9
X. Click the MODE knob to the right.
The detector is now in the ALL-METAL Mode
QUICK-START
continued
GOLD PROSPECTING
continued
a. Keep GAIN set at the 12:00 position
b. Rotate the THRESHOLD knob
slowly from the far counterclockwise
position to the full clockwise position.
Notice these attributes of the THRESHOLD control, with no metal
over the searchcoil.
i. at low settings you will hear no sound
ii. at mid-scale, there will be a transition point from no sound to
a barely audible, choppy sound.
iii. at full scale you will hear a loud, constant tone. It may also have
an irregular or choppy sound, as a result of electromagnetic
interference emitted from other electrical devices.
Use with headphones
(not included)
The Gold Bug is equipped with both a 1/8” and 1/4” headphone jack. Any
headphones with a stereo plug will work; headphones with a mono plug will not
work. Using headphones extends battery life, and also prevents the sounds from
annoying bystanders. It also allows you to hear subtle changes in the sound more
clearly, particularly if searching in a noisy location. Gold nuggets are often very
small, so closely monitoring changes in sound using headphones will improve your
gold prospecting results. For safety reasons, do not use headphones near traffic
or where other dangers, like rattle snakes, are present. This device is to be used
with interconnecting cables/headphone cables shorter than three meters.
IX. Press-and-hold and hold the nickel over the searchcoil
a. Notice that motion is not required.
A motionless object induces a hum.
b. Notice the single monotone hum. The PINPOINT mode produces
only this single sound, regardless of the type of metal detected.
c. Move the nickel closer to and farther away from the searchcoil.
Notice the changing “depth” values.
28
Because most gold nuggets are tiny, and are usually found in soil which is
high in iron oxide minerals, serious gold prospecting requires a detector with
high sensitivity and true ground balanced All Metal operation. Run the
machine with the sensitivity high enough to hear some noise from ground
minerals, and
learn the language of the sounds you hear. Headphones are
recommended unless consideration for safety (for instance rattlesnakes) rules
them out. Move the searchcoil slowly and deliberately, carefully controlling its
height above the ground to minimize noise from iron minerals in the soil. If you
hear ground noise, your GND BAL setting could be a bit off, so perform the
ground balancing procedure again. As you walk even a very short distance,
ground conditions can change. The ground geology typically associated with
gold will tend to change over very short distances.
The Fe
3
O
4
bar graph indicates the amount of iron mineralization in the soil. In
most gold fields, especially alluvial (placer) deposits, gold tends to be
associated with iron minerals, especially magnetite
black sand. If you know
this to be the case in the area you're working, you can maximize your gold
recovery by concentrating your effort on areas where the bar graph indicates
higher amounts of iron mineralization.
Gold prospectors are mostly a friendly bunch, and willing to spend some time
showing a beginner how to increase his odds of finding the yellow stuff. Many
will invite you to search on their claims (if they have any) once they get to
know you. In some gold areas, a lot of the terrain is under claim, so you
need to learn how to recognize posted claims and stay off of them unless you
have the claim owner's permission. Prospecting clubs such as the Gold
Prospector Association of America (GPAA) often own claims which are open
to its members and sponsor group outings to good gold areas.
It’s a thrilling experience to dig into the ground and pull out a precious piece of
yellow metal that you are the first person on earth to see. If you love being
outdoors, have patience, and can stay motivated by the prospect of finding
that next nugget, then
beeping for gold may be the hobby for you. While only
a few get rich prospecting, if you are not among them, think of it as outdoor
recreation where your finds defray the expense of having fun!
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