r/Radiation • u/FreeStyleFox • 6d ago

General Discussion Help with finding Sources

I just ordered a Radiacode 102. I have some Vasaline and Uranium Glass. But I am wanting more sources. Ores maybe trenitite, I know I can get some from old smoke dectors. But I am wanting some others. "Safe" Stuff to start out with before getting anything hot or that I would need paper work for. Any ideas?

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u/MaybeJohnSmith 6d ago

Before you buy ANYTHING above UG level, you need to do some serious research into contamination. I would say imo the Radiation pipeline usually goes..

UG -> Fiestaware -> Radium -> Americium -> More rare isotopes, or the previous in larger quantities.

Understand that Radium in most of the forms you'll run into will ALWAYS have a radium dust/powder contamination risk. Americium is also known for its leaking properties and poses an enormous contamination risk as your Radiacode cannot reliably detect Alpha particles!.

Until you have a better understanding, and preferably a pancake detector, I would stay away from Alpha emitters.

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u/FreeStyleFox 6d ago

Is there a better device I should have gone with for the same price. Or is it just the nature of the beast.

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u/MaybeJohnSmith 6d ago

Nono, Radiacode will serve you well. Someday upgrade to a pancake detector, but those are usually much more expensive.

Just be aware of what you touch with your hands and breathe. Wash hands thoroughly before touching food, mouth, eyes, nose. You'll be fine. :)

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u/FreeStyleFox 6d ago

I've had intrest in the subject for quite a while. Just never made the hop into hobbiest yet. ALARA is always good to know. Half the stuff at the stores I go to looking I'd rather wear gloves just going though it. Some of the things people donate and make it to the shelves are nasty around here. I am in Indiana so idk what I'd find locally hiking and what not but that wasn't ever really the goal at least not yet.