DEFCON™ Pulse Tag – Personal EMP Detection System

Frequently Asked Questions What is the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag and how does it work? The DEFCON™ Pulse Tag is a unique device specifically designed to detect when an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) or other powerful electromagnetic event occurs. Onboard circuitry detects the E1 and E2 disturbances resulting from an EMP. Once a detection occurs, the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag sounds a continuous alarm. Will the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag detect a solar coronal mass ejection (CME)? No, the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag will not detect a CME. CMEs are very low-frequency events that do not couple energy into small-scale electronics. Does the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag have an ON/OFF switch? No, the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag does not have an ON/OFF switch. Rather, it is ALWAYS ON. Does the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag use batteries? Yes, the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag uses a CR1620 button-cell battery. How long does the battery last? The DEFCON™ Pulse Tag battery typically lasts at least 3 years. How can the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag operate so long on a single button-cell battery? The DEFCON™ Pulse Tag has patented ultra-low-power detection circuitry that uses less than 1 uA of current. How do I replace the battery? To replace the battery, remove the four screws on the top side of the unit, gently lift out the circuit board, use a small flathead screwdriver to push out the battery, install the new battery into the battery holder in the same orientation as the original battery. The correct orientation is for the small side of the battery (the – terminal) to go up against the circuit board, and the large flat side of the battery (the terminal) to go up against the metal battery holder. How do I silence the alarm? The alarm is silenced by pressing the small RESET button on the bottom of the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag. If the button fails to silence the alarm, the unit can be opened and the battery removed. How do I know if the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag is working? Without a powerful pulse generator, it is difficult to verify that the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag is operational. It is therefore recommended that the battery be replaced every 3 years. When replacing the battery, should the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag alarm sound? Yes, sometimes when a fresh battery is inserted, the unit will begin to sound. Simply press the RESET button to silence the alarm. What is the expected lifetime of the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag? The DEFCON™ Pulse Tag should last for at least 3-5 years, and likely much longer. Is there a risk of the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag experiencing a false alarm? The DEFCON™ Pulse Tag is designed to sound an audible alarm when exposed to a powerful electromagnetic disturbance. Such disturbances might be due to an EMP, nearby lightning strike, or other powerful electromagnetic disturbance. Therefore, if the alarm begins to sound, the user should consider their environment for possible causes of the detection. How quickly does the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag detect an EMP? The DEFCON™ Pulse Tag detects an electromagnetic disturbance in less than 1 millisecond and sounds the alarm within 100 milliseconds. Is the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag waterproof? The DEFCON™ Pulse Tag is weather-resistant, but it should never be submerged in water. If accidental immersion occurs, open the unit, remove the battery, and allow all internal components to dry completely before reinstalling a fresh battery. Over what temperature range can the DEFCON™ Pulse Tag operate? The DEFCON™ Pulse Tag is designed to operate from -20 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.