Amateur Radio kb8qap

         Did you know ..  Metal Detecting can make a great companion sport with Amateur Radio?

     Both of these sports can involve being in the great outdoors,  use of small transmitters, mini computers, and for metal detecting using special transmitting antennas called a search coil  to locate hidden metallic targets.  

    Similar to HAM Radio Fox Hunting .. Except the targets found in this sport are much smaller,  better camouflaged,  remain hidden underground,  or submerged in water,  and will stay  "radio silent" for many years until a detectorist can locate them using search frequencies sent by passing their search coil above the target to reveal target information on its overall depth,  location, and metal composition. And a good detectorist can gain additional clues on the targets body size and shape just by listening to the tones and visual data supplied by the mini computer that listens and deciphers the tiny "eddy" currents generated directly from the target body when the search coil reaches its hidden location.

   The key to really enjoying your metal detector and recovering lots of treasure is knowing where to look and what you consider treasure to be.  If you want to collect sea shells go to the beach.  If you want to collect golf balls go to the pond at the local golf course.  If you want a clown go to the circus !   I think you get my point.   Research is everything with metal detecting and it pays dividends to do your research for finding the specific treasures you wish to have. 

    Words of Wisdom!  Never assume you have a right to metal detect open land and always ask for the needed permissions first with the land owners.  Be nice.  Be polite. Share your finds.

    Be a good Steward. Set an example and take pride in the areas you hunt!  Always fill in your holes.   And remember to keep the land you hunt free of liter and trash; As I have found the metal detecting God's can reward you 100 fold for your good deeds and actions.  As I have discovered lots of awesome treasure just after doing my quick walk around to collect loose trash and plastic from the search areas.     

  Lastly, understand what your metal dectector is telling you about a target when it alerts you!

  Here's a tip!   Are your getting tired of digging up bottle caps and trash on your hunts?  I recommend creating a target ID chart (Like I have shown below) of commonly found trash items you don't like to find and then jot down their visual target ID numbers you get back from your metal detector.  I have them on a spreadsheet now.  Learn the tones and visual ID numbers like the back of your hand and then when you hunt just concentrate digging up targets only with visual ID numbers that are more promising and with a higher value ID catagory.

Photo above showing a late 1850's era -  A " Winged Maiden" Coat of Arms Ireland Brooch-  Discovered by KB8QAP in a wooded field in Ottawa County, Michigan. USA. using a MineLab metal detector in the fall of  2022.

Photo below:  A  Replica  "FAKE" of a 1600's era  " Long Cross"  hammered silver dug out of the ground  by KB8QAP in SW Section of Ottawa, County,  Michigan using his metal detector in early spring of 2024.