New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

The forum has moved to community.paydirt.co.nz, see you there!

This forum is now an archive to preserve the knowledge and finds posted here.

Severe Interference - smart meters

GoldPandemic		Posted : Tuesday, 1 March 2016 9:31:26 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 27/10/2014(UTC) Posts: 350 Location: Auckland Thanks: 266 times Was thanked: 141 time(s) in 102 post(s)		Hopefully this won't affect too many detectors. The power companies are rolling out smart meters, they work in a similar way to a remote intercom - sending signals over the power lines. I run a gpx 5000 and it has dozens of channels to tune out interference, however this has failed. There is a 'bloop' and often a smaller beep similar to a target signal indication sound. This is tolerable with a fast repeated sweep at 200 metres from a powerline/meter box. One can soon tell if it is a genuine target or not, with four times the work. Nearer to the interference it is nigh on impossible. They plan to roll them out nationally as it reduces the need for meter readers. They are easy to recognise at night, you'll see several red lights on sheds/powerpoles/houses.
		Treasure/coins: $1 Other artifacts: 1888 button Lead: 914g Copper: 46

Mudwiggle		Posted : Tuesday, 1 March 2016 11:34:13 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered, Moderators Joined: 22/10/2013(UTC) Posts: 742 Thanks: 182 times Was thanked: 683 time(s) in 317 post(s)		The smart meters use the cell network, and the telemetry would be a burst rather than a single 'beep'. I'm thinking it's something else. You carrying a smartphone with you that could be actively pinging?

GoldPandemic		Posted : Tuesday, 1 March 2016 8:57:48 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 27/10/2014(UTC) Posts: 350 Location: Auckland Thanks: 266 times Was thanked: 141 time(s) in 102 post(s)		No, it is something going along the powerlines. Anyway they turned the power off today for 6 hours. But the farm and old houses is so full of iron junk. It'd be better to simply dig the ground and put the entire thing through a sifter :/ Checked under 100 year old trees - zilch! Found what I think is a lead weight off a tyre; target vanished, then I thought well could be stuck with earth on spade - that was when I saw it wrapped around the end of the spade. Also found a bit of copper, bit demotivating. I'll head to the beaches if I have another chance. Though I'm happy with anything that is not iron. Lead & copper all add up to a few dollars in the end.
		Treasure/coins: $1 Other artifacts: 1888 button Lead: 914g Copper: 46

Mudwiggle		Posted : Wednesday, 2 March 2016 6:29:20 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered, Moderators Joined: 22/10/2013(UTC) Posts: 742 Thanks: 182 times Was thanked: 683 time(s) in 317 post(s)		Originally Posted by: GoldPandemic But the farm and old houses is so full of iron junk. Electric fences are likely culprit then. One near here sends 'targets' every few seconds. If there's that much iron junk, there's a very good chance it's heavily masking good targets. I had one hole on the ATP that was a heavy iron 'grunt' but with a sniff of target tone in there. Dug 4 big ol' rusty nails, then the silver 3d came out. Start at the centre of activity (usually the farmhouse) and work the "Bike Wheel": Hub - House and surrounds Spokes - Paths, fences, tracks, streams, ridges and gullies Rim - Property boundary And have a closer look at those irons. Good hunting MW Edited by user Wednesday, 2 March 2016 6:34:49 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

GoldPandemic		Posted : Thursday, 3 March 2016 9:03:45 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 27/10/2014(UTC) Posts: 350 Location: Auckland Thanks: 266 times Was thanked: 141 time(s) in 102 post(s)		Great tips. I turned our electric fence off, but yes it probably is the neighbours electric fences too :\ I know there are 100 year old coins around here, probably many of them.
		Treasure/coins: $1 Other artifacts: 1888 button Lead: 914g Copper: 46