Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A Little About Metal Detector Frequency

What do you know about frequency? This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood aspects of metal detecting.. one that newcomers tend to ignore altogether since they don't understand the basic theory behind VLF and VHF. What's the difference? Read this informative article by Candy Lindsey.... 

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Metal detector frequency is measured in kilo hertz (kHz). Kilo is a unit prefix in the metric system denoting multiplication of the unit by one thousand. One kilogram equals 1000 grams. Relating to metal detectors, a metal detector that has a 6 kHz frequency will transmit and receive 6,000 times per second. A metal detector with a frequency of 25.5 kHz will transmit and receive 25,500 times per second and so on.

Very low frequency (VLF), also known as induction balance, is probably the most popular detector technology in use today. The lower a metal detector's frequency, the deeper it can read, however, sensitivity to small items is reduced. The higher the frequency the more shallow it reads and it is more sensitive.

The consensus is that a low frequency detector is more sensitive to silver and copper, can detect items deeper and is better at rejecting the 'trash' metal. If you want to hunt for coins, and relics the low frequency detector is the best for that. Lower frequencies have a longer wavelength that's further apart making them more receptive to higher energy targets. Lower frequencies tend to do better in mineralized ground, but are not as sensitive to small targets. If your detector is a general purpose detector it probably operates at a lower frequency.

Higher frequencies have a shorter wavelength that is closer together. Higher frequency detectors are more sensitive to small metals and natural gold. However, they have difficulties with discriminating against ferrous (of iron) and nonferrous (not of iron) metals. Their sensitivity to small metals makes them tedious to use around trashy areas. Most gold prospecting detectors operate at higher frequencies.

If you're hunting for natural gold and small metals you would use a higher frequency detector. The problem is you will also pick up nonferrous metals like iron. It is best to stay away from trashy areas with these.

Going out and working with your metal detector and playing with the different frequencies will help you understand and be better able to determine what and how your particular metal detector's frequency detects what it does. There is a lot more you will be playing around with, testing, trying and tweaking as you go along. That's how you get to know your detector.

Keep plugging away and you will know your detector like your best friend. Detector frequency is only a small part of the equation. Have fun and Happy Treasure Hunting!
  
By Candy L Lindsey
 Find Your Treasure Now!

We offer a variety of products and accessories for metal detecting, as well as other outdoor sporting activities. We are planning on adding other items for camping extending your outdoor fun. We promise we will work hard to form and maintain a long, happy connection with you, our customer. Our objective is to make your shopping experience as simple, informative and cool as possible, and to find everything you need for your adventure. We resolve to combine honesty and value in all our communications with outstanding service before, during, and after the sale.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Little-About-Metal-Detector-Frequency&id=7108936 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Develop Your Metal Detecting Skills


Regardless of whether you're new to metal detecting or an experienced veteran, you'll enjoy Timothy's take on the basics and essentials. Seek out experienced detectors like Timothy when you're trying to learn the
' how-to's '....


Develop Your Metal Detecting SkillsBy Timothy A Overhulser

Evolving from Metal Detecting Enthusiast to Metal Detecting Specialist ...

There's no issue with your eagerness for metal detecting but there's some doubt about your metal detecting abilities. If you want to transform your enthusiasm into something more productive, apparent, and concrete such as acquiring real honest-to-goodness finds. Here are some important tips for bringing your detecting abilities to the next stage:

Treasure Hunting Technique
In order to prevent losing depth, always keep in mind that your metal detector coil should remain low and level to the ground. Don't neglect to use headphones, no matter how proficient your hearing is. Take your time sweeping the ground. if you're after worthwhile finds rather than bettering the record of who found something the quickest, sweep the ground slowly and with meticulous care. Make multiple sweeps over the same area to assure that you missed nothing. And last of all, take the time to read your metal detector's user manual at least twice!

Your Other Hunting Equipment
Always have extra batteries and a charger with you. Make sure that your charger has the required connectors so you can use it in the car during urgent situations. Never forget to take a flashlight with you. Before heading out, make sure that the flashlight is in good operating condition.
Have you ever dreamt Publishers Clearing House came to your door one bright and early morning? Or maybe you bought a lottery ticket, feeling the hopefulness of being sent a large check every week for the rest of your life.

Talk to friends and find out where their favorite swimming holes are on local creeks. What about their favorite fishing spots? Any place where people have congregated along a creek is likely a good treasure hunting spot.

Where can you find hidden treasure? Almost anywhere!

