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How can I measure radioactivity?
Within my penchant for measuring and controlling everythingI've been thinking for some time about adding to my list of sensors a Beta and Gamma emissions (what we usually refer to as a radiation meter), a Geiger-Muller counter or Geiger meter.
When the Chernobyl incident occurred in the Soviet Union (specifically, in what is now Ukraine), I was 20 years old and was already part of what we could then call the "maker community". I was a radio amateur, an electronics and computer enthusiast, and the truth is that I was very impressed by the incident, especially because made me realise that we didn't know anything about what was really going on..
Why do I want a Geiger counter? Quite simply, because I know that sooner or later an accident will happen or we will suffer an attack and our governments will hide the information from us (look for information on the accident that occurred in Madrid, in Moncloa, in the middle of the University City, and you will see what I am talking about). And, even if they do not hide it from us, I want to be informed first hand and know what is going on around us.
Also, on occasion when there have been references to radiation in the news, it has been good for me to have my own Geiger counter and to be able to measure radiation, when it has been convenient for me.
For example, when they said that the fish we were eating was contaminatedThe report said that he was affected by the Fukushima radiationThe fish we brought home can be analysed, which gave us extra peace of mind (and I know that there are people who analyse fish daily with meters similar to this one).
Well, the fact is that I have recently decided to build it and it is already working.
Make a Geiger counter from scratch?
I spent a long time thinking about how to do it. A Geiger counter really is very simplebasically consists of a detection tubea high voltage source (the tube operates at about 450 volts, approximately) and a circuit impulse counter generated in the tube depending on the amount of radioactive particles in the environment.
One possibility was to build a high voltage generator on the one hand (easy enough, a few capacitors and diodes) and a counter (a simple Arduino). It would lack the tubeI will now talk about, and some way of visualising the results (an LED, LCD or OLED display, a computer connection or something similar).
Building a Geiger counter kit?
Looking for information about it, I found that it was not worth designing it and doing it from scratch. I found a kit on eBay that, for about €30The new system provided virtually everything (apart from the tube).
I decided to order this kit and in a couple of weeks I had it at home, coming from Lithuania.
I could save myself the trouble of designing it and spend that time on improving the meter, by equipping it with Wifi and connecting it to the internet.for example.
Geiger counter assembly
The assembly of the kit was quite simply The 50 or so SMD components are already soldered to the board and only a few normal components need to be soldered on. Even a beginner could do it without any problems, with a little bit of care.
The STS-5 Beta and Gamma Radiation Detection Tube
The heart of the Geiger counter is the ionising radiation detection tube Beta and Gamma STS-5.
There are many different tubes with different sensitivities and able to detect different types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, x-rays, etc.).
Although it is highly sensitive laboratory equipmentcontrary to what we might think, its price is not high.
We have at our disposal a large number of surplus pipes, from the former Soviet Unionfrom the Cold War era, which are easy to find on the internet and whose prices generally range from 15€ y 30€.
In my case I went for one STS-5 tube, from Ukraine. For 15€.I had my new tube at home in just over two weeks, including shipping.
3D printed box
Finally, to complete my new Geiger-Muller detector, and to give it a nice finish, I needed to a box to put it in.
Fortunately, I found in Thingiverse a custom box for the kit I had ordered, so that in a couple of hours my 3D printer had "spat out" a more-than-apparent box (to which I made a yellow vinyl front with my cutting plotter to give it a more professional finish).
Send radioactivity data to the internet
One last detail remained, but, for me, the most important: connecting the Geiger counter to the internet and capture the data it generates, create graphs, alarms, etc..
The kit and its firmware already include a serial port able to extract this data, so the next step will be to complete the detector with an ESP8266 (which I want to put inside the same box) and which, connected to my wifi network, will be responsible for sending the data to the rest of the systems in my house. But this will be the subject of a new blog post...
Edit: You can find this new article on how to send radioactivity data to the internet in real time on this page
Do you want to have your own Geiger-Müller counter?
Having your own Geiger counter can be interesting and, of course, build it in kit form, it's a lot of fun.
Here is one selection of best-selling Geiger counter kits to make it easy for you to find the one that's right for you.
Geiger counters in kit form
Here is a selection of the Geiger counter kits best sellers. If you prefer a commercial Geiger counter, you can find a selection in the following section.
- 4. Interrupt output interface, through which it can be connected. The microcontroller is displayed on the LCD.
- 2. Used to detect 20 mR/h~120 mR/h gamma rays and 100~1800 variation/dot/cm2 of soft beta rays.
- 3. Alarm and ; Compatible with
- 1. 5 V power supply or 3 x 1.5 V batteries; 1.2 V 4 batteries, current: 30 mA - 12 mA
- 5. Supports most Geiger tubes: M4011, -5, SBM20, J305, etc. (Can support 330 ~ 600 V working voltage of Geiger tube). Supports PC data acquisition, analysis, and Matlab processing.
