Larry (IL)
Well-known member
Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Herm [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 04, 2008 05:33PM IP/Host: 71.218.124.230
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 21
Okay I've been using Larry's program. The two parks that I have been to so far haven't produced any deep coins yet, but I know they hold some. The few clad coins that I have found were down about 4-4 1/2 inches. The thing that has me stumped is when pinpointing the DC Phase has been reading in the -60 to -80 on these coins. So when hunting for deep coins does it matter what the DC Phase is saying. I always thought that the DC Phase reading would be closer to the VDI of the coin. Do I have something not set right or is this normal? Herm
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: labeachbum [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 07, 2008 08:45PM IP/Host: 71.83.188.220
Registered: 6 months ago
Posts: 83
That's very informative as my local park is Pull Tab Heaven with one gold ring in the middle . I will have to test The Dc phase out
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 04, 2008 06:19PM Moderator
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The DC Phase is not very accurate for deep coins, but still some what useful. For shallow coins, be sure to start your pinpoint off to the side away from your target and other targets too. Then bring the coil over your target and you should get a pretty good positive reading on the DC Phase. The DC Phase, I believe, is raw data from the 15 KHz channel. The deeper the target the less accurate the DC Phase will be, but you can tell if your target is iron by the DC staying deep in the negative numbers. If the DC Phase rises 20 to 30 points over the ground reading, I will dig. That indicates the target is probably a positive DC Phase and when averaged with the negative DC Phase of the ground, will make the DC rise some but usually not up into the positive range. The best use of DC Phase is telling gold from pull tabs. Gold will DC Phase 1 to 1 1/2 times the VDI and most whole tabs will DC Phase much higher, usually in the 50's to 60's for me.
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: coinnut [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 04, 2008 08:02PM IP/Host: 68.186.250.22
Registered: 1 year ago
Posts: 679
Ya, That's the way I understood it too. The DC phase is reading everything including the ground. If you were directly over the target your numbers would be higher than if you swept over mostly ground. It's kind of a combination reading. It will raise your numbers more into the positive range, but probably never give you the high numbers that we are used to from the display. Is this right??
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 05, 2008 09:08AM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.209
Registered: 3 years ago
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Yes, that is right. DC Phase is just another tool to help us decide if we should dig or not. I dig a lot of iffy targets just because I enjoy finding non-coin targets too. Iffy targets will sometimes result in a nice coin, but more often, it is junk or some other interesting item. The list is long of non-coin finds which include buttons, cuff and button studs, tokens, small toys, clock parts, watches......all kinds of things.
The biggest use of DC Phase for me is ID'ing pull tabs and pop tops from what might be something else. An example is if I get a VDI of 23, I will look at the DC Phase when pinpointing. If the DC Phase is in the 20's to 30's, I will dig. Sometimes it will be a partial pull tab, but sometimes it is not, resulting in a gold ring, button studs and in one case, a 108 diamond/gold bracelet. If the DC Phase reads in the 50's -60's it almost always is an aluminium object. ( house siding, tab, pop top, etc.)
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: coinnut [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 05, 2008 04:14PM IP/Host: 68.186.250.22
Registered: 1 year ago
Posts: 679
Nice to know. Are you doing very short swings, right over the target, for those numbers, or are you taking longer swings?
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 06, 2008 10:35AM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.209
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You use DC Phase while pinpointing the target with VCO ON. You should not be swinging the coil at all.
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: coinnut [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 07, 2008 06:49AM IP/Host: 68.186.250.22
Registered: 1 year ago
Posts: 679
Got it. Thanks!!
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Herm [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 06, 2008 12:29PM IP/Host: 192.234.135.34
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 21
Hi Larry, so what DC Phase reading would you expect if you were Pinpointing on these items at a depth of a say 6-8 inches? And I realize that my ground will most likely be different than yours Larry. I'm just looking for a generality for what to look for once I possibly do stumble over a deep target.
