doghead

I am considering buying a Geiger counter for radiation detection. I have found many online sources with a wide variety of prices and configurations.

Does anyone own a Geiger counter, and use it to check military items you have or buy? What models are the simplest or best for a "homeowner"? How accurate or reliable is the information from a surplus Geiger Counter?

How do I determine what levels are safe. I am interested in learning more, any thoughts where to read up on this(basic information)?

Here's a picture representing the typical CG I am finding available.

Attached Images

	geiger.jpg (11.4 KB, 20 views)

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M818, M819, M35A2 w/w, M35A2, M109, M561 w/w, M274, M1008A1, M146, M105, M116A2, M101A2, Pioneer tool trailer, MEP-002, MEP-017A, 1990 Dodge Tug, 5ton winch shear pins

TexAndy

I don't think anyone has ever gotten radiation sickness from exposure to military surplus...

Empty wallets? sure.

rat4spd

Some things are just better not known about. You can spend a career learning about radioactive materials. Besides, you might not want to know how much of it you are exposed to everyday.

AaronW

Spoken just like a former "nuke".

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Aaron W
Napavine, WA

'53 M38A1 "Sleepy"
'63 M109A3 WO/W "Doc"
'68 M715 WO/W "Grumpy"
'71 M35A2 W/W "Happy"
'77 PU-625/G 3kw/60Hz(M101/dual MEP-016A)
'83 M332
'83 PU-406B/M 30Kw/ 50/60Hz(M200A1/MEP-005A)
'84 M923 "Dopey"(Wife's truck)
'86 M105A2
'90 M103A3 MKT-90
'91 M101A2(x2)
'?? S-180/MTA-4 Telephone Electronics Shelter"tin can"

U.S. Navy submarine sonar technician(STS1/SS) 1988-1998
SSN-700, DSU det. UMV, SSN-707

MWMULES

If you really want one of the CD ones don't get the one you have pictured CD V715 . Only good for High range Gamma, look for a CD V700 does Gamma and Beta. Get a later model that takes D batteries
YouTube - vanamonde2's Channel .
BTW former bubble head also.

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Carl_in_NH

Ditto on the recommendation for a CDV-700. I bought one about a month ago - working, shipped for $60 total from a seller on eBay. Mine was surplus from Washington State, last calibrated in 2002, if memory serves. There’s a check-source on the side of the case that can be used to see if the calibration is still reasonable, and the meter functional.

These are great meters for looking for interesting low level sources - like meters with radium dials. I found the older meters look the same whether they are old radium or glowing phosphor – and I darn sure want to know which one it is before opening a case to effect a repair (don't open the ones with the radium dials). If you’ve got old vehicle gauges or radio equipment, you’d likely be surprised how much of this stuff is a gamma source – albeit a very small one. After looking at the most active source I’ve got – an old panel mount voltmeter – I made the determination that as long as you don’t open the case and breathe dust from the dial, or carry the thing around in your pants, you’ve got nothing to fear. YMMV – measure what you’ve got, and read up on exposure.

The CDV-700 does calibrated gamma ray measurement, and un-calibrated beta particle detection when you open the covering beta window on the G-M tube. Nifty old meter – only a year or two younger than I am. Besides, telling a friend at work that, “I was walking around the basement with my Geiger counter the other day, …” is a heck of a conversation starter.

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-Carl

1971 M35A2C W/W
1986 M105A2
MEP-003A
MEP-017A

FMJ

Was stationed aboard CGN-9 for a number of years, wondering why my hair...



oh, nevermind.


I'm with you DH, would like to know

Trying to remember what was considered a "casualty" dose. . .

500 milirads per hour?. . . could be modified by the CO during time of war?

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FCC(SW) USN Ret.

"When you're a winner you're always happy, but if you're happy as a loser you'll always be a loser."

Mark "The Bird" Fidrych,
August 14, 1954 – April 13, 2009

Bill W

I have the victoreen 717 and the 720 both do low range detection ( x.1 - x100 ) but its gamma only, I'll have to go check out the 700 model or find a beta only model to add to my doomsday stash

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http://community.webshots.com/user/capitolmar

Towerguy1

Do some reading online, The CDV-700 is a geiger counter and most of the others are Survey meters. The later is for monitoring high level areas and shelters. The later model CDV-700's are cheap and accurate enough for general use.

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1971 M35A2 w/w Whistler turbo-Selectro hubs-Air Assist Steering
1968 M105A2

NDT

See the post I did "Radoactive gauge spotter's guide". Sportsman's Guide has a great deal on a Geiger Counter.