The RADHUNTER is paying close attention to the situation with the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. All reactors at the Zaporizhzhia NPP have been shutdown for some time now, however power is needed to maintain cooling for spent fuel, as well as decay heat from fuel still in the reactors.
Side Note: The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is actually located in Enerhodar, just south of the city of Zaporizhzhia
With all 6 reactors shut down, the actual Nuclear Power Plant can’t generate electricity even for itself. It had been receiving power from Ukraine’s external power grid for several months, but sometime last week, power infrastructure feeding the plant was shelled. The plant also has emergency diesel generators that can supply sufficient power to run cooling pumps, control systems, and instrumentation to keep cooling water circulating to fuel ponds and reactor vessels, however, one of these diesel generators has also failed, meaning the current situation is definitely worrisome to put it mildly.
UPDATE 09 October 2025: According a report posted on Telegram, external power to the Zaporizhzhia NPP has been restored. Thus the plant has been returned to “normal” shutdown state, and the diesel generators can be returned to a backup status, however it should be noted that the plant’s installed generators will have logged many hundreds of additional hours of operation. UPDATE 15 October 2025: The information posted based on a post on Telegram may or may not be true. The IAEA is reporting that the Zaporizhzhia NPP is still on emergency backup generators only. The IAEA is likely focusing on getting stable external power to the site, but under no circumstances should the IAEA take or condone any action that may intentionally or otherwise facilitate the restart of a Nuclear Power Plant so close to active front lines of a war. Again, I state what I said in the original article: World leaders need to immediately recognize this situation for what it is, and use any means necessary to create a situation where power and safe standby operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP can be assured. UPDATE 23 October 2025: The IAEA now states that the power lines to the Zaporizhzhia NPP has been restored after a month with no external power to the site
For a bit of good news, a facility like the Zaporizhzhia NPP has multiple layers of redundancy, so there several paths forward that would get the situation into a better state. First, and likely the priority, is to repair the external power line. This would put the plant in a “normal” (as close as normal can be for an NPP in a war zone) off-line status. Power for cooling would be provided by the grid, and the diesel generators would return to a backup capacity.
The second best short term path would be to repair the off-line generator to maintain at least current levels of redundancy. In this case, it is also critical that the security situation around the plan allow continued supply of diesel fuel (and parts, oil, etc.) to the generators.
Would re-starting a reactor so that the plant can supply some of it’s own powers be an option? Well, technically, Yes. There has been damage on the property of the Zaporizhzhia NPP from shelling and possibly sabotage, but as of what I have read to date, there is no damage that would prevent running at least one of the reactors, but of course that entails significant safety risks — not only to plant operators, but cooling a running reactor is even more critical than cooling spent fuel (in or out of the reactor). I sure hope that the NPP technical and engineering staff, and IAEA officials are first and foremost safe — and secondly looking at all possibilities to prevent another disaster.
What if the worst happens, and due to additional generator failures, inability to supply diesel fuel, or further attacks, all power is lost to the Zaporizhzhia NPP? In this case, we would be looking at a situation almost identical to the situation that occurred in March of 2011 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Things may happen a little more slowly since the Fukushima Power Plant had some reactors running right up to the morning of the earthquake, but the scenario that would play out would be much the same. Water would boil off into steam creating the possibility of a steam or hydrogen explosion. In any case, contaminated steam would have to be vented to the atmosphere. If fuel temperatures could not be maintained, there would be the possibly of fuel meltdown, loss of containment, and further release of contaminants.
Where would the radiation go? Right now, and for the next few weeks at least, the prevailing winds would take radioactive contamination, including very dangerous products, westward — towards the rest of Ukraine, and other countries in Eastern Europe. It’s likely that the Russians know that contamination would be carried away from Russia.
World leaders need to immediately recognize this situation for what it is, and use any means necessary to create a situation where power and safe standby operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP can be assured.
No matter how people view the situation, or what politicians say, any significant release of radiation from the Zaporizhzhia NPP will be the start of a militarily caused nuclear release that would effect a significant portion of Eastern Europe, and ultimately effect the entire world.
In other news, there have been reports of a Russian Submarine in distress in the Mediterranean Sea. I have read news reports that state that either an explosion has occurred or is likely to occur due to a fuel leak. I would like to note that the submarine in question is powered by diesel engines and batteries, and is thus considered a conventional submarine and is not nuclear powered.
This article will be updated as the situation warrants.
For the first Video on the RADHUNTER YouTube Channel, I introduce the Mestek EMF02R EMF, E-Field, B-Field meter, and demonstrate it detecting a Lightning Strike miles from my home.
Obviously, it would have been more impressive if the storms on that day would have had more frequent and more intense lightning. In fact I have monitored lightning with the Mestek EMF02R on a more active day, but unfortunately I was not prepared to record it that day.
Where did the “Five Second Rule” mentioned in the video come from? So using so-called “Imperial” units, sound (including of course the sound of thunder) travels at about 767 miles per hour (MPH). If we divide 767 by the 60 minutes in an hour, we find that sound travels at 12.8 miles per minute. If we again divide 12.8 by 60 (There are 60 seconds in a minute), we get 0.21 miles per second, or very close to a mile every 1/5 (0.20) of a second. So counting 5 seconds means that the thunder has traveled 1 mile from the location of the strike to our ears.
In fact, 5 seconds is actually a little better (for a change) than the pure math gets us to. When I was very young, I learned the speed of sound as 741 MPH, which is generally accepted as the speed of sound at sea level on a cold, dry day. So someplace in between 741 and 767 gets us exactly at a mile every 5 seconds.
Here’s another point — even if somewhat trivial: The Electric Field does not arrive at the sensors of the EMF02R instantly either. For calculation purposes, we will assume that the E-Field, which is Electromagnetic Radiation just like Light, travels at the same speed — the speed of light or c. So the E-Field from a lightning strike 2.6 miles away takes about 14 μs (microseconds) to reach the EMF02R — That’s not very long, but it’s not zero either. For example, in 14 microseconds the microprocessor in a mid-level mobile phone can execute anywhere from a few hundred thousand to several million program instructions — and that’s without any help from the Graphics Processor (GPU).
