Lost Places - Chornobyl Zone

Technical characteristics. Usage impressions.

With the search dosimeter-radiometer MKS 11 “Spectra” I get acquainted just a few days before the trip to Japan (to Fukushima prefecture, affected by the accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant) at the end of December 2011. SPPE “Sparing-Vist” gave me a pre-production engineering sample for field testing. After a short briefing I was given a cardboard box with the device, pair sets of batteries and charger for them, operating manual, CD with software “Spectralog” and a screwdriver. Before that I had no experience with the equipment of such type and level: the search scintillator and with the function of identification of radionuclides at that, so I was interested to work with the device in real-time use of radioactive contaminated area.

Technical characteristics. Usage impressions.

With the development of dosimeter-radiometer RKS-01 “Stora-TU” became the beginning of history of SPPE “Sparing-Vist”. Later will appear “Terra”, “MKS-U”, “Cadmium”, “Poshuk” and other devices, but then, in the 90s of last century, the newly formed company, consisting of three engineers, entered the market with a single device. And it was the “Stora-TU”. Of course, this was a completely different device that does not have anything in common with the new “Stora”, except the name. But in any case, this devise became a hallmark and a mascot of “Sparing-Vist”. It is already the year 2012 and RKS-01 “Stora-TU” (of course in the new version) produced and sold worldwide.

Technical characteristics. Usage impressions.

For the second year in a row, early in the year the Lviv Scientific & Production Private Enterprise “Sparing-Vist Centre” announces its new developments. In early 2011, there were presented three new devices focused on the army and security forces. One of these devices was a wrist gamma radiation warning device aGent-R. On this occasion (and to present their products at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, IDEX–2011 (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)) was even created promotional video in which soldiers ran in a clouds of smoke, time to time anxiously looking at different dosimeters/warning devices. I liked the aGent-R immediately. For a long time I’ve wanted something simple, shock-resistant, waterproof, wrist, and with a wide range of measurement. A replacement of the digital display to a simple four-level LEDs threshold just added the harsh army simplicity to the device.

Technical characteristics. Usage impressions.

About the existence of this device, I have learned just a few days before it fell into my hands. Dosimeter - radiometer MKS-1E, produced in 2003 by State Enterprise Bila Tserkva Plant “Etalon” (Ukraine). Only one look at the solid plastic case was enough to understand - it's professional equipment. The contents of case also did not disappoint and did not leave any doubt. The device is made thoroughly: the massive aluminum frame, austere gray hammer enamel. The size of the device was pleasantly surprised. Looking at the case, I was expecting to see inside something with dimensions as in DP-5 or MKS-U... And instead found a fairly compact box with a screen, five buttons and two connectors on the side.