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MightyOhm Geiger Counter Kit++
Detect beta and gamma radiation with your own portable Geiger counter! The MightyOhm Geiger Counter Kit++ includes all components needed to build a completely open source, hackable, working Geiger counter. The Kit++ includes a Geiger tube, Acrylic case, and AAA batteries.
The on board LED and Buzzer provides Audio and Vision output on detection (with a mute button for sanity control). In addition, a serial output (via a pin-header) provides counts per second, counts per minute, and equivalent doses for logging and other uses. The whole system is run by an ATTiny2313 microcontroller and powered by two AAA batteries (included). Best of all, the design is 100% open source!
Note: Assembly of the MightyOhm Geiger Counter Kit++ does require soldering. If you are in need of tools, check our Soldering Category for plenty of options!
- Complete Geiger Counter Kit (board level)
- Acrylic Case
- SBM-20 Geiger tube
- 2x AAA Alkaline Batteries
- Sensitive to beta and gamma radiation
- LED and piezo speaker alert you to detected radioactivity.
- Mute button for silent operation.
- ATtiny2313 microcontroller
- Support for several common Geiger-Müller tubes: SI-3BG, SI-1G, and SBM-20. HV supply can be adjusted from ~300-600V.
- Headers for:
- Serial (9600 baud) communication
- In-circuit programming of the AVR microcontroller
- Pulse output (to connect the geiger counter to other stuff!)
- Serial data logging: Counts per second (CPS), counts per minute (CPM), and equivalent dose are reported via the serial port once a second.
- 100% Open Source Hardware!
MightyOhm Geiger Counter Kit++ Product Help and Resources
Core Skill: Soldering
This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.
Skill Level: Rookie - The number of pins increases, and you will have to determine polarity of components and some of the components might be a bit trickier or close together. You might need solder wick or flux.
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Core Skill: DIY
Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.
Skill Level: Noob - Basic assembly is required. You may need to provide your own basic tools like a screwdriver, hammer or scissors. Power tools or custom parts are not required. Instructions will be included and easy to follow. Sewing may be required, but only with included patterns.
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Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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Comments
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Customer Reviews
5 out of 5
Based on 1 ratings:
very nice little unit
clear instructions, relatively easy to assemble. worked almost immediately (i had a bad solder joint). haven't tried the computer interface yet. recommend you have a radioactive source to test it; i used a piece of uranium ore.
This is one of my favs to build; it is thru-hole soldering. I built one a few years ago. I also find the high voltage part interesting--it is a fascinating circuit. I bought some antique glass that is made from uranium to hear it tick faster. Uranium glass creates more alpha particles when hit with more light. Recommended.
Back in the 1960s, we had a neighbor who was a "rock hound", and one day he was sitting on his bed fiddling with his geiger counter when he noticed an unexpectedly high reading. He traced it to his bedside table that had four Mexican tiles as decoration. Needless to say, he moved the table elsewhere before going to bed. (He lived in a furnished apartment, so wasn't at liberty to dispose of the table.)
I'd humbly suggest that uranium glass (and other radiation sources) be stored as far away from where you normally are as possible (and preferably with some intervening shielding).