMP hardening. The government does not have to subsidize, feed-in tariffs, rebate or tax credit. These bonds have a sinking fund amortized by the EMP screen shielded solar rooftops which provide monthly payments for bond retirement before the EMP and electric power when the grid is dysfunctional folloeing n EMP.
In other words, address the subject of Lifestyle after an EMP burst. Here is where the survivalists, per se, fail. The EMP hardened village or town inhabitants don’t lose their jobs. And the win-win-win side of it all is that new products and services are generated, new markets open, and 7,000,000 jobs are generated over the next decade.
For more info visit http://www.emp-safeguard.com/emp1.html. Seminars in metro Washington DC in March + new books on the subject + slide shows, etc
You need to look at the bigger picture. EMP survivalists are acting out of default because the government has done almost nothing to emp protect the civil sector of residence, commercial, industrial and electric utility. EMP Survivalists move out to the country to avoid the big increase in crime from the Have Nots seeking the survivalists because of their water, freeze-dried food, medications, barter items and guns and ammo..
But they lose their jobs after an emp event in contrast to a hamlet, villge and town who become EMP protected via Home Owners Associations or local county who issue bonds to pay for the EMP hardening. The government does not have to subsidize, feed-in tariffs, rebate or tax credit. These bonds have a sinking fund amortized by the EMP screen shielded solar rooftops which provide monthly payments for bond retirement before the EMP and electric power when the grid is dysfunctional folloeing n EMP.
In other words, address the subject of Lifestyle after an EMP burst. Here is where the survivalists, per se, fail. The EMP hardened village or town inhabitants don’t lose their jobs. And the win-win-win side of it all is that new products and services are generated, new markets open, and 7,000,000 jobs are generated over the next decade.
For more info visit http://www.emp-safeguard.com/emp1.html. Seminars in metro Washington DC in March + new books on the subject + slide shows, etc.
Frank, I am a licenced ham opperater for many years and will agree strongly that enough power at the right frequency is able to shut us down and set our way of living at least 200 years. Thanks for the tips.
Since food supply will be disrupted for an indefinite period of time I believe it will be essential
to have the means for growing/raising our own foods. As I am a vegetarian I focus on having
the essential gardening tools, seeds & supplies stored in a safe place…for meat-eaters it will
entail having different supplies/stock.
EVERYONE! Please remember that in 1859 the telegraph lines actually caught fire. Please have several fire extinguishers readily available in every room of your house. That burning electrical power line that comes right into your house may burn it down if you do not have prepositioned fire extinguishers available to put out any possible fires before those hotspots burn down your home and all your preps.
We have a Faraday Cage, so far inside it we have a survival radio and 2-way radios. We’ll be adding other electronics as we obtain them. We’ve also considered buying replacement computer systems for one vehicle. We believe that an EMP pulse is very likely and would like more info on how to prepare for it. I would also like to know why there aren’t more counties making ready for such an event?
Any ideas?
If the enemy can set off one EMP blast, they can wait until all the protected electronics are brought out of their protective shields, and drop another EMP device. Wouldn’t it be better to shield the whole room and hook up the outside antennae only when the radios are being used?
Build a safe room with the carachteristics of a Farady box and store all your electronics inside it. Make your own homemade batteries and switch to direct current inside your home. Buils a scalable Henderson’s generator. AND REMEMBER: our ancestors survived without power for 5,860 years, we can do it too. Don’t be a soft city sissy, beauty parlor addict and realize you don’t need a TV to make you happy. SURVIVE!
As for currency…the “greenback” will be useless but have some on hand just in case….
Junk silver coins, gold coins, bartering items such as booze/cigs/soap/toilet paper/toothpaste, etc. will be more useful for getting stuff one needs…or barter skills for goods….
