Gold Fever
Western Washington Chapter of the GPAA News Letter
October 2007
Gold Prospecting and Treasure Hunting stories abound throughout history - some are spooky, some are endearing, but we hope all presented in our news letters will ignite a little bit of Gold Fever in you. Remember Gold is wherever you find it, and the fun is looking for it. May you all find many years of good fun and companionship along with the yellow sand.
Stories of Interest:
Looking for 'Gold in Them Thar Hills'
Antelope Valley Press, Feb. 25, 1983
© 1983 Antelope Valley Newspapers
The old prospector looked over at the red hill, surveying the rock and his chances. He had searched that area of the desert for days hoping for a strike, and soon he would give up and try somewhere else. He sometimes gave up on a location, but he never would give up completely. He had prospected for gold all his life and that's all he knew.
Coming upon some rock that was rich with quartz, the prospector picked up a specimen, crushed it up and put it in the egg skillet that he both cooked and panned with. From his canteen, he added some water, sloshing the mixture back and forth.
His heart leaped and a great smile cracked his weathered face. In his pan, as he rocked it back, appeared a tail of gold a few inches long. Urged on by his good fortune, the old man began digging in search of the vein he believed existed somewhere in the red rocky hill.
The year could be 1897 or 1929 or 1983, prospectors no longer line the ' hills of the Antelope Valley as they once did, according to local legend, yet some still remain. Of these, some are retired, but some push on with unharnessed optimism, always believing that they're going to find a strike that will put them on easy street. The tales miners and prospectors can tell about their exploits far outnumber the strikes that ever paid off, but as an integral part of Antelope Valley history, the stories themselves are just about all that remains of the legend called the "Old West." Optimistic" is the word that best describes prospectors. Their lives are always uncertain. They live from strike to strike – and always keep hoping.
"All miners are optimistic” said Rose Bright, wife of Jack right of Mojave who was a gold miner until 1949. "They think they can make it. And they make it, is the funny part. Then they quit doing everything and use up their money and go back and try again."
"I've been at it all my life. In fact, that's all I've ever done," Bright himself explained. "When I first started over in southern Nevada, I was 15. Of course, my folks were in the mining field. That's really where I started. Moved up here in 1929." He worked for the Burton Brothers, who were leasing the Cactus Queen Mine on Middle Butte for awhile. They also owned and operated the Tropico Gold Mine in Rosamond. "We produced about $250,000 in about three months out there (at the Cactus) and that was all for awhile. There was nothin' else for me, so I had to find another job. After having worked as a mine foreman for the Burtons until 1936, and a superintendent until 1949, he left the gold mining field forever. It was then that Bright went to work at the Monolith Portland Cement Company, until his retirement.
In his prospecting days, it was often difficult living until the next gold strike was made. "It was always exciting," he said, "but sometimes you go pretty hungry. "I prospected for myself when I first got here. Then we got married, and I still worked, by myself," he explained. "I put her to work, too," he chuckled. "We made a living, that's about all. Enough to keep us living during the Depression." "In those days,'' said Rose "You were dependent on the smelters. Sometimes you didn't hear for months, and I didn't like that. And I encouraged him to go work for wages."
When he first came to the Antelope Valley, Bright said there weren't too many other miners around. The Golden Queen Mine on Soledad Mountain was developed after 1934, "that brought a lot of them in," he said. "Every hill had some kind of a prospector on it," Rose agreed. Bright never thought much about the dangerous aspects of mining. "It was dangerous, but I never thought it was when I was doing it. "Broke my finger once. Came pretty near to gettin' killed twice. One time was a cave in," he explained. "I was lucky – got out of the way. "The other time, I was down at the bottom of a shaft. A bucket broke loose. I was lucky again. There was just room for me and the bucket. I got in a comer, the bucket took the other corner."
But Bright said he isn't sorry he's no longer in the field, or on the hill. "I'm not able to work anymore," he said. "Let somebody else do it." Yet he still pays attention to the prices of gold and silver. "Gold this mornin' was up to $483 per ounce. Silver was only $12. I get all that in the mornin' on the radio." Rose seemed to understand. "You can ask a miner and he might not know the date, but he'll know the price of gold. Underneath they're always prospecting and looking," she explained. "Once a miner, always a miner."