- Two forms of alarm: this nuclear radiation detector has a sound and light indication function, the results will alert you in time.
- Multifunctional tool: has the functions of real-time dose rate, average dose rate, cumulative dose rate, trend graph, etc.
- OLED display screen: a small OLED screen is adopted to clearly display the measurement results, you can see the data more clearly.
- The ARM processor is adopted, which has fast operation speed and powerful processing function.
- Wide applications: this nuclear radiation detector can detect X-rays, γ-rays, β-rays can detect the radioactive dose of marble, jade, Amoy sea products, iodine-131, various unknown minerals for decoration.
- 1. 5 V power supply or 3 x 1.5 V batteries; 1.2 V 4 batteries, current: 30 mA - 12 mA
- 4. Interrupt output interface, through which it can be connected. The microcontroller is displayed on the LCD.
- 2. Used to detect 20 mR/h~120 mR/h gamma rays and 100~1800 variation/dot/cm2 of soft beta rays.
- 3. Alarm and ; Compatible with
- 5. Supports most Geiger tubes: M4011, -5, SBM20, J305, etc. (Can support 330 ~ 600 V working voltage of Geiger tube). Supports PC data acquisition, analysis, and Matlab processing.
- SUPPORTS MOST GEIGER TUBES: M4011 can be installed directly, other models cannot be installed on the board, but flying leads can also be used (digital multimeter measures the positive pole of the Geiger tube to the negative pole of the power supply, adjust the blue potentiometer until the multimeter shows DC 170 volts).
- INTERRUPT OUTPUT SIGNAL: Can be monitored by an external display or a pointer meter. The output signal is interrupt output, the waveform is the falling edge of the pulse and the low level is valid.
- LOW FAILURE RATE: The circuit structure of the DIY Geiger counterpart kit is stable and the failure rate is extremely low.
- VARIOUS DETECTIONS: can detect X-rays, gamma rays, beta rays and can perform radioactive dose detection on decorative marbles, antiques, jades, foreign purchased goods, iodine-131 and various unknown minerals.
- EXCELLENT RESIN MATERIAL: adopt good quality resin material, possess impact resistance, scratch resistance, environmental protection, heat resistant, low temperature resistant, possess excellent electrical properties.
- Reliable performance: designed to optimise the operation of manual roller shutters, the Geiger handle offers exceptional wear resistance and durability, ensuring precise and trouble-free operation.
- Careful design: with a Ø 12 mm aluminised steel tube and a Ø 14 mm aluminium crank handle, this crank handle combines robustness and aesthetics, providing an elegant look to your joinery.
- NF Standards: meeting the rigorous standards of the NF brand, this crank ensures superior quality and reliability, meeting the most stringent requirements for performance and safety.
- Unobtrusive integration: the 25 mm high, mounted crank bracket made of white plastic ensures an unobtrusive and elegant integration into its surroundings, while at the same time providing convenient operation.
- Easy to install: Coming with a crank bracket included, this Geiger crank is easy to install and perfectly suited to the use of Ø 12 mm female boot outlets, offering a practical and efficient solution for your carpentry needs.
- Gamma and beta radiation detection: This Geiger counter kit is designed to detect gamma rays ranging from 20 mR/h to 120 mR/h and soft beta rays from 100 to 1800 variables/points. Ensure accurate and reliable radiation detection for a variety of purposes.
- Sound and light alarm: Equipped with a sound and light alarm system, the Geiger counter kit provides instant feedback when radiation levels exceed the set threshold. This allows users to take immediate action and ensure safety.
- Interface: The interrupt output interface allows easy connection to a microcontroller, which can then display radiation levels on an LCD display. This feature improves data visualisation and allows for further analysis and processing.
- Wide compatibility: compatible with a variety of Geiger tubes, including M4011, STS-5, SBM20, J305 and more. The Geiger counter kit supports operating voltages from 330 ~ 600 V, ensuring compatibility with different tube models.
- PC data acquisition and analysis: supports computer (PC) data acquisition, allowing data recording and analysis using software such as Matlab. This feature enhances the ease of use and flexibility of the Geiger counter kit for scientific research or industrial applications.
- Fast detection: Powered by an ARM processor, our assembled radiation detector module achieves fast calculation speeds and robust processing capabilities. Benefit from fast and efficient radiation detection with our detector. The integrated ARM processor enables fast calculations and powerful data processing, ensuring fast and accurate measurements.
- Dual alarm modes: this geiger counter kit module features audio and visual indicators, ensuring timely alerts and notifications. Stay informed and alerted with the dual alarm modes of our nuclear radiation detector. Integrated audio and visual indicators provide immediate feedback, keeping you aware of potential radiation levels.
