Author Topic: Lightweight EMP Protection for Portable Equipment  (Read 1274 times)

Offline Jackalope

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Lightweight EMP Protection for Portable Equipment
« on: February 10, 2018, 10:05:23 PM »
   My get home backpack contains two electronic items: a VHF/UHF transceiver, and a PVS-14 night vision device.  I am somewhat concerned about the possibility of an EMP or a CME, so I looked for some lightweight protection since these sensitive electronic items will be in my backpack.

      For each electronic device I purchased a mess tin container, along with a fabric pouch.  The aluminum mess tins are made in Sweden and they measure approximately 2.5x7x9 inches, and they weigh about 12 ounces without the fabric pouch. Here's the link where I purchased them: https://www.survivalresources.com/mess-tin-small.html?category_id=92.  The pouch is sold separately: https://www.survivalresources.com/belt-pouch.html   The pouches are available in a number of colors, though I've always just gotten the olive drab ones.  I like the pouches because it insures that the mess tin cover stays on the mess tin.  The covers friction fit on the tins, so a rubber band or some other method is necessary, and the pouch does the job. 

    I like redundancy, so I searched for another Faraday enclosure and found one made by Mission Darkness.  The Mission Darkness Faraday molle pouch provides protection from EMP's and CME's using a high shielding fabric.  The molle pouch also doubles as a dry bag, providing further protection for sensitive electronics.  The pouch measures approximately 2.5x7x9 inches and weighs about 12 ounces.  The pouches are well constructed, and the materials seem durable; it is a quality piece of kit.  The molle pouch is just big enough that I can fit both mess tins inside and then cinch down the waterproof enclosure.  I purchased mine on eBay, but they're also available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Darkness-Shield-MOLLE-Pouch/dp/B07847Q8GC/ref=sr_1_2    Mission Darkness manufacturers a variety of Faraday enclosures, including backpacks, duffel bags, etc. Ayways, I'm very pleased with the Mission Darkness molle pouch.  It could be used to protect items from rain, but it can also be used to block signaling, or as an anti tracking enclosure.  For instance, you could put your cellphone inside it, and the phone would no longer be tracked by interested parties. Since the pouch is waterproof, it should float, depending upon the weight of the objects placed inside.  The molle pouch is large enough that smaller tablets will fit inside, however it will not accommodate a full size Ipad.

    The mess tins provide basic EMP protection.  The Mission Darkness molle pouch provides increased protection for the equipment, at a higher cost.  By using both enclosures, I'm hoping to avoid the disappointment of losing important electronic devices.  Supposedly, an EMP will not effect VHF/UHF radios, but I like to put the odds in my favor that the equipment will survive. In closing, I have no financial interest in either company, I'm just a satisfied customer.

     

Offline JohnyMac

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Re: Lightweight EMP Protection for Portable Equipment
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2018, 12:28:32 PM »
Some great stuff Jackalope!
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Offline Kbop

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Re: Lightweight EMP Protection for Portable Equipment
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2018, 05:01:31 PM »
a suggestion from an old electronics guy. 
you can seal the tins using metallic tape - Al will work but Cu is better - if more expensive - this will better gasket your mess tin while holding the halves together.  2GHz can get into a smallsh gap and seams (like where the tins fit together could use some extra attention).

Offline JoJo

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Offline Jackalope

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Re: Lightweight EMP Protection for Portable Equipment
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2018, 06:46:23 PM »

Jackalope ; I got curious so I googled the tape. 


https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/137-1847754-9687330?url=search-alias%3Doffice-products&field-keywords=metallic+tape+with+conductive+adhesive

Thanks Jojo, it's also available at Lowes and Home Depot stores too.

a suggestion from an old electronics guy. 
you can seal the tins using metallic tape - Al will work but Cu is better - if more expensive - this will better gasket your mess tin while holding the halves together.  2GHz can get into a smallsh gap and seams (like where the tins fit together could use some extra attention).

   Thank you for the suggestion Kbop.  I actually use metallic tape on some of my Faraday enclosures, and it is also avaiable at Lowes and Home Depots too.  However, I didn't use tape on the mess tins because I access them frequently.  I'm hoping that the Faraday molle pouch will provide extra protection beyond the mess tins.  The Faraday molle pouch actually has multiple layers of shielding fabric, so it should be good to go.  Mission Darkness also manufactures a Faraday backpack, but I couldn't justify the expense.   
« Last Edit: February 12, 2018, 06:48:15 PM by Jackalope »

Offline JoJo

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Re: Lightweight EMP Protection for Portable Equipment
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2018, 08:45:09 PM »
 Jackalope not Lowes or Home depot around here I already checked. I'm at a loss what is CU?
« Last Edit: February 12, 2018, 08:46:44 PM by JoJo »
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Offline Kbop

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Re: Lightweight EMP Protection for Portable Equipment
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2018, 10:31:59 PM »
@Jackalope - some is better than none - your car will even provide some protection. 

@JoJo - Cu is copper,  Al is Aluminium.  google 'foil tape' at lowes or home depot.  just make sure its conductive (I've seen successful testing @-90dB using reynolds wrap held on with duct tape).  The basic idea is to avoid gaps any larger than about 1mm anywhere in your faraday cage.

for myself, i have easy access to anti-static bags at work.  i grab a stack and make sure they are in good shape.  then i use about 4 bags per item - mutiple layers (3 is good for a typical EMP).  it keeps the item EMP, dust, shock and water protected.  i put a wrap of duct tape around it and use a sharpie to write down what is in the package.  I just take everything out every year and check them. 
I have a solar charging flashlight, a hand crank red-cross type radio and a hand held multi band radio in my get home gear.