RIDGID Metal Detector manual NaviTrack Location Methods, Localize the sonde, Pinpoint the Sonde

NaviTrack® II

Location Methods

There are three major parts to locating a Sonde. The first step is to localize the sonde. The second part is pinpointing. The third is verifying its location.

Step 1: Localize the sonde

•Hold the NaviTrack II so the antenna mast is pointing outward. Sweep the antenna mast in the suspected di- rection of the Sonde while observing the Signal Strength and listening to the sound. The signal will be highest when the antenna mast is pointing in the di- rection of the Sonde.

•Lower NaviTrack II to its normal operating position (antenna mast vertical) and walk in the direction of the Sonde. Approaching the Sonde, the Signal Strength will increase and the audio tone will rise in pitch. Use the Signal Strength and the sound to maximize the signal.

•Maximize the Signal Strength. When it appears to be at its highest point, place the NaviTrack II close to the ground over the high-signal point. Be careful to hold the receiver at a constant height above the ground, as dis- tance affects Signal Strength.

•Note the Signal Strength and move away from the high point in all directions. Move the NaviTrack II far enough in all directions to verify that the Signal Strength drops significantly on all sides. Mark the point of highest Signal Strength with a yellow Sonde Marker (clipped to antenna mast for convenience). This is the suspected Sonde location.

Figure 22 – Poles and Equator of a Sonde

If while “getting closer” the Equator appears on the screen follow it in the direction of an increasing Signal Strength to localize the Sonde.

If a Pole appears before the Equator appears, localize the Sonde by centering the Pole in the cross-hairs.

Step 2: Pinpoint the Sonde

The Poles should appear on either side of the max- imum signal point, an equal distance on either side if the Sonde is level. If they are not visible on the screen at the point of maximum Signal Strength, move from the max- imum point perpendicular to the dotted line (Equator) until one appears. Center the locator over the Pole.

Where the Poles occur depends on the Sonde’s depth. The deeper the Sonde, the further away from it the Poles will be.

The dotted line represents the Equator of the Sonde. If the Sonde is not tilted, the Equator will intersect the Sonde at maximum Signal Strength and minimum Measured Depth.

NOTE! Being on the Equator does not mean that the locator is over the Sonde. Always verify the locate by maximizing Signal Strength and marking both Poles.

•Mark the first Pole location found with a red triangular Pole marker. After centering on the Pole, a double-line indicator will appear. This line represents how the Sonde is lying underground, and in most cases also represents the pipe’s approximate direction.

•When the locator gets close to a Pole, a zoom ring will appear centered on the Pole, allowing precision cen- tering.

•The second Pole will be a similar distance from the Sonde location in the opposite direction. Locate it in the same manner and mark it with a red triangular marker.

•If the Sonde is level, the three markers should be aligned and the red Pole markers should be similar dis- tances from the yellow Sonde marker. If they are not, a tilted Sonde may be indicated. (See “Tilted Sonde” on page 14). It is generally true that the Sonde will be on the line between the two Poles, unless there is extreme distortion present.

Step 3: Verify the locate

•It is important to verify the Sonde’s location by cross- checking the receiver’s information and maximizing Signal Strength. Move the NaviTrack II away from the maximum Signal Strength, to make sure that the signal drops off on all sides. Make sure to move the unit far enough to see a significant signal drop in each direction.

Ridge Tool Company 13