Dig deeper?

[wolfmanjoe3]

I'm a newbie, so forgive me if my question is stupid...

Prior to my first day in the field I spent many hours reading the manual and several books I purchased - and I'm sure it will take some time to sink in. But I tried to learn everything I could from the literature - it was time to put it to the test.

I was out yesterday for the first time with my new DFX. I found a promising site in the desert (south of Tucson, AZ) with no structures - just the foundation of a building that appears to have been gone at least 20 years. There was broken glass, bottlecaps, and other metal trash visible on the surface. I knew it would be trashy, but gave it a try anyway.

Using the coin & jewelry setting I hit several coin readings and dug up my first pull tab (sorry, no picture...). Then I found a 1$ reading at about 11". Excited about finding my first coin, I carefully dug a HUGE hole in the sand (which was much harder than I expected). After every 4" or so, I ran the detector over the hole and across the sand I dug out to make sure I wasn't missing something. When I was down about 10", I still got the 1$ reading in the middle of the hole. But here was the disturbing part - even with the coil at the bottom of the hole, it said the coin was still 7" or 9" down! I dug another 2 hard inches (now down more than a foot) and the reading said 7" more. That would be about 19 inches from the original surface!

I was running out of time (had to get back to see the BCS game) and couldn't dig the next 7". My question - was I getting some sort of false reading or is it likely there is still a 1$ coin around the 19" level?

This spot is more than 2 hours from where I'm staying in Phoenix, but I'd be willing to go back if there is a good chance of finding old coins. Or should I not waste that much time driving around and find some local spots to learn how to use my new MD?

Thanks for your advice...
Joe

 

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[ronald99]

this is where a pinpointer could help out,i think when u kept sticking the coil in the botton of the hole u were getting a false depth reading,thats my opion an i may be wrong but its just a theory

 

[wolfmanjoe3]

Ronald - yeah, I have been planning to get a pinpointer after everything I have been reading. Unless I can find one in the Phoenix area today or tomorrow, I'll have to wait until I get back home.

The pinpointer would tell me whether there was something still in the hole, but not how deep. Once you start digging, is the depth info on the detector no longer valid? When swinging the detector over the hole, I still got the 1$ reading. Do the walls of a hole always cause false readings on the depth indication?

Joe

 

[bakergeol]

I have never used a DFX. However, the digital readings on most detectors are just guidelines for certain sized objects. Probably a large object giving you the $1 coin signal you are receiving.

By the way don't worry about stupid questions. Our job here is to give stupid answers.


George

 

[Ricardo_NY1]

I think this applies to most detectors..........if the "COIN" is not within 2-4" inches in depth of where it's supposed to be, it's probably not a coin, it's more than likely a larger object. I'd think a DFX is even more accurate than most detectors so I'd say that it is not a coin but a larger object. As an experiment, try laying a coin on the ground and rasing your coil while monitoring the depth readings. More than likely the depth bars will increase. I think trying this same thing over the hole you dug would not have caused much change in your depth readings. You might've lifted the coil 8 inches in the air and it would've probably still read 11" or close to it.

 

[silverswede]

Aww jeez Ricardo you've got to go back with a bigger shovel and dig that sucker up or you'll never know if it is a jar full of silver dollars or not. Get us a picture either way.

 

[silverswede]

Sorry I mean Wolfmanjoe I read the reply instead of the author.

 

[desecrator]

A few things... Being that you're in the desert, its probably OK, but in general, its not good to dig a hole big enough to put the whole coil into. That's leaving a bigger mark on the land than is probably necessary. A seperate pinpointer not only makes retrieval easier, but also limits your disruption of the ground.

That being said, it could be something good ( like a cache), and you don't want to stop just inches short of a possible treasure. The only other advice I'd give is to utilize the signagraph bars. Often, big chunks of deep, rusted iron will ring in the dollar (mid +90's) range. Check to see if you get bars only in the +90's (far right), or on the far left and far right at the same time. If you get both, its likely big iron junk. If, however, it consistantly reads dollar, the signal is consistant and unbroken AND there is a tight bar pattern ONLY in the +90's, I'd say it's worth digging.

 

[COII Roadrunner]

If ya need help Im in tucson....Just draw me a map....lol

 

[Jason in TN]

Probably a large object that deep. Could be a jar of coins or a big piece of scrap metal will never know unless you dig it up. The depth meter is only good for coin size objects.

 

[goldgemhunter]

Are there any groups in the Phoenix area who like to go out together on day trips? I've considered the Roadrunner Prospectors club, but not sure yet.

Kelly