Comfort and Safety
Either have a backpack with you or wear a shirt or pants that have a lot of pockets. This will not only make your tools and equipment easier to get to, but it will also enable you to pocket small finds promptly in order to resume searching right away. Wear knee pads to protect yourself from sore knees or even injury. Always have insect repellent with you so you enjoy nonstop metal detecting. Don't forget to have plenty of drinking water handy so you can hydrate yourself at regular intervals.

With detecting, older is always better. Any land rich in history is surely rich with metal detecting finds as well. The question is where are these areas.

Make all the research materials you can think of available to you such as the Internet and the library in order to look up old maps.

Make friends with old-timers in your area because they can almost certainly point you to a location or two that can't be found on any of the local maps you've come across, including old parks and businesses.
At this point you are merely a detector enthusiast, but with a bit of experience and luck, you will most definitely be on your way to becoming a prosperous treasure hunting professional.

From this we can see that whether it's a hobby or job it entails hunting for precious metals, gems etc. So we can assume that any job or hobby involving hunting for such items has an element of 'Treasure Hunting' involved in it.

I hope you find this information useful and that you retrieve more treasure because of it. As I know it has boosted the number of good targets that I have been able to recover considerably.

Metal detecting, be it relic or treasure hunting, is captivating whether as work or a hobby. There are many ideal locations where you can hunt to enjoy using your metal detector. It might be on a beach, near a gold prospecting site, or in an area that has many old relics and artifacts in it. Wherever you may go just remember that it is the thrill of the hunt that matters most! HAPPY HUNTING.

Having over 46 years of in the field experience Tim Overhulser has been there since Garrett Metal Detectors was in it's infancy. Stop by our Shop or just browse our site including our BLOG And please tell us about your adventures.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?Develop-Your-Metal-Detecting-Skills&id=7061887

Friday, March 16, 2012

Boost Your Health With Metal Detecting

Sylvan Newby writes about the health benefits of metal detecting. I can tell you from personal experience that detecting can be a good workout if you go about it with the proper attitude and outlook. Although not what I would call 'strenuous', it definitely gets you out, up, down, over, and around the neighborhood... 


Metal detecting is not the esoteric hobby most people assumed it is to be. Metal detecting, at times, can be lucrative and practical. Precious metals abound - someone just needs to find it.

But it is not all about wealth and treasures when it comes to finding treasures and using metal detectors. A lot can also be said about the health benefits of metal detecting. True, a lot of those precious metals - if you strike it big - can pay off your health insurance, but even without finding a single coin, this hobby or recreational activity can boost and protect your health.

· Metal detecting takes you outdoors.

The best places for detecting are beaches, parks, campgrounds, or farmlands. The point is, you are outdoors and breathing fresh air.

· It allows you to soak up some sun.

The sun gives you Vitamin D which prevents bone disease and degeneration. It keeps bones from becoming brittle and frail. Sun exposure also stimulates your body to release feel-good hormones, making you less prone to anxiety attacks and depression.

· It encourages you to walk.

Because it involves several hours of walking, hiking, and climbing. Detecting is a good cardio and aerobic exercise which strengthens your respiratory system and heart.

· It keeps you fit and toned.

All that walking and swinging your equipment around contribute to a fitter and toner physique. Walking keeps your leg muscles toned while your detecting implement functions as a weight when you carry it around. It can keep your arms toned - just remember to switch hands periodically to avoid strain.

· Detecting keeps stress at bay.

Some people do yoga for stress relief because it gives them time to think and meditate while exercising. Metal detecting does the same. The quiet and peace metal detecting provides is great for relieving stress.

There is more to this activity than just finding lost treasures. Keep this in mind when picking out a new metal detector and deciding what site to explore. If you intend to pursue metal detecting as a hobby and a form of exercise, you may want to use a high quality metal detector for more success.
If you want to really get in shape, pack yourself a healthy lunch before you leave home. The exercise of bending down to dig up your treasure will do you a world of good and then when you take your lunch break and eat a healthy meal, your doctor should be very happy with you in a couple of months.

Metal detecting can be a profitable as well as healthy form of exercise.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvan_Newby

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Hidden Treasure in Virginia - Eight Places to Search


Virginia is a wonderful location to hunt hidden treasure. Not only is there a wide array of currency to be found, but civil war relics abound. Knowing where to hunt is the key. Frank Pandozzi selects eight locations you can both research and detect to maximize your chances of finding hidden treasure...

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You cannot locate hidden treasure in Virginia, if you have no idea where to begin your search. You need to research your treasure lead beyond just a story or a comment. You need to be like a detective solving a crime. If you follow my advice, and practice what I have been doing for thirty-five years, then you to can locate lost treasure.