Here is a final point that I had to deal with many times in my career in aerospace. Lightning may hit the ground (or a structure) at a certain point, but the strike is never a straight vertical line. Lightning can travel sideways, or approach from a low angle over a distance of several miles. It also follows a very erratic path. A strike traveling overhead, and then striking a point past the observer is going to register a much larger reading on the Mestek EMF02R, than a strike that approaches the observer’s location from past the point where the strike hits the ground or a structure, in other words, a strike that does not pass over the observer (assuming approximately equal energy lightning strikes.) The strongest E-Field will generally occur from the closest point to the Mestek EMF02R along the lightning strike’s flight path. When discussing the E-Field strength (and thus the potential for damage to, and/or interference with, a spacecraft) I constantly struggled to get engineering management to stop over-simplifying lightning as a perfectly straight and vertical column of coulombs. The relatively low reading on the EMF02R, and the location of storm cells at the time, indicate that the strike captured in the video did not pass over my location.
The RADHUNTER is available to come to your School, Office, or Club/Group meeting to Explain and Demonstrate Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation, as well as other aspects of Engineering and Physics.
RAD HUNTER Radiation Presentation
The Basic RAD HUNTER Presentation covers the following. Like all presentations, it can be tailored for the audience and time available.
Ionizing and Non-Ionizing radiation (Am I really “nuking” my food in the Microwave oven?)
Natural Nuclear Radiation (The ever present “shower” of cosmic radiation, and the radiation in all of us)
Nuclear Power (Fission and Fusion, Nuclear Accidents)
The Atom Bomb (Atomic Bombs, Hydrogen Bombs and History)
Mobile Phone Radiation, 5G and WiFi
Space and Space Vehicle Presentations
As shown in the image at the top of this page, I have done Presentations on various space and space travel related topics.
Apollo — “How we Went to the Moon”, not “If we Went to the Moon” (I’ve been in the “Studio” where the Moon Landings were “Faked”. I present the Engineering and Answer Questions, but allow Students to Draw their own Conclusions)
Space Shuttle — (What was it, What Happened, and Why it was Designed the way it was. Did the Space Shuttle fly at 18,000MPH because it’s cool to go fast?)
The Solar System and a Basic Introduction to Orbital Dynamics — (250 Miles from Earth, the gravity is >90% the same as it is on the Ground, so why are the Astronauts in the Space Station “Floating”?)
Other Presentations
If you are part of a Physics, Space, UFO, Paranormal, or Metaphysics group, contact The RADHUNTER for a tailored presentation. Subjects can include:
The ever moving and blurry line between Natural Physical and Metaphysics (with Demonstrations)
Physics, Engineering and Aerodynamics for UFO and other Phenomenon understanding and analysis
Tailored Presentations for your specific group or interest
CarCynic.com Automotive Events and Car Shows
The RADHUNTER is also known as The CarCynic. The CarCynic can be booked through the CarCynic.com website for Attendance at your Automotive Event, for Automotive Presentations, or for CarCynic Professional Sound/DJ Services. As always, the CarCynic uses only Professional Sound Equipment. The CarCynic does not use Plastic Party Speakers. Having the CarCynic provide Professional Audio for your Metaphysics show, UFO Group or Yuri’s Night Event would make total sense!
Safety
The only radioactive substance used in RAD HUNTER Radiation Presentations is commonly available Salt Substitute (which contains natural Potassium). The RAD HUNTER will consume the Salt Substitute during the presentation so that Faculty and Students will know that it is harmless.
Only with the prior understanding and written consent of all Faculty, Staff and Management will other sources of ionizing radiation be brought onto school property or into a business. Even these other sources of radiation are either naturally occurring mineral samples such as the “Bit of Hyperactive Nature” mentioned elsewhere on this site, or antique tableware that was originally sold and intended for serving food.
Demonstrations of Non-Ionizing Radiation will be done with the students’ or faculty’s own mobile phones, which will remain in their possession at all times. If already and normally present in the classroom, faculty walkie-talkie, pager type devices, microwave ovens, or media equipment may also be used. Such equipment, if used in the presentation, will be used normally and not modified or altered in any way.
For other, specially tailored Presentations/Demonstrations, such as those involving Lasers or Energetic Crystals, arrangements will be made with the Staff or Faculty prior to the presentation.
Other Important Notes:
RAD HUNTER Presentations that are not booked through the NASA Speakers Bureau are not NASA Presentations, and do not reflect the views or opinions of NASA or any government entity.
Costs and Booking
RADHUNTER Presentations for Local Schools (East Central Florida) are Free based on The RADHUNTER’s availability.
Travel for venues over 50 miles from The RADHUNTER’s base will be charged at rates that are inline with industry standards.
Any Price Reduction for any event or appearance constitutes a cash donation to a charity/organization that the RADHUNTER chooses to support. This is completely at the RADHUNTER’s discretion. The RADHUNTER cannot be legally or otherwise forced to make a cash donation to a charity/organization that he does not choose to support.
Contact The RADHUNTER for an Appearance or Site Survey:
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Disclaimer:
THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR “AS IS”. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INJURY, OR ILLNESS ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, INJURY, OR ILLNESS.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK IS RADIOACTIVE, OR OTHERWISE HAZARDOUS, OR IF YOU SUSPECT OTHERS OF HAVING SUCH, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES. THIS GUIDE IS A TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ONLY. IT DOES NOT, NOR DOES IT PURPORT TO, GIVE MEDICAL OR ANY FORM OF HEALTH ADVICE. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, OR ARE HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS, CONTACT A PHYSICIAN OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES.
I have to confess to surfing eBay, Etsy, and other sites almost (Notice I said almost) obsessively.
In these browsing adventures, I’ve noticed that prices of some Radiation Detection Devices (Geiger Counters) have increased significantly over the last couple of years. Yes, the prices of lots of things have increased over the same period of time, but other things that I see on eBay have not increased as much — especially other electronic devices of the same vintage.
