GM Counters et cetera

["John E. Aperans" <JAPERANS@wsmr-emh81.army.mil>]

Well, I have yet to experience the thrill of a pegged meter because
of RF interference, which is amazing considering some of the test
facilities we have here.  I did, however, had a scintillating
experience at Fort Gordon when one of our RIA lab techs, with a less
than magnetic personality, was hot on the trail of some offending 
photons.

Got a call one day from him, stating that his gamma well counter's
background rate was much too high and his G-M survey meter was reading
several tenths of mR/hr, when background was in the micro-R/hr
range.

My smears of the lab showed no removable contamination.  I noticed, 
though, that the background was dependant upon where this tech was
in the room (and please, no metaphysical musings).  A survey of the 
lab with an Eberline Micro-R meter showed normal background readings, 
but I got a nice (meter) response when the tech was next to me.  
Asking where he had been, he told me that he had been at one of the 
local hospitals the day before undergoing a thallium heart stress test.  
BINGO!  

Standard Disclaimer:  These are my opinions alone, and do not reflect
the official views of the US Army or the US Government.

     ***************************************************
     *  JOHN E. APERANS, RRPT                          *
     *  Directorate for Applied Technology, Test and   *
     *                     Simulation (DATTS)          *
     *  ATTN: Health Physics                           *
     *  US Army White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002    *
     *  FAX: (505) 678-7410  VOICE: (505) 678-2064     *
     *  e-mail: japerans@wsmr-emh81.army.mil           *
     ***************************************************
     A little learning is a dangerous thing;
     Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
                                Essay on Criticism
                                Alexander Pope