I guess this note is for Don again - as a Mechanical Engineer I do realise "you can't tame Mother Nature". However also I believe "God helps those who helps themselves" - so I'm just one of those darn engineers who think they can fix (almost) anything. So if it is an EMP with a really steep "ramp", then the MOV's (Metal Oxide Varistors) in many surge protectors may not survive without a hefty LC component - ie a large inductor plus an equally large capacitor of the right kind. Any comments on Cutler Hammer/Eaton's latest home unit? This is their "Clipper" circuit breaker and surge protector, designed for us country folks on "long lines". Of course the grounding/shielding needs major attention too. I suppose we have to listen to Gordon Michael Scallion and company on that stuff as well, not to forget the official military releases about EMP hazards?

I can accept your remarks about the possible severity of the pulse (or pulses) - it is just that there must be some reasonable "hardening" measures out there for the attentive homeowner. Remember that my family survived the January 1998 Icestorm, two weeks without power, thanks to two woodstoves plus our camping gear - we Canucks sure don't give up easily.

So I'm hoping that Don will be able to tell me how to protect my equipment - and mebbe I should stick to the old Kettering ignition in my 1978 MGB ragtop sports car, and not install that new Allison optical/electronic ignition kit - eh? What to do with my 1990/1991 Volvo's - put in a distributor/ignition from an old 1970's Volvo? I have some P1800 Volvo's for rebuilding sometime.

Christopher Ives

PS - I hope you are following http://www.spaceweather.com
and the latest NASA/SEC advisories - some pretty spectacular stuff right now

PPS - the only other site that I found on ELF/ULF was the ELFRAD group.