What Is an EMP and Should You Be Worried?
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a burst of electromagnetic energy that can disable or destroy electronic equipment. EMPs can come from two sources: nuclear detonations at high altitude (HEMP — High-Altitude EMP) and geomagnetic storms from the sun (GMD — Geomagnetic Disturbance).
A Carrington-level solar event (like the one in 1859) is considered by many scientists to be a matter of "when, not if." The 1989 Quebec geomagnetic storm collapsed the province's power grid in 90 seconds. A modern Carrington-level event could cause $2 trillion in damage and leave large parts of the grid offline for months to years.
What Gets Damaged in an EMP
Most Vulnerable (likely destroyed)
- Modern vehicles with electronic ignition (post-1990s)
- Smartphones, tablets, computers
- Medical devices (pacemakers, insulin pumps)
- Solar inverters and charge controllers
- Modern grid infrastructure (transformers, SCADA systems)
Likely Survive Without Protection
- Older mechanical devices (pre-electronics)
- Simple electrical motors without electronic controls
- Battery-operated devices not connected to external antennas
- Amateur radio equipment inside properly shielded Faraday cages
Faraday Protection: What to Shield and How
A Faraday cage is a metal enclosure that blocks electromagnetic fields. Properly built, it can protect electronics placed inside from EMP damage.
What to Put in Your Faraday Cage
| Item | Why Protect It | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld ham radios (Baofeng) | Post-EMP communication | Critical |
| Solar charge controller | Recharge batteries post-event | Critical |
| Spare solar panels (small) | Power generation | High |
| Laptop + USB drive with info | Medical, mechanical, survival references | High |
| LED flashlights + lanterns | Lighting without grid | Medium |
| Handheld GPS | Navigation without cell networks | Medium |
| Portable shortwave radio | Information gathering | High |
Building EMP-Proof Faraday Cages
Option 1: Nested Aluminum Foil Method
- Wrap device in plastic bag (first layer of insulation)
- Wrap in 3 layers of heavy aluminum foil, overlapping seams by 2+ inches
- Wrap in another plastic layer
- Final wrap: 3 more layers of foil
- Store inside a metal garbage can with a tight-fitting lid
Option 2: Metal Ammunition Can
- Steel ammo cans (30-cal, 50-cal) make excellent small Faraday cages
- Line interior with cardboard or foam to prevent direct metal contact with devices
- Ensure lid gasket makes good contact — a tight seal is critical
Option 3: Galvanized Steel Trash Can
- 30-gallon galvanized trash can with tight-fitting lid
- Line interior with cardboard
- Seal lid with aluminum tape around the rim
- This can hold multiple radios, a laptop, and a solar charge controller
EMP Survival Beyond Electronics
Here's what most EMP guides miss: protecting your ham radio means nothing if you haven't addressed the bigger picture. A grid-down EMP scenario means no electricity, no fuel supply chain, no water treatment, no food distribution — for months or years.
EMP Preparedness Priorities
- Water: Hand-pump well or gravity-fed spring; no electric pump dependency
- Food: 1–2 year supply of shelf-stable food + seeds for growing
- Heating/Cooling: Wood stove, passive solar — no electronics required
- Medical: Antibiotics, wound care, dental, vision needs — assume no pharmacy
- Community: A network of neighbors with diverse skills is worth more than any device
Old Technology: Your EMP Insurance Policy
Pre-electronics technology doesn't need Faraday protection because it has no electronics to destroy.
- Pre-1975 vehicles — carbureted engines with points ignition largely survive EMP
- Hand tools — axes, saws, hand drills work forever
- Cast iron cookware — indestructible cooking regardless of fuel source
- Mechanical watches — tell time with no electronics
- Paper maps — work when GPS doesn't
- Oil lamps — fuel-based lighting with no electronics