A different kind of neon tube

[Kevin A.]

Hi all,

I'm sure everyone has had a lot more time to work on projects with the current situation... that statement is certainly true for myself. Thought I'd share this writeup I did for anyone who is interested. This is pocket sized geiger counter designed by Mr. Henry Carl Ott, also a member of the list here. Turns out the GM tube in this project uses neon too! 

https://neonkev.com/2020/04/30/pocket-size-%ce%b1%ce%b2%ce%b3-geiger-counter/

[Paul Andrews]

Nice. Another project to add to the list 😱

[orange_glow_fan]

Interested, should a kit become available....

Kerry

On Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 9:02:48 PM UTC-4, Kevin A. wrote:

[Kevin A.]

Thanks Kerry! Stay tuned. 

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[Mac Doktor]

On Apr 30, 2020, at 9:02 PM, Kevin A. <ka...@scarletmail.rutgers.edu> wrote:

This is pocket sized geiger counter designed by Mr. Henry Carl Ott, also a member of the list here. Turns out the GM tube in this project uses neon too! 

Interesting build. LND-712s are (or were) $72 apiece and their minimum order is something like $99. If these are going to be for sale will there be tubes available in singles?

Also, will the finished version have some sort of enclosure to protect the alpha window? I'm assuming that the plastic tube in the picture is for storage only.

Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"

https://www.astarcloseup.com/

“The book said something astonishing, a very big thought.
It said that the stars were suns, only very far away.
The Sun was a star, but close up.”—Carl Sagan, Cosmos, 1980

[Kevin A.]

Terry,

Yes and yes. 

If this project generates enough interest, we can get a quantity discount from LND. LND does offer significant quantity discounts, based on numbers I got during a recent request for quote. 

There are also talks of designing the electronics to be compatible with different tubes, including the popular SBM-20 and Si-29, which can be had for a much lower cost at the expense of having no alpha window.

Carl and I are actively experimenting with mechanical details as well. There is a fine balance between maintaining good sensitivity and protecting the tube, including the delicate alpha window for the 712 specifically. 

I'll provide updates over the next few weeks as I get the tools I need to begin cutting. Current ideas I have include:

- drilling a lot of small holes in the plastic tube around the bottom and sides of the GM tube area. I plan to start at around 50% open area and empirically gauge the balance between GM tube sensitivity and mechanical strength. 

- milling wide longitudinal slots along the GM tube area, which will then be covered with #20 stainless mesh (52% open area) . This will include a mesh covered hole at the bottom for the alpha window. 

The end product is intended for use with the electronics and GM tube fully enclosed and seated in the plastic tube. The rotary encoder knob will protrude from the end cap as the user interface.

Also in the works are ways to make the USB connector accessible without having to open the tube. This connector is primarily for charging, but the ability to collect data logs and perform firmware updates are also planned. 

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[Bill Notfaded]

Put me down for one at least. I might buy more depending on the price. I've got enough of Carl and Michael's clocks so why not!

Bill

[Kevin A.]

Thanks Bill. 

Here is a quick, informal video I made to demonstrate one of the existing prototypes (the one I assembled). Just a teaser; the design is very much a work in progress.

youtube.com/watch?v=N4gjknl_S2Y

On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 8:36 PM Bill Notfaded <notf...@gmail.com> wrote:

Put me down for one at least.  I might buy more depending on the price.  I've got enough of Carl and Michael's clocks so why not!

Bill

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[Bill Notfaded]

That is really really neat!  Somehow I knew it was going to get even nicer!

Bill

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[Jon Jackson]

Sign me up for one of these, too.  Very nice !!

Jon J.

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[Kevin A.]

Thanks Jon! 

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