1) Silver Dime -
2) Silver Quarter -
3) Indian Penny -
4) Thin gold ring with a VDI of 18-20 -
5) Mans gold ring with a VDI of 46-50 -
Thank you to every one that has interjected some of your knowledge on this topic, I really appreciated it. Herm
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 06, 2008 01:49PM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.209
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 1,968
I can't really say Herm. It would be easy for you to test it yourself. Dig a hole and drop your target in there and replace the plug. Pinpoint it and read your DC Phase. Of course, the readings will change somewhat every time because other items may be near, over or under your target when you are out hunting. Like I said, it is just another tool to help you, and not a fail safe or absolute technique.
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Herm [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 06, 2008 07:27PM IP/Host: 71.218.124.230
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 21
I understand everything that your saying Larry. And I realize that the numbers will vary from area to area. Just wondered what some for the DC Phase's might be for you in your area, or maybe I should say what DC Phase numbers would really get you excited. Herm
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 07, 2008 11:21AM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.209
Registered: 3 years ago
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I dig just about all targets in the + range, so I don't pay a lot of attention to the DC Phase Herm. The two exceptions are when targets are in the +20 to +40 range. ( Pull Tab Heaven) I will look at the Phase to help me ID aluminium from from everything else. If the DC Phase is in the 50's to 60's, it is something aluminium. When the Phase is in the 20' to 30's I'll dig it.
The other time I use DC Phase is on deep targets. My DC reading for my soil is -93 and when I hear a deep "maybe", I'll check the phase. If the DC Phase on a deep target remains deep into the - numbers, it most likely is a rusty nail or some other iron object. If the Phase comes up 20 or 30 points, it could be something in the + range and worth digging. A lot of negative ground mixed with a small + object will average out still in the negative numbers, but higher than the ground Phase reading.
I hope this helps some.
Thanks a million Larry, I think I'm getting the idea now. Herm
Posted by: Herm [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 07, 2008 11:34AM IP/Host: 192.234.135.34
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 21
Posted by: Herm [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 04, 2008 05:33PM IP/Host: 71.218.124.230
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 21
Okay I've been using Larry's program. The two parks that I have been to so far haven't produced any deep coins yet, but I know they hold some. The few clad coins that I have found were down about 4-4 1/2 inches. The thing that has me stumped is when pinpointing the DC Phase has been reading in the -60 to -80 on these coins. So when hunting for deep coins does it matter what the DC Phase is saying. I always thought that the DC Phase reading would be closer to the VDI of the coin. Do I have something not set right or is this normal? Herm
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: labeachbum [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 07, 2008 08:45PM IP/Host: 71.83.188.220
Registered: 6 months ago
Posts: 83
That's very informative as my local park is Pull Tab Heaven with one gold ring in the middle . I will have to test The Dc phase out
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 04, 2008 06:19PM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.216
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 1,968
The DC Phase is not very accurate for deep coins, but still some what useful. For shallow coins, be sure to start your pinpoint off to the side away from your target and other targets too. Then bring the coil over your target and you should get a pretty good positive reading on the DC Phase. The DC Phase, I believe, is raw data from the 15 KHz channel. The deeper the target the less accurate the DC Phase will be, but you can tell if your target is iron by the DC staying deep in the negative numbers. If the DC Phase rises 20 to 30 points over the ground reading, I will dig. That indicates the target is probably a positive DC Phase and when averaged with the negative DC Phase of the ground, will make the DC rise some but usually not up into the positive range. The best use of DC Phase is telling gold from pull tabs. Gold will DC Phase 1 to 1 1/2 times the VDI and most whole tabs will DC Phase much higher, usually in the 50's to 60's for me.
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: coinnut [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 04, 2008 08:02PM IP/Host: 68.186.250.22
Registered: 1 year ago
Posts: 679
Ya, That's the way I understood it too. The DC phase is reading everything including the ground. If you were directly over the target your numbers would be higher than if you swept over mostly ground. It's kind of a combination reading. It will raise your numbers more into the positive range, but probably never give you the high numbers that we are used to from the display. Is this right??
