Civilian vehicles?

[Mohoender]

I like everything you say. However, I had the impression (from reading) that low altitude bursts were generating little EMPs and had very localized effects.

Isn't that the case If that's effectively the case, most nukes would not imply great effects in term of EMPs.

[WallShadow]

The thread has completely missed the civilian mode of transport that is still under production: bicycles. Krakow is building them. The Wisla Krolova's cargo included them as trade goods. They can be constructed by welding, or, with even lower tech, by butt-and-brazing the frames. A really good machinist might be able to copy a Bendix 3-gear hub. Or a derailleur system and spockets. The main chokepoints I can see will be inner tubes, valves, and tires.

[adimar]

The main chokepoints I can see will be inner tubes, valves, and tires.

So don't use pneumatic air filled tires. Either fill the tires with straw, use full rubber tires made from multiple layers of vehicle tires or just ride the bike on it's rims.

Adi

[WallShadow]

The

So don't use pneumatic air filled tires. Either fill the tires with straw, use full rubber tires made from multiple layers of vehicle tires or just ride the bike on its rims.

Adi

For the short term, I'd go with option 1. When the time comes that there are no more tires to fill with straw, #2. I hope I never get desperate enough to ride on bare rims.

[dragoon500ly]

The

For the short term, I'd go with option 1. When the time comes that there are no more tires to fill with straw, #2. I hope I never get desperate enough to ride on bare rims.

Don't forget that the first bicycle tires where rimmed in leather.

[Apache6]

I believe that civilian diesel engines can be simplified

I'm not an expert, but a friend of mine has told me that you can remove some of the electronic components of modern diesel engines and the vehicle will still run, it is just not as efficent and pollutes more.

[WallShadow]

Speaking of diesel (and using vegetable oils as a substitute/supplement), in addition to filtering the oil (imagining a run on coffee filters for this), how much more pure could you get it by centrifuging it <imagining large playground merry-go-round, or salvaged abandoned carnival motorized merry-go-round being modified to assist in clarifying biodiesel--definitely would raise both the locals' eyebrows and their questions about the sanity of the perpetrators>

[Olefin]

FYI - if you have an older car made before electronic ignitions and onboard computers EMP wont do squat - it will just be a very big light in the sky - and there are still a lot of older cars around -

Keep in mind too that a lot of places in the US didn't get hit by nukes - the only nuclear strikes in PA were near Philly - thats it - and thats per canon

Meaning any car in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Scranton, York, etc.. is just fine - same with western and central NY - nothing

and a tactical nuke wont produce much of an EMP effect so outside of a very limited area around such a bomb anything electronic will be fine - including the ignition of a car

[.45cultist]

Some one could have an old vehicle on blocks with its battery and antenna disconnected and frame grounded.

[Apache6]

Modern vehicles stored inside would be functional

Modern vehicles stored inside certain structures would remain functional. Many vehicles are shipped in connex containers which would likely protect them. Many vehicles in underground garages and (I believe) the interior sections of large parking garages would also be OK since the EMP pulse would not be able to penetrate. Vehicles which are not attached to a battery at the time of the pulse, for whatever reason are also less likely to be damaged.

[.45cultist]

I did the stats for the 1965 Pontiac GTO, and it was retro enough for Dark Conspiracy's Protodimension Magazine. A 1960's CJ10 or Gladiator is a nice addition to any gameworld.

[kato13]

FYI - if you have an older car made before electronic ignitions and onboard computers EMP wont do squat - it will just be a very big light in the sky - and there are still a lot of older cars around -

Keep in mind too that a lot of places in the US didn't get hit by nukes - the only nuclear strikes in PA were near Philly - thats it - and thats per canon

Meaning any car in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Scranton, York, etc.. is just fine - same with western and central NY - nothing

and a tactical nuke wont produce much of an EMP effect so outside of a very limited area around such a bomb anything electronic will be fine - including the ignition of a car

This post covers the fact that worrying about cars not working after an EMP event might be over stated.

http://forum.juhlin.com/showpost.phpp=9729&postcount=47

Of course the game specifically says that EMP was worse than expected. So do with both of these elements what you will.

I still feel that having months to prepare from the first nuke use to Thanksgiving means that a lot of people would have made preparations.

[LT. Ox]

Once again

Thank you very much.

[bobcat]

the only real problem cars have with EMP is it shuts them down and kills the environmental control systems and radio. the engine itself can be started back up immediately after the pulse, this is actually something the government has tested extensively. granted the dead ECS will cause problems later but good mechanic should be able to yank that out. the biggest issue i see is is the lack of spare parts will make their long term viability rather limited.

[copeab]

I'm sure the PCs in Europe can find a few hundred thousand Trebants.