Furthermore, I am talking about prices of exactly the same devices — for example my EcoTest MKS-05 Terra-P. (Show at top of Page. My Review of the EcoTest MKS-05 can be found on Linuxslate.com, and will soon be moved to RadHunter.com). Now I have to be honest here — I can’t find the receipt for my MKS-05, but I’m pretty sure I paid less than $300 for it in 2007 or 2008 – Possibly less than $200. Today the same EcoTest MKS-05’s are selling for an average of about $500. Yes there are new versions of the EcoTest Radiation Detectors, but I am comparing prices of exactly the same, yellow MKS-05 Terra P — Not the Terra-P+ (Plus), or any of the newer versions. What other specific electronic device that was made in the mid 2000’s and is still made or readily available today has held its price, let alone doubled in price?
The story is the same for antique Civil Defense Geiger Counters such as the Yellow Victoreen “Survey Meters”. In the past, I’ve seen literal piles of these things at Hamfests and Flea markets. Prices vary, but generally, sellers would be happy to get $50 dollars for a nice looking one. [Relevant, somewhat comical post on Linuxslate.com Forums — Skip to “So Have I Found Anything Radio Active?”] As far as I recall, the person in that story wanted to sell them to me for $25 a piece without batteries or headsets. These days, they seem to be going for $160 on eBay.
What really prompted me to write this article is what I interpret as increased demand for the old Civil Defense Pen Dosimeters. (Pictured below with their charger/reader). I generally expect to pay about $2 a piece for pens in good condition. I purchased the ones shown (without the charger) for $3 a piece on eBay recently. Now, even shopping for a large lot, where I would expect to see a quantity discount, I’m finding that scratched up, untested pens are being sold for at least $4 a piece. Some eBay sellers are asking $45 dollars each for ones that are supposedly tested.
Civil Defense CD750 Dosimeter Charger and Dosimeter Pens.
Now, I get that there are some mitigating circumstances for the Civil Defense items. Things go for higher prices on eBay than they do at Flea Markets. It’s reasonable for a “mid century” antique to increase in value over time, and some Dosimeter pens could also be gaining popularity as cosplay props, but I can’t see people bidding on a lot of 100 CD radiometers for their post-apocalyptic drip. (Must be a pretty “Rad” costume party!) Companies may also be becoming more aware of Radiological Hazards and the associated workplace rules, but I don’t think these companies would be able to meet regulations with surplus items that were last calibrated a half-century ago. Even large lots of Dosimeter pens are apparently being bought by individuals.
Making it more worrisome is that in surfing 100’s of eBay listings, the price of some of these devices have not increased significantly, in fact over all, Basic nuclear detectors have gone down in cost as we would expect for a portable electronic gadget.
Basic Chinese Geiger Counters are available on eBay — and they have much more functionality than the EcoTest meters. Small devices such as the Unbranded Chinese device reviewed here (Linuxslate.com Forums) are available for about $35. Even the more elaborate and functional FNIRSI GC-02 is available for an average of about $80. (Check back for a review).
The RadHunter’s FNIRSI GC-02 Radiation Detector
I’ll also note that even other models from EcoTest — are not affected. The trendy, but less durable and thus less disaster-ready EcoTest VIP was expensive in the 2010’s, and still sells for about the same $479.
So if modern Chinese Radiation meters with Color TFT displays, USB-C ports and Graphing functions are selling for $35, why are people paying $500 for a Terra-P or a Civil Defense kit with a Victoreen CD-700, a few Dosimeter Pens and charger, and a packet of iodine pills?
It seems to me that they are willing to pay more for the Chernobyl-proven Terra-P’s (at least Chernobyl Tour Proven) or a Civil Defense unit, and they are not interested in the less durable/proven Chinese gadgets. Even Soviet-era units seem to be up significantly from 3 years ago. I’d rather not post specifics for fear of altering the market, but another one of my vintage Soviet units is currently selling on eBay for 2.5 times what I paid just 3 years ago.
There is also the issue of the current situation in Ukraine and Russia — While some of the Ukrainian vendors are still active on eBay, others have been forced to evacuate. Supplies of e.g. the Rodnik-3 — a personal favorite — have been largely cutoff from the Russian Federation itself. I paid $123 including shipping for mine in 2019. They are now going for $179. I get the Supply side driving factors, but for price to increase (when e.g. a mobile phone of the same vintage has dropped significantly), there must also be the demand side of the equation for prices to increase.
Rodnik-3 from Russia
So what I genuinely want to know is what is it that seems to be driving demand for the trusted and more durable Radiation Detection equipment? Is it the situations in Easter Europe and the Middle East? The recent advance of the Doomsday Clock? Awareness of possible apocalyptic situations brought about by the SARS viruses? Stress on civilization from mass migration? Dissatisfaction and Distrust of Governments/Leaders? (I’m not being vague here to avoid politics. I perceive that people are dissatisfied with their governments/politicians in multiple parts of the world.)
THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR “AS IS”. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INJURY, OR ILLNESS ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, INJURY, OR ILLNESS.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK IS RADIOACTIVE, OR OTHERWISE HAZARDOUS, OR IF YOU SUSPECT OTHERS OF HAVING SUCH, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES.. THIS GUIDE IS A TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ONLY. IT DOES NOT, NOR DOES IT PURPORT TO, GIVE MEDICAL OR ANY FORM OF HEALTH ADVICE. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, OR ARE HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS, CONTACT A PHYSICIAN OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES.
Editors Note: This review was originally posted on Linuxslate.com in April of 2006. It has been moved here by the original author with current edits. Discussions on some other devices will remain on the Linuxslate.com Forums at least for now. Please check there for additional Reviews, and Discussion.
The DRSB-88 is a very compact Vintage Radiation Detector that was made in Russia. I purchased it on eBay. After reading a nice review of another model – The DRSB-01, and finding no other information about such devices elsewhere, I decided to write a review of my own.
