[Florin_Andrei]

> Satellites in general have a very hard time discharging large amounts of current

Um... don't you mean "charge" instead of "current"?

> We could be looking at a large percentage of all electronics broken. So we might suddenly have large areas, with no power, no electronics, and no communication.

As a HAM radio operator, this is why I want to build a transceiver that has no semiconductors in it. If it's not connected to a large antenna, or to the AC network, or to any long wires, there's no way anything coming in from space could fry it (that would not fry me too).

[taneq]

> Um... don't you mean "charge" instead of "current"?

"Current" is moving charged particles (usually electrons). In the moment that they're being shed, the electrons charging the satellite become a current.

[jessriedel]

No. Current is a rate of charge per time. It's like saying you're dumping a bucket of flow rather than a bucket of water.

[taneq]

Which... is what I said?

[Florin_Andrei]

exactly

[sandworm101]

If you arent attaching it to anything, put it in a tinfoil sac. It will be fine and ready to go when needed, semiconductors and all.

[Florin_Andrei]

Well, if you go into the physics of the whole thing, penetration depth, skin effect, absorbance, etc, you realize there's always a combination of factors that will screw up your silicon. Plus, if it's not in the bag when it hits, it gets fried. Plus, it should be more like a military-style box than a bag.

Tubes are just a heck of a lot harder to screw up, except mechanically.

[chinathrow]

Not if the storm lasts. Then his setup might be more useful.

[bradgessler]

I'm curious what you use in place of semiconductors? Vacuum tubes?

[Florin_Andrei]

yup