Date: Fri, 07 Jun 2002 17:04:22 -0400
From: Steve Smith <sgs at aginc.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Radiation meter
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

Keith F. Lynch wrote:

> Does anyone have a weak gamma source which I could use to test the
> meter?  If so, and if Erica gives her permission, please consider
> bringing it to third Friday so I can test my meter.  Thanks.

At least at one time (haven't kept up with the technology) some
residential smoke detectors used a beta-emitter (some flavor of
polonium).  If anybody has an old smoke detector, it might be useful
here.  The polonium ones are the ones with nasty disposal instructions.

I heard a story a while back about a junior-high kid who wanted to build
his own nuclear reactor.  So he put together all the smoke detectors,
luminous-dial alarm clocks, and so forth that he could get his hands on.
   Didn't come up with a "nuclear reactor", of course, but he did manage
to get his back yard declared a hazardous waste dump.

--
Steve Smith                                           sgs at aginc.net
Agincourt Computing                            http://www.aginc.net
"Truth is stranger than fiction because fiction has to make sense."