Cat. No. 63-3011 OWNER’S MANUAL Please read before using this equipment.
FEATURES With your RadioShack Three-Mode Discriminator Metal Detector with Analog Signal-Strength Meter, you can hunt for coins, jewelry, gold, and silver, just about anywhere. The detector is designed to be versatile and easy to use. Loaded with features but simple to operate, the detector lets you locate and identify all types of metals with pinpoint accuracy. It can distinguish between different types of metals and “tune out” the ones you don’t want to search for.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORY The 7-inch searchcoil supplied with your detector efficiently finds deeplyburied objects, and is ideal for general use. However, if you are looking for tiny objects (coin-sized and smaller) that are not buried too deeply, a 4-inch searchcoil (such as RadioShack Unlimited No. 10484954, not supplied) might work better for you.
CONTENTS Preparation ........................................................................................................ Assembling the Detector ............................................................................... Installing Batteries ........................................................................................ Using Headphones ....................................................................................... Traffic Safety ....................................................
PREPARATION ASSEMBLING THE DETECTOR Assembling your detector is easy and requires no special tools. Just follow these steps. 1. Loosely attach the searchcoil to the lower stem using the supplied bolt and knurled knob. Do not tighten the bolt and knob yet. 2. While holding down the button on the top of the lower stem, slide the lower stem tube into the upper stem tube. 3. Adjust the stem to a length that lets you comfortably stand upright.
Cautions: • The searchcoil’s plug fits into the connector only one way. Do not force it. 3. Snap a 9-volt battery onto each battery terminal, then slide the batteries inside the compartment. • To disconnect the searchcoil’s cable from the detector, grasp the plug and pull it out of the connector. Never pull on the cable. INSTALLING BATTERIES You must use two 9-volt alkaline batteries (such as Cat. No. 23-553) to power your detector. Cautions: • Use only fresh batteries of the required size and type. 4.
USING HEADPHONES Traffic Safety You can connect a pair of stereo headphones (not supplied) to the detector so you can listen to it privately. Using headphones also saves battery power and makes it easier to identify subtle changes in the sounds you hear, for better detection results. Your local RadioShack store has a wide selection of headphones. Do not wear headphones while operating your detector near high traffic areas.
UNDERSTANDING THE DETECTOR OPERATION Your RadioShack Three-Mode Discriminator Metal Detector with Analog Signal-Strength Meter is a “motion” detector. This means that you must move the searchcoil slightly to detect the presence of metal (see “Pinpointing a Target” on Page 12). The motion required is slight, and pinpointing targets is very easy as long as the metal is under the searchcoil and the searchcoil is moving. Viewmeter The detector’s viewmeter is on the front of the control housing.
TESTING THE DETECTOR To learn how the detector reacts to different metals, you should test it before you use it the first time. 1. Turn on the detector by turning SENSITIVITY clockwise until it clicks. The detector beeps and the viewmeter’s needle swings to the right, then returns to the left. 2. Adjust SENSITIVITY until it is about halfway between OFF and HIGH. 3. Set DISC/ALL METAL/TONE to the desired setting (see “DISC/ALL METAL/TONE” on Page 8). 4.
HOLDING THE DETECTOR Stand with your arm extended only slightly in front of your body. Do not bend or stoop, but stand in an upright position that is comfortable. 5. Place a sample of the material you want the detector to find (such as a gold ring or a coin) on the ground. (If you are using valuable metal such as gold to test the detector, mark the area where you placed the item, to help you find it later. Do not place it in tall grass or weeds). 6.
As shown here, the detector sounds a low tone when it detects small gold and nickels, a broken tone when it detects most pull tabs and some gold and zinc, and a high tone when it detects copper, silver, and brass. searchcoil over the target a few times, the target is probably junk metal. • False signals can be caused by trashy ground, electrical interference, or large oddly-shaped pieces of junk metal. 7. Try finding other metal in the area.
Notes: • SENSITIVITY also turns the detector on and off. • If you set the detector’s sensitivity too high, the detector might sound false tones. Adjusting DISC/TONE PINPOINTING A TARGET Accurately pinpointing a target while detecting makes digging it up easier. Accurately pinpointing small metal objects takes practice. We suggest that you practice finding and digging up small metal objects on your own property before you search other locations.
Note: The detector beeps just as the center of the searchcoil passes directly over the buried target. If you have difficulty pinpointing very strong signals, try lifting the searchcoil higher off the ground until a weaker but more concise signal is heard. For very weak signals, move the coil in short quick sweeps close to the ground. FALSE SIGNALS Your detector is extremely sensitive, and will detect even deeply-buried metal.
TROUBLESHOOTING If you have problems, here are some suggestions that might help. If none of these suggestions help, take your detector to your local RadioShack store for assistance. PROBLEM The detector displays or sounds false signals. SUGGESTION The sensitivity might be set too high. Adjust SENSITIVITY counterclockwise. You might be sweeping the detector’s searchcoil too fast or at the wrong angle. Sweep the searchcoil more slowly and hold the detector correctly.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE Your RadioShack Three-Mode Discriminator Metal Detector with Analog SignalStrength Meter is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for your detector so you can enjoy it for years. Keep the detector’s chassis dry and do not let water enter it. If the chassis gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.
TREASURE HUNTER’S CODE OF ETHICS All treasure hunters might be judged by the example you set. Here are a few basic rules you should follow while using your detector. • Always obtain permission before searching any site. • Respect the rights and property of others. • Observe all national, state, and local laws while treasure hunting. • Never destroy historical or archaeological treasures. If you are not sure about an object you have found, contact a museum or historical society in your area.
