Radio club discusses EMPs and damaging effects on modern electronics

Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Steve Vandiver, an amateur radio operator, spoke to the Bella Vista Radio Club on April 5 regarding electromagnetic pulse and its damaging effects on radios and other electronic equipment. He also explained how to protect items by making a Faraday chamber from metal ammunition boxes and storing some emergency electronic devices inside.
Westside Eagle Observer/RANDY MOLL Steve Vandiver, an amateur radio operator, spoke to the Bella Vista Radio Club on April 5 regarding electromagnetic pulse and its damaging effects on radios and other electronic equipment. He also explained how to protect items by making a Faraday chamber from metal ammunition boxes and storing some emergency electronic devices inside.

BELLA VISTA -- Members of Bella Vista amateur radio club heard a presentation regarding electromagnetic pulse and its damaging effects on radios, computers, cell phones and other electronic equipment at their monthly meeting at Highland Christian Church on April 5.

Steve Vandiver, an amateur radio operator and experienced in government research on EMP protection, spoke to the Bella Vista Radio Club regarding EMPs, their causes and their damaging effects on modern electronics.

He spoke of the Carrington Solar Event of 1859 and the coronal mass ejection's effect on telegraph communications of the time. He said one came close to earth in 2012 and the possibility of such an event occurring again is very real, with the likelihood that the EMP from such event would cause worldwide damage to electronics, communications and electrical grids.

He also explained how nuclear explosions at high altitudes -- 200-plus miles above the earth -- could cause similar damage across an entire continent and disable communications, power grids and infrastructure, adding that this may be the reason the U.S. is so concerned about North Korea's nuclear programs. He also described EMP weapons designed to disrupt communications and computer systems in more localized areas.

He explained the principles behind the use of Faraday cages and chambers and showed a Faraday chamber he made from a metal ammunition box and how placing chambers inside chambers could improve the possibility of electronic devices stored inside being protected from EMPs, whether naturally occurring or manmade.

Club members asked a variety of questions regarding how to best store and protect electronic devices in the event of an EMP event and what EMPs might do to electronics in cars, aircraft and medical devices like pacemakers.

The club meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Highland Christian Church, 1500 Forest Hills Blvd. in Bella Vista. The meetings are open to the public.

The club also hosts exams for amateur radio licensing. For more information on the club or licensing, visit the club's website at www.bellavistaradioclub.org.

Community on 04/18/2018