[R-390] Re: Refinishing meters

Barry Hauser [email protected]
Wed, 30 Apr 2003 17:56:58 -0400


Now Joe -- DO NOT peg THAT meter!

Well, not in traffic, anyway.

Barry

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Foley" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2003 5:15 PM
Subject: Re: [R-390] Re: Refinishing meters


> The meters on my '67 EAC simply are NOT radioactive.
> 
> Now, the speedometer on my '52 GMC Deuce-and-a-half is
> one hot sumbitch!
> 
> Joe
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > 
> > 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] --
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > R-390 mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
> 
> 
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