Hi All,
Just another update on the thread, well today we had 4 seasons in one. After the thunderstorms passed over and the rain subsided - I thought to head out for a swing, wasnt going to go out today. But it gets the better of me, why waste time when I have the option to go out.
Well I packed all the gear, drinks, everything needed as usual - well almost everything.
The area that I went back to was pretty much the same area where I found my very first piece of gold, roughly 100 meters further down the area. This location is pretty much workings on a slight hill area, not a gully. So the workings are mostly shallow varying from 1 foot to 4 foot in depth. Obviously the 4 feet is extreme for the detector but I guess the miners would go a bit further while they are digging as they get varying depth of the clays or hard base.
Well after picking a spot which was further across the other side, not even getting one target to dig For about 1 1/2 hours, I went over a fair amount of ground pretty consistently. The reason I went to this side, was because I had found only 1 piece before but the grounds may have given more with the Elite and GPX Combo.
I ventured back to the opposite side where I have found some gold over the years, the odd piece here and there. But there was a section which I know I hadnt swung in before.
So I get back to the opposite side, damn flies annoying the crap out of me, dug out 2 birdshot. And thats all for the couple of hours out, after another half an hour or so I was walking into an area which has a more concentrated line of workings. And what do you know the headphones just dropped out, the volume was like someone slowly turning it off.
Thought the lead had maybe came out slightly - unplugged and plugged back in - nothing.
Turned off detector and back on - and I could hear that slight hum when you first initialize the GPX 4500 - so I get the pick and wave it over the coil. And I can hear the softest noise of target response. Unplug the headphones, plug back in - still nothing.
Well I hadnt taken a spare set or even the speaker out with me. What to do - throw the Minelab Koss UR30 in the bin - this set had issues - first the plug had stuffed up and I had to re-solder the wires, now the volume has dropped out on me. My original pair lasted for years - this pair not even 12 months.
Decision time, well I had no other choice than to head home and get the speaker. I very rarely use the speaker. Maybe once in 15 years, so the choice was made to use this, was different to what I am use to. I like the controlled central noise rather than inferior outside noise mixed with the detector. Anyway what happens next Im not complaining
On arrival to pick up the speaker at roughly 6:30pm - my brother also wanted to see what I was up to - he asked if I was heading out. He had not long finished work. And we were off - back to this area.
Suited up and off we go, as we walked down the track and to the general area, I went right to the same area which I was just at before the headphones died. He went left. There were maybe 100 meters between us
Well I fired the machine up and adjusted the volume, these speakers are nuts on the volume. I reckon it was that loud you could hear it 1 km away. Well off I was and within 10 or so minutes. Wow how things had suddenly changed, we always talk about events leading up and events after in our wonderful hobby. These events I will never forget.
When I got this target out - I signaled my brother to come over, he said hold on I will just get this target out and come down. On arrival I was filming this with the camera, just to capture his reaction. I left the target in the scoop and said wave it over the coil. Haha well @#$% me he goes, and gave it a sprinkle and more words were said as you can imagine. It was great to capture this on film. Maybe I should video more of my finds.
1. As you can see here - the depth of the hole is pretty well up there, the signal response was noticeable - much like a faint ground noise sound, after scraping away a few inches the sound was increasing but not super solid. I was wondering about the speaker at this point. Balanced away and the noise still there. I was also wondering could it be ground noise in this one spot as we have that happen many times.
2. Target out and on the coil - this thing just fell out and went thud and screamed when it hit.
Well when my brother came over - I actually put it back in the scoop to surprise him - just to capture the complete response on film. When he arrived I said wave the scoop over the coil. Well the response was pretty funny and when he shaked the scoop, and this thing was just bouncing from side to side - thats when the curse words came out - haha
And after this he goes well - you better come and take pictures of the target I just got out as well, he said he left the hole not filled back in just to get the images. And he plonked his gold in my hand - wow this thing came from a great depth with the GP3500 and 11" Elite
3. And here it is guys - so we both hit the area and within 10 minutes our first targets were both Gold.
After this we took in the moment and talked for a few minutes - and back into it. Lets see what more we can find.
4. My next target was only meters away from the previous gold find, check this one out - nice nugget size wise it beats the previous.
If only it was yellow - would have been 1 1/2 Oz nugget.
Anyway - so that was our efforts for a very short time after getting back out there. Its amazing just how things happen.
5. Here is the gold cleaned up and looks excellent. Nice little inclusions inside, a little Iron and a Little Quartz just to make it slightly more appealing.
Super happy with that one, and also the depth of both machines are running great. The Elite punch and sensitivity is truly remarkable
The bigger weighs in at 7.86 Grams
Hope you enjoy the images and the days adventure
Regards M.G
