Radio communication is one of the most important ways to stay connected and informed in an emergency situation.
Ham radios provide a crucial line of communication during emergencies when other forms of communication may be down.
But what happens if there’s a massive EMP event that takes out all power and electronic devices?
Can ham radio still survive?
Ham radio will most likely still work after an EMP and the same is true of CB radios, walkie talkies and other forms of radio, all of which offer reliable and sustainable communications after even the worst emergency event.
What is an EMP?
In it’s simplest form an EMP is an electromagnetic pulse that emits waves of energy which disrupt or damage any electrical device within range.
An EMP may be caused by natural phenomena, like the sun’s solar flares, but if it is man-made (i.e., a nuclear weapon) then you’re looking at an extremely serious issue that could lead to widespread destruction and chaos.
Although these are the two most recognised causes of an EMP they can also be caused by lightening strikes and storms both of which can trigger significant electrical pulses.
This is the prime reason why storm chasers use ham radio and CB to communicate as cell phones are often badly affected during these events.
How would ham radio survive an EMP?
Ham radios are often portable in nature which enables users to take them on the go, in fact many ham radios can be powered by batteries or even hand cranked.
An EMP would possibly affect the electrical supply resulting in no power being supplied to devices that require mains electricity.
The majority of ham radios operate on 12 volts DC and can use battery power as a source of electricity.
These batteries can be charged by solar panels or even hand cranked generators making them longer lasting and sustainable following an EMP event.
One major factor that would affect the ability of a ham or CB radio to survive an EMP would be the antenna and whether it was connected or not.
A ‘connected’ radio will be more susceptible to damage from an EMP than one that was unconnected with the unconnected device being much more likely to survive.
The metal casing of the radio also plays a part in it’s ability to survive.
The casing acts as a ‘Faraday Cage‘ which conducts electrical pulses around the exterior of the radio before they head to earth – protecting the internal electrical components.
It’s exactly the same principle as that of a car in a lightening storm which makes a vehicle the safest place to be in those circumstances – the metal shell of the car protects the occupants.
Will my ham radio in the car survive?
Your car is probably one of the best places for any electrical device during an EMP.
The metal structure of your vehicle will protect your radio from the electromagnetic pulse and the radio will also benefit from being powered by your cars battery.
How can I improve my radio’s chances of survival?
There are a number of things you can do to protect your radio, the first thing you should do is look for one that has a metal casing.
Ham radios with this type of casing will be better suited to surviving an EMP.
If you know of a likely EMP, such as a lightening storm, then disconnect your radio’s antenna to reduce any risk.
This is good advice in any case as, should your antenna receive a direct hit from a lightening bolt then your radio will be destroyed by the current regardless of any EMP effect.
Final words
Radio has been around for more than a hundred years, and during that time it has proven to be remarkably resilient.
Despite challenges from new technologies, ham radio continues to thrive as a pastime and vital communications tool.
No one knows for sure what would happen if a large-scale EMP were to occur, but ham radios are well placed to survive this type of event.
With some simple precautions backed up with battery power, solar cells and hand cranks to power your radio, you’ll be able to keep your radio operating long after the rest of the world succumbs to an EMP.
Read Next
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- Can a TV antenna be used for ham radio?
- How far can you talk on ham radio?
- What does VFO mean on a ham radio?
- Can I listen to ham radio online?
- Can ham radio interfere with tv reception?