Tips on Metal Detecting
This came off the GPAA Wesite and should be creditd to "Paseclipse" in California.
This is a long post, but it is very good information, especially if your new to the hobby of Metal Detecting.
I’m still relatively new to this forum and I’ve noticed this topic continuously comes up from people trying to learn what the best machine is for finding gold. I understand why people ask this question because when you’re getting into metal detecting, it can be very overwhelming as to what type of model to buy because there is so much information out there and a lot of models to choose from. So in an attempt to eliminate some of the confusion people run into when trying to select the right type of metal detector, I’ve decided to make this post telling you the method I use when selecting a new machine. Hopefully this post will help you out in your quest to find a good gold detector. This is a pretty long post, but I guarantee the information here is well worth the time spent reading it.
Let me start out by saying I am not a metal detector dealer. I am a gold prospector who uses metal detectors to find gold. When I was first getting into this hobby I learned the hard way about the right detector for me. I made the mistake of buying a high end coin machine that the manufacturer claimed was very good for gold prospecting. I have to say the manufacturer was wrong. The machine I bought wasn’t capable of handling the heavily mineralized ground found out in the goldfields. This experience was very frustrating for me. Fortunately I was able to sell my first detector and I lost only a little bit of money from this ordeal.
I made the mistake of reading the manufacturers brochures and based my decision solely on what the brochures claimed. Because of this experience, I learned not to follow what the manufacturer’s brochures claim their detectors will do. Because according to them their detectors are best on the market and will suit your needs regardless of what you’ll be hunting with your detector. I'm not saying the manufacturers are lying about what their machines are capable of. I'm saying it's a "sales brochure" which means the manufacturers are going to sugar coat it some and claim it's the best machine around. Remeber the goal of a sales brochure is to sell the item, not tell you the pros and cons of that particular machine.
This is why I feel an unbiased educated decision is the best route to go when choosing a detector. By following the method I explain below you will be doing just that. You will first learn how metal detectors work. Then you will learn the different types to choose from for hunting gold nuggets. And last, once your options have been narrowed down, you will learn where to go to get more in depth information on particular models to help you make an informed decision on your purchase.
Essentially when selecting a gold metal detector I look at it as a three step process.
1. Learn how they work and why they find metal in the ground.
2. Identify what type of detector you want (VLF or PI, see below).
3. Download the manuals and read them.
Step 1- Learn how metal detectors operate and why they find metal in the ground.
Since I have an engineering background, I firmly believe the first step to understanding any machine is to learn exactly how it operates and functions and metal detectors are certainly no exception to this. I used this link because I feel it’s nice and short, it gives a good explanation of how they operate and it also explains the different types of metal detectors out there.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/metal-detector.htm
Of course if you spend the time you can always find more information as to how metal detectors work. I definitely encourage this because the more information you know the better off you will be in selecting the right model for your needs.
Step 2- Identify what type of metal detector you want.
Now that you know how metal detectors work, the next step is to choose what type of metal detector you want. You have three choices that were explained in the above link-
1. BFO- Beat Frequency Oscillator
2. VLF- Very Low Frequency.
3. PI- Pulse Induction.
Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO)- I’m not going to get into this type because I believe these aren’t manufactured anymore.
VLF Very Low Frequency (VLF)- Rule of thumb I’ve learned about these types:
Higher frequency = smaller targets = less depth
Lower frequency = larger targets = more depth
VLF machines are pretty much the industry standard and are very good at finding small gold close to the surface which is the majority of the gold nugget finds.
Pulse Induction (PI)- The big dogs, these bad boys give you superior depth and sensitivity. However I have yet to see a PI machine find the really small gold a VLF machine can find. I’ve learned these are excellent for finding big deep gold. The only downfall- it’s a lot of work to dig deep holes over two feet down!
Step 3- Download the manuals and read them.
The final step, this is the step which will help you ultimately decide the machine you’re going buy. I cannot emphasize the importance of this step. Just remember to read all the manuals and do not get stuck on just one. Give all these models a chance because they all have different features
Since you now know how metal detectors work, and the different types out there, with a little bit a research you’ll realize you have eight choices for gold machines.
