Old (EMP Proof) Radios - What should I look for & buy

[TucsonMax]

I'd like to get a pre-transistor radio, one that if put away, shouldn't be effected by an EMP. What should I look for and buy?

[Rick]

No need. Just pick up any radio you like and store it in a metal box. The box will serve as a Faraday cage and protect the radio.

Of course, if we DO have an EMP event it's not likely radio stations will be broadcasting since they will be impacted as well.

[TucsonMax]

Rick:
Let's say the Faraday box doesn't work/leaks, etc.... so I want a back-up.
Also, EMP is a line-of-sight thing, it's possible living down here, either I won't be effected and/or I'll be able to pick-up Mexican stations that weren't effected.

[Rick]

Well, you still have your radio in your vehicles. But you can always build one. I picked up several Geranium diodes a few years back so I could build one if I had to. Really pretty simple. You can use a Quaker oats box for a tube. They don't require any electricity. They are powered by the radio waves they pick up.

http://www.wnyc.org/files/foxhole_radio.pdf

http://www.xtalman.com/kits.html

[crashdive123]

EMP is something that I have thought quite a bit, but actually done very little preparation for. For radio, I'm thinking a small transistor radio, a hand held short wave, and a couple of FRS/GRMS radios stored in an ammo can might be a good idea.

[Rick]

'Zactly...... Ammo can would be perfect.

[TucsonMax]

I'm no expert, but I think an ammo can would fail, at least the ammo cans I've seen in surplus stores. Faraday cages must be sealed tight, no air or sunlight through any cornet or seam.

Now, all that said, anybody got an answer to my original question about buying an old tube radio. (I don't want to build anything.)

[Rick]

Not true, Tuscon. Screen wire enclosing an object will work just fine. We had several Faraday cages at work that were framework only.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

[crashdive123]

I'm no expert, but I think an ammo can would fail, at least the ammo cans I've seen in surplus stores. Faraday cages must be sealed tight, no air or sunlight through any cornet or seam.

Now, all that said, anybody got an answer to my original question about buying an old tube radio. (I don't want to build anything.)

My ammo cans do not leak, but on to your question.

Thrift stores, antique shops (for some really old ones) or ebay. Here's a listing from ebay. http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

[TucsonMax]

No offense, but I'm not trusting my survival to wikipedia. From what I've read, a mesh design won't do it.

[Rick]

You can still find tubes through specialty dealers but they are getting rare and expensive. I think I would pick up some extra tubes that would fit your radio if you really want to go that way.

http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Antiqu...rts_and_Tubes/

[TucsonMax]

Thrift stores, antique shops (for some really old ones) or ebay. [/url]

Crash: I'm on eBay right now, I'm looking for advice on what to buy, (signal/receiver strength, etc) or if it just doesn't matter.

[crashdive123]

Crash: I'm on eBay right now, I'm looking for advice on what to buy, (signal/receiver strength, etc) or if it just doesn't matter.

I don't know that it is going to matter much for your application. Growing up, that is all we had, and regarless of model they all worked the same. You used to be able to buy kits from Radio Shack - I built one with my dad when I was a kid. That was our basement radio, and it worked fine.

[Justin Case]

get a cheap transistor radio, Put it in a good zip lock bag and stick it in the freezer. BTW. Batteries keep better in the freezer too ,

[crashdive123]

TM = if you google tube radio kit or crystal radio kit you get more than a couple of choices - if you are into building one. It's not very hard, as Rick suggested and might be a fun project.

[TucsonMax]

Rick: there are dozens of tube radios on ebay for $20-$30... wouldn't it be easier to just buy 2 or 3 in working condition then try to find the specific tubes... assume I'm clueless on radios and electronically-challenged.

[Rick]

You bet. If you can find 2 or 3 of the same model that would give you all kinds of spare parts. Just make certain they work before you buy them. I once asked an auctioneer if a radio worked and he told me, "The last time they played it, it did."

[crashdive123]

Rick: there are dozens of tube radios on ebay for $20-$30... wouldn't it be easier to just buy 2 or 3 in working condition then try to find the specific tubes... assume I'm clueless on radios and electronically-challenged.

Not Rick, but - All tubes are labeled - provided it has not worn off (unlikely). You should be able to order replacements with the labeling on the tube.

[kyratshooter]

Wikipedia or not, EMP is a much hyped occurance. Probably more clouded in mystique than any other survival topic due to the complicated talk it's proponants start spouting to show how much smarter than everyone else they are.

It is around us all the time in various forms and often in intense bursts. We go along just fine.

Worried about your radio, go to the dump and pick up an old microwave. Stick the radio in there. Best faraday cage in existance.

A farady cage does not need to be airtight or sealed. Any metal box will work. That includes pole barns and metal yard sheds. Oddly, it also includes house trailers.

You know how they tell you a car is the safest place in a lightening storm? Same for EMP. Unless you have a Corvette or Saturn your computer chips are safe.

How do know? Because there have been intense tests done at every nuke test facility. It does not knock out the test equipment that must be directly exposed to measure the test. It is a Catch 22 situation. When someone says "it has to be this high, or this strong or this angle" something has to measure that, or it is simply hype, and if it was measured the instruments were not knocked out. The more study I did OFF the survival boards and ON the science boards the less I have worried.

Besides, the only portable devices we have that produce EMP are high grade nukes, and it they are going off all around you heat, blast and radiation are you concerns, not EMP.

If you are far enough away that the blast, heat and radiation are not a concern then you have more to worry about than if your radio works. Just pretend it is 1900 and no one has invented the radio yet.

[huskymill]

hey on the subject of radios, what do you guys think about shortwave? im thinking about getting one because i think it would be a good thing to have but i could be wrong.