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Techniques for CollectorsRadioactivity of minerals--what do you use?

5th Jun 2017 17:38 UTCLaura Gascogne (aka Agate Opalonyx)

I cannot afford one of those $500-$1000 Radiation detectors and I didn't want to get a Cold War Era Roentgen Geiger counter. So I bought a Medcom Rad Alert that detects Alpha, X, Beta and Gamma rays in CPM's and Millirads. I don't need something that is super technical/ scientific, just to know if it's something I don't want to handle too much of. I frequent sites in Colorado, N. Mexico and Utah where there are some naturally occurring radioactive minerals. Obviously if they were super radioactive it would likely be a cordoned off area. I don't plan on seeking out super radioactive minerals in the first place....but I do find the whole idea very intriguing. Just curious what other hobbyists might use. Thank you

6th Jun 2017 09:47 UTCJako Schonken

Hi Laura


I have three radiation detectors of varying quality.


One is an old soviet "Master-1" dosimeter with a screen showing the level of Gamma and high energy Beta radiation in microSieverts per hour. It hasn't been calibrated in many years ans isn't very accurate.


The second one I bought on e-Bay from a guy in California who builds his own geiger counters; high quality and it is compatible with my smartphone (with some tweaking). It detects Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation and is fairly accurate. It does have a nasty habit of overclocking if you bring a very hot specimen close by.


The third one I built myself from a geiger kit (also from e-Bay) according to my own specifications. It also detects Alpha, Beta and Gamma radiation, has an LCD screen with graph and switches for sound, alarm threshold etc. I specifically built it for prospecting pegmatites in the Northern Cape, South Africa and the probe can be extended to be fixed on a pole. I use it like a metal detector and it works like a charm!


Quality geiger counters like the Gamma Scout go for many $$$ while you can find used radiation meters for under $100 if you are willing to look for them.


Cheers,


Jako

6th Jun 2017 17:30 UTCLaura Gascogne (aka Agate Opalonyx)

Good to know. Thank you very much for that info, Jako.

6th Jun 2017 19:35 UTCGary Moldovany

I have been collecting and using various Geiger Counters for a while. The best unit for a beginner would be one of the CDV-700 series (the yellow ones with an external probe). They can be found on Ebay for 100-150 USD. If you are looking at other models, be sure that it uses a battery that can be purchased easily. You also need to verify that the unit functions. Many are sold as/is or for parts. Most of the so-called 'radiation detectors' being sold are not really Geiger counters.

7th Jun 2017 05:47 UTCŁukasz Kruszewski Expert

I'd suggest a simple detector to measure alpha particles, as most minerals produce only trace beta and very trace gamma.

9th Jun 2017 09:32 UTCGeorg Graf

Hi Laura,


I use a Voltcraft Geiger counter HS-040 I purchased many years ago in a German online shop. (conrad.biz) - I assume, it is not very accurate, but sufficient for my purposes; esp. to show me and my son the phenomenen of radioactivity.


@Lukasz: I don´t understand your posting completely: As far as I know, every radioactive decay is accompanied by a gamma flash.


Best to all! Georg

30th Jun 2017 15:08 UTCBob Rock

I have several I use for testing minerals and safety monitoring. The first one I used was a CDV700, purchased on eBay, which works ok, The CDV700 is a little dated and may need parts replaced. i also used a Nucleus Scaler and Canberra Series 20 MCA with probes or scintillation detectors, All of these can be purchased fairly cheaply used. Somewhat newer is a Radex RD geiger/dosimeter. More recent equipment is the Gamma Spectacular with Smartphone or Tablet and Theramino software with NaI(Tl) and CsI(Tl) scintillation detectors. For work, I use Ludlum 2x2inch and Bicron 3x1inch NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors and Siemens Electronic Personal Dosimeters EPD's for safety monitoring. I also have several other scintillation detectors I made myself. For mineral testing, you will need a gamma detector capable from 10kev to 1500kev or more.


Cheers
 
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