It is a fact (noted from the manufacturer) that these units have a problem with the voltage pot (a screw that controls voltage to the tube). You can simply turn it back (right turn) VERY GENTLY from the factory setting and turn it back to it's original place according to them. Be sure you document (smartphone photo?) the EXACT position of the screw before you start. Mark it (the EXACT position) and turn it slightly in each direction. Should work fine after that. I'd guess that dust during assembly ;-| caused the problem. This is a common problem with manufacturing and with the demand for these things right now, it's often "not so good" quality control in a rush of orders that causes this kinda thing...
You can and should average the "over time reads". Without this there is NO REAL information anyway and even if it doesn't show the true readings, it's all relative... Kinda like guitars, no 2 are the exact same. When you look at the counter GM tube, it's a string in a tube that plays a tune dependent on the "tuning" and the voltage is what tunes these things so even if yours is out of tune the "over time" data (song) will be known. In other words, don't let it stop you from gathering data! Just DON'T put it online for the facebook crowd until you have it tuned or you'll scare people. The sky is falling?
..these "overtime" reads are what really "count" anyway! Same unit, same place (location), undisturbed!!!
Relative to your location, counter and computer (and internet connection?) are the reads 1, 100, 1000? After 30 days or so (the longer the better) you should be able to actually know the decay in your area!!! if I read 10 continually and you read 3 (yea) in your area with your individual setup we may both be normal in respect to rad decay. Only way to know is to "let it play for awhile". Let me know if you see anything as I am "fighting for my grandchildren" and CAREFULLY SAVE and send your air filters to someone that can test these things for isotopes if you think there is a legitimate problem.
EXAMPLE:
Click below for a sound file of us neighbors playing "the theme song" slightly out of tune!!!
Same as the (only one) string in a GM tube playin a tune...
http://lamarsworldmall.com/music/GreatWhiteBuffalo.mp3timinin wrote:
Direct link to station graph - chart members only
http://netc.com/chart/view.php?n=1%3AB9F93CA3.8Just getting started here, I have a GMC-300E sitting in a windowsill on the NW side of my house. Attached computer is a rather generic Intel box running WinXP sp3. Net connection is WoW cable.
I've had the detector for a few weeks and have never seen anything over 25CPM, so it will be interesting to see what the longer trends look like.