Pre-TAM Trip to Nevada Test Site

[DRBUZZ0]

Okay, if anyone is interested...

I am (tenatively) planning a trip on Thursday January 17th [the day before the official TAM opening to the Nevada Test Site]

It will be leaving in the morning and will be taking up the better part of the day. Stops will include the Nuclear Testing Museam and other sites of interest.


Now this is important: Exactly what we will do on the trip is entirely dependant on how much interest I get. They have normal tours on a fairly regular baisis, but if I can get a large enough group, I may be able to get a special group tour with a bit more to see.

Cameras are generally not allowed, but I am going to try to get aproval for some photography/videography of the group. Again...this is partially dependant on how much interest I can get.

At this point I have no idea what size group I may be able to get togeather. So, this will dictate the nature of the trip and may also effect the cost.

Please remeber that this is still in early planning... I've contacted NTS and the Nuclear Testing Museam. (I think I spelled that wrong)


So who wants to go???

[DRBUZZ0]

Some info on the site for those who may be interested
History:

The Nevada Test Site (formerly The Nevada Proving Grounds) served as the primary nuclear weapons test site for the United States for four decades. In the 1950’s the site was the scene of numerous aboveground tests, including structural tests, field exercises and tests of unusual weapons like Atomic Annie, the nuclear cannon.

The last atmospheric test was conducted in 1961, but underground tests continued until the early 1990’s. If you’ve ever seen the famous films of houses being blown away by blast waves or trees swaying as a wave of overpressure passes by, this is where that was filmed.

The site has also been used for numerous non-nuclear experiments and exercises. The Apollo astronauts even used the area for training in driving lunar rover and navigating on the moon. Also, nuclear rocket engines and other unique devices were tested here.

Currently:

The Nevada Test site is by no means mothballed, since the end of nuclear testing. The site is currently used for all manner of experiments. These include:

Sub-critical nuclear tests: Tests which do not produce a full explosive chain-reaction and are usually conducted underground.

Environmental Experiments

Emergency and Anti-Terrorism Excrescences, involving both civilian and military agencies

Special Weapons Tests: Bunker busters, EMP weapons, airburst explosives and other cool stuff.

Simulated Nuclear Tests: Evaluations of potential scenarios, using many tons of chemical high explosives

Materials Testing

Waste Disposal


http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/787544e7dd3a9ad55.jpg


Images:

Tests on structures, houses and dummies were conducted.
Soldiers also were involved in test excercises
http://www.drbuzzo.com/test1.jpg
http://www.drbuzzo.com/test2.jpg
http://www.drbuzzo.com/test3.jpg


Some of the remains of the structures:
http://www.drbuzzo.com/remnants1.jpg
http://www.drbuzzo.com/remnants2.jpg
http://www.drbuzzo.com/remnants3.jpg

http://www.drbuzzo.com/thenandnow1.jpg
http://www.drbuzzo.com/thenandnow2.jpg



Non-Nuclear Weapon Test Site Activities:

www.drbuzzo.com/nonnuke1.jpg
www.drbuzzo.com/nonnuke2.jpg
www.drbuzzo.com/nonnuke3.jpg

[Wowbagger]

Sounds interesting.
I might go, if my skydiving plan does not conflict with this plan.

Any particular deadline you have in mind for final decisions?

[Hamradioguy]

I spent 4 days at the NTS in the 1980s as a Part of FEMA's RERO (Radiological Emergency Response Operations) course. Had a blast (Oooops, that doesn't sound right....). Highlights were filling a glass of water to the brim in the classroom, setting it on the table and seeing how much it shook during an underground test, the whole class playing baseball with a Whiffleball while we all were wearing SCBAs, Asking one of our guides on a tour what the "Caution, Low Clearance 38ft" roadsigns meant...and then seeing just why 38ft was considered low clearance, standing at the lip of the SEDAN crater and thinking about just what it took to create it, and seeing all those 1950s test houses and structures looking just like they did in the 1950s.
Well, you won't experience an underground test on any tour now, and I'm not sure what parts of the NTS are still off limits, but it's still an impressive tour regardless.
Count me in- it will bring back some memories for sure.

[DRBUZZ0]

Update: I've talked to the Nevada Test Site museum (I think I spelled that wrong).

Looks like the trip will probably start at there, since it seems logical to learn the background of the tests and see the films before viewing the actual test site.

I've played phone tag a bit with the Test site. Looks like we may be able to arange a private group tour, which would be good.

Thus far cost:
Museum $9.00 regular (less for seniors)
Ride out: ??? (depends on how many people and what mode of transport)
Lunch: Depends on how hungry you are (also you can't actually eat in the test site area...you prolly wouldnt want to anyways)
Test site: ???

I'm trying to keep this around 50 bucks of less.

If anyone is interested, geiger counters, scintillation detectors, SCA's and alike are avaliable, but let me know ahead of time, because I'm gona have to lug them down.

First come first serve: I have something like 12 good ratemeters, mostly ludlums. Also have a dosimeter digital model, a couple eberlines. Got an odd assortment of detectors, so if you wait, you could end up with a cheasy gamma-only sidewindow probe.

PRI 111B Scintillator (That's for me) I have a second one I'm fixing. If it's done, someone else can have it (if you're good)

Only have ONE MCA which is battery powered and small enouigh to carry around. Hence...this will also be mine....unless I decide it's too heavy. In that case, someone else can carry it.

[Loon]

I'm in. I claim the right to carry a gadget, even though I have no idea what any of them are or do. I'll trust the experts to let me have the coolest one since I chimed in for a gadget first.

[DRBUZZ0]

I'm in. I claim the right to carry a gadget, even though I have no idea what any of them are or do. I'll trust the experts to let me have the coolest one since I chimed in for a gadget first.

Okay. You get the NAI scint probe and the logging ratemeter with integrated SCA

[The Central Scrutinizer]

If I start glowing, I have a team of Jewish lawyers (Rabinowitz, Rabinowitz and Rabinowitz) who will sue your ass. Won't leave a shread of flesh on your bones.

[Loon]

Woohoo! I get to carry gadgets!

[Hamradioguy]

Most of the stuff I have here is Cold War high range. If I can find a low range training dosimeter or two in the collection I'd be glad to bring 'em. But truthfully, they'd likely produce a higher reading on the air flight out than at the NTS. (With the possible exception of the SEDAN crater. That was still a tad "hot" when I visited.... admitedly some years ago). I DO have a nice thin wall modified CDV-700 but I sure don't intend to try and get that sucker onto an airplane!

[Kochanski]

I am in :D Sounds so very cool. Should be as much fun as my tour of JPL.

[Wowbagger]

Count me in. Er, how do we register for it?