Locating any treasure is the same as working like a detective. You need to read, talk to people, and ask questions. The best places to search for information regarding hidden treasure are historical societies, old newspapers, the archives in Washington, and to some degree the Internet. Read everything you can regarding the treasure you want to search for. The more information you have at your fingertips, the better chance you will have of locating one.

Talk to people who may know something about that treasure. Ask them questions and take notes. Then follow up on any lead. Be like a detective tracking down information.

You need to remember that stories about hidden treasures change over the years. Every time the story is told, it changes a little. People telling the story have a tendency to over exaggerate or to forget certain information, that is why it is so important to do as much research as you can. A good treasure hunter spends mote time doing the research than actually searching for the treasure.

It's a good idea to have a metal detector when searching for hidden treasure. Of course if you are searching inside homes or buildings you do not need a detector. You don't need anything expensive. You can purchase a reliable detector for between $300 and $400. Just read the owners manual, practice using the detector, and you will become proficient enough to search for any lost treasure.

Here are eight places that have been rumored to hold hidden treasure in Virginia.

Boswell's Tavern - located on the South Anna River in Boswell. In the 1750's the Boswell Tavern was constructed. During the Civil War a few battles were fought here, and during the Revolutionary War, a supposed treasure was buried on the property.

Carter's Grove Plantation - located on route 60, approximately six miles southeast of Williamsburg. There have been rumors that during the Civil War several treasures were buried on the property.

Portsmouth - during the Revolutionary War several ships containing cargo and treasures wrecked, and their storehouse of goods were tossed into the area behind Portsmouth.

The Abraham Smith Treasure - somewhere in the Poor Valley, Abraham Smith, a wealthy plantation owner, during the Civil War, buried approximately $60,000 in gold coins. Apparently he buried the treasure in an abandoned, old saltpeter mine, between Allison's Gap and Saltville.

Mount Rogers - during the Civil War, a Confederate major buried $350,000 that was stolen by his men.

Roanoke - located on route 81. A 1948 historical report stated that during the Civil War, Roanoke residents buried or hid more than one million dollars in both large and small caches. In the 1970's a treasure hunter located a cache of silver coins and plates worth $20,000 in a local park.

The McIntosh Farm Treasure - located about a mile south of Forest, on county route 811. A Civil War, Confederate General, with the help of slaves, hid more than $4 million in gold coins and bullion on the McIntosh Farm. There are two rumors about this treasure. One states that the treasure was thrown into the well, the other states that the cache was buried near the barn. The slaves were shot and killed to keep the treasure a mystery.

The Beale Treasure - one of the most famous treasure stories is the Beale Treasure. The story states that iron chests, containing almost three thousand pounds of gold, five thousand pounds of silver, and $13,000 in gems and jewelry, was hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Montvale.
It is important that you always ask for permission when entering private property. If you are going on to State or Federal Land, in search for lost treasure, be sure to check with your State laws about any digging.
Good luck in your search for hidden treasure.

© Frank W. Pandozzi
Frank W. Pandozzi is an author, and the host and Producer of Exploring History's Treasures TV series. He is also a popular treasure hunter. He began his treasure hunting days thirty-five years ago. To learn more about Frank, you can visit him at his website http://www.metal-detecting-ghost-towns-of-the-east.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Pandozzi

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

How to Find Gold With Your Metal Detector

Here's a nice article by Michael Doyle, sharing his tips for hunting gold. No one can say metal detecting isn't a very popular hobby right now. It seems the worse the economy, the greater the number of detectorists hunting silver and gold. Finding gold, be it raw or in the form of jewelry, is very doable, and not as difficult as you might imagine...
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With the price of gold being at an all-time high, now is a great time to search for gold nuggets with your metal detector.

Metal detecting has greatly changed how we search for gold which means no more hoes and pick-axes. With that, it's brought a slew of hobbyists out creating a bit of competition for you and me. While it does take a bit of patience and persistence to find gold, you also need to know a few things before partaking in the find. Metal detecting for gold can be a complex adventure that requires more than just luck.

So before heading out to search for gold, it's best to figure out if the search is ideal for you. What I mean is, how much do you love metal detecting? If you just have a casual liking of metal detecting, you might be better off picking a different hobby. If you're a die-hard metal detector hobbyist, you'll have a greater chance of being successful.

