Depth Antenna Plumb Line

Receiver	®

Calibrating with Transmitter Underground at Shallow Depth (< 10 feet)

Should recalibration be necessary when the transmitter is below ground at depths less than 10 ft (3 m), it is possible to conduct a modified 1-point calibration procedure. This requires knowing the signal strength of the transmitter in the housing at 10 ft. (You should always note the value of the signal strength when you first perform a 1-point calibration.)

With the transmitter below ground (shallower than 10 ft), place the receiver parallel to the transmitter at a distance to cause the same signal strength as noted during the most recent 1-point calibration. To do this, simply hold in the trigger and move the receiver away from or closer to the transmitter until you see a signal strength reading (top left window) that equals the 1-point calibration signal. Set the receiver on the ground, and complete the 1-point calibration procedure. However, if the transmitter is deeper than 10 ft, it will be necessary to perform a 2-point calibration.

For example, if you noted that the signal strength during the most recent 1-point calibration was 560, then move the receiver parallel to the transmitter to a distance that will result in a reading of 560 and complete the procedure for a 1-point calibration. Remember, this procedure will not work if you are drilling deeper than 10 ft. If this is the case, you will have to perform a 2-point calibration, or, if a spare transmitter is available, you can calibrate to it at a distance equivalent to 560 points of signal (or whatever the signal strength was during the most recent 1-point calibration) and then resume drilling with the same trans- mitter that is below ground.

When using this modified procedure, you are assuming that the in-ground transmitter is still performing at the same signal strength it was when the most recent 1-point calibration was performed. If the transmitter has been damaged or has overheated, this modified procedure should not be relied upon.

Using Depth Antenna Plumb Line to Mark Locate Points

To mark the important locating positions (the front negative locate point or FNLP; the rear negative locate point or RNLP; and the positive locate line or PLL) accu- rately, you must use the vertical axis (plumb line) that runs through the center of the display windows and bisects the depth/ locating antennas (see sketch at right). Where this axis intersects the ground is the location that you should mark. This plumb line also serves as the axis around which you can rotate the receiver for confirming the FNLP and RNLP. (For more informa- tion, see “Method for Confirming Position” in the Locating Section.)

Plumb Line

Center of

Display

Windows

Front of

Receiver

Depth/Locating

Antenna Screws

Place Marker

Straight Down

on Ground

16	DigiTrak® Mark III Operator’s Manual