DRSB-01 Geiger counter failure

My DRSB-01 ( ДРСБ-01 ) geiger counter has gone mad. Far from any source it gives up to some counts per second, when the normal rate for it in my home is around 20 counts per minute.

Once opened was easy to spot the failure: The high voltage applied to the tube was around 800 volts. The normal working voltage of the SBM-20 tube is around 400 volts, so 800 volts produces self-triggering, and therefore, the extra counts.

UGP: Interfacing Geiger tubes to computers in a easy way

Universal Geiger Platform (UGP)

Sooner or later, any geiger user feels it's time to connect a Geiger tube to the computer to do some data logging. Some Geiger counters has computer interface, but most handheld or pocket Geigers does not have any way to connect them to a computer. Let's see how to accomplish this task:

Detecting alpha particles with a modified webcam

After some interesting messages in CDV700Club, I decided to do a quick experiment with a spare webcam. Is it possible to detect alphas with a DRAM memory? What about other devices?

α, β and γ homemade Geiger counter with UGP interface

With the principles shown at UGPplatform / protocol / program, I build this simple but effective Geiger counter:

One Gigaohm high voltage probe

Measuring Geiger's power supplies is a difficult task, because usually the voltmeter is a huge load to the supply, therefore the measured voltage is unexpectedly low. For a good and realistic measurement, the used voltmeter must have a very high input impedance.

Radex 1503 sound mod

Maybe you have noticed the Radex 1503 beep is far too loud to be comfortable. It is ok for alarming, but very uncomfortable if you want to have audible indication of the counts.

Repairing the Radex 1503

After more than two years of almost continuous operation, I started to notify my Radex 1503 reacts to vibrations and fast movements. It was very noticeable while operating the counter in a car, and later I noticed that shaking it, specially in its vertical axis, the effect becomes obvious, getting readings in the 300 - 400μRem/h in just a few seconds. So it was clear there was a problem with my unit.

Radex 1503 review

The Radex 1503 from Quarta is a low end digitally controlled Geiger counter. I acquired mine from annakozub seller on ebay for about 100 euros. It is a very small unit, only 6 x 10.5 x 2.5 cm, very lightweight (90 grams without batteries) and fits perfectly in your pocket. It's perfect if you need something more than a "beeper Geiger".

DRSB-88 review

The russian DRSB-88 Geiger counter is maybe the cheapest Geiger counter you can afford. I received my unit just for under 20 euros including shipping from annakozub seller on ebay. It is a very small unit, only 13 x 3.5 x 3 cm, very lightweight and fits perfectly in your pocket. It's perfect as a first Geiger counter.