When is the best time and weather conditions to detect to avoid EMI. Is a clear day better than overcast? Is early morning and late afternoon better than the middle of day. Is winter better than summer. For WA Goldfields.
What is the best time to detect
- Thread starter wick p
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I thought the only EMI sources that upset detectors were man made sources - phones, radars, power lines, buried cables etc.
I think most of these sources would not change too much during the day.
I've only got a Vanquish 540 and only have problems with buried comms cables and what I think is radar similar near a couple of yacht clubs.
I understand PI detectors may be much more sensitive.
What other things cause problems?
Storms even 20kms away effect the PI detectors. I don't worry about EMI, if you are unsure if its a target just swing over it again. I've found that the EMI signal is sharper and drops off quicker than a target signal. Just my take on it.
Moneybox
Philip & Sandra Box
Some times we get EMI that cannot be combatted. I think it's solar flares reaching the earth. I've been caught a few times leaving my phone, that I use for tracking, on. The phone must be switched to Airport Mode or it's continually searching.
Most of WA is virtually unsuitable for detecting through the summer. The conditions are unbearable and at times dangerous with high temperatures and severe winds. April to the end of September are best although some years the season can be extended. We returned from detecting in the Murchison last week after 39° to 40° forecast but it certainly felt much hotter than that. As soon as the ground temperature rises the detector becomes noisy and less effective. Much of our terrain is quite flat and void of trees so wind is a problem too. I find active noise cancelling earphones improve your chances of hearing a signal.
Most of WA is virtually unsuitable for detecting through the summer. The conditions are unbearable and at times dangerous with high temperatures and severe winds. April to the end of September are best although some years the season can be extended. We returned from detecting in the Murchison last week after 39° to 40° forecast but it certainly felt much hotter than that. As soon as the ground temperature rises the detector becomes noisy and less effective. Much of our terrain is quite flat and void of trees so wind is a problem too. I find active noise cancelling earphones improve your chances of hearing a signal.
We have all observed how soil moisture seems to intensify or even create ground noise signals. Sometimes when electrical storms are approaching, I get a feeling that the air is becoming increasingly electrically charged. At those times even while there may be no lightning discharge observed or heard, the ground noise variations also seem to be more intense.
Another possible thing is static discharge in dry conditions. I feel I have received signals after lightly touching dry grass clumps etc. I dont appear to have had that recently maybe that also might have something to do with the way I seal the edge of the coil and skid plate with a different tape now.
Even digging holes and observing sparks fly from quartz rock (a piezoelectric mineral) that correspond with detector sounds, although I really don't care much about that happening.
just a few more possible culprits in the EMI battle.
Overall though there is little doubt in my mind that EMI is a lot less in the morning or evening and especially at night. I used to love detecting at night over in WA but here in Vic that's a lot dicier with the uneven and cluttered ground and old diggers holes around.
Another possible thing is static discharge in dry conditions. I feel I have received signals after lightly touching dry grass clumps etc. I dont appear to have had that recently maybe that also might have something to do with the way I seal the edge of the coil and skid plate with a different tape now.
Even digging holes and observing sparks fly from quartz rock (a piezoelectric mineral) that correspond with detector sounds, although I really don't care much about that happening.
just a few more possible culprits in the EMI battle.
Overall though there is little doubt in my mind that EMI is a lot less in the morning or evening and especially at night. I used to love detecting at night over in WA but here in Vic that's a lot dicier with the uneven and cluttered ground and old diggers holes around.
It depends. Sunspot activity has a huge problem with big solar flares anywhere on the globe. It has been observed with detectorists that night time is best. I think big solar flare activity is the worst personally over my time. No biggy with VLF but much so with PIs.
But hey, im a dingus so what would an old stupid like me know who gets posts deleted know.
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