Wireless handheld radiation alert detector
(contributed by D. Christopher Thomas)

For too long, the makers and designers of radiation detectors have been unable to think outside the lunchbox, the basic instrument design still being used today that dates back to the Manhattan Project era. Stand alone instruments with limited or no connectivity, and rarely an eye toward ergonomics, litter the landscape of our hospitals, fire houses, and federal agencies.....but that's about to change. Heralding in the end of days for the era of boxy radiation detectors, the Radiation AlertR Abacus, by SE International, Inc., does its part to move away from the bulky luggable of yesteryear. Sleek in design and ergonomic in function, the Abacus is a wireless Bluetooth peripheral for Windows, Windows Mobile and PalmOS devices.

Traditionally, survey meters have an analog or digital display that reads in a set unit of measurement without any ability to internally record the results or the dose of radiation that a user might have collected. Someone would take a survey, write down the results and transcribe them to a form or database while checking a separate device for monitoring their person. The Abacus takes a lot of the leg work out of recording your dose and survey results. The software enables users to generate survey reports and log data automatically! All surveys are saved in a user selectable format for easy emailing, printing and database entry. The software can display a variety of units for a wide array of applications, take timed counts, control the audio, set alarm levels and save your surveys for easy analysis and sharing, all wirelessly with Bluetooth right to your desktop, laptop or handheld computer!

The Abacus is equipped with an internal alarm that can be set by the user, so that when the unit is not connected to any other computer, you can still use the unit for doing audio "yes/no" surveys and, if the threshold is exceeded, the alarm goes off so you can survey an area without worrying about the levels getting to high. With the swivel head, users and adjust the detector to fit their specific applications and the 30 ft range gives them the luxury of not having to be right next to the source of radiation they are surveying. Two AA alkaline batteries power the instrument for 2000 plus hours of operation. Other features include built in efficiencies for common isotopes, increased beta efficiency, wipe test plate and carrying case. The Abacus detects alpha, beta, gamma, and x-ray radiation.