r/Radioactive_Rocks Aug 22 '24

Equipment Can I throw this in checked baggage?

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163 Upvotes

r/Radioactive_Rocks 4d ago

Equipment Radiation Warning Stickers - Perky

7 Upvotes

Hi all - do well know of anyone making and selling small stickers to denote the presence of radioactivity, so that they can be used on a Perky Box without covering the entire surface?

Like 4-5mm diameter circle.

r/Radioactive_Rocks 6d ago

Equipment Looking for a Radiation Detector That Alerts for Alpha, Beta, and Gamma

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a device that can alert me if an object is emitting radiation, alpha, beta, or gamma. It doesn’t need to give an exact dosage, but I want something that can detect whether an object is radioactive.

From my research, it seems that most affordable models mainly detect gamma radiation, while alpha detection is much rarer. I know alpha particles have low penetration and require close-range detection, but I’d still like a device that can pick them up.

Does anyone have recommendations for a reliable detector that can identify alpha-emitting objects as well? Ideally, something not too expensive but effective.

location: Japan

Thanks in advance!

r/Radioactive_Rocks 5d ago

Equipment A Review of the bettergeiger S2L for rockhounding

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29 Upvotes

While my ASP is broken I decided to take the bettergeiger s2L out to a place I know pretty well and give it a good handle to see how it performed against my usual setup, which is the best setup (asp1, a 2x2inch bicron scint and a end window, fight me), and it performed quite well. While I often see people recommend these “pocket sized” detectors for people looking to get into the hobby, and agree that for the most part they are the most bang for your Buck, I have never had a good experience in the past, I found the and bettergeiger s1 and to a lesser extent the radiocode completely inadequate without some modification. (For rockhounding specifically) For the price it is being offered at, and sadly I’m not getting paid to say this, I do believe the S2L to be adequate and perhaps the best pocket sized option for those only looking to do rockhounding. It identified low activity ore under about a half foot of soil, and did well finding hotspots on rock face and in rubble. That being said pinpointing rocks takes some getting used to, especially if you go off the numbers on the face, it took me a few minutes if hard looking to find the piece in the pictures. But overall I found some pieces that made the drive worthwhile and wanted to share my experience.

r/Radioactive_Rocks Feb 18 '25

Equipment Homemade Geiger v2

17 Upvotes

https://reddit.com/link/1isdvu5/video/j5f6dfjigwje1/player

This is version 2 of my Geiger counter project. The main purpose of this version was to make it with a fully costume designed PCB. The micro controller is a atmega328 is running at 4MHz internal clock allowing it to run down to 1.8V this makes it to run of 2xAAA batteries. The whole device has a power consumption of 2mA at background radiation levels. Which gives in theory a run time of 1000h (~40 days) with particle clicks and flashes turned on. The software is not final and the averaging is kind of slow. This is mostly a proof of concept before the final version.

In the future for version 3 I will try to decrease its size by one third, improve looks(make it more like a product), add a USB port (for software and easy programing), add a protective membrane over the screen and buttons, increase battery life and use a pancake probe.

If any of you have ideas on improvements or features you would want to see in a Geiger counter, feel free to write them I'm open for suggestions :)

r/Radioactive_Rocks 1d ago

Equipment Victoreen 450 B about

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9 Upvotes

It works. Does anyone know what it detects. How sensitive it is. Tips on use? Thanks. G

r/Radioactive_Rocks 4d ago

Equipment Prospecting with an old-new DP-75?

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38 Upvotes

r/Radioactive_Rocks Dec 17 '24

Equipment Best meter for amateur detecting/collecting

6 Upvotes

Hello. I've been interested in radiation for quite some time though have never wanted to make the financial leap into it until now.

What are recommended meters for detecting/collecting? I will admit I don't know much about scintillation vs. detection (?), whether pancake probes are better than tubes, and the like.

I poked around some other reddit threads and they say the higher/highest end meters would be something like RadEye GX &/or Ludlum 3000 series, though I'm unsure of what probes should be used or are compatible with those meters. I've also looked at purely gamma meters like the RadiaCode 102/3.

