Hi Jim –
You probably get an e-mail like this 10 times a day, but since reading that the Radetect and Nuk-Alert are worthless, I’m shopping for something to supplement the CD V-700 [Geiger counter] that I have. From what I’ve read the CD V-700 is good for checking if people or objects have become low-level contaminated, a different meter is needed for alerting and monitoring high-level exposure risks. Sportsman’s Guide currently lists three different meters, including a Swedish one that looks interesting. Do you have any intel on these? Thanks For Your Time – Steve M.
JWR Replies: To start, I wouldn’t categorize a Nuk-Alert as “worthless.” They do effectively fill a role in your NBC preparedness planning and that is for point source (radioactive contamination) warning. They work fine for that. But they certainly aren’t a substitute for an accurate dosimeter and ratemeter.
Now on to surplus NBC gear: If a meter hasn’t been properly calibrated with a known-emanation test source in the past 10 or so years, then it won’t give an accurate reading. Don’t bother buying junk. Buy a freshly re-calibrated CD survey meter from Ready Made Resources, or from ki4u.com. You are correct about the CD V-700 being inappropriate for survey use. (When you need to measure the rate of exposure.) The following is a quote from the Civil Defense Museum web site: “[The] CD-V700 radiation survey meter is a sensitive low-range instrument that can be used to measure gamma radiation and detect beta radiation. It is recommended for (1) monitoring of personnel, food and water when used in a shielded facility or an area of low radiation background, and (2) follow-up monitoring or areas for human habitation and food production.” What you need to gauge a safe time for shelter emergence is something like the CD V-717 model survey (rate) meter that is currently being auctioned to benefit SurvivalBlog. Regardless of what model you buy and where you buy it, make sure that it has been recently calibrated by someone that knows what they are doing and that has access to a proper test source!