Introduction

[vudulou]

Hello All...

My name is Lou and I'm brand new to the board...I'm sitting here in Iraq and counting the days 'til I come home. I live in central Arkansas and can normally be found at Greers Ferry Lake any time of year...up until I came to Iraq (gov't contract, not in the Service) I was a police diver for almost 10 years...I've also been diving since '85. I'm getting ready to order an underwater metal detector and am currently looking over the different makes and models...anywho, once I return in August, I'll be going into the semi-retirement mode and plan to spend as much time as possible in the water and adding the metal detector and spearfishing to my underwater activities...I enjoy reading this forum and look forward to posting here more often when I get home and join your ranks as hunters...

Cheers,

Lou

 

[Bling]

n/t

 

[aushunter]

Welcome Lou,
Good to hear that you are interested in our wonderful and exiting hobby we indulge in so much.
Hope to hear and see some interesting finds from you posted on the forum in the future.
Cheers and HH
Aushunter

 

[Gulf Hunter]

You will more than likely have MUCH area to hunt, especially using scuba. Many choices for diving, but since you're hunting fresh water Tigershark #1, followed by Excal II 800 and 3rd CZ21-8, just a humble scallywags opinion though, do as you will. Do you plan to hunt salt too, as this will affect your choices there? Best of luck in this very important decision. IF you do not have a dealer in mind, I got one fer ye too and he is a Findmall Sponsor.

 

[JOHNMARKHAM]

GOOD LUCK
return safe and soon...
im useing a minlab excall 11 and as a newbie myself, im having a ball with it,plenty of guys here on this site that can give you lots of info,
but ive found just reading and then going out and getting plenty of swing time has workrd for me best, i found my first gold ring this past weekend
with mine ive found lots of coins and silver rings and chains and lots of caps and tabs, but my ratio is getting allot better..
im thinking of getting a secound excal next month for a back up and with a smaller coil size to play with...
hope this helps
thank you for your service

 

[Magicman]

Lou, great job.... PM me with your retirement date, I will give you some pointers - I retired 2006 with 24 yrs. I have been detecting a lot now.

 

[Chi Town Bruce]

n/t

 

[tvr]

Welcome! I second Gulf Hunter's recommendations.
tvr

 

[vudulou]

Thanks, Folks,

Actually I've been looking at those detectors mentioned by Gulf Hunter and John...I'll be reading some more and submitting my bid to the 'Minister of Finance". I have a German wife and that's how things roll. I can't wait to get home as normally this time of year the 'dive fever' is pretty bad. Since most of the water I see here is on pallets, it pretty intense this year. I dive year round and have an assortment of wet suits and a dry suit w/ full face for when its really cold. I'll be diving primarily fresh water with the detector, my salt water trips are limited to 2-3 times a year dive trips to do some wreck diving off North Carolina. The interesting thing about Greer's Ferry Lake is that it is man made and the dedication of the dam there was JFK's last public appearance before going to Dallas. There were several communities there before the area was flooded in 1963. We dive several of the sights and spend a lot of time looking for others...no ghost towns but the remains of several structures, bridges etc. Three years ago while diving for the local historical society we found the pump house (built in 1918 ) that brought the fresh water from the Little Red River to the town of Heber Springs...The structure was intact to include the panes of glass in the windows...depth (at the time) was 135'. All we've done is map/ measure the area...no pillaging or souvenir hunting. But its quite the adventure. Once a year our group is part of the annual cleanup and we "pick up the trash no one sees". The winter is spent building new sites or looking for them to take the next year's students. There are 5 marinas at the lake and several public beaches and boat ramps...I know most of the folks that dive there and haven't seen anyone with a detector, but that doesn't mean someone is not out there searching. I have a cabin a short distance from the lake (I can't afford water front property but I can see the lake from my front porch)...my wife said she got the idea to buy the cabin so she could see me on the weekends. I have a vacation coming in June where I plan to test whichever detector I buy...I'll keep you posted...

Cheers,

Lou

 

[Lou from downunder]

Welcome aboard Lou,

man, what sort of visibility are you getting at 135' of water in a lake?
You mentioned spearing, where do you do that? In the lakes? Cause thats a big no no round these parts!

Lou.

 

[vudulou]

Hey Lou... The vis at 135' is usually pretty good except you will need a light, we call it the "Cold, Dark and Lonely", the temp at that depth is about 46F year round...also, here all you need to spearfish (scuba) is a regular fishing license and observe the normal size and daily limits for whatever species you're hunting.

On another note, just received authorization from the Minister of Finance to get which ever detector I want...so, I'm looking and will have some questions for you guys later...

Cheers,

Lou

 

[vudulou]

My Excaliber II 8" is in!!! I've also got 2 65cf tanks ordered...too bad I'm in Iraq, but I've got 37 days and a wakeup til I get home on vacation!!! I plan to we in the water most of the time....I need to dive!!!