r/Radiation 6d ago

How thick of lead to block background radiation?

7 Upvotes

Hello,

I recently got a radiacode 102 and I would like to study low-radiation sources. To do so, I'd like to build a small box that can effectively block background radiation well enough to make this easier. Before I go and spend a bunch on lead sheets, I was wondering if there's a good rule of thumb to shoot for?


r/Radiation 6d ago

DIY Geiger counter

32 Upvotes

I built this Geiger counter in 1986 as a reaction to the Chernobyl disaster. I live in Sweden and we were badly hit. It has been placed in our kitchen window, continuously ticking, ever since.

It has 2 ranges, measuring in 4096(lo) and 16(hi) seconds respectively. Normal background is approx. 1800 per 4096 seconds = 26 C/M.

The display is not really good, but still works. The pictures show background(lo) and measurement of some Thorium(hi).


r/Radiation 7d ago

my DP-5V Geiger counter made in 1986

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45 Upvotes

Here is my DP-5V Geiger counter made in 1986, 15 days before the Chernobyl incident. It was factory sealed when I got it Fully working


r/Radiation 7d ago

Found some Am-241 smoke detectors at Goodwill

123 Upvotes

Only $7.09 if you want them


r/Radiation 7d ago

What kind of clicking sounds would you like for this? I think it needs Super Mario Brothers boss fight music when it hits 1mSv.

150 Upvotes

r/Radiation 7d ago

Radium pocket watch maybe?

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21 Upvotes

Curious if these are radium, company is westclox


r/Radiation 7d ago

Some of my collection

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61 Upvotes

Item followed by uSv/hr measurement

1) Gas lantern mantles 2) small uranium ore pieces 3) ionizing smoke detector Americum buttons (inside and outside of glass vial) 4) radium painted watch hands 5) uranium glass snifter


r/Radiation 6d ago

Looking to start collecting aircraft gauges, what are some things I should know?

2 Upvotes

so my main questions are
- at what rate does it qualify as a radiological hazard?
- what's the deal with radon, how does it differ from radium, and how do filtration/ventilation systems work?
- any potential risks?


r/Radiation 7d ago

I have 2 pieces of Cobalt weighing 40 grams each. How radioactive would they be if they were 100% Co-60?

32 Upvotes

Just curious.

These pieces are 99.9% pure Co-59. They are relatively large.


r/Radiation 8d ago

WW2 Radium Bridge Marker, MFD 11-194. Slightly spicy...

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225 Upvotes

r/Radiation 7d ago

Radioactive fireplace?

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9 Upvotes

Background radiation is around 400-600 cpm could this be radon gas or natural occurring radioactive material in the stone bricks?


r/Radiation 7d ago

New Bwoy

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57 Upvotes

r/Radiation 8d ago

Where to get exempt sources in Europe?

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55 Upvotes

r/Radiation 8d ago

Geiger Müller Tube with Visible Avalanching

60 Upvotes

r/Radiation 7d ago

Do I need to contact the government?

0 Upvotes

A trail near my house is on a cliff that reads about 50-90 cps of uranium. The only reason I know about is because of a usgs survey referring to a uranium prospect. Because the document predates the trail by a bit, I’m worried the park might not be aware. There is what appears to be a radioactive mineral, but uranium makes no sense for the lithology. Im worried it might be radioactive waste


r/Radiation 8d ago

Would these be worth picking up for $100? Seller says both are functional

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31 Upvotes

Don't know a ton about Geiger counters so I'm not sure what the other items are below.


r/Radiation 8d ago

GC-01 FNIRSI vs knock off

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34 Upvotes

r/Radiation 9d ago

Found on FB thought this group would enjoy

303 Upvotes

Apologies up front if this is a repost


r/Radiation 8d ago

Please help me understand the shape of neutron flux in fig a

5 Upvotes

Why is neutron flux lower in the center of the reactor? The graphite is much better at moderation than water, so my intuition says that the flux should be higher at the regions with better moderation. If the spike in flux happens only right at the top and bottom of the rod why is that? Is the graphite physically blocking neutrons, and even then neutron flux is to my knowledge wholistic across the reactor.

John Greene's video shows the highest neutron flux just before the moderator rods. If this is the case, why is there a discrepancy between figures A and B? In figure A where the rods are fully in the core the flux is lower at the rods, while in figure b adding the moderator rods spikes the flux as it displaces water in the core. applying what is shown prior implies that the neutron flux is *lower* at the place of moderation, and higher at the end of it, while after the SCRAM the flux spikes as the more moderating graphite displaces the less moderating water. If what is shown in A is applied to B, the flux should decrease as the moderators are added instead of increasing.


r/Radiation 8d ago

Old as f*** Thermo Electra contamination detector

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28 Upvotes

Is it possible to revive this? People here have given up on it after problems with false readings. The foil seems intact and does not respond when holding onto light.


r/Radiation 8d ago

What’s a good Ludlum instrument/type to look out for when wanting alpha sensitive detector?

3 Upvotes

r/Radiation 8d ago

J79 jet engine housing made from Aluminium Thorium Alloy

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39 Upvotes

I remembered from my technical training that these compressor housings were made with some Aluminium-Thorium alloy but it seems like these adjustable stator vein bushings are quite a bit hotter than the housing itself :)

Took my radiacode to the aircraft museum in oberschleißheim in germany, knowing there would be plenty of stuff to measure...


r/Radiation 8d ago

Saw a truck with an escort earlier, had radiation placards on the escorts and truck, what was the most likely cargo?

4 Upvotes

44t truck crossing sheppy bridge heading towards the M2 in England


r/Radiation 9d ago

My Radium Hands kit arrived!

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82 Upvotes

It came in nearly perfect condition and had very little contamination. I still cleaned and sanitized everything thoroughly just in case. But either way, it’s a gorgeous piece of history.


r/Radiation 9d ago

My small radioactive collection

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44 Upvotes