Geiger-Muller tube supplier in Australia ?

[Sean Lincolne]

Hi,

I've got a friend who is interested in building a geiger counter. The
circuit does not look that complicated (I'm thinking of the circuit used
by Jaycar in the October '95 edition of Silicon Chip).

However, while I suspect I can source the transformer cores, the
challenge appears to be in sourcing the the LN712 GM tube. Jaycar don't
sell the kit any more (it was 9 years ago) and I can't find any
reference to any suppliers in Australia using Google who sell the tubes
(even Farnell don't carry geiger-anything's).

Can anyone suggest a source in Australia that can supply either this
particular tube, the kit, or any other GM tube ?

Thanks,

Sean

--
Please note - the above email address is fake. Don't even try to use
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[budgie]

On Sun, 04 Apr 2004 14:35:04 +1000, Sean Lincolne <usenet03@seantech.com> wrote:

Hi,

I've got a friend who is interested in building a geiger counter. The
circuit does not look that complicated (I'm thinking of the circuit used
by Jaycar in the October '95 edition of Silicon Chip).

However, while I suspect I can source the transformer cores, the
challenge appears to be in sourcing the the LN712 GM tube.
(snip)

Last time I looked - a number of years ago - Philips were about the only source
for these tubes.

 

[Mark Harriss]

Sean Lincolne wrote:

Hi,

I've got a friend who is interested in building a geiger counter. The
circuit does not look that complicated (I'm thinking of the circuit used
by Jaycar in the October '95 edition of Silicon Chip).

However, while I suspect I can source the transformer cores, the
challenge appears to be in sourcing the the LN712 GM tube. Jaycar don't
sell the kit any more (it was 9 years ago) and I can't find any
reference to any suppliers in Australia using Google who sell the tubes
(even Farnell don't carry geiger-anything's).

Can anyone suggest a source in Australia that can supply either this
particular tube, the kit, or any other GM tube ?

Thanks,

Sean

I tried a few places and couldn't find any suppliers locally.
I bought some 1960's vintage 5979's from Fair Radio Sales in the
states. Apparently the cheap battery fluoro power supplies are good
for powering a geiger tube, you just vary the input supply till you
get to the right voltage range.

Demo geiger detectors have even been made with a spoon and
fork close together and using atmospheric air, but if you had all the
time and equipment you'd acid clean a glass test tube then line with
aquadag solution and fit two electrodes one to the aquadag, the other
to an axial wire with a glass bead tip to stop arcing. A trace of
methanol for quenching and a neon gas backfill and you are in business.
All for around several grands worth of equipment.

Regards
Mark Harriss