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[G343]Gold Prospecting Metal Detectors

by John Tasher, Joh

Since 1931, when the first portable metal detector was patented, the growth in the use of metal detectors has steadily increased. Metal detectors are every where. There are both industrial, commercial and personal use of metal detectors. When most people think of metal detectors they think of the guy on the beach with a set of head phones swinging back and forth a funny looking stick. People that use metal detectors to look for lost relics or treasure are known as treasure hunters, or relic hunters.

How do metal detectors work? What wondrous magic do they use to see through the ground and point us to what we are looking for. The principles behind metal detectors are fairly simple. The first metal detector was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1881. Although the principles a simple their use in the invention were ingenious especially for the time.

Metal detectors can be used to find all sorts of metal in anything but other metal. There are metal detectors designed for specific terrain; for instance under water. The reason for this will become apparent when we talk about how they actually work.
Metal detectors are designed to detect shifts in electromagnetism in metal. This is accomplished by transmitting a magnetic field through the target surface. As the magnetic field passes over an area metal objects in the area will become magnetically charged. These changes in electromagnetism are detected in by a receiver attached to the metal detector in very much the same way radar detects aircraft in the sky. Once a shift in the magnetic field is detected then a signal is sent to a speaker to notify the operator that a piece of metal has been detected.
With older metal detectors different types of metal could not be differentiated between. But, today’s metal detectors can determine the difference between different types of metal and signal to the operator which type it is. Higher metal detectors can actual be programmed to only search for a specific type of metal.

The magnetic field of a metal detector can be generated in many different ways. But, there are three specific ways that modern metal detectors generate this field. First would be via a pulse and if there is an echo of the pulse detected then you have found some treasure. The second way is through what is known as beat frequency. With beat frequency two oscillators are used to create different but close frequencies. When an audible beat is detected between them then metal has been found.

The third and final detective device uses measuring sine waves. When there is no metal in the area the sine waves are flat like a lake on a windless day. When there is a shift in the magnetic field indicating a change in magnetism the sine waves bounce to indicate that metal has been found.

Although some of this really sounds very scientific, it really is not very difficult to understand. The basic mechanics behind a metal detector is that it plays on metals ability to become magnetized and then measures those changes to determine where the metal is and what type of metal it is.

One of the most interesting things to do on vacation, if you are the outdoor type, is to prospect for gold. A great many people have thought about gold prospecting at one time or another and many more have taken up the hobby. Some have even made a few dollars along the way. Most will tell you that getting started was the hard part; the other was finding a good place to prospect.

Panning for gold has always been a favorite with many people, and is a great way to spend some time in the outdoors with friends and family. If you live in the Eastern part of the country it might be a little more difficult to find a good area to search than if you live out in the Western part. Although this may be true, there is still plenty of gold to be found in the Eastern part of our great United States. I will offer a few suggestions on gold panning a little later on in the article, but for now let's talk about another popular method of prospecting for gold; by using a metal detector. I personally prefer this method. The reason is because one can cover a much larger area with a metal detector. One of the drawbacks is that it takes a special type of detector if you are going to do the best job you can. Most any detector will work some of the time, especially if the gold is close to the surface. If this is the way you decide to go check with a reliable dealer before you buy. Regardless of how you decide to do your searching for gold, keep in mind it is a great way to spend a family vacation.

Gold today is seldom found in great amounts in any one spot. But that doesn't mean there is not a lot out there to be found. There are many good books at the Library on gold prospecting and areas to search. If you decide to start by gold panning, and by the way this is the best way if you are doing it as a family, every one can get involved in some way to make the day interesting.

First you will need a gold pan or maybe several if it's a family venture. Some will tell you any kind of pan will work if it has sloping sides, this may or may not be true but I for one have felt much better with a pan that was built for gold panning. And if you are searching for gold with the family they will feel like the gold prospectors of old with the right kind of pan.

Number two is to fill your pan with sand or gravel. Go to the bottom of the stream and bring up the sand and gravel paying attention not to spill the contents until you get next to the top of the stream then shake the pan in a side ways motion, as the water leaves the pan any gold will go to the bottom. After a couple minutes, pick out the larger rocks, if you think any look like gold do not throw them away until you have a chance to take a closer look. Add a circular motion as the sand and gravel remaining leaves the pan any gold will now be at the bottom. If you are fortunate enough to find any of that precious metal, place it in a small glass container and kept to show your friends, or keep adding your finds until you have enough to sell for profit.

A couple of small tips to keep in mind, one, do not use a teflon coated pan as the rocks will soon ruin it, and number two is if you begin to see a lot of fine black sand, keep searching closely as you are very likely in a great area to find some gold.

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Both John Tasher & Mike Eggert are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

John Tasher has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, About Web Hosting and Motorola Cell Phone. John Tasher writes on a wide variety of subjects. Looking for ,or. John Tasher's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.

Mike Eggert has sinced written about articles on various topics from Archery, Barbeque and Atkins. For more information on and gold in general, visit