There is no charge inside a Faraday cage; so no voltage or magnetic field is present within the space itself. The charge will be on the outside surface and follow a path to ground. So the remarks that Faraday cages don’t work are incorrect……so put batteries, a shortwave radio, flashlights, inverter, a deep cycle 12V battery, a solar 12V charger and other electronic essentials in a cage (a small galvanized trash can works great/be sure to ground it with heavy gauge wire to a water pipe or a grounding rod)…..these electronics will help get by in a very basic way. Life will not be the same for a long, long, long time and maybe never; not at least in our lifetimes….with the addition of food, water, seeds, basic hand/gardening tools, guns/ammo, a mode of transportation (a bike),etc. one will be able to survive on a very basic level. As for communications all info will come from Hams who have prepared for such an event….life will be about only one thing…survival….
Great information. Thank you
Seems like there’s a huge demand coming for those steel shipping containers that people are starting to buy for survival shelters, etc. It would also be a shield against an EMP, wouldn’t it?
The fiber optic services such as AT&T U-Verse may not be as clean as you think it may be. An EMP Pulse essentially creates such as magnetic field causing energy to be pulsed through copper and other conductive metals resulting in damage to electronic infrastructure. Fiber optics requires a well engineered electronic subsystem that is also interconnected by LAN and copper. Not to mention all of it is powered by electrical structure utilizing a vast electric conductive system. the question is “will it recover faster?”. My thoughts are no. The subsystem for fiber optics will be like any other supporting subsystem in copper. The following are usually the conductors of an EMP:
Long runs of cable. piping, or conduit
Large antennas, antenna feed cables, guy wires, antenna support towers
Overhead power and telephone lines and support towers
Long runs of electrical wiring, conduit, etc., in buildings
Metallic structural components (girders), reinforcing bars, corrugated roof, expanded metal lath, metallic fencing
Railroad tracks
Aluminum aircraft bodies
According to the research, anything connected to the above structures (or similar) or a power supply is susceptible. There are degrees to susceptibility and they are found in the following information:
DEGREES OF SUSCEPTIBILITY TO THE EMP
***Most Susceptible:
Low-power, high-speed digital computer, either transistorized or vacuum tube (operational
upset)
Systems employing transistors or semiconductor rectifiers (either silicon or selenium):
Computers and power supplies
Semiconductor components terminating long cable runs, especially between sites
Alarm systems
Intercom system
Life-support system controls
Some telephone equipment which is partially transistorized
Transistorized receivers and transmitters
Transistorized 60 to 400 cps converters
Transistorized process control systems
Power system controls and communication links
***Less Susceptible
Vacuum-tube equipment that does not include semiconductor rectifiers:
Transmitters Intercom systems
Receivers Teletype-telephone
Alarm systems Power Supplies
Equipment employing low-current switches, relays, meters:
Alarms Panel indicators and status
Life-support systems boards
Power system control Process controls
panels
Hazardous equipment containing:
Detonators Explosive mixtures
Squibs Rocket fuels
Pyrotechnical devices
Other:
Long power cable runs employing dielectric insulation
Equipment associated with high-energy storage capacitors
Inductors
*** Least Susceptible:
High-voltage 60 cps equipment:
Transformers, motors Rotary converters
Lamps (filament) Heavy-duty relays,
Heaters circuit breakers
Air-insultated power cable runs
Therefore, fiber-optics is definitely susceptible. More information is on public record at the Department of Commerce. There is an older summary document that you can find the above information found here: http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/www/effects/eonw_11.pdf
Hope this helps.
Doug
In reply to Richard below: My Verizon FIOS (fiber) only goes to the house – after that, it is all copper wire, as I suspect most customers are also, so while they MAY come back up, I wouldn’t count on it. I am in a area directly affected by Sandy, and they didn’t come back up until the local utility restored power. While military aircraft may be equipped to withstand an EMP blast, I seriously doubt that most commercial airlines are so equipped, and as a private pilot, I can gurantee you that there are very few planes that will be flying. If you want to fly, get yourself an old bi-plane… or walk.
How about solar cells, would they still be functional?
Would we really want to survive such an attack?
There is a structure that is virtually EMP proof. Google “Monolithic Dome homes/Paris, Texas.” It is only marginially more in costs of construiction of regular “stick houses.” They are also tornado proof, hurican proof, forest fire proof, bullet proof, and FEMA calls them “distaster shelters.” By useing an outer covering of chicken wire (grounded of course), to support a stucco overlay, which then becomes “EMP PROOF!”
