Amateur radio club discusses EMPs and Artist Retreat Center damaging effects on modern electronics hosts Ed Gerhard
BELLA VISTA — Members of Bella Vista amateur radio club heard a presentation regarding electromagnetic pulse and its damaging effects on radios, computers, cell phones and other electronic equipment at their monthly meeting at Highland Christian Church on Thursday evening.
Steve Vandiver, an amateur radio operator and experienced in government research on EMP protection, spoke to the Bella Vista Radio Club regarding EMPs, their causes and their damaging effects on modern electronics.
He spoke of the Carrington Solar Event of 1859 and the coronal mass ejection’s effect on telegraph communications of the time. He said one came close to earth in 2012 and the possibility of such an event occurring again is very real, with the likelihood that the EMP from such event would cause worldwide damage to electronics, communications and electrical grids.
He also explained how nuclear explosions at high altitudes — 200-plus miles above the earth — could cause similar damage across an entire continent and disable communications, power grids and infrastructure, adding that this may be the reason the U.S. is so concerned about North Korea’s nuclear programs. He also described EMP weapons designed to disrupt communications and computer systems in more localized areas.
He explained the principles behind the use of Faraday cages and chambers and showed a Faraday chamber he made from a metal ammunition box and how placing chambers inside chambers could improve the possibility of electronic devices stored inside being protected from EMPs, whether naturally occurring or manmade.
Club members asked a variety of questions regarding how to best store and protect electronic devices in the event of an EMP event and what EMPs might do to electronics in cars, aircraft and medical devices like pacemakers.
The club meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Highland Christian Church, 1500 Forest Hills Blvd. in Bella Vista. The meetings are open to the public.
The club also hosts exams for amateur radio licensing. For more information on the club or licensing, visit the club’s website at www.bella vistaradioclub.org.
Grammy-winning guitarist Ed Gerhard will play the Artists Retreat Center in Bella Vista at 7 p.m. April 20. The New Hampshire based guitarist has played to audiences from Tokyo to Rome and at venues across the U.S.
Performing on 6-string, 12-string, slide guitar and acoustic Hawaiian lap slide, Gerhard captivates audiences with virtuosity and sly humor. Known for his tone and compositional depth, Gerhard can move a listener with a single note.
Scott Alalrik of the Boston Globe described Gerhard’s talent saying, “Gerhard does not write instrumentals. He writes songs only a guitar can sing.”
Gerhard’s compositions have been included in books by Warner Brothers, Mel Bay and Hal Leonard. His guitar work can be heard on recordings by Arlo Guthrie, Jorma Kaukonen, Bill Morrissey and in the Ken Burns films, “Mark Twain” and “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”
His CD “Luna” was included in Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s 20th-anniversary list of the “240 Essential Albums.”
“This soulful album of original compositions rich in melody, chordal complexity and stylistic variety proves why Gerhard is considered to have the most exquisite acoustic guitar tone on the planet.” — Acoustic Guitar Magazine
Gerhard’s relationship with the guitar began at age 10 when he saw classical guitar master Andrés Segovia on TV.
“I’d heard all the pop music on the radio and maybe a little of that ‘60s’ folk stuff, but this was the first time I’d ever heard the guitar all by itself and the sound just instantly got me,” Gerhard said.
Gerhard got his first guitar at age 14. His initial interest in classical guitar changed dramatically when he heard the music of bluesman Mississippi John Hurt. He quit taking lessons after the third lesson. Instead, he took some informal lessons with friends and learned by ear, slowing LPs to half-speed to pick out the tricky parts. At age 15, he began performing in local church basement coffeehouses, playing solo and jamming with friends.
The Artists Retreat Center is at 13467 Lookout Drive in Old Bella Vista. Tickets are $20. For reservations, call 479-268-6463 or go to artistretreatcenter. com. More information on Gerhard is also found on the website.