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Thomas W

Sat Nov 26 2011, 09:12PM

Registered Member #3324 Joined: Sun Oct 17 2010, 06:57PM
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Posts: 1276

Conundrum wrote ...

I say legalise everything and let evolution take care of the idiots

you touched my heart with that sentence

radiotech

Sun Nov 27 2011, 01:53AM

Registered Member #2463 Joined: Wed Nov 11 2009, 03:49AM
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Posts: 1546

You might snag a few bunsen burners and other glassworking tools
and a stock of glass tubing of various diameters. From what I see in some
head shops these days the art of glassblowing isn't exactly dead.

Conundrum

Sun Nov 27 2011, 02:48PM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4059

Books to read, "One Second After".

That said, basic chemistry knowledge would be useful in the event of a serious EMP attack, 1859 level solar flare etc.
Being able to make batteries from any old random trash is a useful skill and so is smelting, cast making via lost wax process etc.

It is interesting to note that less than 1 in 1000 people even know how to preserve meat so it will last more than a couple of days without refrigeration.

-A

Chip Fixes

Mon Nov 28 2011, 02:29AM

Registered Member #3781 Joined: Sat Mar 26 2011, 02:25AM
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Posts: 701

This is a little off topic but I've heard were due for another "big" flare in 2013

Conundrum

Tue Nov 29 2011, 09:10AM

Registered Member #96 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 05:37PM
Location: CI, Earth
Posts: 4059

Ashes to ashes.
Dust to dust.
If bird flu doesen't get us
Then solar flares must.

My attitude is that our time here is limited so we should make the most of what we have.

Having a backup plan in case things go Tango Uniform is always wise, as many disasters share similar requirements.
You will always need water and food, so a means to generate clean water is always a good thing to have.
A simple metal tube with germicidal lamp (remember those?) suspended in the centre and a Royer oscillator with its power leads shielded with ferrite beads and put in a metal box will sterilise water effectively only needing 12V or so at 1A

Likewise, having a backup for communications such as an old (regularly tested) AM radio in a sealed waterproof shielded container inside a metal can with the batteries stored separately is a good thing.
Make sure it has crocodile clips as well just in case the batteries get lost, and an idiot diode to stop accidents.

A basic Morse transmitter might be handy, as in the case of a massive power blackout it is useful to stay in contact with other people in case of say an epidemic or other issue needing attention.
Also handy for trade, i.e. "We have item X and need item Y, you have item Y and need item X"

Having a Geiger counter would be useful to test food for contamination but if things go that badly wrong then it isn't likely to make much difference in the short term unless it is a matter of "food x has high level, food Y doesen't"

Most important would be a supply of basic drugs such as painkillers, antibiotics and suchlike.
Insulin would be useful as would adrenaline due to the highly likely event of someone getting stung, etc.
Having the drugs fridge solar powered would help a lot, as most drugs degrade quickly above 5 Celsius.

Other useful items:- a copy of basic emergency procedures and first aid, copy of the BMJ (aka what drugs in which doses for x body weight), etc.

Contrary to popular belief a single layer of continuous tinfoil WILL stop an EMP as long as the item inside is wrapped well in an insulator and no part of it touches the foil.
Seems that most of the energy is lost as it goes through the foil, so also disconnect the antenna rod inside the radio with a pair of reed switches to stop the magnetic pulse frying it.
Basic test, put a sacrificial item in the shielding and nuke it on a glass for 30 seconds, if it still works then it is fine.

A basic AM radio can be modified to receive shortwave signals with the aid of a single transistor oscillator; these can be made with a handful of parts.
The phrase here is KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid!) and find the simplest possible circuit which works.

Also handy:- stash of LEDs with the leads looped so they still work in the event of an EMP.
With the addition of a CR2032 they provide lighting for days if needed.

Other handy circuits :- Joule Thief adapted for radio power so that little portable will work off a salvaged AA battery, three lemons in series etc.
Something like a CCFL driver will power a salvaged fluorescent tube at low power, these typically survive anything.

Another useful tip. Most equipment pre-1960 used transistors, if you see anything that looks old then chances are it still has
working parts even if it doesen't work now.
Vacuum tube equipment is not so useful due to needing >100V B+ which is hard to generate without mains,
however 10 9V batteries in series works and will run a typical valve radio for many weeks.

Equipment using VFDs can be converted into a radio receiver with a gas soldering iron and some salvaged parts.
Keep the schematics in your safe storage as there might not be any reliable power for Mr Kindle.

Salt to preserve fresh meat is also useful, you just never know..
If you know there will be an imminent extended blackout salt and then cook everything in the freezer as it will typically last longer this way.
Meat typically degrades within 12 hours if defrosted, but if cooked and salted can last up to a month or even longer.

Likewise, anything dairy is best used up as soon as the power goes out, as it won't last.
Vegetables if properly stored can last for two months but you need to keep an eye on them as one mouldy carrot can
quickly ruin your entire food stock.

Another "gotcha", putting out fires is really hard without water pumps.
So have a bucket of sand spare for the inevitable candle induced fires, can be reused if needed.

(a lot of this was culled from the nice little Home Department "Emergency Advice" leaflet I got the other day through the post)

-A

Emergency handle:- CND8472 if you happen to be on the air post Apocalypse.

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