Polimaster PM1703GNA-II User manual

PERSONAL RADIATION
DETECTOR
PM1703GNA-II
PM1703MA-II
Operation Manual
Version 1.06, April 2017

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Copyright
Copyright © 2005-2017. Polimaster Inc. All rights
reserved. Reproduction, adaptation or translation
without prior written permission is prohibited,
except as allowed under the copyright laws.
Trademarks
Polimaster® and PM1703® are registered trademarks
of Polimaster Inc. and its licensors.
Third Party Trademarks
Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S. registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other
product or service names are the property of their
respective owners.
Product Improvements
Continuous improvement of products is a policy of
Polimaster Inc. and its affiliates. All specifications,
operating and maintenance instructions are subject
to changes that do not make substantial effect on
the product functionality and may be not
mentioned in the current Operation Manual.

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CONTENTS
WELCOME .......................................................... 4
1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN ....................................... 5
1.1. Introduction..................................................................5
1.2. Specifications...............................................................6
1.3. Display and control buttons................................7
1.4. Protective holster ......................................................8
1.5. Battery installation....................................................8
1.6. Clip installation/removal.......................................9
2. OPERATION.................................................... 10
2.1. Turning the instrument on/off........................10
2.2. Going through self-tests and background
calibration............................................................................10
2.3. Operation Modes....................................................11
2.3.1. Search Mode.......................................... 12
2.3.2. “Mode 0…9”.......................................... 15
2.3.3. Measurement mode........................... 16
2.4. Low battery indication ........................................16
2.5. Safety Alarm Threshold.......................................16
3. SETUP ............................................................. 17
3.1. Setting up the n coefficient for gamma
detector ................................................................................18
3.2. Setting-up the n coefficient for neutron
detector ................................................................................18
3.3. Enabling/disabling the sound and vibration
alerts .......................................................................................19
4. COMMUNICATION WITH PC......................... 20
5. MAINTENANCE AND TROUBLESHOOTING .. 21
6. LIMITED WARRANTY...................................... 22

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WELCOME
Thank you for purchasing a Polimaster gamma-
neutron Personal Radiation Detector PM1703GNA-II
/gamma Personal Radiation Detector PM1703MA-II.
Before operating this unit, please review this
manual thoroughly and retain it for the future
references.
PM1703GNA-II, PM1703MA-II are designed to
detect, search, and locate gamma and neutron
radioactive sources. The instruments are easily
operated and require only an understanding of the
basic parameters and settings for proper operation.
PRECAUTIONS
•The PM1703GNA-II and PM1703MA-II are not
the personal safety devices. They are
designed for the detection of radiation
sources and not for functioning as a personal
dosimeter;
•Do not store the instrument with battery
installed. The battery will leak once depleted
causing severe damage to the instrument
and void the warranty;
•Do not expose the instrument to high
temperatures. Environment operation
temperature range of the instrument shall be
above -22°F and below +122°F;
•Avoid severe mechanical shocks and
submerging the instrument into water.

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1. BEFORE YOU BEGIN
1.1. Introduction
Polimaster Personal Radiation Detector
PM1703GNA-II / PM1703MA-II (hereinafter referred
to as “the instrument”, “the Product” or
“PM1703GNA-II, PM1703MA-II”) belong to a family
of extremely sensitive, small and low-energy,
gamma-neutron personal radiation detectors
(PRDs). When ON, the instrument continuously
monitors the environment for radiation and alerts
the user with a visual, audio and/or vibrating alarm
if a radiation source is detected or any of preset
radiation thresholds are exceeded.
All operations history is stored in the instrument
non-volatile memory, protecting the data even
when the battery is removed. The stored data can
also be transferred to the personal computer via
USB interface.
The instrument can be used in both indoor and
outdoor environments and is intended for everyday
and/or emergency use by firefighters, military,
police, and other first responding communities.
Instrument is manufactured in two versions:
PM1703GNA-II and PM1703MA-II. The
PM1703GNA-II instrument differs from the
PM1703MA-II in that it includes the neutron
radiation detector.

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1.2. Specifications
Detectors
Gamma
Neutron (PM1703GNA-II)
CsI(Tl) scintillator
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LiI(Eu) scintillator
Sensitivity, gamma
radiation
Cs-137
Am-241
100 cps per µSv/h
(1 cps per µrem/h)
200 cps per µSv/h
(2 cps per µrem/h)
Sensitivity, neutron
radiation
Pu-α-Be
thermal neutron
0.07 counts x cm2/neutron
1.5 counts x cm2/neutron
Energy range
Gamma
Neutron (PM1703GNA-II)
0.033 – 3.0 MeV
thermal to 14.0 MeV
Measurement range
Gamma
Accuracy at
137
Cs
0.1 – 70 µSv/h
(10 µrem/h – 7000 µrem/h)
±30 %
Indication range
Gamma
Neutron (PM1703GNA-II)
0.01 – 99.99 µSv/h
(1 µrem/h – 9999 µrem/h)
1.0-999 cps
Response time
0.25 s
Alarm types
visual, audible and
vibration
Power requirements
one AA size alkaline or
rechargeable battery
2700 mAh (recommended)
Battery lifetime
Up to 900 hours
Communication
USB interface
Memory
2000 data points
Environmental
Temperature range
LCD indication
Humidity
-22 to +122°F
(-30 to+50°C)
+5 to +122.5°F
(-15 to +50°C)
up to 95% at +95°F (+35°C)

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Environmental protection
IP65
Dimensions, no more
87x72x32 mm
(3.43” x 2.81” x 1.25”)
Weight without battery,
no more
7.05 oz. (200 g.)
1.3. Display and control buttons
The instrument contains the following control and
display components:
1. Mode button , used for switching the
instrument ON; switching between
operation modes; background update
(calibration); changing parameters in
Setup mode.
2. Light button , used for switching on
the backlight; enabling communication
with a PC; changing parameters in Setup
mode, switching the instrument OFF.
3. USB port;
4. Alarm LED;
5. LCD display;
6. Audible alarm buzzer
The LCD of the instrument may
display any of the following
information:
1
2
4
5
6
3

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•gamma Dose Ambient Equivalent Rate in
µrem/h or µSv/h with indication on LCD
“µR/h” or “µSv/h” correspondently
•neutron count rate (in s-1)
•n coefficients: number of mean square
deviations for the gamma and neutron
thresholds
•Messages: "tESt", "Err", "CAL", “bAtt”, "OL",
"oFF", etc.
•Critical battery discharge : displayed
when the battery voltage drops below 1.2 V.
The analog bar in the middle of the LCD display
indicates the time left until self-tests or the
background calibration are completed. In the
Search Mode, the bar represents a relative value of a
gamma count rate excess over the calculated alarm
threshold (the point at which the alarm is expected
to be set off).
1.4. Protective holster
Optionally PM1703GNA-II and PM1703MA-II can be
equipped with holster that provides additional
protection for the instrument from weather, dust
and occasional drops. It can be also fixed on the
waist belt using belt loop.
1.5. Battery installation
The instrument is packaged without a battery
installed. To install the battery, open the cover
located on the right end of the unit with a coin.
Once opened, insert a single AA battery loading the
positive (+) end first.

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Reinstall the cover and tighten it. If the battery is
properly installed, the LCD will display all segments
and the unit will perform self-test and initiation
procedures.
1.6. Clip installation/removal
The instrument comes with a clip, which may be
used to fasten the instrument to a waist belt or
pocket. The clip may be easily removed from the
instrument by using a screwdriver or similar tool as
shown on following figures.

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2. OPERATION
2.1. Turning the instrument on/off
Once the battery has been installed, the instrument
will turn ON automatically. If the battery was already
installed and the instrument is in the OFF mode,
then press and hold the MODE button to power
it on. All display segments and
white LED visual alarm and
audible/vibration alarms will be
activated for 1 second and the
unit will than perform its self-test procedures.
To turn the instrument OFF, press and hold the
LIGHT button until the LCD displays the “OFF”
message.
Then, release the LIGHT button
and additionally press and
hold the MODE button to
confirm shutdown. The instrument is switched off
when the LCD displays the “OFF” message.
2.2. Going through self-tests and
background calibration
During self-tests procedures the display first shows
message with firmware version [F-X.X],
message “bAtt” and remaining battery power in
relative units on the analog scale.
Than the message “tESt” is displayed and the unit
will perform its self-test procedures.

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When any failure during the instrument self-test
occurs, the LCD will indicate the “Err” (Error)
message. In this case please contact your vendor.
After the self-test is completed the instrument goes
to the background calibration. Message “CAL”
(calibration) is activated on the display during this
process, the instrument measures radiation
background and calculates threshold values using
the specified values of the ncoefficients.
When self-tests and background calibration are
finished, the instrument is ready for operation.
2.3. Operation Modes
The following operation modes and options are
available for the regular PM1703GNA-II and
PM1703MA-II operation:
•Search Mode is designed mainly for
detection and location of gamma and
neutron radioactive sources. The readings of
the instrument are displayed in counts per
second for both neutron and gamma
detectors and the search algorithm based on
background calibration is used. “Search
Mode” can be switched to “Mode 0…9”;
•Mode 0…9 is designed mainly for
monitoring of gamma radiation dose
equivalent rate;
•Measurement Mode is designed mainly for
measurement of the dose rate of gamma
radiation. In this mode the instrument alarms
in presence of gamma radiation sources only
in case the safety threshold is exceeded.

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Neutron detector in this mode continues to
work identical to the Search Mode.
To toggle between various operation modes, the
MODE button is used.
2.3.1. Search Mode
In the Search mode the
instrument displays the current
value of gamma and neutron
radiation count rate in s-1 (counts per second) and
automatically compares the average count rate with
the threshold value (the value based on the
background radiation measured during calibration
and the n coefficient set by the user).
In this mode, the instrument is capable of searching
for and locating radioactive sources. When a
radioactive source is detected (the point at which
the calculated alarm threshold is exceeded), the
instrument will produce a visual and audio and/or
vibrating alarm. As the instrument moves closer to
the radiation source, the frequency of audio or
vibrating signals increase and thus enable the user
to determine the direction toward the source
location.
When the alarms signals reach their maximum
frequency it is recommended to run the
background calibration procedure (see section
Getting a new background). During this process it is
important to keep the instrument in the same place
if possible. Once the background calibration is
completed, the user may then continue to search
for the radiation source. If necessary, this procedure
may be repeated as many times as necessary until
the gamma radiation source is located.
To operate the instrument or locate a neutron
radiation source in mixed gamma and neutron
radiation fields, it is recommended to switch OFF
the audio and vibrating alarms and manually
monitor the numerical values of gamma and

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neutron count rates on the display. The closer the
instrument is to the radiation source, the larger the
count rate value. In this scenario it is not necessary
to run background calibration while approaching
the source.
If the value of the dose rate exceeds the
instrument’s upper measuring limit for radiation,
the overload message on the LCD screen will
display “-OL-” for gamma radiation or “-999-” for
neutron radiation.
Alarms in the Search Mode
Alarm levels in the Search Mode are derived from
the ambient background. When the instrument runs
through background calibration, it acquires a
background reading and calculates the alarm levels
automatically based on the value of n coefficient
set by the user.
The value of n coefficient may be set in the range of
1.0 to 9.9 through every 0.1. The smaller is the value
of n coefficient, the more sensitive is the instrument
to changes in background radiation, however this
also increases the rate of false alarms (false
positives). The larger is the value of n coefficient, the
less sensitive unit becomes to minor changes in
radiation background and responds only to large
radiation field variations (intensive radiation sources
nearby) and probability of false alarms decreases.
Suppress NORM algorithm
It was implemented a special algorithm, that allows
excluding alarm signal when the natural gamma
background value increases and Naturally
Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) are
detected. When the gamma radiation DER grows, an
analysis is performed - is given the yellow indication
light. If NORM are detected - is given the green
indication light. In the case the other radionuclides
types are detected (IND, NUC, MED), the red
indication light and sound alarm will be provided.

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Getting a new background
The user may run background calibration to adjust
the alarm threshold for the new background during
the normal operation of the instrument. It is
recommended to run the background calibration
any time the radiation background significantly
changes, e.g. upon entry or exit from the building,
changing locations, etc.
If the instrument’s background radiation level is not
updated, the alarm may be set off more frequently
in the Search Mode even without the presence of
any radioactive sources. Or conversely, the
instrument’s ability to alarm to the presence of a
radiation source becomes worse. Under these
circumstances it is necessary to run the background
calibration so that the instrument recalculates the
alarm thresholds based on the new environment.
To update the background radiation levels and
recalculate the thresholds, press and hold down on
the Mode button until the message “CAL”
appears on the display. The unit is now acquiring
new background. In total, this process requires 60
seconds. When the LCD screen display returns to
the normal numeric display, the unit has modified
its background radiation levels to the new
environment and is ready for normal operation.
NOTE: The instrument can also adjust to gradually
changing levels of gamma-radiation background
automatically to make operation with the unit more
convenient. By default this function is enabled by the
manufacturer.
False alarms
Occasionally, the instrument may produce random
signals, called “false alarms”. Such alarms (visual,
audible and/or vibration) are irregular and can,
therefore, be easily distinguished from true alarm
signals produced by the gamma radiation sources
which tend to have continuous repetition rate or

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increase as the instrument moves closer to a
radiation source. The number of false alarms
depends on many factors including changes in the
ambient background radiation level as well as
changes to the system setup.
2.3.2. “Mode 0…9”
In this mode the instrument displays the current
level of gamma radiation background in form of
digits from 0 to 9. Each digit represents the certain
DER range:
Indicated
digit
Dose
equivalent
rate range in
µ
Sv/h
Dose
equivalent
rate range in
mrem/h
0
≤0.37
≤0.037
1
0.37 - 0.45
0.037 - 0.045
2
0.45 - 0.59
0.045 - 0.059
3
0.59 - 0.90
0.059 - 0.090
4
0.90 - 1.20
0.090 - 0.120
5
1.20 - 2.50
0.120 - 0.250
6
2.50 - 5.82
0.250 - 0.582
7
5.82 - 9.58
0.582 - 0.958
8
9.58 - 23.50
0.958 - 2.350
9
≥ 23.50
≥2.350
In the lower part of the LCD is situated the analog
bar, which represents the degree of the Search
alarm threshold excess.
Radioactive source localization may be performed
by monitoring of the numerical value and analog
bar on the display. The closer the instrument is to
the radiation source, the larger the value is and the
more segments of the bar are filled.

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2.3.3. Measurement mode
In the measurement mode the
instrument displays the current
value of gamma radiation dose
equivalent rate in μSv/h, mSv/h or
Sv/h (μR/h, mR/h or R/h), while the lower line
indicates an average neutron count rate in s-1
(counts per second). In this mode the instrument
alarms only if the safety threshold is exceeded and
does not adjust alarms to the changing
background.
In this mode, the instrument is not capable for
searching for neutron radioactive sources.
NOTE: The PM1703GNA-II and PM1703MA-II are
calibrated in collimated Cs-137 radiation only, thus, its
readings in measurement mode may differ from that
of energy compensated dosimeters.
2.4. Low battery indication
When the battery voltage drops below critical value
(1.2 volts), the instrument LCD will indicate a low
battery sign , periodically provide white light
blinking for a couple of seconds and alarms will go
off (audio, light and/or vibration). By pressing the
MODE button the user can mute the “critical low
battery” warning for about 30 minutes. At the same
time the alarm thresholds will remain turned on.
NOTE: The instrument can work up to 8 hours after the
critical low battery warning .It is highly
recommended to replace/charge battery as soon as
possible in this case.
2.5. Safety Alarm Threshold
The instrument is equipped with Safety Alarm
threshold to alert user when immediately
dangerous for life radiation level is reached. Red
light alarm in search mode will be superseded with
easily distinguishable periodic visual white

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indication, audio and/or vibration alarms with one
second interval when Safety Alarm threshold is
exceeded.
The manufacturer’s preset value of Safety Alarm
threshold is 10 µSv/h (1000 µR/h). If necessary the
Safety Alarm threshold can be set using
PM1703GNA-II and PM1703MA-II User Software.
3. SETUP
Using the detector front panel buttons it is possible
to adjust several parameters of the instrument. The
number and combination of settings enabled for
editing in your particular device depends on factory
pre-sets and may vary in each instrument. See
below the complete list of settings that may be
enabled for editing in the instrument:
•n coefficient, gamma may be setup in the
range of 1.0 to 9.9 with increment of 0.1. The
manufacturer’s recommended value is 5.3;
•n coefficient, neutron may be setup in the
range of 1.0 to 9.9 with increment of 0.1. The
manufacturer’s recommended value is 5.0;
•Enable or disable the Sound alarm on
reaching the alarm threshold;
•Enable or disable the Vibration alarm on
reaching the alarm threshold.
To enter the Setup Menu, press and hold down the
Mode button . The “CAL” message will be
displayed first. Continue to hold the Mode
button down until the screen displays the first
setting that can be adjusted.
NOTE: Depending on the options enabled in each
particular instrument, the set of properties available
for adjustment can differ in two devices of the same
model. Furthermore, some detectors may not enter the
Setup Menu at all, since the adjustment of all settings
can also be disabled using the User Software.

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3.1. Setting up the n coefficient for
gamma detector
Press and hold down the Mode button . The
“CAL” message will be displayed first. Continue to
hold the Mode button down until the screen
displays the value of ncoefficient gamma.
To change the value of ncoefficient, press the Light
button . The number on the display will blink.
While the number is blinking, press the Light button
again to decrease the value or press the Mode
button to increase the value.
If no button is pressed for 6 seconds, the instrument
will exit the Setup Menu and begin background
calibration. Once the calibration is completed, all
changes will be stored in the instrument’s memory.
3.2. Setting-up the n coefficient for
neutron detector
Press and hold down the Mode button . The
“CAL” message will be displayed first. Continue to
hold the Mode button down until the screen
displays the value of ncoefficient gamma. Press the
MODE button once and the preset value of the
coefficient n for the neutron channel will be
indicated on the LCD (see the Figure).

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To change the value of n coefficient, press the Light
button . The number on the display will blink.
While the number is blinking, press the Light button
again to decrease the value or press the Mode
button to increase the value.
If no button is pressed for 6 seconds the instrument
will exit the Setup Menu and begin background
calibration. Once the calibration is completed, all
changes will be stored in the instrument’s memory.
3.3. Enabling/disabling the sound
and vibration alerts
Press and hold down the Mode button . The
“CAL” message will be displayed first. Continue to
hold the Mode button down until the screen
displays the value of n coefficient gamma. Press the
MODE button once and the preset value of the
coefficient n for the neutron channel will be
displayed. Press the Mode button again to enter
the Audio On/Off setting screen:
When the LCD displays Aud On (or Off) you can use
the Light button to change the setting, i.e.
switch on or off the sound alert. Then press the

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Mode button to do the same for the vibration
alert: when the LCD displays Vibr On (or Off) you
can use the Light button to change this setting
as well.
Press the Mode button again to exit the Setup
Menu, or wait for six seconds until the instrument
automatically starts background calibration or goes
to the Search Mode.
4. COMMUNICATION WITH PC
Instrument features USB interface for data exchange
with computer.
Use a PC with USB-port and a USB-cable supplied
together with the instrument and installation CD
included into delivery set with Polimaster Software
to enable USB interfacing of the instrument.
Operating system requirements: Windows 7,
Windows Server 2012 or higher.
PC communication mode allows user setting the
advanced instrument parameters, download event
data stored in the instrument’s memory and
perform other operations. Please see the User
Software Guide for more information.
Instrument non-volatile memory accumulates and
stores information, which can be downloaded to PC:
data/time, on/off state, threshold settings, alarms
state, state of health, operating hours, periodic
radiation, readings in system set units during alarm
state, operational/maintenance state data.