The DRSB-88 is a very compact Vintage Radiation Detector Made in Russia
The unit is one of the the smallest (and least expensive) true Geiger Counters I have ever seen. [Ed: At the time of the original article] What I wanted was something small and easy to carry. The obvious device for such a purpose is a Dosimeter. I am very glad I got a true Geiger Counter instead. What’s the difference? See Link Below.
The DRSB-88 is almost as small as a Dosimeter, yet uses a common, easily replaceable battery (One AA Battery.) This may be very important in a Civil Defense emergency. Instead of estimating dose, the DRSB-88 gives indications of individual counts. Background counts soon give assurance that the device is working properly each time you turn it on. It also seems that the battery life is very good.
While somewhat primitive in construction compared to most consumer electronics, it seems fairly sturdy. I have already dropped mine twice from my shirt pocket onto a tile floor, and it is still working fine.
The unit lacks any sort of readout or meter. It’s output is simply a light and a clicker. In the presence of a significant threat, the rather bright light would flash enough to be very obvious. The “click” sound is exactly what people expect from a Geiger Counter. If I am near anything that produces anything noticeably more than background counts, I am going to take steps to increase the distance between myself and whatever it is as soon as possible. I’ll leave the Milliroentgens, Radiation Absorbed Doses (RADs), and Exposure Limit Charts to the proper authorities. If you want to quantify what you detect, the DRSB-88 and a stopwatch will give counts per minute (CPM).
By the way, does any body know what exactly that light is? It does not look like an LED. Is it some sort of neon bulb? [Update: It is a MTX-90 Russian Miniature Thyratron — It is part of the detection circuitry and since it is neon filled, it also produces the flash. Not only does the term Thyratron sound cool, but the fact that the device has a vintage tube device (in addition to the Geiger-Muller Tube) also adds to it’s nostalgia.]
MTX-90 Thryratron tube as used in the DRSB-88
Sensitivity: With no readout or meter, speaking of “accuracy” is irrelevant. An important thing to note is that the GM (Geiger-Muller) tube in the DRSB-88 is very small. Because of this, fewer ionizing particles are going to pass through it than would pass though a larger tube. My DRSB-88 seems to detect about ¼ the counts as my old Universal Atomics V-700 Commercial Meter. This does not mean the DRSB-88 is inaccurate or not sensitive. 10 times background still means 10 times background, and that means you have a problem.
My Universal Atomics V-700
Dr. Covington (reviewer of the DRSB-01 – Website since removed) asked the rhetorical question: Have I found anything radioactive? He did, and So have I. I have a clock out of the instrument panel of an old aircraft. It has a radon painted dial and hands for nighttime viability, and even though it no longer glows, it makes the DRSB-88 go crazy.
First and Foremost, the Rad Hunter will listen. Understanding is impossible without a backstory, and the property owner is the best and fastest way to understand any concerns and the goals of the investigation. While the Rad Hunter will bring appropriate purchased and home-made equipment to investigate the property owner’s concerns, no piece of test equipment is as sensitive and flexible as the human senses. The Rad Hunter will also be listening to the surroundings and making observations. Given some of the equipment The Rad Hunter has worked on, and situations he’s been in, he simply wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t a keen observer.
What happens next will vary depending on the location and the customer request, but I’ll give a simple description of a few example situations:
Simple Home Environment Survey: Observations begin outside. Everyplace on Earth has a background ionizing (nuclear) radiation signature. These readings will be shared with the property owner or prospective property owner. Exterior EMF, RF, and B-Field readings at the time of the visit will be noted, and RF and EMF Producing Infrastructure nearby will be pointed out. A visit from the Rad Hunter is not a replacement for a licensed home inspector, but the Rad Hunter will make observations, and will suggest questions the owner should ask the inspector. Inside, the same readings of Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation will be made in various living areas. We all want a quiet place to sleep, but bedrooms should also be quiet in the sense of High-Energy Particles, and Electromagnetic Feilds. A baseline of WiFi and Bluetooth devices will be provided. Under no circumstances will the Rad Hunter open walls, remove breaker panel covers, etc. If corrective action is necessary, the RADHUNTER will refer the property owner to licensed contractors, and act on the property owners’ behalf to mitigate the concern.
Basic Nefarious Device Survey: Again, this will vary significantly with the specific location/concern. If tracking is suspected, the area or object (e.g. car) will be scanned for WiFi and Bluetooth (including BLE) devices. Note that the equipment used is extremely sensitive and will pickup numerous devices even several houses away. Detection of unidentified WiFi/BT/BLE devices does not necessarily indicate nefarious activity/intent. Scans can be made for the IR signature of hidden cameras, and RF scans are used to detect point-to-point spy cameras. If unexplained signatures are found, attempts to locate the device will be made. Again, the Rad Hunter will not cut holes in walls or dissemble any part of a vehicle.
Unexplained Phenomena: So what if your situation doesn’t fit either category. Unexplained noises? Maybe there is just a sensation that something’s just not right. The vast majority of Unexplained Phenomena can be explained by common household problems. Others require some “out of the box” thinking and research. Again, the Rad Hunter’s first technique is listening with an open mind. The Rad Hunter has experienced phenomena others have probably either never experienced, or didn’t understand what they were were experiencing. Don’t waste your time and/or money discussing the paranormal with someone who isn’t educated and experienced in basic natural physics first. The Rad Hunter will explain what he finds in understandable, results-oriented language.
Contact The RADHUNTER:
The RADHUNTER operates out of East Central Florida. Travel over 50 miles from The RADHUNTER’s base will be charged at rates that are inline with industry standards. To schedule a Site Survey, use the following email address:
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THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR “AS IS”. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INJURY, OR ILLNESS ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, INJURY, OR ILLNESS.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK IS RADIOACTIVE, OR OTHERWISE HAZARDOUS, OR IF YOU SUSPECT OTHERS OF HAVING SUCH, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES. THIS GUIDE IS A TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ONLY. IT DOES NOT, NOR DOES IT PURPORT TO, GIVE MEDICAL OR ANY FORM OF HEALTH ADVICE. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, OR ARE HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS, CONTACT A PHYSICIAN OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES.
