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 2.GQ Geiger Muller Counter
 Two newbie questions... gmc320plus		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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mrradon

United Kingdom
1 Posts
Posted - 03/15/2020 :  16:17:18  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi everyone! I'm having fun with my unit but I'm missing two important things:

a) how 'far' must i be from 'the source' for it to be detected? Is there a 'cut off point' in terms of range? for example I read someone had a problem with kitchen tiles, he had the device located right against the titles in the photos... does that mean i have to 'press' the device against everything i want to measure? or would something fairly radioactive make itself 'known' from several meter aways, increasing in intensity as i get closer?

b) again sorry if this is a silly question, but how fast for the device to 'update'? Should i wait a few seconds before moving on or would any radition be detcted almost immediately?

Thank you! Armed with this knowledge I'll be able to make a lot more of the device.
Reply #1

EmfDev

2143 Posts
Posted - 03/16/2020 :  08:45:37  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi mrradon,

1. The radiation only goes so far away like few feet/inches. So you need to put the device in the detectable range. It will detect more when you put it closer.

2. It updates every second but it needs 1 minute to get a full/accurate reading.
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Reply #2

GBG12

Canada
99 Posts
Posted - 03/16/2020 :  14:18:26  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It depends on the radiation type really. Gamma radiation (photons) can do over 100 m in air before losing half the energy. X-rays (lower energy photons) go less far (depending on the energy). Beta radiation (electrons) can go about 1 m in air, and Alpha radiation (Helium nuclei) can go only a few centimeters in air. Solids and liquids slow all kinds of radiation much more. The GQ 600 series detectors can detect Alpha if the special window is opened, other models cannot detect Alpha. The background you measure wherever the unit is placed is mostly gamma from either the earth below or from the sky above. Placing the unit close to a sample is the normal way to measure in most cases.
Edited by - GBG12 on 03/16/2020 14:19:34
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