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With all the interest of radioactive particles reaching western shores from the failed reactors in Japan, I decided to get out my geiger counter that I made over 20 years ago. Readings from my counter can be shared with the world in real time with Ustream.  Ustream is a website that allows you to make your own Live broadcasting channel for free.  All that is needed is a fast and reliable internet connection. Here is my Ustream Channel showing the geiger counter in action.  On the right of the geiger counter is the interface and a LM317 based power supply for 5 volts. The power supply is common enough and info on this is not shown.

 
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Step 1: The Geiger Counter


I built my geiger counter 20 years ago from scratch.  I incorporated a optocoupler as the output.  Every time a particle is detected, a pulse is made and the counts can be monitored by a PC. A search on the internet will show you how to make your own or you can get a kit or finished product. What is needed is an output that can drive an optocoupler.
botronics (author) says: Apr 24, 2011. 7:43 AM
On my blog, I have some excel files that show the radiation counts over time. Go to this link.
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