Ever since I was very young, I have been interested in electronics. I started with one of those basic electricity learning kits when I was less than 10 years of age. I was soon obsessed with almost any sort of electronic gadget that I could build, take a part, or repair. If it was portable, that was even better. After all, OCD is not something you can leave at home.
A little further along my path of electronics learning, someone gave me one of these:
My 1950’s Vintage Universal Atomics V-700 Radiation Meter.
This (as well as a few other cool gadgets) brought rise to a parallel addiction — Fascination with the unseen world. That vintage Geiger Counter is portable, but not very. It’s not something I am likely to carry with me on – for example – a trip to the supermarket.
As smaller, digital devices became available, I bought a couple of radiationmeters (Links still point to Linuxslate.com) that were much more portable than that vintage Geiger Counter, but again, an addiction is not easily overcome. I needed more. I craved the lasting high of features and functionality, but in this strange obsession, I also needed smaller, more portable.
My next “hit” of “rad” meter had to meet the following “requirements”:
Small – almost pen sized. I wanted something not much larger than a Civil Defense Pen dosimeter.
It had to have a clear and readable LCD display.
It should have a large Geiger-Muller (GM) tube for sensitivity and fast readings.
It should allow the GM tube to be exposed so that it is sensitive to beta (β) particles.
It should run on commonly available dry cell batteries.
There are other devices that “fit the bill”. So why did I buy the “Rodnik 3”?
The Radex One is readily available (ships from the USA if you use the provided link), it’s actually cheaper and it has PC connectivity. It also looks and works more like a pen. But the meter reviewed here is actually slightly smaller in every dimension, and has a much bigger display. The Radex One, at least as far as I know, does not allow you to expose the tube. The website does not mention any ability to detect α or β particles.
There are also a few different small (and again, less expensive) older Russian devices. But again, they are bigger in at least one dimension, often have a smaller tube, and the ones I know of have very small LCD displays, if they have a display at all.
The EcoTest VIP is nice, very “pen-like”, and definitely represents a “hit of the good stuff” for anyone fascinated with radioactivity, or radiation testing. But again, I don’t see a way to expose the tube (at least without removing a cover that could get lost or broken), and the EcoTest VIP is quite expensive.
There are also small devices that plug into a mobile phone’s headset jack, and with a special app, they allow you to measure, and even track radiation. Most of these are actually semiconductor devices. They are not true Geiger counters, and not sensitive to α or β particles.
There are also wand like radiation detectors that connect to a mobile phone with a short cable. Some of these do contain actual GM tubes, but these are more expensive, and by the time you connect 2 devices together with a wire, you actually end up with something less convenient, and less likely to be actually used, than a single compact device with an integrated display.
Since the tragedy at the power plant in Fukushima, a Japanese company has begun marketing several very compact radiation meters, including one that is very compact, and “pen-like”. Again, however, these use a semiconductor device as a sensor, and thus detect gamma (γ) radiation only.
Let’s get Physical:
IdealRatio.ru (Russian Language – Link Removed due to current sanctions.) seems to distribute a number of the Soeks, Radex, and other portable radiation detection devices (as well as devices for detection of nitrates and RF radiation). But according to a translation of their web page, they apparently realized the same deficiency of the other products as I mentioned above. They decided to “go it on their own”.
It’s not my intent to copy the “IdealRatio” instruction book or web advertising here, but I will point out that it meets most of the criteria mentioned above and in the Radiation Detector Buyer’s Guide.
Here are the basic physical specifications:
It is one of the smallest true Geiger Counters that I have seen (112mm х 32mm х 19 mm)
It has a full length SBM 20-1 true Geiger-Muller Tube.
The back is slotted to allow detection of α and β particles
It uses standard AAA Batteries.
It has a side mounted LCD display.
The Rodnik 3 is compared to a basic Russian pocket Radiation Detector in this screen shot from the Unboxing Video. The Rodnik 3 is smaller, more sensitive, and has more features.
Other Features and Pluses:
In addition to the basic features mentioned above, I would also like to point out some of the specific things I like about this particular meter now that I actually have used it.
The front facing display is large and easy to read. It has very good contrast in all lighting conditions (except darkness). Making it front facing (as opposed to on the top like the Radex One) was a good choice. No one is going to make the funny face needed to see a display in your shirt pocket.
It has an LED that blinks for both particle counts, and flashes for alarm conditions.
Having a slotted area over the GM tube is desirable over a flimsy or easily lost cover. As the owner’s manual states, if you are checking liquids, or using the unit in an environment where it could get wet or become contaminated, the unit can be put in a small plastic bag.
As many of these devices, it also has a basic alarm clock, and could serve as a travel alarm.
When displaying the time, it won’t click or flash for incoming particles, but it will alarm if the radiation threshold is reached. It can remain in this mode for years on a single set of batteries.
Single button operation, and the feel of the button is a good compromise between ease of use and preventing accidental operation when in a pocket.
It has 2 magnets built into the back panel so that the unit can be held by any ferrous metal surface for convenient storage or continuous background radiation monitoring.
Mine was supplied with an English language owner’s manual.
The large GM Tube and slots in the back cover make the Rodnik 3 able to quickly identify these candlestick holders as genuine Vaseline glass even though they are only very mildly radioactive. The display is showing 0.35µSv/h, or about 5 times the normal background radiation in my area.
The Minuses:
A perfect portable device would cure my addiction. But as I mentioned, finding the right drug to cure an addiction is not easy. This device definitely has some misses:
I’d still like something more pen-like. A well constructed pocket clip would help a lot, but there is none included with this device.
The items in the settings are labeled with “English” language characters, but they are 3 character abbreviations on a numeric LCD display. If I am not going to memorize what each one means, no one else is either. While you don’t need to change settings often (really ever), if you do, you will need the manual (in your language) in hand.
Single button operation makes it awkward to set the clock and change the settings. Again, not a big deal, since most users will not need to change the settings more than perhaps once.
