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Etrac deep signals

S

stevew

New member
Hi my name is Steve Im having some big Time challenges finding deep signals I havesome awesome places to hunt I know there are several coins there that would be banner finds I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong I'm going slow enough and my coil flat to the ground overlapping half of previous swing I have a great program and I can hear well. I just would like some in depth feed back and I do have good headphones. So if you help me out I would really appreciate it I know it's all operator not the ETRAC.

Thanks steve
 
Don't worry about numbers. Put it in quickmask, block about from FE27 and higher and dig everything else that signals.
 
hey steve --

Just to elaborate on what Jason said...

He told you "don't worry about numbers," and "block FE27 and higher and dig everything else..."

He is saying that because on Minelab FBS machines, there is a noted tendency for the FE numbers to begin creeping higher on deeper targets, especially in iron-mineralized soil. Instead of that 3-5" quarter reading 12-46, it might start displaying a bouncy, higher-trending FE number -- up into the teens...or sometimes even into the low to possibly mid 20s (meanwhile, thoguh, your CO number will remain in a tighter range, generally say 44-47). Some newer users of FBS units interpret that "bouncy" FE number as being indicative of junk -- but often, it's NOT. If it's a consistent signal from all directions, hits solid, has a good CO number, but is bouncy/high on the FE numbers, and shows as being beyond 6-7" on the depth meter, DIG IT!

One other thing I like to do (on my Explorer -- but you can do the same on the E-Trac) is run my gain down some...this way, I start to get separation (volume-wise) between the shallow/large targets, and the deep/small ones. I like to run my gain so that coin-sized targets beyond about 7" sound quieter/softer than the shallower ones. That way, when I hear that nice, warbling, repeatable, but quieter/softer sound, I KNOW it's a deep target. At that point, I check the screen; I'm looking for a CO number in the general range of the targets I'm hunting -- but not really caring much at ALL what the FE number may be, as it bounces around in the teens (or low 20s).

Hope this helps...

Steve
 
sgoss66 explained the reason very well. I would just like to add that when you get to the edges of detection, even the CO numbers become unstable. I have dug silver dimes, on edge, from 8-9 inches that bounced all over the right half of the screen.

When you commit yourself to digging to higher FE numbers and bouncy CO numbers, you WILL dig more trash. You will also dig some very deep coins that everyone else walks away from.
 
Great comments on the bouncy Fe numbers and crosshairs moving all over. I also like to run the sound so it is just a bit softer on deeper targets, but you have to be careful with that in trashier spots of course.

The one thing I have found coupled with that on deeper coins is a good flutey sound. Often trash items (with any detector) breaks up the sound, quite easy to hear.
 
sgoss66 said:
hey steve --

Just to elaborate on what Jason said...

He told you "don't worry about numbers," and "block FE27 and higher and dig everything else..."

He is saying that because on Minelab FBS machines, there is a noted tendency for the FE numbers to begin creeping higher on deeper targets, especially in iron-mineralized soil. Instead of that 3-5" quarter reading 12-46, it might start displaying a bouncy, higher-trending FE number -- up into the teens...or sometimes even into the low to possibly mid 20s (meanwhile, thoguh, your CO number will remain in a tighter range, generally say 44-47). Some newer users of FBS units interpret that "bouncy" FE number as being indicative of junk -- but often, it's NOT. If it's a consistent signal from all directions, hits solid, has a good CO number, but is bouncy/high on the FE numbers, and shows as being beyond 6-7" on the depth meter, DIG IT!

One other thing I like to do (on my Explorer -- but you can do the same on the E-Trac) is run my gain down some...this way, I start to get separation (volume-wise) between the shallow/large targets, and the deep/small ones. I like to run my gain so that coin-sized targets beyond about 7" sound quieter/softer than the shallower ones. That way, when I hear that nice, warbling, repeatable, but quieter/softer sound, I KNOW it's a deep target. At that point, I check the screen; I'm looking for a CO number in the general range of the targets I'm hunting -- but not really caring much at ALL what the FE number may be, as it bounces around in the teens (or low 20s).

Hope this helps...

Steve
Click to expand...

Great post Steve!! :thumbup:
 
Steve, I'm going to assume you've got a coin garden, being a sponser and detector salesman.

One thing I will tell you is sweep speed is very important on deep signals. If you're running in Auto +3 and you sweep too slow, you won't get much, if any response on an 8" deep coin. Now in manual you can crawl like a turtle and hear it sound out.

I almost always use Auto+3 and with a descent 2 second one way swing, pennies at the 11" range sound out real loud and clear. Give it a shot anyway.

NebTrac
 
Steve.....