VLF Machines
1. Whites GMT- Operating frequency: 48 kHz
2. Fisher Gold Bug- Operating frequency: 70 kHz
3. Minelab Eureka Gold- Three operating frequencies: 60, 20, and 6.4 kHz
4. Garrett Scorpion Gold Stinger- Operating frequency: 15 kHz
5. Tesoro SuperTRAQ- Operating frequency: 17.8 kHz
PI Machines
6. Minelab SD2100
7. Minelab SD2200
8. Minelab GPX4000
I listed the frequencies for the VLF models because (since you now understand how detectors operate) this should give you an idea as to the target size and depth each of these VLF machines are capable of. For a baseline example, Fisher Gold Bugs, because of their higher operating frequency, are capable of finding nuggets smaller than a pin head. However because of this higher operating frequency the depth is compromised. So this means (theoretically) Fisher Gold Bugs should not be able to go as deep as the other VLF Detectors listed above.
I’m not going to get into the various capabilities and the pros and cons of each machine. To learn about the different features and capabilities of these machines the best way to do it is by reading the manuals. By reading the manuals you will learn which features each machine offers and you will learn which machine is the best for your needs. Again, my goal with this post is to teach you how educate yourself on metal detectors and make your own informed decision with the information I present to you and the best way to do this is by reading the manuals for each machine.
Now for downloading the manuals, I have simplified this process for you and I’ve provided the link for every machine I list above.
VLF's-
1. Whites GMT
http://www.whiteselectronics.com/manuals/2001_Models/Goldmaster_GMT_Instruction_Manual.pdf
2. Fisher Gold Bug
http://www.fisherlab.com/fisherbeta/operation_man/pdfs/goldbug2.pdf
3. Minelab Eureka Gold
http://www.minelab.com/consumer/files/manuals/man_4_1.pdf
4. Garrett Scorpion Gold Stinger
http://www.garrett.com/manuals/Scorpion-Gold-Stinger.pdf
5. Tesoro SuperTRAQ
http://www.tesoro.com/LoboSuperTraq_Manual.htm
PI's-
6. Minelab SD2100
http://www.minelab.com/consumer/files/manuals/man_3.pdf
7. Minelab SD2200
http://www.minelab.com/consumer/files/manuals/man_2.pdf
8. Minelab GPX4000
http://www.minelab.com/consumer/files/manuals/man_21.pdf
Download the manuals, print them out and read them. Trust me, by the time you finish reading these manuals you will know whether or not that particular machine will fit your needs.
Now that you have read the manuals and you better understand the different features between the gold machines out there your ready to decide how much you want to spend.
Price Range
I have to mention this because this is probably the biggest factor on the final decision. However I don’t want to get in depth into this, you’ll have to hunt around for the best price, so I’ll just give you a general price range.
VLF machines range from $1,000 and below for a brand new unit.
PI machines range from $1,600 to $4,000 brand new.
Warranties
This is another subject I don't want to get into. I'm sure all the manufacturers I listed above offer decent warranties. This subject alone does not affect my decision on a detector because the way I see it if it's a good quality detector you won't have to send it in for repairs for many years. After many years of use (trust me detectors get the crap beat out of them) you might have to send it in for repairs, and by the time this comes around it's usually after the warranty has ran out.
Where to go and buy a Metal Detector:
I’m not getting into this subject because there are thousands of places to go. You will have to seek out the best prices for your budget. The only thing I can recommend is to check out Kellyco Metal Detector Superstore for a baseline price on the detector you choose.
http://www.kellycodetectors.com/indexmain.htm
Kellyco is a good place to go for buying metal detectors. However the downfall with them is if you want somebody to teach you how to use your new metal detector, then I don’t recommend buying from them. If you require instruction, you’re best bet is to find a local dealer who is willing to teach you how to effectively use your new machine.
Learning how to use your new machine:
The only thing I can recommend with learning your new machine is to either pay somebody for instructions, or you can do what I like to do which is read as many books as possible on the subject and figure it out on your own.
The best book I’ve read for learning VLF’s-
The Complete, Unabridged Zip Zip by Larry Sallee
As for PI’s, I haven’t found any books for these machines yet. The only recommendations I can give is a couple DVD’s-
The Outback Prospector DVD’s by Jonathon Porter.
