deep dimes showing iron signals?

[amcjavelin]

the last time i had a gamma 6000 i had planted a dime of about 8" but the tid would show "40" iron and would lock on is this normal for the teknetics machines to this? its not a big deal but was currious

 

[Monte]

the last time i had a gamma 6000 i had planted a dime of about 8" but the tid would show "40" iron and would lock on is this normal for the teknetics machines to this?

There are a couple of questions here, and most likely they are also the answers. The Gamma is a very good detector with a lot of features and potential. So, related just to the detector, were you using the stock 8" concentric search coil? Did you use the default settings or did you select a different Audio Tone ID, a different Discriminate setting, and did you properly set the Ground Balance?

Are you referring to a US minted dime? If so, a modern clad type or older silver?

Did you measure the depth in the ground, from the ground surface, and was the dime placed flat in the bottom of the hole?

We need to remember that the measured distance of a naturally recovered target, or the measured depth of a planted sample target, should be measured from the search coil to the target and not necessarily just the actual in-ground depth. This way we know the actual target detection or response 'depth' from the search coil.

For best performance a coin-shaped object will provide the best detection and read-out if it is positioned flat' to the coil and not canted.

The biggest challenge here, however, is that if the dime was freshly planted, or even just recently planted, overall detection and responsiveness will not usually be as accurate as it might be if the target is a long-buried sample. Time, in position, would allow ample time for the disturbed ground to settle and form an proper compaction about the target. Also enough moisture and exposure to time for the disturbed ground to settle into a similar make-up like the adjacent ground.

The next concern here is that a deep target is not easily detectable. If it is detected with a 'beep,' it still might not have ample signal strength to produce an accurate visual Target ID. This is true of many detectors, or most, actually. Too often you will not get the most accurate Target ID, such as Iron, or a VDI read-out, such as '40', as you stated for a response on a dime. A detector will only convey the likely target data based upon the mix of ground signal and target signal it is dealing with. A smaller-size coin, buried at a 'deep' detection depth, and in disturbed ground, is usually going to produce an improper TID and VDI.

Therefore, I'll say Yes, your description sounds quite probable on a buried sample dime target at about 8". Not just for a Teknetics, but for any detector.

its not a big deal but was currious

The fact that it's not a big deal is good to hear because this tells us that you understand that some conditions, such as dealing with disturbed ground and a deep, small target, needs to be investigated, even if the TID and VDI are not 'proper.'

Monte

 

[sekypaleo]

The deepest target I ever found/dug with my Omega was a 58 Cal. minie at 9"...it read solid 99. But the signal was not a 99 iron wrap around , it was a soft faint 99...a definite dig signal. I think with these machines (Delta,Gamma, Omega) when the target is at the very fringe of being detected ..99 is what you will see. I have heard that the Fisher F75 will do the same thing at its extreme depth of detection. It's normal.

 

[capt.]

My question is this... Was the ground you planted in cleared of all potentially masking targets? I think ithas a lot to do with the type of ground also. I have dug wheat pennies at a measured 7 1/2 inches that gave a clear TID, but last night I dug a 68 memorial at 6 inches that bounced around all over. The occasional repeating high tone prompted me to dig. It acted different than the high tone you sometimes get coming off a piece of iron. I can tell you this, when you get a "feel" for the detector after using it for awhile it will become more obvious. I love the capabilities of my Gamma.

 

[Elton]

Salt over spray from the roads. First two weeks of detecting till it rains good can turn up some really weird signals. We have to hunt pretty far back from streets and roads for awhile.. The saturated ground makes your detector go nuts.

 

[amcjavelin]

no this was in my own back yard loamy soil, it was a clad dime, i really don't remeber the setting, i know the feo meter was reading in medium to low range and was runnnig 2 tone i want to say if i remember right i think the sens was right around a 79 or so but yeah it a good machine i'm getting a 5" DD coil for it now got a friend of mine that goingto line up bunch of cellar holes to hunt

 

[Ken in Georgia]

Something in the set up may have been a miss, My son dug a merc dime at 8 inches and he heard this loud and clear Georgia red, or iron city for masking.