I started hunting in Aug 2011.... so I am kinda new....

I got a Minelab XTerra 705, and listened and learned from the people on here, as a total rookie

3-4 months later I upgraded to an ETrac...

I went from a Mustang GT to a Ferrari...

I took some adive from a few member on her who have ETRacs and upper end machines...

I took the ETrac out of the box, put it together, and took it out in 'coin mode' to take over the world...

I was shortly discouraged and quickly became overwealmed at the options and setting...

I asked around and chatted with ETrac members and came up with my own solution to my $1549 investment...LOL

I went back to the basics...

I put the ETrac on my diningroom table, turned it on, put my laptop beside it, and booted up the online manual...

I went thru the manual and the detector...TWICE!....

yeah...I couldn't remember what 'recovery deep' meant and ran thru it all...

I also air tested a TON of sstuff, just to learn the sounds....

I ran thru them to see the numbers they came up...new coins, old coins, junk, relics, gold silver, etc....

Is airtesting the cure all?... ABSOLUTELY NOT! .... but it helps you hear the tomes, learn them, and sample the reaction time of the items tested...

Then I hit the stock MODE programs......

then I downloaded a few.. including Andy Sabich's coin and park program....

wow!.... they do great!

and just kept learning and finding stuff!


that's it....
 
interesting tidbit from page 74 of the instruction manual:

"Regardless of the ground setting, the stability of the target ID (and in particular the FE numbers) is negatively affected if the sensitivity is set too high."

I have never played around with that in the field, but i do normally run in manual 24, up to 26 if I move into areas with low trash/target densities.
 
Great questions Steve. I have found that you can't always pull DEEP coins out of every site. It really depends on the ground conditions and amount of trash. Are you running manual or auto sens? When you're talking about a good site are you able to hear a solid threshold aside from when the detector is over a piece of trash? If so what sens were you running at? Nearly all of my deep coins have been found when I can hear a solid threshold and my sens is running in the higher numbers (20+).

On the contrary I have burried a wheat at 6" before and was unable to get any signal from it due to the ground conditions and amount of trash present. I dug a measured 9 1/2" worn merc dime last week but it was not with the stock pro coil. I was using a 12x13" coil, the ground was clean, and I was able to run my manual sens at 28 with very little chatter. Out of 60+ silver coins dug with the stock coil this year my deepest dime was about 7-8". I've found that the stock coil will go deeper on copper and I've dug several 8-9" wheats at that range.

A super deep coin will typically produce a much shorter and more wobly (not sure how else to explain this) signal than a shallow one although it will still be consistant and repeatable. For my pattern I usually run my FE at 26-27 and if I get a consistant signal I dig it regardless of the FE reading. Deep coins tend to jump up into the higher FE numbers sometimes even in the 30's especially if it's on edge. But... Never go off the initial FE reading and pass it up if you see a high number. If you heard a signal then there had to be at least one lower FE reading in there somewhere. Instead sweep your coil over the signal multiple times in all directions and keep a tally in your mind of what the FE numbers are. If the overall average is in the high 30's it's likely iron. If the overall average is in the lower numbers it's probably a coin. I've dug many deep coins while getting a consistant FE number in the lower 20's. It seems like the number 22 signal for me is a sure sign that there is a coin amongst some iron and about 90% of the time out pops a coin. Another thing to remember when looking for deep coins is your Gain setting. Make sure you have it cranked to around 28-30 so the super deep signals will sound loud and clear. Hope this helps.

RC
 
RCDetector said,"Make sure you have it (Gain) cranked to around 28-30 so the super deep signals will sound loud and clear." Personally I like to be able to hear the difference in
depth by the strength of the audio response from the object. I really need to check into those 20 numbers. Here's a question...i.e. you get a repeatable 23-45 but you switch to quick-mask and it goes 33-45. Is that likely to mean it's iron? At least that's what I would think. I've got maybe 100 hours on the Etrac and of course am still learning but I have dug old deep nails 99% of the time with these Fe numbers. On the few bouncy jumpy/higher Fe numbers that have turne dout to be coins, I find there is a glimpse of a coin number will flash by like 12-14 Fe hand high 30-40 Co. The thing that's tough is that old deep nails are many times tough to pinpoint and are much more plentiful than old deep coins.
 