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 05, 2008 09:08AM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.209
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 1,968
Yes, that is right. DC Phase is just another tool to help us decide if we should dig or not. I dig a lot of iffy targets just because I enjoy finding non-coin targets too. Iffy targets will sometimes result in a nice coin, but more often, it is junk or some other interesting item. The list is long of non-coin finds which include buttons, cuff and button studs, tokens, small toys, clock parts, watches......all kinds of things.
The biggest use of DC Phase for me is ID'ing pull tabs and pop tops from what might be something else. An example is if I get a VDI of 23, I will look at the DC Phase when pinpointing. If the DC Phase is in the 20's to 30's, I will dig. Sometimes it will be a partial pull tab, but sometimes it is not, resulting in a gold ring, button studs and in one case, a 108 diamond/gold bracelet. If the DC Phase reads in the 50's -60's it almost always is an aluminium object. ( house siding, tab, pop top, etc.)
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: coinnut [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 05, 2008 04:14PM IP/Host: 68.186.250.22
Registered: 1 year ago
Posts: 679
Nice to know. Are you doing very short swings, right over the target, for those numbers, or are you taking longer swings?
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 06, 2008 10:35AM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.209
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 1,968
You use DC Phase while pinpointing the target with VCO ON. You should not be swinging the coil at all.
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: coinnut [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 07, 2008 06:49AM IP/Host: 68.186.250.22
Registered: 1 year ago
Posts: 679
Got it. Thanks!!
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Herm [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 06, 2008 12:29PM IP/Host: 192.234.135.34
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 21
Hi Larry, so what DC Phase reading would you expect if you were Pinpointing on these items at a depth of a say 6-8 inches? And I realize that my ground will most likely be different than yours Larry. I'm just looking for a generality for what to look for once I possibly do stumble over a deep target.
1) Silver Dime -
2) Silver Quarter -
3) Indian Penny -
4) Thin gold ring with a VDI of 18-20 -
5) Mans gold ring with a VDI of 46-50 -
Thank you to every one that has interjected some of your knowledge on this topic, I really appreciated it. Herm
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 06, 2008 01:49PM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.209
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 1,968
I can't really say Herm. It would be easy for you to test it yourself. Dig a hole and drop your target in there and replace the plug. Pinpoint it and read your DC Phase. Of course, the readings will change somewhat every time because other items may be near, over or under your target when you are out hunting. Like I said, it is just another tool to help you, and not a fail safe or absolute technique.
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Herm [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 06, 2008 07:27PM IP/Host: 71.218.124.230
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 21
I understand everything that your saying Larry. And I realize that the numbers will vary from area to area. Just wondered what some for the DC Phase's might be for you in your area, or maybe I should say what DC Phase numbers would really get you excited. Herm
Re: Using DC Phase while pinpointing?
Posted by: Larry (IL) [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 07, 2008 11:21AM Moderator
IP/Host: 207.179.223.209
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 1,968
I dig just about all targets in the + range, so I don't pay a lot of attention to the DC Phase Herm. The two exceptions are when targets are in the +20 to +40 range. ( Pull Tab Heaven) I will look at the Phase to help me ID aluminium from from everything else. If the DC Phase is in the 50's to 60's, it is something aluminium. When the Phase is in the 20' to 30's I'll dig it.
The other time I use DC Phase is on deep targets. My DC reading for my soil is -93 and when I hear a deep "maybe", I'll check the phase. If the DC Phase on a deep target remains deep into the - numbers, it most likely is a rusty nail or some other iron object. If the Phase comes up 20 or 30 points, it could be something in the + range and worth digging. A lot of negative ground mixed with a small + object will average out still in the negative numbers, but higher than the ground Phase reading.
I hope this helps some.
Thanks a million Larry, I think I'm getting the idea now. Herm
Posted by: Herm [ Send a PM ]
Date: March 07, 2008 11:34AM IP/Host: 192.234.135.34
Registered: 3 years ago
Posts: 21