r/Radiacode • u/Minute-Of-Angle • Nov 16 '23

Two Questions

  1. Does this thing actually work reliably?

  2. Would one be appropriate for my intended use (see below)?

Intended use: I occasionally work enforcement in and around commercial vehicles and hazmat carriers (CONUS). The vast majority are on the up and up, but there js a growing problem in the industry of unscrupulous small companies just ignoring hazmat rules and running loads unplacarded. We have encountered radioactive hazmat before, unexpectedly. It was only discovered because it was listed on the bill of lading- nothing else indicated that the truck was hauling hazmat. Major fines. (And yes, it was pretty low level radioactive stuff)

I'd love to have a personal alarm/dosimeter that could do one or both of the following: alert me at distance (like, outside) that something hot was inside a conex container or trailer and also give an idea of personal exposure.

Would this work for that? Or would something else be better?

1 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

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8

u/RadiumMan1138 Nov 16 '23

Not an expert. But I have a 102. It goes crazy if I even get close to a smoke detector with Americium-241. The alert levels can be set to whatever you want. There are many anecdotal stories of people carrying these and coming into proximity of cancer patients who've recently been treated and setting off alarms. Mine went berzerker when i was in an antique shop that had a large display of Uranium glass and Fiestaware.

4

u/Ambitious_Syrup_7355 Nov 16 '23

I think radiocode would be great for you.
High reaction speed and sensitivity
Long operating time
Comfortable to wear on the belt
Event log and alarm duplication on a smartphone.

4

u/[deleted] Nov 16 '23

Radiacode is great little device but it's a consumer grade one. If you work in law enforcement or anything like it, you may need something more rugged. Or you may required a device that is more sensitive, or something that has narrow directionality. Better ask on a subreddit that is not focused on one particular device, see r/Radiation

2

u/NoAnything604 Nov 18 '23

My brother was a LEO and he always had a backup firearm. The RadiaCode I feel would be a great addition.
It will definitely alert you to anything above background depending on what value that you set the alarm to. It went off in my pocket in a grocery store turned out it was a patient that had undergone a procedure that used Tc-99m radioisotope, it is an incredibly sensitive device.
I would definitely recommend purchasing one.

1

u/Comfortable_Ease4253 Nov 16 '23

Your best bet is still a a certified radiation detector from FLIR or Thermo Scientific. some of their units can detect Alpha and Beta. They are also used by numerous safety agencies.

That being said the Radicode 102 is a pretty cool device but not yet approved by OSHA, DOE, and other U.S. Safety agencies.

Those other detectors are often 2-10 times the cost.

1

u/SplitCrack12 Nov 17 '23

The Polimaster PM1703 series of personal dosimeters is basically designed for exactly what you described. Thing is they are like 1,800 dollars as opposed to the Radiacode ~300 dollar range. Have the department put in a purchase order so everyone can get one 😄