Heico STE RADIATION PAGER-S User manual
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
1
1OVERVIEW
The Radiation Pager-S is a compact Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) for use in the interdiction and
location of nuclear materials. It was specifically designed to be used by
Customs and Border Protection agents, Law Enforcement personnel,
and First Responders. Employing a large cesium iodide crystal
scintillator and a quality photomultiplier tube for gamma radiation
sensing, coupled with electronics that have been tuned for performance
and optimized for low power, the Radiation Pager-S is a very sensitive
device with a fast response time.Designed to be worn in a belt holster
or in a pocket, the Radiation Pager and Radiation Pager-S are the
smallest PRDs available on the market today.
When the Radiation Pager-S detects radiation at levels above the natural
background, it quickly alerts the operator by flashing a daylight-
viewable Indicator LED and by either sounding an alarm or vibrating.
The operator can easily locate the radiation source using the single digit
Level Display, the flashing indicator, or the audible tone.
Designed from the ground up for connectivity, the Radiation Pager-S
employs the latest Bluetooth standards for encryption and
communication. This capability allows for real-time streaming of
radiological data to mobile device applications and to centralized
command and control networks.
The Radiation Pager-S is designed to withstand the rigors of daily
operation, and can be worn in an available belt holster, or carried in a
pocket. It will operate continuously for at least 2,000 hours on a single
AA Lithium battery.
Table 1: Radiation Pager-S Specifications
Specification Description
Radiation Type
Gamma
Detector Type
Cesium Iodide Scintillator
Detector Size
5 cc
Sensitivity
2.2 cps per µR/h at Cs-137 (662 keV)
Low Energy Cutoff
45 keV
Integration Time
Less Than One Second
Size
9.3 cm x 5.6 cm x 2.3 cm
Weight
150g with battery
Battery
1x AA Lithium (Li-FeS2)
Battery Life
2,000 Hours
Environmental Protection
Per ANSI N42.32 2016
Water Ingress Protection
IP67
Temperature Range
-25º to 50ºC
Indicators
Visible, Audible, Vibration
Communications
Bluetooth 5.0
Figure 1: Radiation Pager-S
Detector
Location and Center
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
2
2OPERATION
The user interface of the Radiation Pager-S consists of a multicolor Indicator LED and a single digit
numerical Level Display. Together, these two indicators show the status of the instrument and
communicate the intensity of any detected gamma radiation (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Radiation Pager-S User Interface
The Radiation Pager-S is activated by a three-position rotary Mode Switch. The middle position turns the
instrument off. By rotating the knob right, the instrument is turned on and enables the audible alarm mode.
Conversely, by rotating the knob left, the instrument is turned on and the silent (vibration) alarm mode is
enabled.
When the Radiation Pager-S is turned on, the middle segment of the Level Display flashes while a self-test
is conducted. At the successful conclusion of the self-test the outer segments of the Level Display will light
in a clockwise rotation for 10 seconds while the instrument measures the ambient gamma radiation
background. After the background radiation level has been measured, the instrument is ready for use. The
Radiation Pager-S is now measuring ambient gamma radiation and will alarm if the detected radiation
exceeds the alarm threshold. Every 20 seconds, the period in the Level Display will flash to let the user
know that the instrument is operating properly.
When the detected radiation level exceeds the stored background level by a significant margin, the
Radiation Pager-S will alarm. The alarm is indicated by an illumination of the Level Display, and by either
an audible alarm or vibration, depending on the operating mode of the device. As the Radiation Pager-S is
moved closer to the radiation source, the duty-cycle of the audible alarm or vibration will increase, and the
value on the Level Display will increase. The Level Display readout will range in value from 1 - 9. These
values are a relative indication of the ambient gamma radiation field; no absolute exposure rate data can be
inferred from this readout.
The background radiation level will change as the operator moves from one physical location to another.
When the Update Button is pressed, the Radiation Pager-S alarm threshold is recalculated based on
measurements over the previous six seconds. The Update Button should be pressed:
1) Whenever a ‘U’ appears on the Level Display;
2) When the Radiation Pager-S alarms randomly after having moved to an area of higher background
radiation (i.e. after moving from wood building to brick or concrete building);
3) To increase the dynamic range of the Radiation Pager-S. When the instrument is near a radiation
source, the Level Display and alarm duty-cycle may be maxed out. Pressing the Update Button in
NOTE:
It is important to not turn on the Radiation Pager-S in the vicinity of a radiation source. This will affect
the alarm threshold calculation and will reduce the device’s sensitivity. The alarm threshold can always
be reset, however, by pressing the Update Button.