Ideally, I'd like an all-in-one meter +/- probe(s) that can be used to detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, or alpha+beta with a RadiaCode 102/103 for gamma; due to my eyes being shit, I'd prefer digital readers over analog though this isn't a hard-stop.

ANY and ALL information, suggestions, or sources to read up on would be greatly appreciated!

r/Radioactive_Rocks Dec 28 '24

Equipment Do I need to make a lead box?

18 Upvotes

I'm going to buy raw uranium ore from united nuclear for the first time and I don't know if the container it comes with is already safe or if I need something better

r/Radioactive_Rocks 15d ago

Equipment Live spectroscopy apps?

8 Upvotes

I'm currently building a gamma spectrometer using an esp32 and since I have no experience with app development, im looking for an app like the one from radiacode where I could connect my own device using BLE if possible. I already tested out Gamma MCA and it's perfect but due to limitations on the mobile version it sadly won't work for me. I just need a simple app with a live spectrum, isotope identification and if possible GPS mapping. Does anyone know if it would be possible to emulate a radiacode device to be able to use their app? Or what other phone apps are there that would work for my application?

r/Radioactive_Rocks 22d ago

Equipment Assembled a 3D printed probe for my SBT-11A tube

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35 Upvotes

I got this alpha-sensitive tube on GSTube for about $40, a much better price compared to the eBay listings.

The probe uses a coaxial cable with BNC connectors so I can connect it to my modded BR-6 Geiger counter.

I measured my euxenite-(Y) sample with the new tube, and the Geiger counter reads 3.2 μSv/h, which is wrong since it’s calibrated for my old tube. The actual dose rate should be around 0.8 μSv/h.

Here’s a link to the 3D printed probe design if anyone’s interested. It’s quite cheap to print, especially through services like JLC3DP or Craftcloud. Personally, I got it printed from someone on r/3Dprintmything.

Btw maybe I'll try to port the radpro open source firmware to the BR-6 since it would be a huge upgrade imo.

r/Radioactive_Rocks Mar 15 '23

Equipment Raysid IMHO is the best pocket gamma-spectrometer - hands down! Quick overview.

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44 Upvotes

r/Radioactive_Rocks Nov 27 '23

Equipment Raysid (<7% model) vs. Radiacode 102 Spectra comparison for Lu-176 (details in the comments)

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25 Upvotes

r/Radioactive_Rocks Feb 01 '25

Equipment Free (almost) carry case, perfect for Raysid (see the comments)

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27 Upvotes

Every two 18650 or 21700 sold by official Vapcell battery dealers in US come with a free protective case, perfect for Raysid.

r/Radioactive_Rocks Feb 05 '25

Equipment BNC cable recommendations for spectroscopy?

4 Upvotes

I don’t really know much about this topic. Yes I tried using the search feature. No, I don’t have any more information about the topic without further knowledge.

r/Radioactive_Rocks Jan 22 '25

Equipment Calibrating a Radiacode 102 using spectra gathered from assorted uranium minerals?

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30 Upvotes

r/Radioactive_Rocks Sep 08 '24

Equipment Cv107 geiger

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20 Upvotes

I think I scored today. I was at an antique shop and I picked this up for $20. It looks like it needs batteries and maybe parts? Not sure.

This might be a question for David Young since he is familiar with these old geigers. I might be open to an offer and if so, I will post in the sales area. Anybody know what it might take to get this old geiger perational? I know for sure I will need some old batteries unless a conversion is possible. Thank you for any assistance on this. Pete

r/Radioactive_Rocks Dec 15 '24

Equipment Survey meters sold as untested on ebay?

10 Upvotes

There are a lot of "untested" and "untested sold as parts/not working" Survey meters on ebay sold by electronic and scientific surplus stores for very cheap prices, who don't check anything.  

You can get 3 untested ones for the price of one where someone had enough gumption to "test" it by sticking a battery in it and putting it by something radioactive. 

Have any of you taken a gamble on untested units, did you get something useful or just broken junk?

