Detecting 101 Page 1 From Ray  

Detector modes

All metal- Excellent depth, all targets sound the same, may or may not ID targets and better depth than disc.

Discrimination- The ability to eliminate certain targets based on a targets conductivity. The more disc you use the smaller your search field or loss of depth.

Pinpoint- Very similar to all metal mode. This mode is used when the operator is trying to find exact location of object. This mode is also very useful when estimating the size of a target that has been detected.

Ground Balance

Very important when detecting. This is the metal detectors ability to eliminate ground mineralization. If set incorrect operator will experience a severe loss of depth and detector instability.

Coils

DD- Handles bad ground very good. Very good ground coverage due to hot strip in middle. Large DD coils very sensitive to small targets and they are very good in high trash. DD coils are also susceptible to EMI and are also tougher to pinpoint than a concentric. DD coils are a little more susceptible to bottle caps.

Concentric- Very easy to pinpoint. Very accurate ID and not as susceptible to bottle caps. A little bit deeper than a DD but they do not have as good of coverage as a DD coil.

Detector operating frequencies

4-10 KHz Sensitive to high conductors such as large U.S. silver coins, large silver and gold rings. large copper coins.

11-19 KHz Sensitive to midrange and low conductors such as brass, bullets, nickels and small and medium size gold rings.

40-71 KHz Sensitive to small gold and mainly used for prospecting.

Sensitivity

Like the gas pedal in a car. When used in ideal conditions the more you use the more depth you get. When used incorrectly in less than ideal situations you may loose depth and create instability. Most advanced operators will run there detectors at full sensitivity or close to it. Use as much as you can until unit becomes unstable then back off the sensitivity. In certain instances less sensitivity will provide better depth.  

If you have mutilated coins that have been fused together or melted, you can send them to the following address:

Superintendent
U.S. Mint
Post Office Box 400
Philadelphia, PA 19105

September Mini Hunt held at Golden Gate Park. Here is Ray and Julies report.

We had 12 hunters and everyone found silver in the hunt. The weather was fantastic and several people stayed the entire day. Four wild silver coins were reported found with Jerry Hallet finding a silver Washington quarter and I found 2 mercury dimes and a Rosie and most everyone found a few Wheat back pennies. Julie and I found close to 13.00 in clad.

It was a beautiful morning for a hunt...Julie laid out the field for 12 of
us to hunt...the prizes were $5 dollar bills..silver halves...silver
quarters and silver dimes...not all the pennies for the top prizes were found so she
raffled them.

One of our former members has passed away. Ron Grossman died 9/28/2010 after a long illness. He joined the club long ago and was the owner of a coin shop in Albany, Ca.

Since I missed the last meeting I have no current photo, so here are some from the past. them off...all in all it was a great day