[R-390] Line Level VU Meter

[scott]

>
> Radium IS AN ALPHA emitter.
>
> Recommendation:  DO NOT OPEN original meters.  I suspect that this would
be
> VERY detrimental to one's long term existence!
>
> Ingestion of alpha particles is not a NICE way to go!
>
> Bob - N0DGN  Craf-T-Bob  (Because I love Hallicrafters!)
> R-390A EAC '67, R-390A Collins '52, BC-610I, BC-939B,
> and BC-614E
>

I DON'T want to downplay the health risk.  But it takes a pretty
sizeable exposure before the risk of cancer goes up.  We all drink
radium in our water every day.  Some water supplies are worse
than others.  Opening the meters is not sure death.  It just needs to
be done with caution and with care.  Radium sits in our bones and
decays producing Radon.  Back in the 20's people used to drink
radium for it's "invigorating" properties and believe it or not, some of
these people were around 50 years later to tell about it.  Others who
drank a lot, were often not around for more than several years and
died of bone decay and cancers.  Like an idiot I smoked for 18 years,
being quit for 2 years now, and probably did a LOT more long term
damage to my body.  Not to say that it is OK to just open meters
carelessly, but doing so outside and downwind, with a quality partical
protective mask, is probably just fine.  JUST MY OPINION.  Don't sue me
for your own stupidity.


Scott