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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this situation will raise the alarm threshold and desensitize the instrument, allowing the operator to
more exactly locate the radiation source. For strong sources, this procedure may need to be repeated
several times.
Prior to conducting a search for radiation sources, check the function of the Radiation Pager-S with a check
source (i.e. one µCi of Americium). To conduct a search with the Radiation Pager-S, cover the search area
at a speed of about two feet per second or slower. Attempt to get within five feet of every object in the
search area. To search a specific object, move at a constant speed and try to keep the Radiation Pager-S
within a few inches of the surface of the object. The duty-cycle based alarms and visual display will guide
the operator to the radiation source. When conducting a search, remember that the radiation source may be
above or below the operator, not just in the horizontal plane.
At approximately 6,000 µR/hr the Indicator LED will be illuminated red, which indicates that the device is
reading gamma radiation above it’s normal operating range and that radiation levels may have reached a
level hazardous to the operator.
At approximately 12,000 µR/hr the Indicator LED will be illuminated red, the Level Display will show a
‘9’, and the duty-cycle of the alarm will be maximized. Pressing the Update Button will have no effect on
the Level Display or the duty-cycle of the alarm. The Radiation Pager-S has been designed and optimized
for interdiction and search, and is not intended for use in health physics applications.
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
4
3MOBILE APPLICATION
The Radiation Pager is equipped with a Bluetooth communication capability allowing the user to connect
with either an iOS (Apple) or Android-based mobile device to:
1. Register alarms for Gamma radiation
2. View exposure and dose equivalent estimates
3. View the historical data collected
4. View live data streaming from the Pager
5. View map location with path trace
6. Download/transfer data files
Bluetooth operation can be used in parallel with the Radiation Pager display.
The application can be found on the Apple store and Google Play store (Android) – search for Sensor
Technology Engineering
STE
When opening the application, the following notices (or similar) will appear:
Message on Mobile Device
Recommended Action
“STE” would like to send you notifications
Click “Allow”
Allow “STE” to use your location
Click “Allow While Using App”
“STE” would like to use Bluetooth
Click “OK”
This will enable full functionality.
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
5
CONNECTION AND USAGE
Open the application and you will see the devices screen (Screen 1). Bright or Dark mode selection is
performed from the hamburger menu shown in Screen 2. Bright Mode and Dark Mode options are shown
in Screen 1 and Screen 4.
Screen1 Screen 2 Screen 3 Screen 4
Turn on the Radiation Pager (if already on, turn off for 5 seconds and then on again). In the two-minute
period immediately after the Radiation Pager is turned on, it will be available to connect with the mobile
device. The Radiation Pager Bluetooth module will emit a signal that will be detected by the mobile app.
This signal will terminate after two minutes if a mobile device is not connected with the Radiation Pager.
For EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) units it is often preferred to NOT have Bluetooth signals active
in the environment, so do not connect a mobile device in the first two minutes and the Radiation Pager will
not emit a signal until turned off and on again. Note that only one mobile device can be paired with a
detector at any given time.
Click “Add a Device”. Once the Radiation Pager is “ON” the app will recognize it and will show the device
image and approximate distance from the mobile device. In an environment where there may be more than
one Radiation Pager being activated this allows the user to select the closest device. There may also be
other STE detectors in the area as shown in Screen 5.
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Screen 5 Screen 6
Once the Radiation Pager is selected the gamma screen will display. Please remember that the Radiation
Pager is still in its warmup mode, performing the background calculation and has yet to calculate the alarm
trip point. This can take up to 30 seconds.
When complete, the display should be similar to Screen 6. The green line is the alarm trip point. The
graph is 2 minutes in duration (waterfall from right to left) updating twice per second. If a radiation source
is brought close, the system will alarm as shown in Screen 7. The user can also select the units desired in
terms of dose equivalent or in CPS (counts per second) – Screen 8.
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Screen 7 Screen 8
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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The next menu item is “Dosage” shown in Screen 9. This measures the cumulative dose measured by the
detector during a given period (as measured by the horizontal axis). For higher exposure rates the graph
can be seen to have a steeper gradient as the user experiences more radiation per unit time. This graph will
always continue to read and accumulate dose even from background radiation alone.
Screen 9
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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DATA EXPORT
Click on “Alarms” and you will see Screen 10. This details every alarm “event” that has occurred.
