People go detecting for a multitude of reasons. The feeling of not knowing
what treasure or gold might lay underneath the ground creates an adventure, "the
excitement of discovery". Going detecting is as much about experiencing the
outdoors and enjoying a relaxing, stress free walk, as it is about what you
find.
Some people look for an occasional hobby they can enjoy for a
casual afternoon or weekend, and others may be retirees planning a big
sightseeing trip and want a detector to take along on their travels. Most find
that metal detecting becomes a hobby that is enjoyed for the rest of their lives
and a few become so involved that detecting becomes their full time profession.
Metal detecting is a hobby enjoyed by all ages, suitable as an exciting
adventure that the whole family can take pleasure in at the beach, the park, a
picnic or a camping trip. You can do it yourself, with a mate or join a
detecting club and have the fun of making new friends.
To achieve the best performance from your metal detector, it is important to understand exactly how it works and why it 'beeps' when it comes across a metal target.
A metal detector consists of three basic parts: (a) the coil (b) a power supply and (c) the control box.
Inside the coil there are normally two sets of copper wire windings. As electrical current from the detector is passed through one of these windings, an electromagnetic field is created and sent into the ground. This is commonly called the transmit winding.
Metal objects conduct electricity and will therefore alter this electromagnetic field. Alteration to the field caused by the presence of a metal object is picked up by the second winding in the coil, known as the receive winding. This alteration is sent to the control box where it is interpreted as a metal object and an audible signal is given to alert the operator.
Some metal detectors have the ability to identify the type of metal object found and reject the unwanted objects, providing a signal on desirable targets only. This function is called discrimination, and is achieved by the detector testing a target for its conductivity level. Ferrous targets such as nails, wire, etc. have very low conductivity. By setting an appropriate level of discrimination you can separate good targets from junk.
In addition to metals, a detector may react to various minerals in the ground. These non-metallic substances are known as 'mineralised ground' and can cause the detector to produce false signals commonly referred to as 'ground noise'. To eliminate this ground noise in areas of mineralised ground like the gold fields, the detector will need to have a ground balance control that will tune out the ground effect.
The depth that the detector can detect is dependant on a number of factors, but a crucial determinant is how large the metal object is. The larger the size of the object, the greater the detector can normally detect it.
Are all detectors the same? The simple answer to this is NO. Metal detectors, like other specialised equipment, have various models with different features and levels of performance. Metal detectors can be used for a wide range of activities, and most detectors are designed to suit a specific type of detecting.
Detecting for coins, jewellery and relics is by far the most widely enjoyed form of metal detecting around the world.
After centuries of making metal items of value, every country has myriads of objects of great historical interest to be found. Valuable items such as coins, war relics, gold rings and jewellery have been lying hidden for many years, just out of sight but within easy reach of your Minelab metal detector.
Detectorists also enjoy finding more current coins, jewellery and other artefacts. Every old building, picnic area, beach or sporting arena is a prime detecting spot for lost items.
This is one of the most fascinating and fastest growing areas for metal detecting. Only in relatively recent years have waterproof detectors like the Minelab Excalibur allowed coin and jewellery hunters to get into the water. Until this time, detector operators were restricted to the land while as much treasure was also available in the shallow wading waters off the beach.
Metal detectors are now sophisticated enough to be operated in fresh and sea water up to depths of 200 feet, allowing divers to search from the shallow shoreline out into deeper water.
Metal detecting for gold nuggets is enjoyable and very rewarding in countries with known goldfields. New advancements in metal detecting technology now provide greater depth and improved recovery rates than ever before. Goldfields that produced good quantities of gold in the old days are now revived again with the metal detector's ability to 'see into the ground' and signal on a gold nugget lying below the surface.
In addition to the weekend fossicker, there are now a significant number of men and women who make a full-time living from gold prospecting and others who supplement their retirement by driving from goldfield to goldfield.
A question most new detectorist asks is "where do I go detecting?" There are countless areas in which you can search, and it is best if you do some research to find the best places. A little time spent in research can add to the success of your hobby enormously. It is easy and lots of fun. Research will guide you to the best gold fields or the most productive sites for treasure hunting.
Here is a list of some of the more productive places to search, but be sure you obtain permission before entering any private property:
Ideal sources for research are the local library or historical society, the state Department of Mines, newspaper archives, local town plans, etc. Don't forget to talk to the old identities in the area. They'll often tell you about the local swimming hole they used when they were a kid, the field that used to be a sports ground or perhaps a park that was used as a local market - these are all potential 'hot spots'.
Lastly, see if there is a detector club in your area. Join them and not only will you learn how to detect and where the good areas are, but you'll also make lots of friends that enjoy the same hobby as you.
The classic expression for most detecting is to go - "Slow & Low". This means that the speed that you sweep the coil across the ground should be slow, and the coil should pass across the ground in an even sweep that is as close to the ground as possible.
When detecting in goldfields, it is important to always be 'ground balanced'. This is where the detector has compensated for natural minerals in the ground. Detectors that have automatic tracking will maintain the ground balance setting as you detect. However, detectors with manual ground balance should be checked regularly and re-adjusted.
When researching for gold prospecting areas, try to find old records, original maps and surveys or geological reports. Don't limit yourself to the well-known goldfields, as small fields can often be quite productive for a detector even if it wasn't rich for the old-timer.
Always have permission. If you're gold prospecting, there will generally be a prospecting licence or 'Miners Right' that you'll need to buy. These are generally quite inexpensive and easy to obtain from your local dealer. If you're detecting on private property, you'll need to ask for permission as owning a detector does not provide the right to trespass. If you're detecting at sports grounds, city parks etc, permission can often be obtained from the local council.
When you find a spot that is giving you good results, slow down and detect thoroughly as there is sure to be more for the careful searcher.
Any trash and rubbish you dig up should be removed and disposed of in an environmental way. Removing it means that you won't detect it again the next time you're hunting that area.
Always take the time to make your detector comfortable. Adjust the shafts so it is well balanced and it will save you from getting tired by the end of the day.
Knowing how to pinpoint accurately means you spend less time recovering targets and more time finding targets.
When setting discrimination levels, keep them as low as possible. It's better to dig up the occasional piece of rubbish than miss a nice piece of jewellery.
Enjoy yourself...this is most important. Don't worry if you haven't found something straight away, keep enjoying yourself and the gold or treasure will come.
To learn more, contact your local detecting shop. They will be able to give
you good advice about the different detector models and which ones suit
different conditions.
Your local shop will know the area and be able to help
you with gaining local knowledge. If you deal with the same shop all the time
they will get to know you, building a friendship that will give you the kind of
excellent service you would expect. Remember, most people in the shops go out
detecting themselves so their advice is first hand.
The other great source of information is to contact other people who are already enjoying the hobby of metal detecting. The easiest way to do that is to join the local detecting club but also keep a look out for others detecting and go and introduce yourself. Caravan parks are often a great place to meet others who are enjoying metal detecting during their travels.