Faraday Solutions

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by Hispeedal2, Mar 17, 2011.


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  1. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    This recently came up at work and I thought I would pass it along. Generally, any large metal container would work, but a bag would be nice for those small electronic items.....

    Introducing the faraday bag:
    https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_dp_...P+BAG+FROM+BLACKOUT+BAGS&tag=survivalmonke-20

    Do they work? I can verify that they positively block RF waves. Never took one to an EMP test, but in theory....?
     
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  2. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    I don't know about blocking EMP but an empty mylar potato chip bag will cause your cell phone to go into No Service mode when placed inside for a few minutes.

    That link is interesting. It seems like a way to browse my (any) phone without fear of me remotely wiping it during the process. I don't know if that's a true faraday or just the catchy name for the concept.
     
  3. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    I use a "Faraday Bag", and have for some time. I obviously made this one myself, though. What I did was take heavy duty aluminum foil, doubled it up and formed it into a bag, then lined the interior with large clear tape (packaging tape), and covered the outside with black duct tape. I made a smaller bag to fit inside as well for added protection, and it, too is made of aluminum foil. Then, I cut down a mylar bag and used it to cover the internal bag. The inner-most aluminum bag is lined on the inside with duct tape, too. Once the phone is placed inside the inner-most bag, I place it inside the aluminum bag which then goes inside the largest bag and the lid is folded over.

    (BTW Melbo, the attachments mod is giving me the same problems as the downloads earlier for some reason, so I linked these myself from http)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 25, 2016
  4. Country_boy

    Country_boy Monkey+

    I've been at a super secret military site where they did that. Not to protect any super secrets, but so the guards don't have to listen to the phones left by visitors ringing all day. They used to use a metal cabinet, but with text messaging, just opening the door would allow phones to sync up and start beeping.
     
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  5. Wolfgang2000

    Wolfgang2000 Monkey++

    Wouldn't a regular Mylar bag that we use for food storage work it the item is insulated from the bag itself?
     
  6. Donldson

    Donldson Monkey+

    That's a nifty device but I don't think it would protect against a CME or EMP. It looks like it is only designed to prevent a signal from reaching the antenna, but a strong enough pulse would probably destroy the charger and possibly follow the wire into the cage.

    A mylar bag will work as long as there are no holes big enough to allow the waves through. An old microwave will generally work as long as it's unplugged. I went with a little overkill: metal garbage can. Everything inside is insulated and individually wrapped in plastic wrap. It contains backup equipment, radios, solar battery chargers, multimeter, even an old laptop we wern't using. It is buried 2 feet underground. The reason for the overkill is I want it to survive anything, even another Carrington Event.
     
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  7. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    ok? And what good will a pretty, shiny, working cellphone do you if there are no networks? And, what are the chances that you are going to carry around a freaking garbage can everywhere you go? [fnny]

    Nobody can say how powerful an EMP from a thermonuclear device will be for certain, because it mostly depends on the distance it is from your object and the size of ordinance. We can accurately say that any method such as this will significantly improve your chances of maintaining the item in the event of an EMP, but the main reason for using it is to block the signal/transfer of data.

    We have more threads on EMP if you would like to become more accustomed to the topic.
    http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/general-survival/19335-scenario-thats-tough-prepare-emp.html

    Plus, I am no expert on EMP, but if the item is unplugged and turned off, I don't see how it will be affected by an EMP.
     
    Ura-Ki likes this.
  8. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Networks? Us Monkeys don't need no stink'en Networks..[ROFL][lolol]. We gots iDen/ISM Phones......

    Depends on the distance, power, and a BUNCH of other factors, as to if an unplugged electrical device will be effected by an EMP. On or Off, makes little difference, as the issue is chip structure burnout, by electrostatic bursts, which does not depend on, if the device is active, or not.
     
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  9. Donldson

    Donldson Monkey+


    I don't recall saying cell phone. I do recall saying radios and comm devices. By that I mean CB radios, and parts that could be used to repair longer range equipment. Also the faraday cage is no for bugging out, it's for bugging in.

    I do think I know atleast a little bit about electronics, I was a part-time electonic engineering student for a few years before deciding it was more of a hobby than a career. walk across a carpet and touch a microcontroller and you will destroy it whether it is on or off. Now I'm no expert on EMPs either, but something that sensitive needs shielded. Look at everything with a microcontroller and assume it is at risk. That includes CFLs, radios, any car made after 1990, even a digital watch. We won't know for sure until it happens but I choose to assume it will destroy and and all electronic devices when I prepare.
     
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  10. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    You might want to check which thread you are in next time before changing the freaking subject, pal. ;)
    That's nice.
    Nobody is debating that. I was talking about a cellphone. Stay calm. Read the other link I posted and be well.


     
  11. Donldson

    Donldson Monkey+

    Brokor I want to point out I wasn't getting overly defensive or angry. I was just backing up my statements.

    I do see now what you were saying though that this was more about portable bags. So yep, the trash can would be a pretty bad choice in that case.
     
  12. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    But it's a damn good choice for a bug in! I see your reasoning as well, I just wanted you to know that I recognize, Yo.
     
  13. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    I think a great solution for those electronics that you want to protect at home would be to toss them inside the gun safe. Most* of us have a safe and items like GPSs, radios, etc belong well enough inside the gun safe.

    I thought the bag was a neat idea for a BOB or maybe a vehicle.

    I honestly think that the number of EMPs needed to knock out most electronic devices would require ridiculous amount of coordination. Not impossible, but improbable. I'd say if you were a commuter in a big city, a faraday bag would be an ok idea. Maybe it will work, maybe not. For those outside of large cities- I probably wouldn't worry too much.

    JMHO.
     
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  14. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Good common sense right there, Al.
     
  15. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    Does a Faraday cage work, yes it does..

    Same as most things the only way you have of actually knowing if yours works is test it.
     
  16. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Just a NOTE, here: A Gun Safe makes a good place to store sensitive electronics, from EMP Events, HOWEVER, unless it is GROUNDED via a low impedance Ground to Earth, it will only attenuate such a Pulse and would NOT be considered an effective Faraday Cage shield. You can build a much more effective shield, by putting you sensitive electronics in Sealed Mylar bags, and store them in Sealed 5USG Pails, that are the buried under 2+ feet of soil. EMP is a Surface Effect type propagation of energy, and unless the Faraday Cage can bleed off the imposed charge, it will couple thru the metal of the Cage, albeit, with significant attenuation, and may still have effects on the things inside.
     
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  17. Ganado

    Ganado Monkey+++

  18. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    old microwave oven?
     
  19. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Microwave oven shielding is specific to the wavelength used. Dunno if the shielding is suitable for other random wavelengths, but probably not. Look at the holes in the window, those holes are sized smaller than the wavelength and will be good for longer wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths will slither thru like you know what thru a tin horn.
     
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  20. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    Last edited: May 25, 2016
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