"Walkie Recordall"

["Radiological Health Unit" <raldrich@emi.com>]

We recently found a device in a load waste traced to someone cleaning out a
basement. Its a wooden case with dimensions approximately 1ft x 1ft x 6 in.
On the front is the label "Walkie Recordall". The top of the case is hinged
and inside is what appears to be a primitive tape recording system. The
base of the case is a detachable battery pack. The general impression of
the device is a WWII vintage portable tape recorder.

Radiation readings on the surface of the case are 2-3 mR/h and down inside
the device (as far as the probe could reach) the readings are around 20
mR/h. We suspect radium, but this is not confirmed. The person who owned
the device is believed to have been a flight surgeon in the pacific during
the War. 

Anybody seen one of these things before?

************************************************************************
Clayton Bradt, CHP <raldrich@emi.com>        phone: 518/457-1202
Assoc. Radiophysicist                                             fax:     
518/485-7406
NYS Dept. of Labor
Radiological Health Unit
Blg.12, Rm 169
State Office Campus
Albany, NY 12240
***********************************************************************
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html