Just set up my 300 e about 20 mile east of Petrified Forest, ArizonaLat: N 34 ° 35 ' 8 '' Lon: W 109 ° 38 ' 49 '' Have only noticed a high of 40, and a low of 20. whereas I have seen nearest stations giving readings of 100+ . The unit is outside, is there a specific orientation for the unit to give an acceptable reading? or am I just in a calm location?

That other unit is EPA radnet Gamma. Different equipment so different readings.
Harlan

Could the stations you speak of 100+ CPM start with the station ID of 4: or 5:

If so, these are EPA sites and use equipment with better sensitivity than you, therefore the will have higher CPM. Compare patterns (rise & fall) between stations not CPM. Even if you compare two stations with like equipment, the location has an effect on the CPM.

Yes they are 4 and 5 the power of 10 was a major reason foe question . Also noticed the difference from windoe to outside was only 5 counts. may just set this inside to preserve it

try the unit on an air filter, that is what the EPA uses. Outside, if inside it may pick up radon.