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2009-03-06 Terror Networks

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Posted by Uncle Phester 2009-03-06 08:18|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 Hal Lindsey even looks like Barney Miller.

Posted by Jack is Back!">Jack is Back! 2009-03-06 11:01|| 2009-03-06 11:01|| Front Page Top

#2 I call BS on the EMP scare. The B-29 aircraft that delivered the atomic weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki did not lose power due to damage to their electrical or electronic systems. Some systems may be affected, but odds are most stuff will still work fine. Anything shielded with metal mesh is well protected, I suspect the steel rebar in most concrete buildings would be sufficient.

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2009-03-06 11:14|| 2009-03-06 11:14|| Front Page Top

#3 The B-29 was pretty much an 'analog' device, switches, wires and 'hard contacts' like relays, solenoids, etc. Not really adversely affected by magnetic pulses (except maybe solenoids and relays for the duration of the pulse) when enclosed in a ferrous container and properly grounded.

The newer electronics utilize ICs, MOSFETs and the like for switching and controlling power. These gizmos really don't like large magnetic pulses as these induce 'extra electron flow' in semiconductor substrates that aren't designed to handle them, unless specifically made to do so which most commercial-market devices aren't. The mesh will help, but it wouldn't be 100% effective for the first few microseconds if the device activated next to it.

A relay, mechanical switch or 'hard wire connection' can withstand a short 'surge' of electrons, but a standard semiconducting device can't.

After a big EMP burst, I'll still be driving my '79 1-ton analog pickup (took out the HEI ignition a few years back and replaced with a 'point' system) while my neighbors nice new EFI vehicles with LCD Dashboards will be dead in the water.

My radio might not work, though.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2009-03-06 12:55|| 2009-03-06 12:55|| Front Page Top

#4 Does anyone know if the diodes in auto alternators are affected by EMP? Decent info on the scope of EMP damage is hard to find.
From Wiki: "Karaganda suffered the most severe electromagnetic pulse effects ever observed in history, when its electrical power plant was set on fire by currents induced in a 1,000 km long shallow buried power cable by Soviet Test 184 on 22 October 1962. The test was part of Operation K (ABM System A proof tests), and consisted of a 300-kt nuclear explosion at 290-km altitude over Zhezkazgan. Prompt gamma ray-produced EMP induced a current of 2,500 amps measured by spark gaps in a 570-km stretch of overhead telephone line to Zharyq, blowing all the protective fuses. The late-time MHD-EMP was of low enough frequency to enable it to penetrate the 90 cm into the ground, overloading a shallow buried lead and steel tape-protected 1,000-km long power cable between Aqmola and Almaty, firing circuit breakers and setting the Karaganda power plant on fire [1]."
Sounds like one system that would definitely be damaged is the electric grid & power plants. If thousands of the electric company's trucks were put out of commission, I suspect the juice would be out for a very long time. People who have come to depend on cell phones would be out of luck, also. Etc.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2009-03-06 16:22|| 2009-03-06 16:22|| Front Page Top

#5 Diodes are pretty tough because they're so 'simple', but they're not indestructible.

The alternator diodes would be affected if the blast was close by and the car was running (with current flowing through the diodes during the blast). You would lose your alternator's charging capacity, but continue to run on the battery if you had a 'analog' vehicle (and a battery in good condition). You'd then better find a way to re-charge your battery or carry a spare diode pack (hint, they're pretty cheap and easy to change on the older alternators).

Posted by Mullah Richard 2009-03-06 16:37|| 2009-03-06 16:37|| Front Page Top

#6 Back to the 1850's? I suppose if you are talking about technology..

these guys are like tribal cave men in living in the 21st century. It's more like taking rocket launchers away from the monkeys at the zoo.

Posted by Gluting Fillmore6653 2009-03-06 17:27|| 2009-03-06 17:27|| Front Page Top

#7 Master Mechanic speaking here, the normal flux in and around alternators exceeds any EMP Pulse by around a thousand to one, there's so much flux I carelessly fried my wristwatch buy getting within a foot of an idling alternator (Car was at idle) I forgot to take it off.

I doubt seriously any damage at all will occur,Having said that the Voltage regulator IS succeptable (If NOT mounted inside he alternator, those are pretty safe.)

Posted by Redneck Jim">Redneck Jim 2009-03-06 22:14|| 2009-03-06 22:14|| Front Page Top

#8 It's more like taking rocket launchers away from the monkeys at the zoo.

Cool! Monkeys with rocket launchers. At last, a reason to go to the zoo.

Posted by phil_b 2009-03-06 22:46|| 2009-03-06 22:46|| Front Page Top

#9 I suspect Jim is correct. The voltage regulator is likely toast. The GM internally regulated alternator that Mullah has in his formerly HEI ignited truck would stand a better chance.

Posted by Mike N. 2009-03-06 23:04|| 2009-03-06 23:04|| Front Page Top

#10 Master Mechanic speaking here

Rantburg U. is once again in session! But what about Iran's missile launch systems and such? Please explain in words of one syllable or less, Professor R. Jim, as electrical physics was the course I kind of failed, back in the day.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2009-03-06 23:08|| 2009-03-06 23:08|| Front Page Top

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