[net.ham-radio] EMP documentation?

gnome@oliveb.UUCP (Gary Traveis) (06/07/85)

Has anyone ever found any documentation on EMP-proofing
communications equipment or any other solid-state stuff?

I am considering this not because of nulear war, but
high-altitude nuclear accidents (a real mess generator).

The same theories might also apply to very-close lightning
hits.  Hits just short of a complete blow-out.

What good is radio gear if it can't be used in an emergency?


Gary

sunny@sun.uucp (Ms. Sunny Kirsten) (06/11/85)

> Has anyone ever found any documentation on EMP-proofing
> communications equipment or any other solid-state stuff?
> 
> I am considering this not because of nulear war, but
> high-altitude nuclear accidents (a real mess generator).
> 
> The same theories might also apply to very-close lightning
> hits.  Hits just short of a complete blow-out.
> 
> What good is radio gear if it can't be used in an emergency?
> 
> 
> Gary

Your first problem is to disconnect or surge suppress all antennae,
like, THE antenna, the power cord.

Then you screen all openings in the cabinet.

Then you surge suppress all the internal antennae, like every 
conductor over a few inches long.

OR, you can revert to valve equipment, or as we yanks call 'em
tubes.

				KA6PPP
-- 
{ucbvax,decvax,ihnp4}!sun!sunny (Ms. Sunny Kirsten)

mikey@trsvax (06/11/85)

About 1980 or so, one of the Ham Magazines had an article dealing with
surviving the bang.  It dealt with how to protect your radios so that
they would be functional after the pulse.  I agree that protection from
use in confrontation is probably futile, as you won't be dealing with
just one bang but maybe 10 or 20 bangs spaced minutes apart for each
major target, but for an accident it might be a good idea.  I don't
have the article but they presented the idea that it was pretty futile
and the only safe bet was to keep a "backup" rig in a shielded metal
box if it was solid state.  Tube equipment may survive if you took some
of their precautions.

mikey at trsvax
KA5MJQ