Foil hats, lead bibs and toilet paper. This is easy guys.
What effect would EMP have on commercial aircraft in the air at time of detonation? If not militarized in construction could the aircraft be susceptible to failure?
In a widescale emp attack, natural gas heat will not do much good as the natural gas distribution center will likely not have power either and will not be able to operate. Best bet is to go with a wood burning stove as wood is the only heat source that is readily available in most areas.
i already considered those three tips my problem is i’m 76 ,but i pass everything you tell me to my children and friends. only my 37 year old daughter takes us seriously,lucky for me she’s a r.n.
I recommend reading 1 Second After, it it a revealing book on what can happen after an EMP strike.
Methinks a simple Fayrad shield would suffice for most electro-magnetic devices. A screen much like window screen made of copper is what is used in MRI suites to keep EM energy from entering the room(s) and messing up the data. Line your car engine compartment, 4-wheeler, motorcycle, etc and maybe you will be able to still be operational after an EMP.
I am a communicator in the Navy Military Auxilary Radio System. An EMP attack has been recognized since the early 80’s by the Armed Services as a very serious threat to our security. It would take only two high yield EMP missiles detonated at about 300 km over the East and West coasts to destroy our power grid system, ruin ALL electronics, disable any vehicle with electronic ignitions or computer control of any vehicle function. Generators, pumps (for water and sewer systems),public service communications, medical electronics (especially pacemakers), aircraft in flight or on the ground, the list goes on, will be disabled or destroyed, Anything with a diode or transistor in it will be destroyed. Going to the rural areas to find food will not be an option, as the farms that we used to have years ago do not exist anymore, nor will the distribution systems for foodstuffs grown by the big corporations, or drugs manufactured by the pharmaceutical companies be in place anymore. Trucks, trains will not run.
The only way you can “harden” any commo gear will be to put it in a steel box (any large ammo can will do, 20mm sized and larger). An EMP proof vehicle would be any older car or truck that has a naturally carburated engine (1985 or earlier), or has an engine and transmission that does not use any electronics in it at all (yes, your stereo will be dead, unless it is tube operated).
I would suggest reading this book: “One Second After” by William R. Forstchen. It has an extremely graphic description of the results of an EMP attack against us. I would say that this book is an absolutely must have for any survivalist, or prepper. An EMP attack would bring our civilization back 200 years with the loss of nearly 80% of our population. Read the book. Pray that it never happens. Good Luck.
Yes, EMP is a real threat. I am a retired US Army Officer with a qualification in NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemicial) addidtional skill identifier. If it happens, many will suffer. Only real way to protect it, is to put it in a metal container (i.e. pc’s, phones, calculator, etc) or burry it in the earth (not realistic unless you know it is going to happen). I pray that it will NOT happen. It will put us into the stone age.
Joey
I would like to know how the EMP travels. Can it go around buildings? Is it straight line, that is, will a metal shed roof work? How about a log home? Can it pass through alum foil? Is just the roof and sides of a metal lawn shed work? Or does the floor need metal too, and why would it? How small can the holes be in metal screen to stop an EMP? I have heard that home driers and microwaves will work as Faraday cages, what if the door were left open? Can I build a cheap protection for my car? If I own an old car made of metal which is safe from lighting, will that be enough to stop an EMP? Should the cages be grounded or not? I think all this kind of information should be freely given, its too important, like information about God is important and free.
Some of the books for sale, we buy the book and then find that the author knows less than we already know. They just talk about the subject and give not a clue about the nuts and bolts we can really use. Mr. Schwartz’s comment was interesting, some of it was wrong and some was right on. An electronic pulse is a magnetic field or more properly, electronic voltage is caused by the magnetic field. And conversely, also the other way around. So if one element passes through, the other is, or could be caused. Depending upon what is being, in the way. I have lots more to write but I need to do some other stuff right now. Except that when the bomb goes off, there are, I believe, three separate waves of EMP and they all arrive within a split second of detonation. There is no time after the fact to act.
