Another detector person in Oregon, A Great welcome to you, always room for more. So much to learn? T Net. is the right place, lots of really good tips and lots of really good advice, because of a lot of really good members. I know that there is a Metal Detecting Club in Salem, off hand I do not know the name of them, but I've found that members of these clubs are always happy to welcome a new person to detecting. Enjoy, because you never know what you'll find.
1970 COMPASS-
WHITES SILVER EAGLE-
WHITES DFX, 4X6DD COIL, 6X8DD COIL, 950 COIL, 10X12SEF COIL-
GARRETT PRO POINTER AT, GARRETT AT PRO , MINELAB EXPLORER SE with 8.5x12.5 Cors coil