[Rockhounds] metal detector question

[Glenn Wimpee]

Hey Ron,
 
Your original question was how do the detectors work.
 
I have not seen a good response to that, so I'll share MHO.
 
I never really thought hard about it, but my inference is that the basic unit has a transmitter and a receiver.
 
There is a tool in the utility industry known as a pipe horn. It has a separate transmitter and receiver. If one places the transmitter over a known spot of a buried utility then the receiver will detect the signal along the run of the pipe or cable. The utility must be metallic or this does not work.
 
Another tool attaches the transmitter directly to a metal element of the utility
 
Again I've always inferred the signal is radio frequency.
 
And a metal detector sends a signal and receives reflected waves.
 
More power more range (depth and distance) and the better the receiver the better the detection of reflection.
 
I hope this helps. (And that it is basically correct.)
Glenn 




> Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 07:38:05 -0800 
> To: rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com> > Thanks Gene,> > It never occurred to me that they'd be clubs. I'm sure I can find something that way near local. There's even a federation of Metal Detector Enthusiasts. Found it at http://www.fmdac.org/> > -Ron > > ----- Original Message ----> From: Gene Jeffers jeffers at shentel.net
> Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] metal detector question> > It just occurred to me, Ron. If there is a metal detector shop in your> area,> you could probably rent a detector a few times until you decide whether> you> like coin or artifact hunting enough to make a purchase. Most metal> detector> shops (in my area, at least) have a few detectors that they will rent> for a> reasonable price. I agree that you don't need a lot of "bells and> whistles",> but there is a quantum leap in performance between a $100 detector and> even> a $300-400 detector. A local metal detector shop could also put you in> touch> with clubs or other metal detector enthusiasts in your area. It never> hurts> to have someone "show you the ropes" your first few times out.> > -Gene> ----- Original Message ----- > From: "The Hammer" hammerron at yahoo.com
 > Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] metal detector question> > > > Although I am a mineral collector, I wasn't really picturing to use> it while mineral collecting. I was thinking more of searching for coins> and the like. I have no experience doing this. What John posted makes a> lot of sense to me. Minimal investment is probably smart. I probably> wouldn't need a lot of bells and whistles. Just something that would indicate> where the metal would be.> >> > ...of course if it could paint a great big "X" to show me where to> dig, that's a perk! (sorry..bad humor)> >> > -Ron> >> > ----- Original Message ----> > From: Gene Jeffers <jeffers at shentel.net>> > Subject: Re: [Rockhounds] metal detector question> >> > That's a fairly broad question. There are many types of metal> detectors> > that> > perform many different functions. Did you have a specific use in> mind?> >> > -Gene> > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "The Hammer" <hammerron at yahoo.com>> > Subject: [Rockhounds] metal detector question> >> >> > > I was just wondering... how well do metal detectors work?> > >> > > -Ron> > >
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