Newbie in Dayton area

[Pausitive]

Hi,
I am a total newbie and have a new DFX and am eager to use it. I could use tips about just about all metal detecting topics
you know good locations legal stuff how to get the best from this machine.

I have used it in my front yard and found 3 coins all of which are from 1976 quarter nickle and penny. I also found a bunch of junk of course and wish I was better at distinguishing signals of good finds versus junk. I have taken the machine to the beach at cedar creek. The signals on the beach were strange and when i dug i never found a thing. That was real discouraging and made be think the machine was screwed up. Its just that I need much more experience im sure. Man did that beach get claylike very quickly under the sand....what a mess it was.

Well if you have any suggestions or ideas for me that would enhance my experience I surely would appreciate it.
Pausitive

[warwagon72]

Pausitive,
Welcome to hobby. Best advice on any detector is read the manual and practice. I've only been at it about a year and half. And everytime I get out learn little more. Reading the tips on this web site and others helps also.
I'v e had my best luck so far at schools.

[GroundSnooper]

Welcome Pausitive, the DFX is a great machine! Unfortunately the weather sucks and it is hard to get out and use the machine. Practice is the best policy to learn it, dig everything you find until you learn the signals. I am not that far north of you in St. Paris. Actually today may be a chance to get out with temps suppose to be in the 50's. Usually schools are safe enough to hit without anyone bothering you. County parks you gotta be careful about as some do not allow any digging. State parks you can hunt the sandy part of beaches only unless you get written permission from the ranger. Good luck and maybe we can hook up sometime.

[teverly]

Welcome.
Unlike coastal beaches most of our beaches here are manmade.So they throw a little sand over a clay base and there you go....
Just dont get so discouraged that you give up.It takes a little while to learn your detector.
As for places to hunt..check your local library and historical society..look for an old county atlas that will show you where old schools,churches and houses use to be...then start tracking down the spots and owners to get permission....
Talk to friends and relatives that may know people who live in old houses or own property where ther may be an old house or some type of activity...
HH AND GOOD LUCK!!!!

[bedpanmoneyman]

Welcome Pausitive,

The DFX is a great machine. There's a scheduled hunt near Dover, Ohio in mid-April. Go to dfxonly.com and you will get all the details as they are made available. Great opportunity to learn from veterans with the DFX.

BPMM

[SoreKneesDayton]

Welcome from Beavercreek, Ohio

I use a Whites M-6. I hunt city parks, ball fields, sand volley ball courts. I have a feeling the area between the sidewalk and curb can be good but I think you still need to ask the house owner.

It took me about 1 1/2 months studying these forums and detecting often before I found my first jewelry. I still haven't found any old coins but my equipment is getting better and I found my third silver ring today and second Sacagawea dollar by a grade school in Beavercreek.

Here is a great digging tool I found--about $13 at Lowe's. It's heavy duty; you can really dig and pry up without worrying that you will damage it.

I also found a great inexpensive tool belt. It's a skeet shooting pouch, with web belt, at WalMart ($12.99) that has three good size pockets for holding my digging tools, pinpointer, and one big net bottomed pouch for trash. If I can find a picture of it on the net, I will post it here later.

The bag I use is the 3-pouch version by Allen. It is similar to the one shown here. I keep the trash in the back web slot, so most of the dirt falls out. The middle pouch hold my digging tools and the front slot is for my pinpointer and acts as my coin holder.

Terry