One of the settings is to adjust the accuracy of the time function. In today’s world of network synced time, and highly accurate crystal controlled devices, the consumer should not be asked to perform a task like adjusting the accuracy of clock.
If the Rodnik 3 is in clock mode, and alarms due to increased radiation, you get the flashing red LED, and the alarm tones, but the display continues to show the time. It does not show the radiation level until you push the button.
The LCD display is not visible in darkness. Again, this should never really be a problem. In an actual civil emergency, a flashlight is even more important than a radiation meter, and for more casual use, I think it is safe to assume that few go antique shopping or grocery shopping in total darkness. Given the necessary choice of a backlight, or great battery life, I think they made the right choice by omitting a backlight.
The above are minor gripes, or at worst, things I would change if I were designing one (which I did start to do at one point). Unfortunately, there are 2 bigger problems with this unit:
The beeper (sound) is very low. There is no way to set the volume (although you can set the duration of both key clicks and particle beeps). This unit is never going to wake a heavy sleeper if there is a nuclear accident. Unless your surroundings are fairly quiet, you may not even hear the alarm if the unit is in your pocket or purse.
Lastly, folks, is the big one: This unit has no accumulated dose function. Despite saying “Radiation Dosimeter” across the top, it does not/cannot show daily dose or dose over any other time period except acute dose. This also means you cannot set an alarm for total accumulated dose. Notice that I do not call it a dosimeter in this article. I only emphasize this since the size and portability of the Rodnik 3 may cause buyers to think of it as a digital replacement for a dosimeter pen. It is, in fact, the opposite, since classic dosimeter pens show only accumulated dose, and do not show acute radiation levels. Of course lack of an accumulated dose function does not affect using the Rodnik 3 to find radioactive antiques, check your food, or alerting you to entering a dangerous area.
Conclusion:
Overall, this is an excellent and very discreetly portable radiation meter. It is at the very least a good choice as compared to the other small units mentioned above. Under the conditions that (1) You understand that it does not do accumulated dose, and (2) Conveniently carrying it is of prime importance, I do recommend buying the “IdealRatio” “Rodnik 3” Portable Radiation Detector. It’s size, cost, build quality, sensitivity overall, and sensitivity to alpha particles make it excellent for finding either radioactive substances you want (like antique shopping) or radioactive substances you want to avoid. For more serious life – or – cancer circumstances, however, I would recommend that the buyer look for a larger unit with more features.
Extra: Did I Find Anything Radioactive?
Obviously, a good test of a Radiation Detector is to find something radioactive. Did I find anything radioactive with my Rodnik 3? Well, I recently went on a family vacation, and I took my Rodnik 3 with me. — This Content will be moved here from Linuxslate.com shortly.
Disclaimer:
THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR “AS IS”. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INJURY, OR ILLNESS ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, INJURY, OR ILLNESS.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK IS RADIOACTIVE, OR OTHERWISE HAZARDOUS, OR IF YOU SUSPECT OTHERS OF HAVING SUCH, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES. THIS GUIDE IS A TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ONLY. IT DOES NOT, NOR DOES IT PURPORT TO, GIVE MEDICAL OR ANY FORM OF HEALTH ADVICE. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, OR ARE HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS, CONTACT A PHYSICIAN OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES.
The LinuxSlate.com Guide to Buying a Personal Radiation Detector is published here with some trimming and updates. Any Broken Links will be fixed as content is moved from LinuxSlate.com to here.
Since the accidents at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station in Northern Ukraine, and Fukushima, Japan radiation continues to be a very real part of daily life for people in the places affected by these tragedies. One tiny piece of good news for these folks is that modern technology has made radiation detection devices more compact, reliable, affordable, and easier to use over the last several years. Consumer-friendly radiation detectors are now available to help people avoid contaminated products and places. A few enterprising people have realized that there is a small but lucrative market for reselling these devices to the rest of the world. This makes a variety of devices available that were simply unknown to westerners a few years ago. If there is a market for these devices in the west, then logically there is a need for a Buyers’ Guide. This guide is intended to explain these devices to western consumers, to let them know what features are available, and to help them avoid paying too much.
Does Joe Consumer Really Need a Personal Radiation Detector?
Obviously, I think one of these inexpensive devices is a good thing to own. Without being too wordy, I will try to summarize some reasons below:
Natural “Hot Spots” — These exist virtually everyplace in the world. They are caused by natural Uranium deposits, Radon gas, etc. (US Radon map at EPA.gov). Did you know that we have even discovered naturally occurring nuclear reactors right here on Earth? (Natural nuclear fission reactor – Wikipedia.org). Knowing the natural radiation signature of your environment is a good thing.
Common Household Items that are Made from Radioactive Materials — Spark plugs, lantern mantles, certain cups and plates, watches, smoke detectors, and other common items have in the past been made with radio active materials. Some still are. I would bet that most households contain something at least mildly radioactive. Review commentary on the Linuxslate.com Forums tells of radioactive items that I found with each of the Radiation Detectors I have reviewed.
The RadHunter’s ПОИСК-2 (SEARCH-2) vintage Geiger Counter detects Radiation from this cup and saucer. This is not Vaseline Glass or Fiestaware. This cup and saucer was made by Harlequin.
Household Items that Somehow Have Become Radioactive — Even if a product is not made with radioactive materials, it may be possible for it to become radioactive. Think about the items you bought last time you went to the store – do you know everything that was in the same shipping container with those products? Did that set of food storage containers come with a sheet describing radiation levels in the warehouse it was stored in? You may even be exposed to radioactive people! This happened to me – you can read about it in my review of the EcoTest MKS-05. For now, this review remains on Linuxslate.com.
Radioactive Food — Due to the nuclear accidents, natural radiation, or improper storage or shipping, some food may become radioactive. While tests are done to insure that our food is safe, and that radioactive food is destroyed, it may still be possible for some to make it to our plates. If, for example, farmers or shippers are not compensated for food that should be destroyed due to unsafe levels of radioactivity, there could be a temptation to pass it on to the market. Food is also regularly irradiated to kill parasites and bacteria. This is a good thing, and does make our food safer. If you die of bacterial food poisoning, then you need not worry about radiation. I just hope they set the timer correctly when they irradiate my food, and that nobody gets confused and gives it a few extra trips through the irradiation chamber.
