ETRAC FREQUENCIES

[markg]

This is a quote from page 11, of Andy Sabich's book, The Minelab, Explorer & Etrac Handbook



"Unlike the BBS circuitry
which spaced each
frequency by 1.5 kHz, the
FBS circuitry could select
one of 11 possible "sets"
with each providing a
slightly different spacing
between the 28 frequencies
and the upper and lower
frequencies. The benefit
this provides was that
unlike detectors that use
one or two fixed
frequencies which can be
adversely affected by
varying ground conditions or outside interference, the Explorer could pick the optimal set of
frequencies to best handle the precise conditions present at the hunt site. This is done automatically
in less than 30 seconds through the use of the NOISE CANCEL touchpad on the control housing face
(or manually through the NOISE option accessible through the menu system).


This statement is better than I thought. My thinking was that you have a constant 28 frequencies being used all the time, but his writings state the machine actually adjust the spacing of the 28 frequencies according to the noise cancel setting chosen. So the actual frequencies will change with each channel chosen by the noise cancel feature.

 

[moonshine]

so which channel is best for coinshooting? does it matter?

 

[Yeasty]

The consensus on another forum (THOSE WHO OWN MINELABS) is that the lower channels (2 or 4) are the best for coins. Since higher conductive metals such as silver or copper will respond better at lower frequencies I tend to agree with them. This is assuming that there is no EMI at that end of the spectrum.

 

[silvereagle]

GOOD STUFF!

 

[Southwind]

I guess my question would be IF the FBS uses 28 frequencies, why does it not pick up low conductors as well as other detectors that have a fixed high frequency?

I mean you'd think with a range of 1.5 KHZ to 100 KHZ that it should be better than any other standard detector for gold.

I think the above thought process is flawed. Just my opinion based on my experience.

 

[Ray-Mo.]

I find the most stable/quiet channel to be the best for most sites.....

 

[Yeasty]

I guess my question would be IF the FBS uses 28 frequencies, why does it not pick up low conductors as well as other detectors that have a fixed high frequency?

I mean you'd think with a range of 1.5 KHZ to 100 KHZ that it should be better than any other standard detector for gold.

I think the above thought process is flawed. Just my opinion based on my experience.

I suspect that it was an engineering management decision by Minelab. It was probably more cost effective to optimize the FBS technology to where it is now. More likely they realized that most hobbyists are interested in the silver-copper range of targets. If you want the best Minelab has for finding gold you have to go to the GPX series detectors.

 

[GimmieThe Loot]

My silver has been found in channel 10.

 

[greedykind]

I dont use noise cancel because i am scared i will vodoo my luck.I know this is probably a silly question but can you choose what channel to hunt with?

 

[Yeasty]

You can select which channel to use from the EXPERT menu or let the machine find the quietest channel when you press the NOISE CANCEL button.

 

[Goes4ever]

The ONLY time I even do noise cancel is when I get to a site and my etrac is running real chattery, other than that, I quit doing it. I don't remember the last time I even did a noise cancel..lol. Doesn't seem to be affecting my finds

 

[Larry (IL)]

Minelab only claims to transmit those frequencies as almost all detectors do anyway, (primaries and harmonics). It is believed by some that Explores and E-Trac process two of those frequencies with variations of frequency offset of those two in various combinations to find the quietest pair of the eleven options. It also stands to reason the frequencies processed are fairly low on the VHF scale due to it's sensitivity to higher conductors, maybe 1.5 to 4 KHz and it also makes sense that if they were much higher, lets say 15 to 40 KHz they would be especially hot on small link gold and flakes but way off base on silver and copper.

Whatever the frequency selection is, Minelab likes to keep it a secret and that is fine. We all know how well they work for deep silver and coppers...

 

[sugar]

I guess my question would be IF the FBS uses 28 frequencies, why does it not pick up low conductors as well as other detectors that have a fixed high frequency?

I mean you'd think with a range of 1.5 KHZ to 100 KHZ that it should be better than any other standard detector for gold.

I think the above thought process is flawed. Just my opinion based on my experience.

I suspect that it was an engineering management decision by Minelab. It was probably more cost effective to optimize the FBS technology to where it is now. More likely they realized that most hobbyists are interested in the silver-copper range of targets. If you want the best Minelab has for finding gold you have to go to the GPX series detectors.[/quot

interesting that you recommend the gpx range i have been looking at the 5000 but havent seen alot about it do you know anyone that uses this machine??????????

 

[Southwind]

Without a doubt Larry. Whatever the E-Trac does, it does very well on those deep old coins.

 

[1goldsniper]

Saw your ? about the 5000's.
Gerry McCmullen in Boise is one of the most knowledgeable on the minelab gold machines. He has trained for a number of years any who have interest in gold detectors and does a great job. gerry1det@cableone.net
Arizona outback is another web site where mainly all who are on the web site are gold prospectors or hobbiests who run minelabs.
Chris Gholson is the founder of AZO and is very up on all minelab machines.
Gerry sells and trains. He also has used detectors.

 

[sharpshooter]

It also stands to reason the frequencies processed are fairly low on the VHF scale due to it's sensitivity to higher conductors, maybe 1.5 to 4 KHz .......

Don't you mean "VLF" scale?

 

[Larry (IL)]

So right you are...... my bad.

 

[ryanchappell]

It is the best coin and mid to large jewelry machine made. It sells because it locks in on silver at 9-12 inches in mild to medium mineralized soil, like no other machine does. It can tell that there is a good target separated from several bad targets, by mere inches. The 2D VDI readings leave less doubt than any other machine.

The drawbacks are that it misses the thinner gold pendants, earrings, and chains, and it only helps marginially if you live in the worst mineralized areas. The depth increase I see in my terrible soil is about what you would expect moving to a DD coil, but the see through ability is what makes me keep the E-Trac.

I do not see why the FBS machines can't be switched to an optimal channel for small gold, even if it turns off all the frequencies but one in the 14-20khz range? Maybe they are working on this for the E-Trac2. It would be nice to have the frequencies manually tweekable like the V3i.

 

[rarysgaard]

I'm not sure why some think that the etrac is not sensitive to gold or other machines are hotter for gold. Based upon what?

 

[Larry (IL)]

For many of us, it is first hand experience. I haven't heard anyone say that it is not sensitive to gold, it lacks sensitivity in SMALL gold. I have found many small link chains and bracelets with other machines with operating frequencies of 15 and 22.5 kHz that clearly sees and ID's them that my E-Trac and SE Pro were blind to in AM. I have also tested gold pickers and nuggets that were also not seen but hit hard on other machines. For larger gold items such as rings, even small ones, larger link chains and pendents, no problem.