Here are some examples of the dreaded radioactive gauges that DRMO has been concerned about. Pic 1 is a new gauge with no radiation. Pic 2 is a WWII gauge with .5 milliroentgens/hour (mr/hr). Pic 3 is a M-Series gauge with .5 mr/hr. Pic 4 is a M-series gauge with .6 mr/hr. Pic 5 and 6 of M-Series gauges are the hot ones, they are 10 mr/hr. these readings were taken on an uncalibrated 1960's Victoreen 6B geiger counter. In all cases the identifier is yellowed coatings on the numerals and needle. Much has been assumed about these gauges, but whatever you do, don't open them up and bead blast the gauge face!
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I now have all the documentation I need to sue the guvmunt
I got to ride in some Army trucks (rarely) as a light fighter and i distinctly remember the trucks had gauges in them I suspect them gauges radiated me in the back of the truck
I bet that explains why my teef are bad and I don't have much hair left There is also a loss of sex drive and a general loss of ability from what I remember 38 years ago.
I'm gonna call the Guvmunt tomorrow and start my multi-million dollar lawsuit!!!!!!!
Anyone wanna do the "class action" thingy???
__________________ I put a picture of myself at age 20 on my mirror, the resemblance is...well...nonexistent!!
The Following User Says Thank You to papabear For This Useful Post:
I now have all the documentation I need to sue the guvmunt
I got to ride in some Army trucks (rarely) as a light fighter and i distinctly remember the trucks had gauges in them I suspect them gauges radiated me in the back of the truck
I bet that explains why my teef are bad and I don't have much hair left There is also a loss of sex drive and a general loss of ability from what I remember 38 years ago.
I'm gonna call the Guvmunt tomorrow and start my multi-million dollar lawsuit!!!!!!!
Anyone wanna do the "class action" thingy???
So PB you admit you don't have much hair left! HAHA and you tease me about my hair loss...HAHA
Unless you are licking the gauge face, or glueing a gauge to your forehead, you have nothing to worry about. But it does mean that the items will glow and work as designed.
Like I told the gent who told me some of my old liquid-filled caps and transformers that I was selling at a ham fest years back were "PCB filled" and dangerous, I replied that "I don't plan on pouring the contents over my breakfast cereal, dumbass." Plus, the fact that they were full of PCBs, meant that they worked great, compared to newer stuff which works only good.
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I had these Hot gauges - after tearing them apart and scrapping on them to get the good stuff - I tore apart thermostats to get the mercury out of them - rub it in the dust - and it was awesome effects - OR back then it might have been another substance that made it spectacular !
Good post - on what most people would not know about.
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So, it would appear that if you have an SW-503A speedometer, it is radium. I have tested my SW-503C and it is definitely not radioactive.
Safety wise, the radiation is not really a problem. It decreases rapidly as the distance from the gauge is increased. Get a couple of feet away, and you won't be able to measure anything with a geiger counter. The problem is the dust from the various decay products of the radium. You don't need extra radioactive sources embedded in your sinuses, or bones, irradiating your body tissues for the rest of your life.
Radioactive Gauge Spotter's Guide
I suspect them gauges radiated me in the back of the truck
There is also a loss of sex drive and a general loss of ability from what I remember 38 years ago.