Government Response to Disasters and Accidents — It does not take a nuclear accident to make us aware of the fact that the government sometimes does not react as efficiently as we would like. Consider the response to the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina. It is best to be independently prepared. The local “cop on the beat” probably does not have a degree in nuclear physics, and may not be prepared for even small releases of nuclear materials.
The Threat of Nuclear Terror or Acts of War — Terror attacks, by definition, thrive on fear and panic. Terrorism experts agree that the panic caused by a “Dirty Bomb” would likely injure or kill more people than either the initial explosion, or any resulting disease. A radiation meter toting public would be much less likely to panic, and would be able to make informed decisions about what action, if any, they would need to take. By removing the panic, the effectiveness of such an attack, and thus the incentive to carry it out, is significantly reduced.
Conversation Piece — I don’t live inside a mountain. I don’t have a 10 year supply of MRE’s, and I don’t have a lead-lined room in my house. If you read the rest of this site, however, you will see that I do like cool technology. The radiation detectors mentioned here are not expensive, and are definitely cool electronic gadgets. Unless you travel with a particularly dim crowd, I can virtually guarantee hours of conversation about energy, physics, world politics, or the environment after your pull out your “rad” meter.
Radiation Basics:
Manufactures or resellers of radiation detectors often have some information about radiation. Another good place to read up on the subject is on Wikipedia. However, I will provide a quick background here. Ionizing radiation (Also referred to as Nuclear Radiation) is what we are talking about when we say that something is “Radioactive”. Ionizing radiation gets its name from the fact that it can knock sub-atomic particles out of an atom, thus altering or destroying that atom. This is what makes ionizing radiation so dangerous. RF radiation, such as from mobile phones, commercial antennas, microwave ovens, and wireless data links does not destroy atoms. (although it can raise their energy levels temporarily). Your mobile phone, wireless PDA, or microwave oven is not radioactive, nor can it make you, or anything else radioactive. The detectors and meters that are the topic of this guide detect the more dangerous ionizing radiation only.
OK, so now that we have RF radiation and ionizing radiation separate in our minds, lets talk about 3 important types (sources) of ionizing radiation:
Alpha Particles – Alpha particles are the cores (nucleus) of helium atoms (helium balloons contain complete helium atoms, and are not radioactive). Alpha particles are easily stopped as soon as they hit anything (molecules of air, or a sheet of paper). Even though they are easily stopped, they can damage the atoms of what ever they strike. If you swallow a source of Alpha particles, they will be stopped by your insides, and damage will occur. We really do not want to eat anything that is emitting Alpha particles.
Beta Particles – Beta particles are also pieces of atoms flying along without the rest of the atom. In this case, it is an electron and it is traveling free (not down a wire, for example). It takes a little more to stop a beta particle, but thin metal – even tinfoil will stop most of them. Again, if you swallow a Beta source – what stops them (and what is damaged) is going to be your insides.
Gamma Radiation – Gamma rays are made of the same particles as non-ionizing radiation, but at much, much higher energies. Gamma Rays, Cosmic Rays, and X-Rays are all basically the same thing. The only difference in the terminology stems from how the particles are made:
Cosmic Rays are natural, and come from space. Stars (including our own Sun), Black Holes, etc. all make Cosmic Rays. We live in a constant drizzle of natural Cosmic Rays.
Gamma Rays come from the decay of radioactive elements here on Earth. This can be natural, or from man-made nuclear reactions.
X-Rays are created by man-made devices, such as medical equipment, or basically anything in which electrons strike metal. (Such as picture tubes).
Gamma Rays are very hard to stop, and a Gamma source even quite distant from the body can be very dangerous.
There are other particles not listed above, but Alpha, Beta, and Gamma are the 3 most common forms of ionizing radiation.
Detecting Radiation:
If any of the ionizing particles mentioned above pass through a tube of a certain (harmless) gas that has an electrical charge, a detectable electrical pulse will be generated. This is called a Geiger-Muller tube, after its inventors. In the rest of this article, I will refer to it as a GM tube. The electrical pulses generated by the GM tube are counted by either analog or digital circuitry. If the counts are fed into a simple computer chip, they can be averaged over time and converted into different measurement units. The device can also trigger alarms to warn of dangerous levels. The combination of a Geiger-Muller tube and counting circuitry is where we get the term Geiger Counter. The term Geiger Counter has become somewhat outdated, but all of the devices that are the subject of this article contain GM tubes. This article does not cover scintillation devices or any kind of dosimeter without a GM tube. For more details on the difference between GM counters and other types of dosimeters, see This Article on RadMeters4u.com.
Devices such as the Pen Dosimeters shown here do not contain a Geiger-Muller tube, and do not measure acute dose, nor do they detect Alpha or Beta radiation. This article does not cover scintillation devices or any kind of dosimeter without a GM tube.
Do Radiation Meters give off Radiation? Am I Going to Get Cancer from Having one of These Devices Around?
No. These devices detect radiation, they do not cause it. Thinking you are going to get radiation from something that detects radiation is like thinking you are going to get fat from standing on a scale. Even surplus radiation meters were likely never used in a radioactive environment. If they were, they would not be available for sale. GM tubes do operate at high voltage, and thus these devices may create a very small electrical field around them. This field is much weaker than emissions from many other common devices such as TV’s, computers, microwave ovens, mobile phones, etc. In this sense, using a radiation meter is comparable to using a pocket calculator
Features to Look for:
As I mentioned, radiation detectors simply generate an electrical pulse when an ionizing particle passes through the detector tube. Some simply flash a light and make a click for each pulse. Others pass the pulse to rather sophisticated computing circuits and digital displays. Extra features are always nice, but a simple flash is fully sufficient to indicate the presence of radioactivity. My DRSB-88 has only a light and clicker (See Review Here), but if I place it near something, and it starts to flash frequently, I know that object could be dangerous.
