[Jeff]

During our last Warrior Workshop (“Plan B” Advanced Evac Tactics), someone asked me about “EMP-proofing” electronic gear. I was only able to give a generalized response (which is, “base your plan on not having electricity at all and you don’t have to worry about EMP-proofing”) because this isn’t a specialty area of mine. For example, it’s commonly noted around the inter-webs that your microwave can be used as an EMP shield… but then I’ve had people reach out to me to tell me that this is absolutely incorrect. Personally, I don’t have any of my gear in any type of EMP-proof container because I’m either using it or don’t see the need or effectiveness. But some of you may be more educated on this topic so I wanted to ask for any insights (you KNOW are correct). I’m open to your thoughts and ideas. Thanks y’all! 🙂

Discussion

[David]

True Faraday Cages shield sensitive electronics against Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) energy radiation. That said, you can easily bust the myth that a microwave oven will protect your electronics by putting your cell phone in your test oven and calling your number from another phone. When it rings, you’ve busted the myth! Reason being that while the oven shields against microwave frequencies, it doesn’t shield against all frequencies. In the case of a theoretical nuclear detonation above the U.S., the energy released would be across all frequencies, rendering your microwave oven protection practically useless. There are no absolutes. Some devices will be more sensitive to EMP damages than others. Collectively, we are likely most susceptible to EMPs though an already old and outdated electrical grid in the U.S. EMPs released as part of our Sun’s natural life cycle have a very real potential to severely damage our entire electrical service network.

Practical EMP protection is one of those “Fast, Easy, Cheap – pick any two!” situations. If you’re serious about getting real protection, I’d suggest you check out the YouTube channel for EMPDOCTOR He’s got the knowledge and equipment to cut through the B.S. and help guide you to real-world knowledge that can not only save you money, but potentially save your life in a large scale EMP event.

[David]

Forgot to mention it, but I do keep encrypted USB thumb-drive with electronic copies of all my important personal documents and information I’d find helpful in any forced evacuation or extended absence away from my home in an O-ring sealed – screw top, completely metal “EDC tube” that’s advertised for keeping pills, matches, etc. The tube is approximately five (5) inches long, with an internal diameter that fits a U.S. Quarter dollar. I’ve custom sized a toilet paper tube to ensure that cardboard completely lines the interior chamber such that my USB drive never touches any metal surface when inside this protective “mini-vault”. I have a duplicated back-up arrangement in by XBOB and a master that resides beside my home computer. The USBs live in their mini-vaults when not in actual use. This arrangement affords protection not only from EMPs, but from many other potential hazards posed by water, dirt, moderate heat, etc. – its’ low-key “pill keeper” appearance also makes it a less attractive target to thieves. In my experience and opinion, having personal financial, medical, contact info ready to immediately bug out with access realistically available despite an extended absence from your home, is one of the most-often overlooked and poorly addressed survival essentials.

[Jeff]

This is brilliant David! Thanks for that advice! I’ve already started up Amazon to go shopping! hahahaha

[TJ]

Thanks David for the info. EMP is definitely high on my list of concerns since I often work out of state and would have a long walk home if the sun burps. My main preps, along with plenty of food and water in the vehicle, are always having real cash on hand and paper maps.

[Jeff]

“if the sun burps” hahahaha. Never heard that before TJ!

[Arthur]

While this may not pertain to “all gear” …

Although I’m a retired professional in the electrical/electronics field, I rarely get into a discussion about EMP protection.

I did, however, want to make everyone aware of a company that offers the World’s first EMP protection technology for an entire home and vehicle tested to military and UL 1449 standards from ETL. They are also now working with DHS and the Defense Department. You can find more information about EMP/CME’s on their website.

I have no association with this company other than asking them questions. So, apologies if this sounds like an infomercial … but …

Their devices have been military tested and proven to defend against the E1, E2, and E3 phases of an electromagnetic pulse.

Their “EMP Shield” for the home is designed to protect an entire home from lightning, solar flare (coronal mass ejection), power surges, and an electromagnetic pulse.

You can find them at: EMPSHIELD dot COM

Going with today’s information being propagated … all my antique vehicles are safe from being disabled by an EMP. Then why am I putting an EMP shield on each one?

(Side Note: Jeff, this might be someone worth talking to and asking if they’d do a video with/for you about EMP protection.)