Would my natural gas standby generator be fried after a EMP ?
I took sheet metal and made a “box” to cover the gen on the top and 4 sides, make it big enough so it don’t touch the gen. Then ground it to gnd rod. The bottom will be open, but thats okay, the EMP will come from above.
We agree an emp would do such things as wipe out all electronic communication!
BUT is the big word, It was mentioned to have a radio.
Funny how a radio will escape this emp. May be you got it buried and /or cover with foil and or shielding of sorts. It might then be OK
Will those sources also have been prepared? Probably not.
But then you forgot about the power to drive and operate things. Oh a supply of fuel would be nice. But most people won’t have that. Even the vehicles of today are all computerised, and that won’t help to have fuel either. So what do you do?
There is only one research working to uncover the most profound energy we all need.
Governments and industry have thoroughly given up on. Causing this research to go to unusual means to raise funds. Don’t believe me go to http://www.hometogiveaway.com see how desperate we are. Go there and find out the truth how displeased we are with government and industry.
Or be as foolish as they are and ignore this. It your children’s future too. It the future of our earth not theirs or wait and see to loose every thing before it’s to late!
Those who say it will never happen cry most when it does happen. Never thought we’d be facing martial law and gun confiscation or an inept president would get reelected but its all right there in front of us. Our economy is crashing, unemployment is a lot higher despite claims its getting better. I could go on and on. Better to be prepared. Sure the Egyptians thought Joseph was crazy too. But look what happened. At least Pharoh listened even though all others had a different opinion of his dreams.
Hi Frank,
I am glad to see that you are not afraid to show postings on both sides of an issue.
Thanks for the resource,
T. Mike
The statements herein are erroneous. Even if all semiconductors on earth are destroyed, we will not go back 200 years. No E-bomb will wipe out our knowledge of electricity and germs.
And how do you build an E-bomb for $500? Get real!
Did you know that modern military aircraft are wired to be EMP resistant? That is what MIL-STD-1553 is all about. It uses twisted balanced wires so that equal voltages induced in the two wires cancel. If a bomb is close enough to overcome this system, it is close enough to vaporize the aircraft. MIL-STD-1753 is even more hardened: it uses fiber opitcs. No way to induce a voltage in a glass fiber.
Systems that are vulnerable to EMP include your inverrters that convert 12 VDC to 110 VAC, as commonly found in off grid power systems. Faraday cages don’t work because the power must come out of the cage on wires that can carry high voltage spikes into the cage. Special protective circuitry is needed. A special transformer with the wall of a faraday cage built in could transmit power without allowing a voltage spike to enter, but it would be very expensive to design and build. The idea here is to allow magnetic fields through while blocking electric fields. That is the same idea as MIL-STD-1553.
What about the sun as a source of EMP? No way. EMP has a rise time of nanoseconds. That the speed of light, that translates into a few feet at most. Slower rise times require more energy to generate the high voltage spikes in conductors. More energy than nuclear weapons have. Since the sun is much larger than a few feet, and is so far away, it can’t generate EMP. It can have cornal mass ejections that can mess up our electrical power grid with induced voltages, but this is low frequency stuff and nothing like EMP. Such events are rare.
In any event, EMP is nothing to worry about; the same late night radio show that warns of EMP also tells us about alien abductions, bigfoot, crop circles, psychic prophecy, crystal skulls, and the end of the world on December 21 of this year. The Maya were an advanced civilization that had antigravity technology. How else to you explain their lack of beasts of burden, wheels, and metallugy? They just floated stuff to wherever they wanted it! Certainly the producers of radio shows would not lie to promote book sales; that would be a violation of the Federal Communicaitons Act of 1934.
Before posting anything more on EMP, you should consult a real physicist or electrical engineer with a college degree who is skilled in the effects of nuclear weapons and in military electronics or visit a college ROTC or physics department. They are low enough on the totem pole to be excluded from the master conspiracy.