A $\gamma$ spectroscopy standard system is normally based on inorganic scintillators or on HPGe detectors. The electronic chain consists of a set of NIM modules necessary for the acquisition and processing of the analog signal. The structural characteristics and the complexity of the traditional system make it unsuitable for field measurements and for experiments in high schools. This contribution will describe a compact and portable setup based on a CsI:Tl scintillating crystal readout by a photomultiplier tube, and will demonstrate that the performance of a commercial DAQ board is comparable with that of the standard electronic chain, using a NaI:Tl detector in both measures. The limited power consumption, the low cost and the small size make it a versatile and suitable alternative for educational activities both for the nuclear physics lab of the Physics Bachelor’s degree and for dedicated activities in high schools.