[Jeff]

I’m on it Arthur! That site looks great and I think it would be a great guest to have on to give us all some in-depth EMP intel, eh? (Oh I’m sooooo looking at that vehicle EMP device!!! hmmmm…. wonder if they’ll offer a “warrior discount” for our All-Access members. 🙂

[Jeff]

Hey there Arthur! I wanted to thank you again for the referral to EMPShield.com. I’m actually bringing one of their team members on for the next Warrior Workshop to help demystify EMP’s and I’ve worked out a discount from them that I’ll be putting inside of the Loot Locker as well. Looks like a great product and I’m ordering a couple for my family’s vehicles. Surprisingly inexpensive for what they are. Anyhoo… just wanted to say “thanks” again! 🙂

[TJ]

The EMPShield looks like an interesting product if it can actually do what it says. I can see how it might stop a surge hitting the power grid I’m not sure how it would protect electronic devices in a home or the computers in a car.

Arthur- were you able to get any details on exactly how it works?

[Arthur]

<div>@TJ</div><div>

Basically, the home model protects the house wiring and ‘anything plugged in to power’. Stand alone devices that are not plugged in are a different story however. They would have to be protected differently.

The vehicle model protects the entire vehicles electrical system (which the computer is part of). They even have an RV model that just plugs into an AC outlet in the RV to protect the entire RV electrical system.

It’s all about being able to grab any escalation in power and “immediately” shunt it away before it can affect anything. They have been tested at more than double the military standard. You might also note that military standard protection has been found to be only good for “one’ strike. It then is basically destroyed. EMP Shield remains viable and keeps protecting against multiple strikes. I’ve also been impressed as to how and why it was engineered.

Bottom Line … Capability to shunt excess power so fast that it is handled before anything can be affected is the key. The documentation of the testing is available for personal research.

As I mentioned in the first post, this doesn’t pertain to all gear. But home/solar/vehicle protection is something we should definitely be concerned with.

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[TJ]

I will definitely look into this further. I like the idea of the home protection though I can live without power at home for an extended period of time. It would likely take months to years for the local power grid to be repaired after an EMP. Though protection against fires from lightning or solar flare related surges would be an additional plus.

I have read conflicting reports on whether or not an EMP would permanently shut down a modern car. But if it does some of my work sites are a two week walk away from my home and family. Would be nice to get home quicker if the grid goes down.

[Greg]

I keep a USB drive loaded with Jeff’s (and others) digital products with an old laptop inside a faraday bag inside my gun safe. Currently working on getting a download of Wikipedia 2021 on the drive as well. In the event of an EMP incident, I trust that I will still be able to access all the digital information I have collected over the years.

[Jeff]

Ummmm… ok… all the answers to my initial question have just made me realize how little I know about EMP’s. Sheesh! That’s what I love about networking with guys like you! So much to learn (and fortunately, I love to learn! 🙂

[Philtesting]

Just a reminder, there’s an EMF summit coming up this week:

https://NGMdiainc.ontralink.com/t?orid=97682&opid=1

Anyone else planning on going? (It’s online.)

[TJ]

Though not as immediately threatening as an EMP I am concerned with all the EMF modern society exposes us to. Especially for my young son growing up in this electronic world. I’m hoping to join in on the EMF summit this week if time allows.

[TJ]

Looking forward to the upcoming EMP Warrior Work Shop! Thanks Jeff for setting that up and Arthur for planting the seed!

[Philtesting]

Yes, me too! I am really looking forward to it as well.

[Jacob]

I just finished the emp workshop. I’m interested in getting a few devices to protect my car and house.

[Marcos]

I watched the replay of the EMP workshop and I have to admit that this was something that I have heard about but disregarded as tin hat material. Man was I wrong. I have a question regarding the EMP shield for vehicles. Can it be moved from one vehicle to another later on when you sell your vehicle? It doesn’t seem to be vehicle specific but is the installation permanent?

[David]

Marcos – looking at the automotive installation video on EMPShield.com, it seems that the only component you’d have to replace to switch vehicles would be the combination adhesive back/hook & loop (VELCR0) tape to mount box somewhere on firewall/sidewall. If you used self-tapping screws with the mounting ears on the EMPShield device main body and had not cut the wires too short to mount in another vehicle, it seems like that would be very easy to do. No idea how that might affect the device warranty, so it’s a great question to get clarification on from the folks from EMPShield when they do their follow-up session.

[Author]

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