I do own a Polimaster so the answer is yes, limited. Although with the time required to get a detection and errors that can occur in the process, if I have two geiger counters that confirm detection I assume the worst (keeping family inside) isolate the sample and measure over time watching decay to share results with others.

I do have others that have more knowlege and better equiptment that I do that I can send my samples to if needed.

That software is old and has not been updated for over a year. It is so far behind that I would sell another PI system without the GC for $100 plus $10 shipping, before trying to get that software working again. If anyone wants another PI system, just email me at staff@netc.com and we will invoice you for $110.00

Harlan

SWEET...

...Makes A Great Christmas Gift???

Hey... Great Reads...


...hope they hold.

CPM: current 12 High 26 Low 12 Average 16
GMC-300E w PI Located Outside




12 CPM
NETC.COM © 2014
Station ID 1:EB789320 Saint Charles, IL, US
Click here for data charts
CPM: current 12 Low 3 High 1730
Average 88, Deviation 205.8
Average over last 10 minutes: 15

GMC-300E w PI Located Outside
Last updated: 2014-12-05 23:41:27 GMT+0000


Good news so far...

Yea but if you put it on (close to) a old filter overnight you can begin to "get the idea" on the averages emitted by actual dust in your area...

...Don't forget to video it for "proof and posterity"!

Wow, you are very fortunate to have a polymaster!


You should (without question) setup a shielded place to test your filters and KEEP all of them cataloged.


This information IS INVALUABLE for all of us...

... your polymaster should do a pretty good job of telling you what materials are causing the radiation in your area if properly shielded!

If you are getting errors you will need to shield the sample from the outside environment. Simple to do, just place the sample in a container shielded with lead, copper and/or both...

I think if you spend some time researching the procedures (and possibly a little money) you can be a VERY valuable asset for your area and the nation as a whole!!! Wouldn't you like to know when the level spikes what (if anything) is causing it?



The simple way...

Use a old metal cooler if you have one or can find one and place a copper cook pot inside it (and maybe some lead sheeting)... This is not a scientific method but can be quickly, safely and cheaply setup and can make a real difference when it comes to errors. Even a old pressure cooker (like the ones used for canning vegetables) is a good start.

Run a full test inside the empty container (with the cooler setup the pot needs to be inside) and save the data for (baseline) reference.

If you are seeing large amounts of isotopes you are testing for (shouldn't happen) you will need to find something else to place the sample(s) in.

If you do see these substances you should consider if the cookware is contaminated with radioactive metals or if the shielding is inadequate for the location!

Test for 137, 134 (recent accident taletail), I-131 (if you find any 131 contact me!!!) and Uranium.



Watch this video...
==============

Here's a video (with several more in the comments section) of Dr. Chris Busby testing filters from Japan...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9pk42kdL4k

...A good "primer" for filter testing.

==============

Here's a setup made from a (otherwise pretty useless) metal container.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XyrqKnzR_U

==============

Be careful when handling lead (wear gloves/mask) and always paint any exposed lead to "seal it up" so you wont come into contact with the lead when handling it.



We are not looking for official results with these types of tests. If something is found your testing can be used to alert the appropriate people to perform official tests. ALWAYS SAVE (and document) YOUR FILTERS!!!

I hope that I'm not bothering (any of) you with these posts. Feel free to use them (re-post them) and/or send them anywhere to anyone that can help.


And never forget the old adage about assumptions...


Good luck and stay safe...

Contact me anytime!



[/quote]

Time is not on my side and that type of testing takes time.

Completely understandable...

But, after initial setup you can simply place the sample (the old filter) in the container with the polymaster and go to sleep... Next day you will have some REAL answers to your questions. The setup time will be "well spent" as after that you can test (and I suggest you do [watch the video below]) almost anything like food, drinks, car filters, water filters, even old plates and glassware in a flash (about 8 hours). Find a old caning pot and try it to see what you get. This is a "watched pot that never boils" thing if you try to "tend" it. But if you setup a simple area for this it's like cooking a crock pot meal...

...set it and forget it until the next day.


The knowledge gained WILL tell you if or when to be worried about deposition/fallout and will be invaluable to the effort in general (if you share your results). I'll even set you up with a page to post the reads...

Come on, find a old canning pot or metal cooler (like a Coleman Camping Cooler) and give it a try... The old Coleman coolers are good for this due to the galvanized shell (steel and lead mix). Does't matter if the inside shell is plastic.

Any ideas about me purchasing a polymaster?

Want to sell yours? Doesn't do a anyone a whole lotta good anyway if you don't use it for full testing and could give you some extra Christmas money...

If so what model/year unit do you have?

Is it the 1703MO-1B ?

Great unit for this kind of testing...


Please let me know if you want to sell yours.


By the way if you want to know what this unit can do watch this video...


For a quick explanation of why you NEED to place these samples into a container or lead shielded environment I provided y'all with a link to the video starting on the actual explanation about "why" below...

http://youtu.be/sLeHeZGXtXg?t=12m50s


Don't guess and NEVER be in the dark when you already own the gear to know.

Stay safe...

Sweet reads...

...."on the rise" at 14...


14 CPM
NETC.COM © 2014
Station ID 1:EB789320 Saint Charles, IL, US
Click here for data charts
CPM: current 14 Low 3 High 41
Average 17, Deviation 4.2
Average over last 10 minutes: 21

GMC-300E w PI Located Outside
Last updated: 2014-12-12 18:00:06 GMT+0000


Hope it holds...

Hi,
My first post here. Many are concerned about the readings in St. Charles.

I notice the Aurora station near the St. Charles station, is listed as unreliable. I own an Inspector Alert, measures Alpha, Beta, Gamma. Yesterday, 12/14/2014 I went out and took some readings. In Aurora my 10 minute timed counts, I took just two, came in 32.6 CPM and 37.3 CPM. The NETC map showed a number in the 200+CPM in Aurora so I would agree that the Aurora site is unreliable. Why are unreliable sites kept on the map?

I took reading in St. Charles, it was 41.4 CPM, the NETC map for St. Charles showed 47 CPM at that time so I would say it was a reliable station at that time.

Am I correct that you are all thinking the high readings in November in St. Charles are related to a particle being stuck in the filter? Has the filter been tested?