Another Couple Hunts

[Wacko]

Went out a couple times again with the F5. Clad continues to rise - almost 10 bucks worth now.

I am recovering targets a bit neater now too. A good thing for sure. My targets recovered per hour are pretty poor though. I am hunting parks right now and the number of targets / signals is amazing. I can't dig 'em all. I spend a lot of time swinging the coil deciding if I am going to dig. I have pretty much started to just dig the "solid, repeatable" signals. If it gets all jumpy, or won't repeat, I haven't been digging. I know I am probably missing some good targets, but hey, gotta draw the line somewhere.

I have become very aware of "masking" too. Because there are so many targets, some "nulling", multiple tones, and jumpy numbers, are all happening. I have been trying to sweep from different angles in those areas trying to decide to dig. I have also just dug every signal to "see" what is hiding. Informative, but I dig alot of trash too.

The science project continues... Any advice you want to pass on, I am all ears.

Happy Hunting!

Wacko

 

[RLOH]

Wacko, you are on the right track. Experiment with different sounding signals until you get them figured out. The trouble I have always had was walking away from an iffy signal. I can never do that even though I know it is more than likely junk. Once in a while I get something that makes me say"I'm glad I dug that one". The good thing about getting into the hobby now is the forums. There are many experienced people more than willing to share their knowledge. When I started, all I had was books and magazines. Your learning curve will be short and by mid summer you will be in tune with the F5.

 

[TerraDigger]

Been doing this for 30 years. And my recovery is slow compared to my hunting buddies. But like you, I want to 'know' the target before I dig. But as a result, I have found some pretty sweet coins that others missed. Follow the good advice by RLOH..........learning signals will always win out in the long run over quanity of holes dug

 

[mudpuppy]

Oh man! Well said on the target ID...Didja ever walk away from a signal just to have it nag at you? Sometimes for weeks, before you go back and dig it?
The quickest recovery tool for shallow clad/targets is that little 6" skinny screwdriver probe. You get good with that, and you wont leaave the house without it..HH
Mud

 

[PulltabPirate]

Never forget that those TID #'s are the machines best ESTIMATE as to what is in the ground and they WILL NOT be accurate beyond 7 or 8 inches! I've had many machines over the years and I always TRY to dig the first 500 or so repeatable signals no matter what the ID # is just to get some quick experience. It's tough to dig EVERYTHING in a park without leaving a mess (Use Muddpuppy's technique!) but if you can get out in the woods or in the tot lots, you can dig everything. From what I hear, the F5 is a KILLER jewelry finder but you'll sure miss a lot of those targets if you concentrate on NOT digging ANY trash. (Rings ID from Foil to Pulltab) HH

 

[Wacko]

Oh I realize I want to dig "everything"....but, if it won't repeat or is hard for me to locate exactly, I am passing it by - for now. I am digging plenty 'O trash believe me. If it is a repeatable signal in the nickle, pull tab, or foil range I have been diggin' it. Gets a bit tedious, but hey I want some bling!!

HH

 

[Dave J.]

Detecting is the study of humans' interaction with topography, the untrustworthiness of pockets, and the desire of metals to return to the earth from which they came.
Mud

Sorry, Mudpuppy, I misquoted you very slightly, but the intention was improvement.

I have many times reflected upon your words and marvelled at how much truth you managed to distill in that one sentence. I've already been in this biz for 30 years, and would not have on my own ever distilled that much in so little.

And in reading other posts I gather you're a bit of a newbie to the world of beep............. amazing the depth of insight you achieved so quickly.

Mudpuppy's motto ought to be required reading for anyone who swings a beep.

--Dave J.