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**Whir** · August 16th, 2002, 09:31 AM

I'm suprised it stopped more old cars than new. From what I gather (and it could be myth) newer cars are far more vulnerable to an EM pulse, as they are controlled by an ECM. Older cars (like my poor Monte Carlo) haven't got a computer to get killed. An EM pulse may disrupt the ignition system, but it wouldn't kill it like it would an ECM, since it's just a coil, a distributer, and some wires. There's nothing to kill. Your radio'd be gone though. That would suck.

It could be that the newer cars are shielded from things like EM interference (a violation of FCC laws?) and the ignition systems are indeed vulnerable in older, mechanically controlled cars.

There was a guy floating around that was a buddy of a buddy that was trying to develope a HERF (High Energy Radio Frequency) gun. Basically the same principle, but in a focused beam, rather than an explosive pulse. Point being, you point it at something, it stops working (great for police chases he figured - kinda shadey). I think they got a small version to work through walls on computers. I need one of these for work... MUAHAHA!!

-Whir

Edit: I think I decided to unlearn how to spell, but I'm too lazy to fix anything...

August 16th, 2002, 09:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
Whir ph34r t3h g04t Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Kingsford, MI Posts: 19,567 Blog Entries: 7	I'm suprised it stopped more old cars than new. From what I gather (and it could be myth) newer cars are far more vulnerable to an EM pulse, as they are controlled by an ECM. Older cars (like my poor Monte Carlo) haven't got a computer to get killed. An EM pulse may disrupt the ignition system, but it wouldn't kill it like it would an ECM, since it's just a coil, a distributer, and some wires. There's nothing to kill. Your radio'd be gone though. That would suck. It could be that the newer cars are shielded from things like EM interference (a violation of FCC laws?) and the ignition systems are indeed vulnerable in older, mechanically controlled cars. There was a guy floating around that was a buddy of a buddy that was trying to develope a HERF (High Energy Radio Frequency) gun. Basically the same principle, but in a focused beam, rather than an explosive pulse. Point being, you point it at something, it stops working (great for police chases he figured - kinda shadey). I think they got a small version to work through walls on computers. I need one of these for work... MUAHAHA!! -Whir Edit: I think I decided to unlearn how to spell, but I'm too lazy to fix anything...