The aim of the group thus became the provision of up-to-date, accurate and open information on background radiation in the environment and other environmental parameters. It was realised that by adapting existing computer and communication technology a continuous, automatic monitoring system was feasible at a relatively low cost; the idea was floated at the International Standing Conference on Radiation and Health in July 1986, where it provoked a favourable response and considerable interest.

After initial design work, the first system to collect data, based on a BBC 'home' computer, became operational just months after Chernobyl, but it was apparent from the initial tests that a custom built data collection unit (data logger) would become essential for network purposes. Such a unit was designed from first principles in a relatively short time and a working prototype was demonstrated at the Sterling International Conference on Radiation and Health in 1987. During 1988 the first two data-logging stations went on-line and by February of 1989 these and a third 'outstation' were contributing measurements to the database.

In July 1989, The Argus Project Trust was formed, the objectives being:

	to collect data about the environment locally, nationally and internationally.
	to store the collected data as an archive.
	to make the archived data and the methodology of collection available to all.
	to promote the dissemination of archived data.
	to promote the development of data collection and storage systems.
	not to undertake any licence or agreement that restricted or compromised the purposes of the Trust.

An outstation is a complete gamma monitoring installation and consists of a data logging control unit, a geiger counter head and a package of software, the Argus Project Station Manager Programme plus supporting programmes for use with the outstation. Each Argus outstation is fitted with a ZP1220/01 Geiger Muller tube and provided with a stabilised 450 volt EHT power supply (the tube runs at the centre of the Geiger Muller plateau). This tube is preferred for its low intrinsic background count and is energy compensated by Mini-Instruments Ltd, being normalised for Caesium 137.

The Geiger Muller tube is supported in its protective housing at least 1.5 metres above ground level, thereby ensuring that high energy beta particles are not counted. It is vertically aligned within its' support to minimise counts produced by cosmic rays.

The siting of an Argus gamma head requires a building, to house the data-logger, nearby with a mains electricity supply and its own, or an existing, telephone line fitted with a modern socket.

The shoe box sized data-logging control unit is primarily mains powered, with battery backup available, and is based on the well proven Motorola 6809 microprocessor. It controls the monitoring, time keeping, network communications, data storage, emergency alerts and printing operations. A sealed, maintenance free internal battery supports time keeping and data storage functions in the event of a mains failure, even over prolonged periods (typically well over 4 months).

This control unit is designed to continuously record the gamma background, storing counts for, typically, every 10 minute period. These counts are kept in memory together with the time and date of each recording. Every night the unit rings up the 'host' computer (a call of just a few seconds at low tariff on the public telephone system) and sends the data it has collected. If for any reason the data is not correctly received by the host, an outstation will try again later that night or, if necessary, store the data and send two blocks the next night. On completion of this transfer the outstation marks the data as having been sent and in due course that section of memory can be overwritten with new data. Another feature allows station operators to set 'alarm levels' which, upon activation, can route the relevant data to any specified location. A printer can also be connected to the outstation and a printout obtained of all the data held locally. The data-logging control unit contains a dedicated modem, has a Centronics printer port and a serial port to provided direct computer access to its data locally.

The equipment is designed to operate reliably for many years. There are two options when installing an Argus monitor as far as cost is concerned. If customers agree to participate in the project, with their outstations contributing to the database, then the cost is purely for the materials, no labour charge for design or development is included and no profit is made on the manufacture and installation of the monitor, although there is a one-off sum included to support maintenance of the host computer.

Where monitor stations are purchased to run as stand-alone units, or to operate within private networks not linked to the Argus Project, then the full purchase price is applied; all stations carry a one year guarantee.

The Argus Project team, whose hard work and commitment have made this all possible, have to date worked entirely without funding or remuneration on a purely vocational and voluntary basis. Some members of the project have expended considerable amounts of their own money to fund various developments and continue to do so when the need arises. If the Trust was to charge for the data then the whole original concept of public-domain information would be negated, and the 'does it pay' side of economics would raise its' head. This is the crux of the Argus Project; that the information - the data - is public and will remain so.

Somewhat ironically, the profit made from this order has enabled the Trust to forge ahead in an area they were hoping to develop, that of a multi-channel environmental monitoring capability, incorporating the measurement of rainfall and its acidity, humidity, temperature, pressure, solar radiation, wind direction and wind speed, to name but a few of the possible sensors. With the incorporation of this new design, there is no theoretical limit to the number of channels that can be added.

After two years of intensive effort by four members of the project, this system design is now well established, with multi-channel units in the field in southwest Scotland and sites in England.

In partnership with the Goddollo Institute in Budapest, Hungary and UK Universities, Argus has applied for funding by the EEC Science and Research Committee. This gives hopes for a pan-European system, with linked environmental databases.

Monitoring and the public access to the information thus available, can increase public awareness, reduce misconceptions and suspicion, lead to a greater understanding of radiation in our environment, both natural and otherwise, and perhaps circumvent the previous and also the contemporary attitudes of almost total secrecy.

Of course, with more data and knowledge disseminated to the general public must come the realisation that a better system of environmental and scientific education is urgently required, to be able to cope with a more open attitude to this knowledge.

It is the responsibility of scientists, the media and the State to ensure that citizens are sufficiently aware of scientific methods and the basis of environmental hazards to be able to use the information and monitoring data in an educated manner, and to foster the ability to see through bogus scientific claims.

"Information and education are key factors in any progress towards greater democratic control of the fate of the environment. Without both, people are not able to judge the performance of their elected political representatives. Without that judgement, political leaders are under little pressure to act". [ Gates, P. et.al., BBC Wildlife Vol.10, Number 6, June 1992.]