Searching for the Sonde
Due to the nature and strength of the sonde signal, it is necessary to have some idea of where the sonde is,
to narrow the search area to a circle of several feet radius centered at the sonde. This is usually not much of
a problem, since the sonde is "guided" by a device under control of the work crew, often with a camera
attached to it.
Once in the surroundings of the sonde, it is important to differentiate whether you are positioned along the
axis of the sonde (the direction of the pipe) or off to either side. In the sonde mode the arrows are not
functional, so the signal strength is the only indication available, and it will be "null" (very close to zero) if
the receiver is placed on the axis of the sonde with the plane of the sensors perpendicular to it. Move away
from the axis and follow the direction that results in increasing signal strength. Rotate the receiver back
and forth and move in the direction that produces the maximum. As the receiver gets closer to the sonde
the signal strength increases to a maximum when directly over the sonde, if the plane of the sensors is
parallel to the axis of the sonde (approaching from a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the
pipe). A rotation of 90 degrees from this position should produce a null.
Measuring Depth
To measure depth simply place the tip of the unit on the ground and press the DEPTH button when the
signal strength is at a maximum. The achievable depth depends on a number of factors, but typically it is
possible to read depth up to 5 to 8 feet.