Ustream your Geiger Counter

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.

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.

Comments

[botronics]

On my blog, I have some excel files that show the radiation counts over time. Go to this link.