info on metal detectors

[Luke]

The new year dawns with yet another hair brained scheme. If anyone out there in electron land has any info on metal detecors fire away. I don't need anything too fancy, the problem is I don't know what is even considered fancy.

I plan to wander the local woods and fields looking for civil war remains. Any old coins, jewelry and or bodies would be gravy. Mostly just gettinjg off my lazy ass and exersizing will probably be the best treasure I will find.

[American Patriot]

I've used them. I'm actually considering buying one to go on my boat in the future too

There are a few kinds. The cheap ones and the better, more expensive ones. I haven't researched this stuff in a few years though, so I can't give you much information anymore.

I can tell you how they work though... basically they are a radio system with an antenna. The coil acts as an antenna. Normally there is a radio device - actually an oscillator which generates a signal and along in concert with the antennas transmits a signal.

A second oscillator normally is used to "beat" with the first - basically a beat frequency oscillator.

When you "null" the device - tune the two signals to the SAME frequency. When a lump of metal interferes with the radio signal you get a whistling sound as the matched frequencies are untuned.

(this is also the exact principle used to pick up morse code)

Modern devices have meters which show signal strength and might be "calibrated" by "metal type", and you might see lights that indicate a 'hit" and various other things.

The more expensive, the more bells and whistles. And the harder they are to figure out. lol

A SIMPLE metal detector is much cheaper and will find many kinds of metals a few inches below the surface. More expensive models have more powerful signals and can penetrate much deeper down.

That's best I can tell you from personal (and OLD) experience. I have not messed with a metal detector now in probably 25 years.

[American Patriot]

Thats the third time I tried to post that message this morning.

[American Patriot]

What he wants to do, I am certain, is do some "treasure hunting". It's a hobby in the US where people walking along beaches or they visit areas where there used to be houses or other population and search for coins, keys, rings and the like.

So bigger isn't necessarily better. He's looking for things that might be made of gold or silver as opposed to massive copper wires. lol

[American Patriot]

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=554036

He's probably looking along the lines of something like this.

[American Patriot]

Old battle fields.

Be careful there, you might dig up a live bomb. LOL

[Luke]

Exactly in the price range I am looking to buy. There were a lot of smaller raids in this area back in civil war days. One story that has persisted since I was a little sapling was that of a a Union pay train robbed by Gen Shelby's raiders. It was supposedly buried along with a cache of Union rifles. My great Aunt Vania used to tell my Dad that under one foot was gold, the other silver. In the 60"s Dad was hired to excavate several area's in the county looking for the cache. It was never found. It may not even be true, like I said exersize may be the true prize.

[American Patriot]

Sounds like a lot of fun Luke. You will have to keep us posted on how this goes. Pictures are good!

[Ryan Ruck]

Indeed, keep us posted!

Also, I think as owner of this fine site, a modest 25% finders fee on any valuable items isn't out of the question.

[American Patriot]

Indeed, keep us posted!

Also, I think as owner of this fine site, a modest 25% finders fee on any valuable items isn't out of the question.

LOL

Good one Ryan... And "Send us your hot models" was a good one too.

/snicker

No Mercenary behavior there at ALL.

[Ryan Ruck]

What can I say, I am a rather sophisticated person - women and money!

[American Patriot]

What can I say, I am a rather sophisticated person - women and money!

heheheheheheha you are cracking me up man.