CD V-700

The CD V-700 is a civil defense radiation survey meter, widely distributed in the United States during the Cold War era. Manufactured by various companies under contract to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), later the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency (DCPA), it was designed to detect gamma radiation, a form of ionizing radiation emitted by radioactive fallout resulting from nuclear weapons detonations.

The instrument is typically a Geiger-Müller (GM) tube-based device contained within a robust metal or plastic housing. It operates on batteries and displays radiation levels in Roentgens per hour (R/hr), providing readings to assess the immediate threat of radiation exposure. The CD V-700 was intended for use by civil defense workers and designated personnel to survey areas after a nuclear attack, identifying safe zones and helping to manage resources.

The meter's functionality is primarily limited to measuring gamma radiation at relatively high levels; it is not capable of detecting alpha or beta particles directly, nor can it measure very low levels of radiation found in normal environmental conditions. It is also not a personal dosimeter, which measures cumulative radiation exposure. Regular calibration and maintenance were crucial for the CD V-700 to function correctly, and many units are now in need of refurbishment due to age and component degradation. Despite its age, the CD V-700 remains a recognizable artifact of the Cold War and continues to be collected and occasionally used for demonstration purposes.