- Radiation Tester DIY Geiger Counter Kit OLED Display DIY Geiger Counter Circuit Board Parts with Sound Light Alarm Assembled DIY Geiger Counter Kit Gamma Beta X Ray Lodine 131 Detection
- OLED display: With a compact OLED display, our Geiger counter circuit board kit offers clear and accurate measurement readings, allowing for easy data interpretation. Experience the convenience of our detector's OLED display. Its compact size ensures clarity in the display of measurement results, allowing you to easily read and interpret radiation data.
- Wide compatibility: Our DIY Geiger counter kit is compatible with various radiation detectors. Be sure to confirm the detector model before use for optimal results.
- Nuclear radiation detection: designed to detect gamma rays within the range of 20 mR/ha 120 mR/h and 100-1800 soft beta beam spot variables. This kit is perfect for those interested in nuclear radiation detection.
- Light and sound alarm: Equipped with a light and sound alarm function, this DIY detector will alert you immediately when abnormal data is detected, ensuring your safety and awareness.
- High-quality GM tube: the enclosed tube features a tin oxide cathode, a coaxial cylindrical thin-wall structure and a pulse-applied halogen tube, improving accuracy and performance
- Safety reminder: the kit comes with a reminder about the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides in building materials. This information emphasises the importance of choosing materials carefully for health considerations.
Commercial Geiger counters (already mounted)
Maybe you don't like electronics and gadgetry so much and you prefer to buy a more "finished" Geiger counter. If so, here are these options:
- Small Geiger counter holder developed by gQ Electronics USA General indoor and outdoor detection.
- Audible/visual indicator; Dot Matrix LCD display; real-time recording of data per second to internal flash memory.
- USB data port for connection to PC/laptop GQ, Geiger counter software.
- It has large-print text modes for easy reading and easier acquisition of information, e.g. CPM, date, time, elapsed time, USV/h, MR/h, etc.
- The real-time graphical mode provides a real-time display of radiation level changes, making it easier to observe radiation changes.
- Small, portable Geiger counter developed by GC Electronics in the USA.
- Audio/visual indication; LCD dot matrix display, real time recording per second.
- USB data port for connection/charging with Soft Geiger Counter PC software.
- Large font size and easy-to-read text mode, maximum data information.
- Real-time graph mode for displaying real-time fluctuation of radiation.
- Independent detection mode
- Continuous monitoring mode
- Fast reading in seconds after power on
- Accurate, real-time data
- CPM, USV / H, MR / H display on one screen
- Log data through the wireless WiFi connection server and internal memory at the same time.
- Edifi WiFi ready, keep in touch with Geiger Counter Map of the World
- Free unlimited online data storage history and unlimited online Geiger Wold map counter service.
- Real-time evaluation tests, scientific tests on the sample such as: Necessary for the construction of the Hospital Monitoring radiotherapy for cancer, food, water, indoor/outdoor, radiography, and more....
- Real-time graphic, text and large font mode (radiation data recording and playback again later)
- Whether synthetic or of natural origin - too much radioactive radiation is harmful. Not only in nuclear power plants, but also in other areas of everyday life Radioactive radiation is produced in various concentrations. among others food, construction and the research sector in varying degrees of these rays hit.
- For example, check the materials of your living spaces (e.g. the collection of own mineral glaze tiles), clay, some granite, pumice, gypsum, slag, bauxite or red mud containing uranium ...
- Smart Geiger Pro (SGP-001) is 10 times more accurate than the previous FSG-001. SGP-001 is only slightly 13.5 g, size 75x24x10 mm, connected the headphone jack, the Smartphone within seconds to a full radiation meter transform.
- SGP-001 with 10 built-in semiconductor sensors now 10 times more sensitive With previous FSG-001, you can now also measure radioactive radiation in the air! Radiation measurement: gamma, X-ray - Measuring range: 0.05 ~ 200 mSv / h - Accuracy: < 15% - User interface: Smartphone (headphone jack) - Size: 75x24x9,9 mm - Weight: 13,5 g
- FEATURE: practical, easy to carry, fast and accurate data, reasonable price, no battery needed, Personal EMF monitor for smartphone, easy and quick inspector. Compatible with smartphones: iOS 7.0, Andriod 4.3. Check before ordering if you can install "Smart Geiger Pro" app on your smartphone.
- Outdoor edition
- Combined detection of beta, gamma and X-ray radiation.
- Detection range of 0.05 ~ 9.99 µSv/h (micro sieverts per hour) or millirems.
- Audible alarm - Vibrator - Backlight.
- High Sensitivity Pancake Geiger tube lnd 7317 installed
- Large LCD display - Auto source large horizontal and vertical display
- Built-in flash memory and integrated WIFI
- Real-time, Unlimited data logging, data logging data storage server
- Rechargeable battery installed and many more...
Thanks to your article I was encouraged to set up my Geiger counter.
Plate and tube from Aliexpress
ESP8266 D1 mini
ESPHome (using the integrated pulse counter) connected to HomeAssistant but can also work offline.
Printed box
Very happy with the result