Using the Right Metal Detector - There are so many to choose from and they all vary in what they're capable of. Your best bet is to get a metal detector that's specific to picking up signals for metals. There are 2 types to choose from:

VLF - The first choice to pick from employs VLF or Very Low Frequency technology which is specifically made to sense smaller pieces of gold.

PI - Your second option is PI or Pulse Indication technology. This type of metal detector is better at picking up signals of larger pieces of gold.

You'll have a better chance of finding gold pieces with either of these two types of metal detectors.
Metal Detecting Tips for Gold

1. I'm a huge fan of reading manuals. After you get your metal detector, you should read the manual that comes with it before you go out on your first gold hunt. Metal detecting for gold is a bit trickier than other hunts so learning the functions of your metal detector makes it easier for you in the long run.

2. Make sure to set your detector's frequency to the specific concentrations of the metals in the ground. Keep in mind that setting the frequency to a higher level will make it easier to pick up signals for smaller pieces of gold but it will also pick up signals for other minerals. Setting the frequency to a lower level makes it less sensitive to finding smaller pieces of gold but is better for dealing with iron in the ground.

3. Do some research at your local library to get an idea of the history of gold in your area.

4. When you find even the smallest piece of gold, you know you've hit a great location. Where there's one piece, there will be others.

5. Get the best headphones. Using the best pair of headphones will help you in getting the smallest differentiation of sound which gives you a better chance of finding gold.

6. Join a Metal Detecting Club. Joining a club of other metal detector enthusiasts will help you in getting expert advice on how to find gold. It also makes metal detecting more fun and you can meet some really great people.

Finding gold with your metal detector isn't hard but does take a little knowledge and patience. There's is no better time than now to find that gold and put a lot of extra cash in your pocket!

Michael Doyle is the owner of Metal Detecting Master and has been a metal detector enthusiast for several years now. If you'd like more great tips on finds metal detecting visit my site at: http://www.metaldetectingmaster.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Metal Detecting Meteorites

Can you metal detect meteorites? John Wright says 'definitely', and then offers some good advice to get you started. I can tell you this... meteorite is more valuable than gold. I have seen pieces of meteorite valued at up to a million dollars. And unlike gold, there are some REALLY big pieces out there, some in excess of one hundred pounds or more. Although rare, they exists, and are on display in museums and resellers around the world.
 
One interesting source is 'Meteorite Men' on the Discovery Channel. If you haven't watched, two partners explore the known meteorite fields of the world with detectors hopeing to discover small pieces of meteorites worth some big bucks. You can also watch as they take their finds to buyers and cash in on their efforts.  Read on....
 
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People often asked me the question: 'Can I find meteorites with my metal detector?' The quick answer is yes you can but it is a bit more complicated than that. It all depends on the composition of the meteorite.
 
There are basically three types of meteorites, Stone meteorites, Iron meteorites and Stone-Iron meteorites. The composition of a meteorite varies from almost only silica (stone) to almost only nickel-iron. The good news is that all meteorites contain some metal and can be detected, some very easily and others with more difficulty.
 
How do you distinguish a meteorite from an ordinary stone?

Meteorites contain iron so look for rocks with a smooth surface and a red-brown color that suggest rust. Meteorites are also a lot heavier because of the metal content than other terrestrial rocks in the vicinity. Another point is that almost all meteorites are magnetic. Look for rocks that are out of place or just looks odd in the area you are hunting in. Another very important indicator is "thumbprints" which is just indentations and depressions in the rock. These thumbprints are created as less dense material in the meteorite is burned away when it enters the earth's atmosphere. To be absolutely sure about the find you can test the rock for nickel as meteorites have a very high nickel content. An off the shelf nickel allergy test can be used to test for the presence of nickel in the rock.

Where do I hunt for meteorites?

You can look for the footprint of an impact also known as "Strewn Fields", most of the known ones have been searched but you never know. Deserts are also one of the best places to look for meteorites, meteorites will not weather and erode away as fast and there is no ground cover or vegetation which makes it a lot easier. Craters are a dead giveaway but are also well known and may be restricted. One can also do some online research with Google by searching the "Meteorite Database" which is full of great information on all classified finds in the world.

Are meteorites valuable?

Apart from the fact that they are cosmic treasures and have traveled billions of kilometers to reach the earth, to hold one is to look back into the past to the beginning of time. Meteorites are rarer than gold and often more valuable per weight. Some meteorites are even more valuable than diamonds. No wonder meteorite hunting is so popular these days with metal detectors.

