Biri-1 & Biri-2 Geiger Counters, non-working and sold As-Is.

Description

Biri Key Chain Geiger Counters and without Geiger Tubes or Batteries. Sold As-Is.
The Biri-1and Biri-2 are unique electronic devices. They were created  by the Soviet government following the famous 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear disaster. Because the radiation had contaminated thousands of square miles of farm land, it endangered the whole food chain and water supply of the locals. To combat this, and give the people some convenient “tool” they could use to test for dangerous levels of radiation in their food and water supplies, the Key Chain “Dosimeter” (Geiger counter) was invented. It was made  to be used clandestinely, to cupped in the palm of your hand, unseen from other shoppers or diners. With the switch turned on, people could discretely check meat and vegetables at markets, food stalls, and eateries for danger without alarming others.
Limited Availability
: The Biri-series Geiger Counters, which had only a very limited production back in the 1980s, are now becoming rare.
Made in quantities of tens of thousands, these were handed out to a great many families. Now, they are extremely hard to find and rarely found listed on ebay.
Currently, the only sources for these are a few Eastern European companies. But even their supplies are diminished, and it is only a matter of time before those stocks will become depleted. The few units we have for sale were purchased new over 12 years ago from stocks that had been in storage since the 1980s and were completely new, still in their original cardboard containers when we bought them. These have never been used. The only signs of aging are cosmetic, with occasional minor scratches on the outside. These particular units did not work, and are being sold "As-Is," for parts only. The tubes and batteries have been removed.
Quality
: Like the famous miniaturized spy recorders and cameras made by the Soviets during the Cold War, the Biri-series were equally a masterpiece of Soviet engineering and miniaturization, measuring only 2.2 ”x 1.4” x 0.6 ”(70mm x 40mm x18mm). When working, these will generate a jolting 400DC volts for the GM tube, and has a very low current drain, allowing one set of batteries to last more than 100 working hours. When exposed to gamma, beta, or X-Ray radiation, a small buzzer and red LED are activated. However, these particular units are non-working.
Advanced Engineering
: The original circuitry was laid out on an older style printed circuit board and used 3v for power (two 1.5v button batteries), with tiny transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, and a miniature 1” long geiger tube. It was is extremely sensitive, using an SBM-10 or SBM-21 GM tube, sold separately on eBay for upwards of .99 each! These tubes were made at the same factory that produced the famous SBM-20 tubes. They are responsive to general background and to elevated levels of Beta and Gamma radiation (beta and gamma), the background producing normal ‘ticks’ in a steady stream (i.e., once every 15-60 seconds), with a periodic louder distinct buzzer noise when hit by a random Gamma particle a few times a minute. However, when near a source of heavy radioactivity, the buzzer emits constant warning beeps.  The SBM-10 or SBM-21 are not included.
The Batteries
: These originally came with rechargeable button batteries (2 x 1.5vdc) and a battery re-charger (220vac). However, since the Soviet batteries are not replaceable, and the charger worked only with European-style electrical outlets at 220v, we opted to get rid of these and substitute non-rechargeable PX625/LR9 button batteries. These are not included.
Radiation Danger Scale
: On the back of the device is a color-coded scale giving you the relative danger level:
Green
- 12 beeps per minute (bpm) is safe, representing normal background radiation;
Yellow
- 12 to 24 bpm indicates caution;
Red
- 24 to 60 bpm indicates a potential hazard; and higher than 60 bpm is downright dangerous.
Included:
1 x Non-working Biri-1 or Biri-2 Geiger Counter (Original Value = .00)
Sold As-Is with no return option
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Any questions, just let me know, thanks. Good luck on your bidding!