GeigerCount Files

GeigerCount is a cross-platform java program to turn a simple Geiger counter into the equivalent of a state-of-the art digital model, plus some. The program uses the audio input connection on a computer to act like a digital oscilloscope, looking for waveforms that indicate that the Geiger-Müller tube on a Geiger counter has gone into conduction. It counts 'clicks' and reports damped CPM (counts per minute), µSv/h, and averages over several time ranges. It optionally logs data every 60 seconds, and has an alarm function that will fire a visual and audible alarm if the rate goes over your preferred limit.

All that's need in addition to this program is a patch cord from the audio output of your Geiger counter to the audio input of your computer, which is easily constructed from Radio Shack parts for about $10.

This program will work well with a CDV-700 geiger counter. There were hundreds of thousands of these counters made during the 'cold war' for civil defense purposes. It should work with most geiger counters that have an audio output for a headset. Just make a patch cord (see separate details in another document). No, it will NOT work reliably by putting a microphone up to an earpiece or speaker.

GeigerCount requires that a Java runtime environment (jre) is installed on your computer for it to run. If you don't already have a jre, which is unlikely, the most popular product can be downloaded from Oracle (previously Sun) for free. If you do have a jre installed please make sure it is a relatively new (1.5 or 1.6) version. I don't know the oldest jre version this program will run on, but if you encounter problems please update your jre before posting a bug report.

GeigerCount is developed on a Linux IA 64-bit machine using Netbeans and OpenJDK 1.6. It should run equally well on recent Linux, Windows and Mac operating systems, IA32 or 64-bit. If you're trying to run this program on a more obscure platform the only potential problem is with byte-order of data from the audio input stream. This program currently assumes "little-endian" data.

This program is distributed under the LGPL license. I believe that to be necessary due to links to Java runtime libraries.