Radiacode Calibration Stand

This is a calibration stand for the Radiacode 101, 102, 103, 103g, and 110 gamma spectrometers.

To construct it, you will need to order a set of 1/8" x 7" 2% thoriated red tungsten welding electrodes equivalent to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LFG2BV5. Use a file to lightly score and break each rod into 3 equal-length pieces 2⅓" long. Make sure you do not inhale the filings. They are mildly radioactive, but are harmless unless inhaled or ingested.

After printing the stand and ring, press or glue the rods into their sockets, using the rods to connect the stand and ring as shown in the cover photo. You may need a clamp or vise to press the pieces together.

Once assembled, insert the Radiacode sensor into the opening at the top, and start collecting a new spectrum. The measured activity should be approximately 4 μSv/hr, enough to get a good calibration spectrum in 24 hours or less. Make sure you have a background spectrum collected for at least 24 hours so you can accurately subtract background radiation from the calibration spectrum.

Once you have good background and calibration spectrums with at least 90% highlighted orange, set the app to display channels instead of energy levels, and enter the channel numbers for the center of each spectrum peak into the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will calculate the calibration factors so you can enter them into the app and update your device calibration.