RetiredVeteranTH said:
RCDetector said,"Make sure you have it (Gain) cranked to around 28-30 so the super deep signals will sound loud and clear." Personally I like to be able to hear the difference in
depth by the strength of the audio response from the object. I really need to check into those 20 numbers. Here's a question...i.e. you get a repeatable 23-45 but you switch to quick-mask and it goes 33-45. Is that likely to mean it's iron? At least that's what I would think. I've got maybe 100 hours on the Etrac and of course am still learning but I have dug old deep nails 99% of the time with these Fe numbers. On the few bouncy jumpy/higher Fe numbers that have turne dout to be coins, I find there is a glimpse of a coin number will flash by like 12-14 Fe hand high 30-40 Co. The thing that's tough is that old deep nails are many times tough to pinpoint and are much more plentiful than old deep coins.
Click to expand...

From my experience if a target is truly repeatable in the Andy S pattern it means that the target is hitting FE numbers between 1-26 the majority of the time, otherwise you wouldn't receive a smooth audio signal,. If a target is reading 33-35 FE in quickmask it is almost always iron from what I've seen. But honestly I hunt mostly by the audio signal so a lot of the time I don't even pay attention to numbers. I do know that I find a LOT of really deep old coins reading in the higher FE numbers like upper 20's but still giving a repeatable audio signal in andy s. Pass the coil over the target several times and keep a mental note of what the numbers are telling you the majority of the time. Also look for lower FE numbers on super deep coins. A lot of times I'll get a 01 FE, then 04 FE, then 08 FE... on super deep coins. When you open quickmask and still get those numbers you've probably got a really deep coin. Really the only junk iron that gets me are deep bent nails for some reason. And an occasional rusty old staple =)
 
Your soil is key.....if you have a lot of minerals/rocks etc......its very difficult to get any depth to any major degree. My auto sens can vary from tops of about 21 to a low of about 7. You can try a larger coil but not guarantee on that.

Good luck to you!
 
Don't worry about numbers. Put it in quickmask, block about from FE27 and higher and dig everything else that signals.
Click to expand...

Quickmask? Guess I better read my book. I have heard the term but am unfamiliar with what it is or does.

LittleJohn
 
RCDetector said:
Great questions Steve. I have found that you can't always pull DEEP coins out of every site. It really depends on the ground conditions and amount of trash.quote)

Seriously, I would love for you to come to Oregon and pull out some deep coins....it happens but not on a consistent basis. Minerals, clay, iron and rocks really cut down on your depth. If you've got some answers for that....I would love to hear em.

(Quote)On the contrary I have buried a wheat at 6" before and was unable to get any signal from it due to the ground conditions and amount of trash present(quote)

Also maybe that the coin hasn't had time to get "seasoned" in the ground or "aura"?.
Click to expand...
 
LittleJohn said:
Don't worry about numbers. Put it in quickmask, block about from FE27 and higher and dig everything else that signals.
Click to expand...

Quickmask? Guess I better read my book. I have heard the term but am unfamiliar with what it is or does.

LittleJohn
Click to expand...

It masks out things that you dont want to find. A very valuable too along with the smartfind screen. Can save you a lot of digging.
 
Steve,

What number do you run your gain usually... 24? 20? 16? I like having deep targets sound fainter too. I was told by a dealer to raise my gain (I had it at 16 & was told I'd be missing some targets at that low gain setting).
Thanks!
MickTwin
 
LittleJohn said:
Don't worry about numbers. Put it in quickmask, block about from FE27 and higher and dig everything else that signals.
Click to expand...

Quickmask? Guess I better read my book. I have heard the term but am unfamiliar with what it is or does.

LittleJohn
Click to expand...

Quick mask is the button to the right of pinpoint. It basically switches the unit to "all metal mode" so there is no discrimination. I use it all the time to help determine if a target is iron or not.
 
JamesBondaka said:
RCDetector said:
Great questions Steve. I have found that you can't always pull DEEP coins out of every site. It really depends on the ground conditions and amount of trash.quote)

Seriously, I would love for you to come to Oregon and pull out some deep coins....it happens but not on a consistent basis. Minerals, clay, iron and rocks really cut down on your depth. If you've got some answers for that....I would love to hear em.

(Quote)On the contrary I have buried a wheat at 6" before and was unable to get any signal from it due to the ground conditions and amount of trash present(quote)

Also maybe that the coin hasn't had time to get "seasoned" in the ground or "aura"?.
Click to expand...

Maybe pulse induction and a pick axe will help :clapping: ? It's not always possible to pull deep coins but I think the best thing is find out what your greatest advantage could be and go after it. Other detectorists have to deal with the same conditions so if you can figure out how to overcome them you'll have an advantage over others. Here in Missouri we have a variety of ground conditions but for the most part they're pretty good. Today I was at a site that I couldn't get a threshold at all but then again a lot of sites I can run 28-30 sensitivity all day long with a solid threshold.
Click to expand...
 
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