The Russian Made DRSB-88 is a very basic pocket sized radiation detector with only a light and clicker, but if I place it near something, and it starts to flash frequently, I know that object could be dangerous.
Units with digital readouts simply convert clicks over time to common units of radiation. Having them do this automatically is a very nice feature, but you pay for it. In addition to the flash and click, some of the low end units have another light and possibly a buzzer that warns of levels above a preset warning level.
A very important feature is some sort of window or removable cover over the actual detector. As I mentioned, alpha particles are stopped by almost anything. If the detector is inside a metal or plastic device, it is not going to detect alpha particles. To solve this problem, better units have a removable cover or window that when opened, exposes the GM detector. When transporting the device, or specifically to filter alpha particles, the cover is closed or replaced. Obviously, a window is better than a simple cover, since covers are likely to be lost. If the cover is lost, the detector becomes very susceptible to damage.
Removable cover that when removed (bottom), exposes the GM detector on the Ecotest MKS-05 “Terra-P”, a very popular detector from Ukraine.
Some detectors claim to be able to indicate the direction to the source of radiation. It would take thick concrete or lead shields to block gamma rays coming from different directions, so unless you need a crane to lift the device, it cannot provide any meaningful directional information about a gamma source.Claims of ability to indicate direction would make me suspicious of all claims made by that manufacture or vendor.
Almost all personal radiation meters are powered by batteries. I prefer radiation meters that use common types of batteries. In an emergency, it may be difficult to get specialized batteries. I would avoid rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries loose their charge over time, and it is possible that the power will be out, or that you will not have time to charge them in an emergency. Modern, name-brand alkaline batteries have a very good shelf life, and are better than they used to be about leaking. If stored in, (or better yet — in a bag next to) your radiation meter, you can count on them working even after a number of years.
Sensitivity and Accuracy:
With modern crystal controlled timing, even very inexpensive units are generally fairly accurate. On the other hand, the size of the GM tube its self is an important factor for some applications. The GM tube in pocket or keychain detectors is usually very small. Because of this, fewer ionizing particles are going to pass through it than would pass though a larger tube. Think of the particles as drops of rain — a bigger bucket is going to catch more rain than a small one. This does not mean that small units are not going to give the correct reading. The difference in detector size becomes important when scanning a room for a suspected radioactive object. A unit with a small GM tube may have to be very close to the object or have a significant delay before you notice it react.
Construction and Circuit Design:
Consumers in western countries have basically 3 choices. The first is buying expensive laboratory grade devices. The second is buying surplus civil defense meters. The third option is purchasing devices made for retail sale in Eastern Europe. If you are in a position to afford lab equipment, and you can find one that is compact, battery powered, and easy to use, then that is your best option. Antique civil defense units are best purchased for their nostalgic value primarily, and utility second. Even if a surplus meter has been recently calibrated, the components may be so old that the calibration may be invalid a weak after it is done. If you walk into your local grocery store with a big yellow civil defense meter, it is very likely that you will get more attention than you really want.
Antique civil defense units are best purchased for their nostalgic value primarily, and utility second
The last option is best for most people who want a reasonably sized, and consumer-friendly device. Today, there are a wide variety of personal radiation detectors available from China, Russian and Eastern European companies. It is important to understand that these companies are not big, established consumer electronics manufactures. Do not expect the industrial design or construction to be like that of a contemporary mobile phone. In many cases the build quality is more like hobby projects I made in high school. The circuitry in some of the sub- $20 units is more reminiscent of a 1970’s transistor radio. This isn’t necessarily a problem, however. Many 1970’s transistor radios still work. Some Russian circuit designs may appear strange by western standards, but they function well. The more elaborate devices with LCD displays contain logic and microprocessor chips made by the established chip companies. The use of digital technology insures that these meters will not “drift” or need re-calibration.
The FNRSI-GC-02 is a Modern Geiger Counter with a Digital Display. FNRSI (no pronunciation) is a Chinese maker of Detectors and other Test Equipment.
Cost:
Let the buyer beware: Some Radiation Detectors are being sold for outrageous prices on eBay and specialty sites. On the street in places like Russia and Ukraine simple detectors are sold for a few dollars. From my research, the prices on eBay or websites reselling to the US and Western Europe are about twice what the devices sell for on the street in Russia, Ukraine, etc. Given the effort these resellers go through to market the devices in English, translate specifications and instructions, and deal with international funds transfers, I feel that this markup is completely fair. Beware however, of prices much higher than this. I have seen keychain detectors selling for $149.99 on eBay!
Disclaimer:
THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR “AS IS”. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INJURY, OR ILLNESS ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE, INJURY, OR ILLNESS.
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK IS RADIOACTIVE, OR OTHERWISE HAZARDOUS, OR IF YOU SUSPECT OTHERS OF HAVING SUCH, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLICE. THIS GUIDE IS A TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ONLY, IT DOES NOT, NOR DOES IT PURPORT TO GIVE MEDICAL OR ANY FORM OF HEALTH ADVICE. IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, OR ARE HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS, CONTACT A PHYSICIAN OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES.
The Rad Hunter has been working with Geiger Counters, RF Field Strength Meters, IR Scopes, and other test equipment for nearly half a century.
I am an Electrical Engineer, FCC Licensed Amateur Radio Operator, and I have 35 years experience in crewed spaceflight vehicle processing. I have decided to use that background to help others become more aware of their unseen surroundings, and to step in when there is a possibility of harm from Natural or Man-made — Accidental or Intentional threats.
The RadHunter.com website was created to this end.
☢ Rad Hunter Services and Events
Here on the RadHunter website, you can find:
The Personal Radiation Detector Buyers’ Guide
Personal Radiation Detector Reviews and Discussion
News, World Events, and Radiation Reports
Click on the Posts to the Right for Content —> (Scroll Down on Mobile)
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Ionizing, EMF (EMI), B-Field and RF Surveys
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