Metal and Mineral TR detectors

Models that were made in the past were called metal/mineral TR detectors, and they responded to changes in the amplitude of the receiver signal. These kind of detectors were able to tell the difference between a ferrous and nonferrous object, the only problem is that they did not have enough depth in mineralized ground and this is usually where gold is found.

Certain IB instruments can be adjusted so that they neutralize the effects of mineralization in the ground and this allows them to detect metal objects that are buried very deeply that could not be found if you had the BFO or metal/mineral TR. These types of detectors worked in the 3 to 30 khz very low frequency or the VLF range. Almost all of them have a discrimination set up or mode that will automatically ignore certain items you are not interested in finding such as foil, pull tabs, caps etc. This type of discrimination mode is often times called the TR.

Very Low Frequency (VLF) metal detectors can be found with a great number of features to them. There is automatic ground balance; audio and visual target identification, target depth meters, discrimination while balancing the ground and more. There are other models that have a computer that can be programmed to only accept the items or objects the prospector is interested in finding.

 In most cases, the instruments that are able to work in the 4 khz range have the ability of doing a great job when it comes to depth in ground that is very mineralized and they are very sensitive to silver and copper, however they are not as sensitive to gold. Metal detectors that are specially designed for electronic prospecting usually work in the 20 khz to the 50 khz range. These metal detectors have the ability of finding very teensy gold nuggets; but they might not be able to get to great depth in grounds that are very heavily mineralized. Uncontrolled discrimination is not something a prospector would be interested in as it has a tendency of discarding the smaller sized nuggets.

Metal detectors can be used by moving the search coil back and forth over the ground you are working on. The balance of the ground is adjusted to cancel the effects of mineralization over and in this way whenever the coil goes over a metal object that is buried or over a hot rock, an audio tone can be heard. (For those not aware, hot rocks are very mineralized rocks that give some metal detectors a positive response). If you are going to be doing electronic prospecting or nugget hunting, your metal detector should be on all metal mode since you want to make sure you do not miss anything or leave any gold behind. Smaller sized nuggets might be rejected when the detectors has a low level of discrimination. The detector will not only pick up gold but also tin cans, scrap iron, nails, bullets etc. It will also be able to detect any jewelry or coins that may have been dropped on the ground. The great thing about this type of hobby or job is that you can find some really interesting stuff.

Something else that metal detectors when it comes to hunting for gold is in finding streaks of black sand. Black sand is normally a bit metallic and it will cause the detector to react. Metal detectors are more useful in areas where the water or wind tends to blow or throw white sand over black sand making it more difficult to locate.

There are a couple other things that you should consider investing on and that are a good idea to carry with you. One such item is a radio transistor, as they are not only used for having fun with. Remember that if you are prospecting through the desert the weather can change very rapidly from one moment to the next and the rain can literally pour over you in a matter of a few minutes. This is why it is probably a good idea to have a transistor radio turned on while you work so you can leave the area before you get flooded.

Another thing you should consider getting and that is very cheap is a short-range walkie-talkie or a C.B. transceiver. If you are the type of person that likes to take your family out prospecting on the mountain side, it would be very exasperating if one member were to find gold and were not able to tell everyone else. Another thing these items are good for are in case of emergency in case someone has an accident and cannot move and needs to call for help.