With Faraday cages, remember the number one mistake made is improper grounding. I have a galvanized garbage can with radios etc individually vacuum sealed in the can, as well as an older lap top we didnt use anymore, a ham radio ect all water proofed and burred 2 feet in the ground. # is the required depth for non Faraday items to be burred to resist EMP effects. I also included a few parts for the truck I got from the wreckers for pretty darn cheap to get it going in case of an emp issue. Just my 2 cents.

Great Faraday cages I found are military ammo boxes (found at surplus stores), lined with corrugated cardboard and grounded. In the smaller ammo boxes I have are stored all my spare batteries and a small radio. In a pinch, put all that needs protection in a large cardboard box and wrap the whole thing in aluminum foil ( If you see cardboard then its not safe), then ground it.

Actually, the thought of emp closing down the power grid and any electronics scares the shtf out of me. My question is will the solar flares get that strong? If so, then I wonder what I might put into a faraday cage. A radio might be useless as the radio stations would surely get hit too. I wouldn't be able to store the electronics needed to get my car running again and what good would a laptop do me when the internet would also be gone.

Anyone got any ideas as to what to store in a faraday cage?

Crank Radios ,Crank Lanterns, ,any electronics with chips that are a priority( carkeys,bankcards,passport ETC.You can wrap smaller items in heavy foil or use your micro-wave as a Faraday Cage.Check at Salvation Army or second hand stores.The bigger the better,doesnt matter whether they are working.It is said they will protect whatever is inside .(unplugged of course ) Thanks P

As long as there are Ham radio operators, there will be communications, I know that they are a dying breed, but a few will always pop up like a persistent weed. You will find them on the short wave, and by the way, forget listening to Police/fire radio bands, they're all scrambled. Know where to find the emergency brodcast channels, look them up for you areas.

I have several Faraday cages at home. Tin boxes for smaller electronics. Just make sure that you put your small item in a paper or other insulating package. NOT PLASTIC. Another bigger Farady Cage is a filing cabinet. Again find boxes that fit inside and Bob's your Uncle. My issue is how do you know when to take things out? And once they are out, if the monitoring stations have been burned out or have no power, how will you know to put things back in? I am not about to build a CME monitoring station with a stand alone power supply and armour it against CMEs. so not going to happen.

I haven't found any information which shows CMEs to be ahzardous to one's health but there are several malls with deep underground parkades which look like a good spot to hang out in. If you live in Victoria, there is a very nice spot under the T&C Walmart. Hope I never seen you there.

take a look at these....

http://beforeitsnews.com/story/1882/339/NL/

http://beforeitsnews.com/story/1882/339/Unidentified_Object_Near_Sun_-_Is_It_Feeding_Off_The_Sun.html

why not plastic?

I'm not a science expert, but I believe that many commercial plastics are not pure polymer; they are mixed with other stuff to increase their strength and to lower production cost. Some of the fillers used can include graphite and carbon black which are conductive. I'm not sure if you are able to find out what is in your plastic, so it's probably not a good idea to use it (just in case).

Someone posted this report on EMP tests on various cars. They wouldn't name actual brands or models but I was rather surprised to find almost no effect of quite high EMP levels. In some of the worst cases there was what they called electronic latch-up failure requiring a battery disconnect and reconnect to fix.
http://www.futurescience.com/emp/vehicles.html

Be sure to visit the EMP protection page for tips. Multiple layers of plastic bags and foil seem to be very effective for shielding.
http://www.futurescience.com/emp/emp-protection.html

As far as I know an older model (mid-80's and back), pre-computer vehicle would make a good bug out vehicle for an EMP burst as they are not affected. Be warned though. You will most likely have a tough time getting out of any major urban area seeing as you would be driving one of the few working vehicles.

Someone posted this report on EMP tests on various cars. They wouldn't name actual brands or models but I was rather surprised to find almost no effect of quite high EMP levels. In some of the worst cases there was what they called electronic latch-up failure requiring a battery disconnect and reconnect to fix.
http://www.futurescience.com/emp/vehicles.html

Be sure to visit the EMP protection page for tips. Multiple layers of plastic bags and foil seem to be very effective for shielding.
http://www.futurescience.com/emp/emp-protection.html

Also to be noted is that EMP from solar flares will have very little effect on anything but the power grid. Nuclear EMP would be another story, but then again, after a nuclear attack, would your electronics really be your biggest concern?
As far as EMP problems are concerned, I think I'll concentrate on alternative power sources.

EMPs and Solar Flares only effect technology. Its camping as usual with no ill effect if you don't need electronics. Keep an old truck in the garage, build a metal shed, or a Faraday Cage if you're worried about it. You can also remove the computer from the spare vehicle and keep it in a grounded metal box.

I was told that the metal cases around most desk tops will act as a Farraday cage. HOWEVER, the connections, wires/anntennae need to be detached or the energy is just shot into the motherboard and fries it. That said I'm not taking any chances and have bought an ancient metal footlocker just in case. make sure to insulate the item from the Cage. Cardboard box will do. Also most smaller electronics are not going to be effected. That's what I was told. I can't confirm that either one way or the other. I am just some glad I don't have a pacemaker. If you know someone who does have one it may be prudent to keep them in a van or metal clad garage if you love them. ;o)

The electronics that will be affected will contain higher values of Q. In non-technical terms, this means ANY chip technology, ANY micro-chips, and ANY micro circuitry. In a nutshell, the energy from EMPs is more or less electricity that flows through the air and burns or deteriorates any tiny little wiring or circuitry, which is what micro-chips are comprised of.

A Faraday cage blocks very these high frequency energy waves from passing through. You can test a metal shed or steel locker box by putting a portable radio inside and turn up the volume before you close the lid. If your portable radio completely loses its signal, then the cage works. If you hear the radio station, it does not work.

I don't know what you refer to when you say "small electronics" ? If it has micro-chips, it can be affected, whether its your ipod or your 4x4 truck.

The Russians had the oldest technology in their aircraft for as long as they could just because of EMP. It cost an awful amount to shield an aircraft or a ship. Unfortunately most new Semi's are also micro-chipped electronic controlled for better fuel economy. Since Semi-trucks haul 80% of the food that goes to market, how volatile do you think our food source is. Older motor cycles, trucks, tractors and bicycles could end up the next mode of transportation, IF and only If, there is a major EMP. The Causes, High altitude nuclear blasts, a severe CME of a southern polarity headed right for us, or the residue EMP from a super nova of a neighboring star.