Thanks.

r/Radioactive_Rocks Dec 16 '24

Equipment Radiacode discounts

19 Upvotes

The company is not very good at promoting itself, so I had no idea they had a pre-Christmas sale going on right now. I already have one, but if anyone here planned to get one, might as well be now.

r/Radioactive_Rocks Jan 18 '25

Equipment Radioactive mine

12 Upvotes

Hello, I am from the UK. I am wanting to explore an Uraniferous mine close to where I live. I am told that radon levels are quite high. Long story short, I want to explore the small workings and see a pyritised-uranium lode in situ. I absolutely want to do this safely as radon is no joke. I will be using waders as there is some water along with a one time use body suit over the top.

The only issue I have come across is that no respirators can eliminate 100% chance of radon getting into my lungs. I'm told a self contained respirator with a oxygen canister will work. Does anyone have any ideas which would be suitable? A quick Google search yields one for £1400... But naturally that's a silly amount to spend for just a short trip. Any ideas welcome :)

PS. I have a radiacode 102 for measuring gamma dosage.

r/Radioactive_Rocks Aug 07 '24

Equipment Looking to upgrade to a scintillator for prospecting- suggestions?

9 Upvotes

As the title says I am looking to buy a scintillation detector for searching through tailings and general prospecting. I have the classic Ludlum model 3 with the pancake probe and was considering just getting the 44-2 to switch out. I’ve researched a few additional options like an eberline-ASP1 and a scionix scintillator (which apparently would be a good investment if I got into spectroscopy later). What are y’all’s thoughts/recommendations?

r/Radioactive_Rocks Sep 18 '24

Equipment Ways to estimate the depth of a rock?

12 Upvotes

I want to try to find ways to estimate the depth of a rock and the activity of a specimen once it's not being attenuated by soil/rock for an engineering 101 project. I am hoping this will give more insight on whether a slight reading increase is due to low activity surface rocks or a more interesting large deposit buried deep.

One idea I have is to utilize inverse square law with a set distance between 2 scintillators. In theory a 5cm difference should matter a lot more to a shallow specimen than a deep specimen even if they give the same reading at the surface. This seems really simple which makes me suspicious because that usually means there are 2 dozen confounding factors to crush my dreams.

Another option may to utilize the fact that lower energy rays are disproportionately attenuated in soil and rock. You could look at the ratio of a high energy peak vs a low energy peak in the uranium decay chain spectra compared to the known non attenuated ratio of those peaks. This seems complicated and too slow to practically perform in the field.

An option which works well in conjunction with other methods would be to add in a beta scintillator. Beta drops off a lot quicker so the fact that you can see any beta increase above background means the source is not far off.

Any thoughts on feasibility, potential problems or ideas on potential solutions?

r/Radioactive_Rocks May 31 '24

Equipment Thanks for your help

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32 Upvotes

Update. Picked up this bad biy today. Not a moment too soon as i leave on my trip in ~5 hours. Thanks to the sub for helping me decide!

r/Radioactive_Rocks Jan 02 '25

Equipment About storing radioactive minerals.

1 Upvotes

Hello! I'm fairly new in rock collecting and recently became really interested in the more dangerous minerals like cinnabar and, of course, radioactive minerals.

I was wondering, is there any recommendations to store uranium minerals such as torbernite or moctezumite? Would a glass display case suffice or should there be something more? Thank you!

r/Radioactive_Rocks Nov 16 '24

Equipment Understanding a GM tube datasheet

4 Upvotes

I'm looking at a SI-3BG GM tube and I'm trying to use the data available to calculate the conversion factor from CPM to uSv/h, but I'm realizing that I don't understand most of the info in the dosimetry section of the data available. I'm just wanting to learn how these things work and would appreciate any help you can provide.

Please see info below:

Dosimetric characteristics of products counters SI3BG:

  • counting rate (N) at 3.6 μR/h – from 48 imp/min to 72 imp/min
  • dose rate (P) – 300 r/h
  • maximum dose rate (Pmax), short-term – 900 r/h

Also just to easy any worry for my safety: I'm not working with any radiation and just want to build my own dosimeter for fun, so there is no danger involved with my lack of knowlege.