How to make an EMP

You are sitting on your laptop reading the news. Suddenly, your laptop goes blank and the power shuts off. You attempt to turn it on but to no avail. You turn on your cell phone to find that the memory has been wiped. Nothing works, and you have no idea what is happening.

An EMP weapon could make that nightmare a reality.

EMPs (Electromagnetic Pulse) are released with Atomic Weapons. A nuclear weapon detonated high in the atmosphere could cause a widespread devastating EMP. Scientist are also researching a weapon that would provide only the electronic slaughtering power, minus the gamma rays.

But what better way to understand this technology than to make one yourself?

DISCLAIMER: This project is for entertainment purposes only. I am not responsible for any damage caused to Electronics by this device.

Ready to make an EMP?

I have two methods for you.

Method #1, Handheld

Handheld EMP?! I thought they only came in massive bomb types?

If you knew anything about EMPs before reading this, that's what you will think. Well, it is possible.

Amazingly, you don't even have to build a complex circuit. The entire circuit part of this project is already provided, pre-built. It costs around $5. Yes, the disposable camera strikes again!

To start your EMP project, you need a homemade Taser. This can be easily built from that vicious little tourist device above me. Scroll down a bit to find my guide on how to make one. It should literally take around 5 minutes.

Familiarize yourself with all the parts on the Camera's circuit board.

Now, you will need a few other parts. Go buy some insulated copper wire (the thicker the wire, the more powerful the EMP) and an iron rod. You can also use a non-metal rod, but this will be less powerful.

Take the copper wire and wrap it around the rod, TIGHTLY. As tight as possible. Once you are finished there will be a wire sticking out on either end.

Take the Camera Circuit (Taser) and solder the ends of the wires to the Capacitor. Make sure it is shorted first and the battery is out, unless you want to end up like the criminals mentioned in the Taser guide.

Now, GET OUTSIDE. Go far out into your backyard. Ensure that you don't have ANYTHING electronic in your pockets. Ensure that you don't have ANYTHING electronic in your hands. Heck, ensure you don't have ANYTHING electronic in your underwear, just in case. A mistake, and you may permanently break whatever you forgot to put away.

If you are using a Pacemakers or life support device, go get a hammer and smash your EMP. NEVER USE IT. You'll kill yourself. Keep this well away from anyone who has any of these devices.

Lastly, NEVER use it to interfere with other people's electronics or broadcasts. If you destroy some guy's iPhone with your EMP, you can be arrested as easily as if you took a chainsaw and destroyed it that way.

But of course you want to make sure it works. Hence why I said get outside. You aren't going to leave this awesome device sitting there not knowing if it works, are you? Of course not.

We need a guinea pig. No, not an actual guinea pig. The EMP wouldn't even affect it. A theoretical guinea pig. And the little device we are going to punish for no real reason? Meet the $0.99 Office Depot Calculator.

Look at that. Just asking for it, isn't it?

Maybe not, but it's only a dollar and is electronic. Need I say more?

Take your victim (the calculator, what were you thinking?) and place it as close to the EMP as possible without touching it. Again, ensure that you are nowhere near anything else electronic. Your EMP should have a blast radius of a few feet.

Put the battery in. Push the switch. If needed, you may want to remove the wires to charge the capacitor, but this as dangerous as you may shock yourself.

And...

No. None of that will happen. If you did everything right, you really shouldn't see anything. Once it is finished, go unplug the battery. Now, the moment of truth!

Pick up your (hopefully) dead victim and press the ON button. Does it work?

If yes, well, you did something wrong.

If no, CONGRATULATIONS! Your EMP is finished. Please keep reading for the warning at the end.

Method #2, EMP Explosive Device

This one is not re-usable. You also don't need a Camera.

First, check your local laws to find out if Firecrackers are legal. They are? Excellent!

Go to the Firecracker store and buy one.

Now, look up Neodymium Magnets. Neodymium is a Rare Earth that forms superb magnets. Buy two of them.

Make the EMP Coil rod as described in Method #1. But, instead of a solid rod, make sure that the rod is hollow and can fit the firecracker. Also, do not connect it to any Camera circuit or capacitor.

Stick the Neodymium magnets on either end of the firecracker, and connect the copper wires to the magnets. Put your electronic victim near the device (not too close or you will just blow it up). Make sure you are in a safe area with no people or electronics around. Take a match, light the fuse, and RUN! Get as far away as possible. The firecracker will explode and possibly send a neodymium magnet into your skull. However, it should generate the same EMP affect which will wipe out the Calculator.

Legal Issues. In the United States, do not use this device on any device other than your own or you risk being arrested. Keep it legal, and only break your own electronics.

Always keep the battery out when not using it, and store it away from electronics... just in case.

NEVER use this near ANYONE using a pacemaker or life support. Keep them as far away as possible, or you could hurt them.

If you have an RFID that needs killing, this works great!

Lastly, if you built an EMP Proof box and want to test it, just stick a calculator in there and fire off the EMP. If it still works, you did well.

Enjoy!

Questions? Use the comment function.

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