timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
|
Post by timloco on Jan 8, 2015 18:46:49 GMT -5
I got this kit from Adafruit to see if any of my rocks were hot: www.adafruit.com/products/483 It was pretty straightforward, my soldering skills aren't that great but it looked ok when I was done and it works, which is what matters I suppose. I have not had a chance to check all my rocks yet but just sitting on the kitchen table it's chirping away now and then. I need to get some good radiation sources like uranium ore or that old vaseline glass or something to really make it go. It proves there's radiation all around us, all the time not much you can do about it. It's a pretty cool toy here what it looks like when I started and the final product. I think I might set up the serial port logging next.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2015 16:03:57 GMT -5
Those kits were developed in response to huge gieger counter demand following the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe.
I should get one too, being close to Fukushima and all....
|
|
|
Post by jakesrocks on Jan 9, 2015 16:50:51 GMT -5
If you have an old alarm clock or wristwatch with a radium dial, it'll make your new toy go crazy. Or if you have access to TIG welding equipment, snag a little piece of thoriated tungsten electrode. I used to drive the Navy Haz Mat crew crazy with that stuff.
|
|
timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
|
Post by timloco on Jan 11, 2015 10:59:32 GMT -5
My buddy has an old army surplus compass with radium dial he's going to bring over. In the mean time all of my rocks are good to go, just a couple that are a little above background radiation, about the same as a banana.
|
|
|
Post by DirtCleaner on Jan 11, 2015 11:36:43 GMT -5
Also, if you have any, check Fiestaware. Many of the old plates will sound off.
|
|
gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,816
Member is Online
|
Post by gemfeller on Jan 11, 2015 12:16:38 GMT -5
That's a neat little gizmo. I'm going to get one to check gems for possible irradiation. If you want to give yours a good work-out, put it next to the smoke detector in your house. Thanks for posting.
|
|
panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
|
Post by panamark on Jan 11, 2015 13:06:08 GMT -5
If you have a Coleman lantern mantel, those use to really wake up the Geiger counter. That was 25 years ago though, so maybe they changed them. I think they used radium or something to get that really brilliant white light. Anyway, give it a try and let us know.
|
|
|
Post by mohs on Jan 12, 2015 17:04:59 GMT -5
your soldering skills were getting real good by Q3 ha ha just kidding excellent looking board
what's the power source?
Ed
|
|
timloco
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2012
Posts: 545
|
Post by timloco on Jan 14, 2015 18:06:08 GMT -5
thanks all for the great comments! Ed - it's just two AA batteries
|
|