Help!

[shep10]

Thanks in advance folks-

About a month ago I decided to take up this AWESOME hobby. I bought a V3 hoping I wouldn't outgrow it for a while (looks like I was right). So far, I'm really good at finding normal "clad" coins between 0-5 inches. Although I'm finding coins with great frequency, my best finds are only a 1945 wheat penny and a 1965 dime. Everything else is from the 1970s through today. I'm in Central NY and there's nothing but history here. I'm confident with the places I'm going because I've spent a lot of time researching and walking (in the woods with mosquitoes).

So far, coin shooting is what is coming naturally and where I'm most accurate interpreting all the information. Again though, only betweeen 0-5 inches. My plan is to stick with coins before I go after relics, Blackbeard's treasure chests, and whatever else is on the back of the Delcaration of Independence.

I'd like to learn how to go deeper than 5 inches, and could someone please explain what RX and TX and boosting and gaining does? It sounds like I'm filling a prescription. Of course if I'm heading in the wrong direction you should stop me now. Thanks again all.

 

[ak_1234]

Rx = receive, Tx = transmit. Rx Gain is how much the input signal is amplified so that the signal processing has some data to work with. Tx boost amplifies the transmit signal to put a little more umpf to get just that much deeper in the dirt.

From Carl-NC
I use TX boost in 2 situations:

1) Mild ground where I can generally run the RX gain up to 15, AND where there are very few targets. That is, a hunted out area where I really want to punch deeper.

2) Where RF noise is limiting the RX gain I can run. In this case, TX boost can be switched on and I should be able to maintain the same RX gain as when it is off.

- Carl

From Jimmy Sierra:
Words from Jimmy Sierra on V3 from another forum

I have been testing the V3 since the first prototype and was one of the advocates for NOT introducing it with wimpy presets, which I feel many new units are released with. Mainly because they want them to work everywhere. I always felt the DFX was one of those which could have benefited by a bit higher gain levels. I found so many users never got past preset programs.

But to get to the point. I feel the V3 has really been released at levels of gain a bit over the edge for noisy areas. But I agree with someone on this thread, that it is better to be over the edge and be forced to lower some settings, than be stuck with wimpy settings and not know about getting more performance. This unit is not meant for the novice and really takes some understanding of detector operation to appreciate.

First off, I have mentioned this a number of times, The first line of defense for EMI and other interference is the Preamp Gain...now designated as RX Gain. This is really basically an audio gain of the receive signal. Yes it does make the receive signal louder and of course the ground noise and interference louder as well. Quoting Mark Rowan who designed the DFX and XLT...it doesnt necessarily make the detector more sensitive or go deeper. Yes, it makes the signal louder and if you are hard of hearing or at the edge of an audible signal, you can hear it better. But the idea of cranking up the RX (Preamp gain) as high as possible is not smart. It is not necessary. In this instance, the factory presets in some of the factory programs are over the edge. Thus first impressions can be formed which are unfair, concluding that the detector is actually too susceptable to interference.

The best practice is to use the Rx gain to accomodate interference and then to utilize the AC Sens (Disc Sens) to optimize depth. I am not advocating necessarily running RX gain way low. On the DFX the factory was p reset at 2 and I always used it at 3 NEVER AT 4 . Even with my bad hearing that was not needed. The setting you choose for the V3 will depend on your hearing and the amount of interference.

Now for real depth, the important setting is the AC or DC ( Disc or All metal) sensitivity settings. These settings according to Mark are what makes the detector more Sensitive to deeper and smaller targets. If background noise is too loud, you will never hear the deeper and smaller targets. Again, you cannot run the AC beyond where it is stable either. Too much Sensitivity will also cause noise and obscure targets and destroy the benefits of a higher level of Sens.

Confidence in using these controls is a big part of the game. If you THINK you need to run the RX full bore to get any depth, you are bound to give up to a "noisy" detector and sell it on EBay. The V3 has more potential than any unit I have seen in recent years.

I have been using Whites units for almost 40 years and there have been some good ones and some I did not care for. Someone in this thread mentioned that the detector has to become part of your body. I said those exact words in an article years ago. When you forget that you are swinging a detector and it does feel like part of you, you will really get the best out of any unit.

One last thing for Rick.....I just tested a piece of coke I brought home from UK and ran the V3 over it.....with trigger forward (analyze) the signal looked like nothing I ever saw. It appeared to be a wad of barbed wire. Good audio, but I will never dig another piece of coke. By the way, I am going to ask the managementy at Whites about why the V3 should be so expensive in UK. ...I will check this out myself.

One more thing. Most of the programs on the V use 10 HZ High pass filters I found that in moderate soil the 5HZ Band gave much better depth.

 

[robertk]

Keep at it, shep10. I just got started a few months ago myself, and found nothing but clad and trash for a while. But I'm slowly learning to find older and deeper stuff (including a couple of buffalo nickels, a silver spoon from 1913, and some camp lead from the civil war). The biggest keys for me have been patience and practice. Your V is probably already going deeper than 5 inches -- mine has recovered pennies at 8 inches in the stock coin and jewelry program, including one that was standing on edge. In addition to the advice from ak_1234, experiment with your swing speed. Also be aware of the ground moisture -- dry packed ground is harder for the detector (and your shovel) to punch through. If you're only getting shallow targets, you might try hunting the same area again after it rains.

 

[shep10]

Carl/Robert-

Thanks for your time, advice, and patience! I'll hit the testing grounds this weekend using your advice as input.

RobertK- That's all I'm asking for.....couple of nickels, spoon, maybe a musketball or two.