What is this nuclides in wild mushroom from europe?

[ChrisqMalibu]

Thanks, Steve. I'll do exactly that this weekend.

Yesterday, I just received 7"x17" 1mm-thick vinyl-coated lead blocker from https://eljayxray.com/lead-blockers/. I'll wrap that around the detector. This should let me wrap is around 3 times to create 3mm thick shield. I will use lead pig to cover both ends. Later on, I'll get 300 lbs of lead ingots to create something better.

[Sparky]

Regarding timed counts and low level detection, this is really an exercise in statistics. Attached is a home brew spreadsheet that compares two rates (typically background and a suspected source) for determining the probability of a statistical difference between them (null hypothesis test). The link below is to a Radpro calculator that does much the same thing, but is puts it in term of Critical Level and Lower Limits of Detection. The Radpro calculator works backwards from my spreadsheet in that it determines the number of counts beforehand (a priori) that signify positive detection, while mine checks for the same thing from previous measurements. These detection methods work with either a GM or Scintillator detector. You will find that most things are radioactive to some extent. Potato chips are surprisingly active with a GM instrument.

http://www.radprocalculator.com/ScalerMDC.aspx

Chapter 3, Counting Statistics, in the text below is worth a look. I know your digital GM meter is probably doing this analysis for you, but it is helpful to understand what is behind the results.

https://phyusdb.files.wordpress.com/201 ... yknoll.pdf

I often check the rate level over background of a sample in my shield before I try spectroscopy, to see if it is within my system’s capabilities.

You might want to practice with some low-level mineral samples to become familiar with the U/Th/K peaks in NORM spectrums.

[ChrisqMalibu]

Thank you, Sparky! Now that is the book I need. I do have Uranium ore.

[ChrisqMalibu]

Steve, I ended up having to work this entire weekend unfortunately & I got up at 3:30AM going to bed by 8PM for a long deep sleep. I'll clean everythihng during the week and will the weekend on it. Can't wait.

[ChrisqMalibu]

Steve,

I re-calibrated using Cs-137 and attached all data for Cs-137, Po-210, Sr-90 & others. I'll subtract background next weekend.

I think I might know what causes the wild mushroom to be radioactive. When I got it, I kept both Uranium ore (inside a tin can) right next to the plastic bottle of the mushroom. The spectrum for both looks very similar. Is it possible that Uranium Ore might have causes the mushroom to be radioactive? The other 3 bottles has no traces of radioactivity. This weekend, I'll test keeping one of them right next Uranium Ore for several days to see what happens.

[ChrisqMalibu]

BTW, I have not created any custom lead shielding yet. I did use lead pig to place sample in the front of the 1.5" NaI probe (also to block anything coming my ways).

I just clean everything today and use Atom Fast 8850 as dosimeter to make sure I don't get myself exposed to too much radiation & lead pig to store individual radioactive sources separately. I'll spend more time on it next weekend.

I just got a public storage & get some used military EMP containers to protect my electronics both at home & at storage in case of Super-EMP attacks. I'm moving half of my supplies to storage just in case. It's much easier & less costly to be prepared now than doing it the last minute.