-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On Thu, Aug 16, 2007 at 10:35:14AM -0700, James Newtons Massmind wrote:
> > I don't know now where to get a bare silicon photo diode any 
> > more but this approach would be some $1000 less then some 
> > previous pointers - maybe < $20. Even Geiger counters can be 
> > in the $150 Or less range 
> > http://www.blackcatsystems.com/GM/geiger_counter.html
> > Geiger Counter Nuclear Radiation Detector Alpha Beta Gamma X-Ray
> 
> Quick fun question:
> 
> How many people live downwind of a nuke power plant and do NOT own a Geiger
> counter?
> 
> I'll raise my hand first.... San OH NO is just a bit north west of here. I
> actually DO own a Geiger counter (only because of inheritance from my dad
> who was a survival nut) but have not unpacked it or powered it up in years.
> Next question:
> 
> How many people personally know someone who has worked at a nuke plant for
> years, lives downwind, and has his Geiger counter (with alarm function,
> power adapter and backup batteries) attached to the wall of his living room?
> He says he finds the quiet, random clicking comforting. His RV is parked
> just outside and always stocked with gas/food/water, etc...
> 
> Me again... He says if the generator bearings ever fry, the turbine and
> generator will come off the hinges... And they are mounted and spin in a
> direction that will cause them to then roll directly into the reactor. He is
> something of a goober and I don't believe everything he tells me, but...
> 
> 
> And who was it going on about people hiding their head in the sand the other
> day? Hummm...

As for the above scenario... I live downwind (or at least, close to)
pickering nuclear. No giger counter for me, however I have visited the
plant many years ago and remember the generators being placed
perpendicular to the line of reactor cores... That and they showed us
the insanely thick containment structure which has been shown to be able
to survive direct hits from full sized, fully fueled aircraft. And
besides, in a Candu reactor the reaction needs the heavy water
moderator to be present, should the core start to melt down, the heavy water 
won't be present for long... An expensive accident for sure, (Candu's in 
particular have extremely high capital costs) but not particularly 
dangerous to the public.

Not me hiding my head in the sand. :)

- -- 
http://petertodd.org
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQFGxJRd3bMhDbI9xWQRAtFpAJwOKj54/ub+Di4lWHq0HHUMMXlyMgCfZJfm
mDQc4Ohbm5mYirhxan8XCZo=
=ddsK
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist