DIY Nuclear Event Detector Recreated, Seeks Gamma Calibration Help
Hackaday covers Bigcrimping’s BHG-2000, a pin‑compatible DIY replacement for the now unobtainable HSN‑1000 nuclear event detector. The build uses four BPW34S PIN diodes coated to block visible light, aiming to detect the characteristic gamma pulse that signifies a nuclear event, with a two‑stage amp chain to output a warning. Calibration remains unverified without exposure to gamma sources, and the creator is seeking European testers with Cs‑137 or Co‑60 sources. The project is open‑source, and Hackaday cautions that nuclear explosions are best avoided while noting the detector concept could in principle warn of blasts.