Cell phones and GPS units are dependent on networks. For cell phones it’s obvious and observable in any disaster area. Loss of infrastructure = loss of service.
For GPS it’s less obvious, because everyone only sees the units reading the satellites. The problem is timing. Basically we’re talking differences between clock transmissions of different satellites that are at different distances from the GPS receiver. One is far away, the signal takes longer to get there, so it appears to the receiver that the clock is slightly behind the clock of a satellite that is closer. In reality, both satellites are sending the exact same clock signal at the exact same time. Satellite position is also sent, so the GPS receiver knows where each satellite should be in the sky. The combination is used to calculate a position.
Think back to watching the turn signals of a line of cars at an intersection. If you watch them long enough you can see them appear to sync up and then fall out of sync again. That’s because each car has a slightly different time delay for its blinker. Now think of all those satellites, all staying exactly in sync to the microsecond, all the time. There is no clock technology in the world that can stay that exact in the environment of outer space, with radiation, different heat levels as the satellite goes in and out of shadow, and so forth. Then there is position. GPS satellites need to be in the exact right orbit all the time, so they are constantly monitored and told when to adjust either their clock or position.
The thing that monitors and instructs the satellites to maintain exact sync and positions is called the GPS Control Network. This is a set of ground stations located across the planet linked to a central command and control facility.
Take out the power or the network, the satellites gradually go out of sync or off orbit, and your GPS unit eventually can’t arrive at an answer that makes sense.
The point to all this? It’s the network, not the individual units, that are threatened by EMP. For individual units, the physics just aren’t there. But for the network? Whole ‘nuther story. That includes internet networks and even local area networks where the computers are hardwired to the network. The power grid, telecomm network, and local networks all act as giant antennas so anything connected to them gets a good solid dose.
Your walkie-talkie is safe. Your cell phone and gps, as long as they’re not connected to a charger at the time, will be fine as well, but without their networks, they become bricks. The exception is smartphones and tablets; they’re typically not connected to chargers all the time so their apps like calculators and reference info will still work as long as they’re aren’t dependent on phoning home.
All of this is why my amateur radio antennas are switched directly to ground when not in active use, and the chargers for my smart phone and tablet run off of larger batteries. That way if an EMP happens, the most I’ll lose will be the charger for one of the larger batteries that’s being topped off at the time.
Will an EMP happen? I think so. Why: The report cites a thing called Grey Zone activities:
“Gray zone activities are actions competitive in nature, but which often fall below the threshold for war. These zones of nebulous activity are situated on the spectrum in times of tension, of peace, and of war.
In a Western society governed by law and international standards, attribution is essential to viable deterrence. The party deterring must have the ability to identify an actor and justifiably hold that actor at risk. When an aggressor cannot be identified, the situation may embolden or persuade that actor to be aggressive (especially if the ability to remain cloaked is believed assured).”
I’ve heard many times that we would initiate a nuclear war if hit by an EMP. May not necessarily be the case, since we may not know for sure who initiated the action. And that’s what worries me. If Iran’s or North Korea’s leadership is assured by their scientists that they can remain “cloaked” from blame, then they’re more likely to initiate an EMP.
The report, on page 16, cites one attempt by North Korea to transfer a ballistic missile by sea. Iran has just developed ballistic missile capability and also claims a stealth warship capability.
There are several nations that would like to see the US and NATO taken offline for a while. True, there would be a big economic impact to them, but arguments can be made that it won’t be all that bad if other mutual support networks are in place and ready to go. North Korea, Russia, Pakistan, and China all have the capability to launch an EMP attack. Iran is not far behind.
This is why EMP is number one on my hit parade.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 6 months ago by
Mouse Wizard. Reason: Trying to get rid of the divs