An event is defined as beginning the instant the detector measures radiation above threshold trip
point until the time that it drops below threshold. The resulting dataset will appear as shown on the
screen including, date, start time, end time, detector serial number, maximum exposure rate, exact
location and physical address. Each “event” will be numbered in sequence as shown in the screen
with the most recent event at the top
To export all of the event data, click “Export All Data” and you will see the typical selection of
options as shown in Screen 11. The data is formatted in a CSV file and can be transmitted as
preferred.
Screen 10 Screen 11
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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In the “Settings” menu the user has the ability to delete all the data on the mobile device from a
given detector as shown in Screen 12 and Screen 13.
Screen 12 Screen 13
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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Map
The user also has the ability to see a map of current location (Screen 14) as well as a “trace history”
of where the detector has been carried (Screen 15). Click on the globe icon on the top right of the
screen and the map will open and zoom into the current location. When the detector is moved it will
appear as a trace on the map. If the user zooms into the map the trace will resolve into a series of
dots (Screen 16). If the dot (and trace) is green, the radiation level is below the trip point. If the
detector measures radiation and sounds an alarm then the dots/trace will appear yellow/orange/red
depending on the alarm level (yellow low alarm level, red high alarm level). The exact location
(address and map coordinates) will be recorded in the Alarms data.
Screen 14 Screen 15 Screen 16
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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On the map, the “document stack” icon (Screen 17marked with a red arrow) allows the user to
access different map views (Screen 18) as desired (e.g., topology, google satellite etc.). As with
most mobile devices, the user can screenshot maps to send directly to others for rapid coordination.
Screen 17 Screen 18
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
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4BATTERIES
The Radiation Pager-S uses one AA Lithium (Li-FeS2) battery. In routine operation with few alarms and
low Bluetooth usage, one such battery will power the unit continuously for 2,000 hours.
A low battery condition is indicated when the Level Display briefly flashes an ‘L’ every 20 seconds. This
indication will be accompanied by a brief ‘chirp’ when the instrument is in audio mode.
To change the battery on the Radiation Pager-S, remove the battery cover using a coin as a tool. The old
battery can then be removed, and a new AA Lithium battery can be installed. Care should be taken to
ensure that the new battery is installed in the correct orientation (positive terminal first – see Figure 4).
Ensure that the battery cover O-ring and the mating surface on the Radiation Pager-S enclosure are clean,
insert the battery cover, and use a coin as a tool to screw it in place – do not overtighten.
Figure 3: Unscrewing (left) and Removing the Battery Cover (center), and Replacing the Battery (right)
5MAINTENANCE AND CALIBRATION
The Radiation Pager-S does not require periodic maintenance or factory calibration. It is good practice,
however, to occasionally verify the functionality of the instrument against a small, low energy gamma
check source. The preferred source is one µCi of Americium (Am-241) such as found in a typical battery
powered smoke detector.
If the Radiation Pager-S doesn’t power up, shows a solid middle element on the Level Display, or false
alarms frequently, then it needs to be sent back to Sensor Technology Engineering for service.
WARNING - HIGH VOLTAGE:
Do not open the Radiation Pager-S enclosure - there are no user serviceable parts inside.
NOTE:
Alkaline batteries should not be used in the Radiation Pager-S due to the risk of leakage over long
periods of time. Alkaline battery leakage has historically been a leading cause of PRD failure, and
damage from the use of Alkaline batteries is not covered by the Radiation Pager-S limited warranty.
Radiation Pager-S User’s Manual
Copyright 2023 Sensor Technology Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved.
14
6REFERENCE
Tables 3 and 4, below provide a quick guide as to the various Radiation Pager-S states and indications.
Table 2: Radiation Pager-S Indicator LED States
Indication Color Description Explanation
Blue
Flashing (Single) Bluetooth communications ready to pair
Flashing (Double) Bluetooth is paired
Red Solid
Over-r
ange indication. Indicates a
gamma radiation exposure rate of 6,000
µR/hr or greater. Follow departmental
procedures for operating in elevated
gamma radiation environments.
Table 3: Radiation Pager-S Level Display States
Indication Description Explanation Action
Flashing Power up system tests being
performed None
Sustained System tests failed
Try replacing the battery; if
that fails, return the unit for
factory service
Rotating Measuring radiation and
calculating background level None
Momentary While Update Button is pressed None
Flashing (Every 20
Seconds) Instrument is operating normally None
Solid The current radiation level is less
than 25% of the alarm threshold Press the Update Button
Flashing (Every 20
Seconds) Low battery Replace the battery
Solid Indication of the relative gamma
radiation level Locate the radiation source
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