October 12th, 2021 - Radioactive Surveillance with the SAMpack
Radiation Detection Backpack (BNC)
The RD-120 Backpack was developed a number of years ago with high sensitivity and the ability to monitor in a covert manner. Using smart phone technology and growth in detector performance has allowed continued improvements in the RD-120 Backpack. Blue-tooth technology with Reachback operations is conveniently accomplished during monitoring operations (Figure 1).
Notice that the right hand is free to hold an additional Metal/Gamma detector (MetRad 1).
with the RD-120
The RD-120 Backpack Features
The RD-120 is capable of monitoring in all directions simultaneously (4-pi surveillance). This is a huge advantage when performing reconnaissance of a large area since It would be very cumbersome to point a large detector in all directions while moving.
Other features include auto calibration, auto stabilization (for temperature changes) and auto correction of background in real time. This latter feature prevents false identifications due to changes in background radiation.
Over the years the Reachback feature has been extremely useful when sending information containing spectra, text, pictures and isotope identification to a command center. This Reachback feature is compatible with FEMA's RadResponder.
New Features
Recently, new multi-detector algorithms have been employed to provide directionality of radioactive sources. This allows quick localization of nuclear sources with the Rad-Compass as seen on the hand-held smart device (Figure 2).
The RD-120 continuously transmits GPS along with corresponding radiation levels, energy spectrum and corresponding data – all observed on the smart device.
In addition, large, high-resolution CeBr3 detectors are now available. The RD-120 can also accommodate large NaI(Tl) detectors up to 2x4x8 inches. All of these improvements give the user exceptional performance with ease of use.