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16                 F1A4 Operator Instructor Notes and Syllabus 

 

 

 

 

Minelab Countermine Division 

                                                            Safety through Excellence 

 

 

Forty two 

 

Detector Tones 

 

 

Threshold Tone

.  A low volume continuous tone indicating correct operation of 

the detector. 

 

Target Tone

.  Abrupt variation to the volume and pitch. 

 

 

Forty three 

 

Operating Multiple Detectors 

 

Key points: 

  When  two  or  more  F1A4  detectors  are  operating  in  close  proximity  it  is 

necessary to automatically tune each unit via the 

Noise Cancel 

procedure to set 

the operating frequencies so that signals do not interfere with each other. 

  To set up multiple detectors it is necessary to adhere to the following procedure: 

o

  Turn ‘Detector 1’ 

On

, and switch to 

Search

.  

Wait for the end of the Start-

up tone.

 

o

  With ‘Detector 1’ operational, position ‘Detector 2’ two metres away and turn 

it 

On

.    Wait  for  the  end  of  the  start-up  tones  and  then  perform  a 

Noise 

Cancel

 procedure.  Wait 70 seconds for the 

Noise Cancel 

to end with the 

four ‘beeps’. 

o

  With ‘Detector 1’ and ‘Detector 2’ both operational, position ‘Detector 3’ two 

metres away and turn it 

On

.  Wait for the end of the start-up tones and then 

perform  the 

Noise  Cancel

  procedure.    Wait  70  seconds  for  the 

Noise 

Cancel 

to end with the four ‘beeps’. 

o

  Continue the above procedure if more that three detectors are to be used in 

close proximity. 

  The recommended minimum operating distance between units is three metres, 

but if interference does result it will be necessary to limit the number of detectors 

in use or increase the distance between units.  SOP Safety distances rather than 

interference  distance  normally  dictate  the  distance  between  operational 

detectors. 

 

 

Forty four 

 

QUESTIONS 

 

Outdoor  Area.

    At  the  completion  of  the  classroom  lessons  move  to  the  outdoor 

training  area  previously  prepared.    Provide  practical  demonstrations  of  all  of  the 

procedures  contained  in  the  lesson.    Also  demonstrate  edge  detection.    Note:  by 

selecting different targets, demonstrate how a different tone is produced for each target.  

Often, different coins (containing different metals) are the best way to demonstrate this. 

 

Students shall be able to explain all operating procedures. 

 

Students shall be able to locate and identify the approximate size and depth of buried 

targets. Students shall use correct sweeping methods to pinpoint the targets. 

 

Summary of Contents for F1A4

Page 1: ...OPERATOR INSTRUCTORS NOTES AND SYLLABUS F1A4 Metal Mine Detector Issue 1 st June 2005...

Page 2: ...n the course This can include some background information on the Minelab F1A4 Students will complete course registration administration as required If applicable students will be asked to stand and in...

Page 3: ...on before using the equipment If a fault develops an operator must be able to correctly name the faulty part of the detector Explain the importance of the Test Piece Four Equipment Specifications List...

Page 4: ...d is adjustable to various arm lengths Made of glass filled nylon and is very tough Identify the Locking Pin for connection of Control Box to the students Lower Shaft Explain that Lower Shaft cannot c...

Page 5: ...o Earset Speaker Off identifiable by a short length of green heatshrink on the cable shuts the detector Loudspeaker off when connected o Both Earset above are also available with an in built volume co...

Page 6: ...the stowed F1A4 components Mention the following Check for damage cleanliness Have students be able to name each item Stow away correctly Other Components Operations Manual waterproof paper Field guid...

Page 7: ...ly procedure in the following manner Secure the Handle As you take the F1A4 out of the Compact Bag secure the Handle in one place by locking the Handle Camlock This will prevent it from sliding up and...

Page 8: ...the following Control Box should be placed in the Compact bag when fitting removing batteries stops dirt and debris from getting on Control Box The batteries should be inserted from the centre outward...

Page 9: ...Dust Caps as required Test Piece being correctly stowed into the Control Box Bag Have the students take turns assembling and disassembling and watch for incorrect procedures Alternatively select one s...

Page 10: ...The major teaching points of this lesson are as follows Revision Principle of Operation Multi Period Sensing Demonstration of Ground Balancing TEACHING POINTS Revision Nominate selected students to as...

Page 11: ...a difficult concept to explain It is recommended that instructors make best use of PowerPoint presentation MPS produces a series of wide and narrow pulses that are transmitted into the ground from the...

Page 12: ...e target this will not happen if the target is a large piece of metal as the response to that will be louder Remove the target and pass only the mineralized rock under the Coil to show that the respon...

Page 13: ...or area suitable for the burial of targets confirm that the area is free of metallic contamination and large enough to accommodate the size of the class F1A4 detectors one per pair of students One set...

Page 14: ...ocedures Using the Field Guide demonstrate the Normal Procedures switch on and Ground Balance Key points During the six seconds start up internal diagnostic checks occur previous Ground Balance and No...

Page 15: ...e detector emits a loud oscillating tone when the charge in the batteries drops to a predefined low level There is no loss of sensitivity or capability before the LED flashes or the audible tone is he...

Page 16: ...etection and mapping against multiple and large targets Note that this will be demonstrated in the outdoor area but should first be explained in the classroom When large or multiple targets are found...

Page 17: ...turn it On Wait for the end of the start up tones and then perform the Noise Cancel procedure Wait 70 seconds for the Noise Cancel to end with the four beeps o Continue the above procedure if more th...

Page 18: ...erating procedures Forty six Care of the F1A4 Detector Discuss the points covered in the relevant PowerPoint slide Disassembly of the detector and its stowage in the Compact Bag is also part of this l...

Page 19: ...Countermine Division Safety through Excellence Forty eight QUESTIONS At the end of this period of instruction the student shall be able to carry out operator care and maintenance and correctly stow t...

Page 20: ...the following topics Ground Balance This is always impressive If the soil in the training area is benign prepare ahead of time and seek some mineralized soil from the local area or a local brick manu...

Page 21: ...he pitch of the tone From these changes in pitch you will quickly ascertain where you believe the centre of the target mass is Water Dig a hole and fill it with water or use a plastic bucket without a...

Page 22: ...at the end of these Instructor Notes Equipment Cleared evaluation area constructed as one mine lane 1m wide and 5m long Targets to bury in the test area as described below if inert mines are not avail...

Page 23: ...14 Here they must demonstrate that they can actually detect two targets Be careful to ensure that the students do not miss the smaller target by only recognizing a response from the larger target The...

Page 24: ...rea that they will investigate by prodding D One large target right on the edge of the lane To prove that not all mines are conveniently located in the middle of lanes E one small target single Test P...

Page 25: ...24 F1A4 Operator Instructor Notes and Syllabus Minelab Countermine Division Safety through Excellence This is to certify that DETECTOR MINELAB F1A4 METAL MINE MINELAB ELECTRONICS PTY LTD Signed Dated...

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