I don’t want to want to get real in depth into this because this is a whole new subject (maybe another post later on?). The only thing I can say about successful nugget shooting-
75% of it is the ability of the operator to effectively use the machine
25% of it is the machines capabilities
The best way to learn how to effectively use your detector is with practice. Don't expect to find anything for a while because the chances are it will take you alot of practice to find your first nugget. The people who find a nugget their first time are very very lucky! This does happen, however it wasn't their skill that scored them that nugget, it was just dumb luck! Keep at it and remember persistence and patience pays off!
Last but not least:
I decided not to get into the various coin machines out there because this is a gold prospecting website and I assume most people come to this forum to learn how to find gold, not coins and relics. Therefore I decided to focus on the gold metal detecting machines I know will find gold.
The process I describe above will help you educate yourself and it will undoubtedly help you make an informed decision on which gold detector is the best for you. I'm willing to bet after following this process you'll know more than the salesman trying to sell you the detector!
I know this post is long, and I thank you for taking the time to read this. With the information I present to you here you have taken the best route to make an educated and informed decision on your metal detecting experience.
For those of you out there that want to add more information to this post please do so, the more information the better
Good luck out there!
Minutes from meeting of the Western Washington chapter of the GPAA October 13, 2007.
The meeting was called to order by Rob and introductions were done for all the new people in attendance. The pledge of allegience was stated and the minutes from the September meeting were read by Marcia and accepted. The Treasurers report was given by Rob as the treasurer was running late from work and accepted.
A motion was made to name the club and it was decided that we would all think of a name and vote on it at the November meeting. A motion was made to continue the meetings of the chapter on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. at Elim Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, WA so as to not confuse everyone of the times and places of the meetings. The motion was accepted with the exception of the November meeting which is to be held on the 3rd Sat. at the same time and place.
We went over the GPAA membership sign up procedure so the chapter can get credit for the sign ups and talked about car pooling. We also discussed the 2009 Gold and Treasure Shows and would like a Western Washington Location so anyone who would like to type a letter to the main GPAA office and get everyones signatures on it lets see if we can get it done. Let Rob or Lonnie know if you can take on this responsibility.
We are thinking and working on a couple of outings to Cave Creek Oregon for Memorial day, and Blue Bucket on Labor day any other suggestions are appreciated.
We also discussed setting up a chapter web site and anyone that can do that for us let Rob, or Lonnie know. Eric Has stepped up to design the web site and that is not an easy task, thank you Eric.
Speakers were Cal Blackburn, on "what to look for when you get there". Thank you cal for stepping up to the plate when asked.
John DeMars on "Gems and Diamonds", he is also putting togather a notebook of the interesting pay to dig sites and such for us Thank you John.
We then broke out for demonstrations with a few people demonstrating metal detecting, panning, and had a video on GPS and how to relate that to the claims guide. Thank you to John, Glenn, Grant, and Steve.(If I've overlooked anyone SORRY, get with me and I will correct it in the next news letter)
Our next meeting is Saturday November, 17th at 1 p.m. at Elim Lutheran Church 5911 East Hillcrest Drive in Port Orchard, WA 98366.
We then adjourned and had the raffle, and big thanks to Rob and Biz Matthews for providing and paying for all of the raffle items.
We decided to have a Holiday/Christmas party on December 8, at 1p.m. at the same place as the regular meetings, we will have our normal meeting first. It will be a pot luck and Sandy Caldwell will provide a sign up sheet for people to sign up for what dish they want to bring (sheet to be provided at November meeting). We need volunteers for Sandy to help plan this, remember this is your chapter, you own it, and we need your input, it is important to us. This will free up the president, vice-president, and secretary to help with other business that needs attending to for the chapter. The Shooting Stars a community ensemble group will be performing holiday songs and a couple of our favorite Irish Jig tunes for your enjoyment, we will also be decorating and setting up the meeting room for the party and would appreciate any help. Contact the committee chairman to sign up and help, Sandy Caldwell has stepped up and volunteered to organize this and her e-mail is jrc98595@yahoo.com or her phone number is 360-268-1852. Thank you Sandy for saving my sanity and doing this.
Colleen Blackburn has signed up as the Raffle Coordinator and needs help providing the items to be raffled as the chapter doesn't have enough funds at this time to reimburse for those items. Anyone who can help see Colleen at the meeting or contact her via e-mail at caveminer27@hotmail.com or on the phone at 360-830-4613. Any help would be appreciated.
Marcia
Secretary
