[R-390] Re: Refinishing meters

Wed, 30 Apr 2003 14:34:30 -0400

Simple folks.

IF the meter is an ORIGINAL, it's markings are RADIUM.  Radium may NOT 
still glow, BUT, it has a half-life in the OVER a thousand year range. 
 One of Radium's by products is Radon gas.

BOTH are Alpha emitters.  An alpha particle is the easiest to stop, BUT 
- is also the one that does the MOST damage.  Why else do you think that 
all the R-390As sold by Fair Radio only can be bought either with 
replacement meters or without meters at all?  The government was 
REQUIRED to dispose of them as Radioactive Waste.

A very good friend of mine, KA4SFV, is now a silent key.  He was exposed 
to Alpha particles thanks to nuclear testing.  The effects take a LONG 
TIME to get you, unless you get a very healthy dose.  I am NOT opening 
any original meters.

If someone has a GM counter - like an Eberline 500, if you get the 
chance, AND want to take a chance, remove the cover from the front of a 
meter - open the window on the bottom of the GM counter and PLEASE send 
us the resulting readout.

Bob - N0DGN

Scott, Barry (Clyde B) wrote:

>Roy,
>
>Good [repeat] advice.  One of the meters (Carrier Level) is marked "Sealed -
>Do Not Open" while the other (Line Level) is not marked as such.  I wonder
>if the Line Level meter would be considered "safe"?  I haven't opened either
>of them, partly because of the radiation thing.  I have noticed that the
>Line Level meter doesn't appear to be all that well sealed (see pictures) so
>I'm thinking it may not be a threat.
>
>What think ye?
>
>73,
>
>Barry(III) - N4BUQ
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Roy Morgan [mailto:[email protected]]
>Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 1:13 PM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [R-390] Re: Refinishing meters
>
>
>At 07:01 PM 4/29/03 -0700, Ron wrote:
>  
>
>>David-
>>make yourself a wrench ... movement can be removed after removing the nuts
>>on the back holding solder lugs.
>>    
>>
>
>Would-be Meter Disassembles,
>
>I have the urge to repeat Morgan's Law of Radioactive Meters and Regulator 
>Tubes: tu wit:
>
>DON'T BREAK THEM OPEN AND EAT THE INSIDES.
>
>To elaborate slightly:
>
>1) SOME meters from R-390's and other radios have glow-in-the-dark meters 
>containing alpha-emitting radioactive sources.  (EVen though it does not 
>glow anymore, the stuff is still in there.)
>
>2) Many military OA2 and similar regulator tubes have small amounts of 
>radioactive material in them to ensure reliable ignition especially in the 
>dark and cold.
>
>In both cases (pun intended!) the stuff is pretty harmless unless you get 
>the case open and get the material on you or inside you (by breathing or 
>ingestion or through a cut or abrasion).  Make sure this does not happen!
>
>What does "pretty harmless" mean? I remember one analysis that concluded 
>something like: You would have to place an R-390A meter on your chest or 
>cheek for about 34 years before you'd be exposed to radiation equivalent to 
>the minimum yearly radiation exposure.  However, ingestion or inhaling the 
>dust from a meter's markings or tube innards places the material in direct 
>contact with your tissues and could lead eventually to cancer or the 
>like.  A sealed meter or unbroken regulator tube envelope effectively 
>contains all alpha emissions.
>
>The bottom line:
>
>If you are going to take R-390 meters apart:
>Make VERY sure you know what kind of meter you have and what you are doing.
>
>Roy
>
>- Roy Morgan, K1LKY since 1959 - Keep 'em Glowing!
>7130 Panorama Drive, Derwood MD 20855
>Home: 301-330-8828 Work: Voice: 301-975-3254,  Fax: 301-948-6213
>[email protected] --
>
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