I hope this answers some of your questions and happy metal detecting meteorites.
John Wright is a metal detecting expert. For more information on metal detecting meteorites, visit http://www.metaldetectingcenter.com.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Metal Detecting for Gold

Here's a very good article by Greg Strayhorn on metal detecting for gold. With the current astronomical gold prices, hunting for gold has seen a tremendous resurgence. A feature on the local news this week detailed two local gentlemen who are panning a local creek here in upstate South Carolina. They are finding gold, and had the vials of gold to prove it. Detecting for gold requires a different mindset and technique from detecting for coins. Read on to see how one veteran detectorist does it... 

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There are basically three kinds of metal detecting for gold: nugget hunting, metal detecting for gold rings, and detecting for gold coins. There are many different types and levels of metal detectors, so it is difficult to know which metal detector would be the best metal detector for you if you are hunting for gold.

For eons mineralized quartz arteries and unexposed ore bodies have been shedding pure gold for nugget hunters to find. The best spots for nugget hunting are the desert areas in Midwestern states like Arizona and California. Although many gold nuggets have been uncovered, geologists agree that 95% of the gold in our western states has yet to be found. Most of this gold is in the form of nuggets that are in reach of a good gold metal detector.

Remember that gold prospectors during the gold rush did not have a metal detector and could not see the gold. Therefore, many of these nugget rich spots have been left un-molested. For this type of hunting for gold the best metal detectors would have the correct frequency for gold detection. Metal detectors that operate at higher frequencies are good for detecting gold nuggets. This is difficult because most detectors operate at a low frequency to be able to ignore iron and to go deeper in the ground.

A good solution to this problem is the Treasure Hunter XJ9-3050 with its dual frequency technology. The problem is that gold has the same magnetic field as iron so many gold detectors will also get a lot of false signals. Pulse induction metal detectors are great for nugget hunting as they have a special technology and operate at extremely low frequencies and can find gold nuggets deep in the ground. The Minelab GPX-4500 is a favorite among gold nugget hunters but these are also not great at tuning out trash items. You should always consider a gold nugget find as a good indicator that there are more nuggets in the area. Gold nuggets are very rarely found by themselves. The best all around metal detector for gold nugget hunting is probably the Treasure Hunter XJ9-3050.

Hunting for gold rings is another type of gold hunting. Gold rings are different than gold nuggets because they are often alloyed with other types of metal. They are usually close to the surface and sometimes cannot be tuned out or selected for with a notch filter even with the best metal detector. By far the best place to look for gold rings is at the beach. Particularly in the shallows of a dropping tide at a popular resort location. The reason is because many vacationers do not realize that the colder water can make their fingers shrink and unsuspectingly lose their highly valuable ring jewelry.

Also, the shallow water is the most recent area that was occupied by vacationers. Miami's south beach is notorious for one of the most lucrative metal detecting spots on the planet and many of the local metal detectorists are very secretive and territorial about their spots. Because you will find many other types of jewelry besides gold, it is best to have an all purpose type of metal detector for ring and jewelry hunting. A great metal detector for beach hunting is the fully waterproof Treasure Hunter Poseiden detector.

It really helps to have a metal detector that can work well in the water fully submersed as well as being very capable in dry sand. Of-course dry sand metal detecting in popular resort areas is also highly recoverable detecting. Another great detector for these conditions is the Garrett GTP 1350 or the Treasure Hunter 3019. Both detectors have many different modes for different target selection or rejection and can detect small targets at large depths. Don't forget your sand scoop when detecting at the beach!

Metal detecting for gold coins is an entirely different animal and different strategies must be applied. This type of find is the most rare and valuable among treasure hunters. The best areas to find gold coins would be shipwrecks. The best and most valuable type of find and the fantasy of every treasure hunter is to find a new shipwreck with gold bullion coins and similar gold treasure. This type of find is extremely rare, but there are undiscovered shipwrecks with treasure to be found. The best place to look is along the shipping routes in the Caribbean where tons of treasure was taken from the Americas to Europe and of-course there is the notorious Pirate booty to be found.

For these spots you would need one of the more highly advanced underwater metal detectors like the Treasure Hunter Poseidon underwater metal detector. Also, rare gold coins have been found washed up at all the beaches of the East Coast, and indicates that there is much more treasure hidden out there. Overall the best metal detector for gold hunting would probably be the Treasure Hunter XJ9-3050 because of the dual frequency allows it to detect gold at great depths. Just remember that treasure is where you find it and you must be out there hunting it with your metal detector to find it!

Metal Detector Town is a website for all things metal detectors. Whether you are metal detecting for gold nuggets, rings, or coins, we have the best metal detector to suit your needs.
http://www.metal-detector-town.com/index.php