Iffey Signals

m bryan · Apr 21, 2011

You guys dig unstable signals? I have found coins that would hit from one way only but never dug anything good if the signals were unstable and eratic from every direction..... so I usually just pass on them....anybody ever found anything good from a bad signal?

thrillathahunt · Apr 21, 2011

YES! Two things come to mind right away.

Rhodium plated 14k white gold rings. HORRIBLE signal....and bi-metal coins, especially nickel-copper combos.

bigtim1973 · Apr 21, 2011

I have found Indian head pennies, mercury dimes, silver rings and civil war bullets on those iffy signals. I will give you a tip, if you use a metered machine and the signal stays on the higher end more than the lower end of the scale I always dig it especially if it deeper than the normal ID'ing depth of your machine. Most metered machines cannot ID something accurately deeper than 6 inches. Good luck, Tim

Smudge · Apr 22, 2011

To be honest, I don't usually dig a signal unless its solid and repeatable. It can be faint, but solid and repeatable.

I realize I might be missing some good targets doing this, but I typically draw the line when I'm searching trashy areas, which is most of the time.

Now if I'm in a very low trash area, I'll probably dig everything.

Woodland Detectors · Apr 22, 2011

You betcha M. Bryan! :wink:

If the site has age to it, and I am digging good relics, I will most definitely dig those iffy broken "pips"

I have found some of my better stuff on those iffy signals

Swartzie · Apr 22, 2011

If I have worked a good site to death, then yes I will start to dig the iffy signals. But, if it's a newer site then I'll cherry pick for awhile. Deeper signals are the exception. If the signal sounds like a deep one (and is iffy) then I'll dig. Just today I dug a tombac button on a site that I have "hunted out". The signal was an iffy one. It was one of the last targets for the day and I was fighting that lazy feeling. You know. That "man, should I dig that thing or not" kind of feeling. When in doubt, dig that f*cker out.

-Swartzie

Woodland Detectors · Apr 22, 2011

Swartzie said:
If I have worked a good site to death, then yes I will start to dig the iffy signals. But, if it's a newer site then I'll cherry pick for awhile. Deeper signals are the exception. If the signal sounds like a deep one (and is iffy) then I'll dig. Just today I dug a tombac button on a site that I have "hunted out". The signal was an iffy one. It was one of the last targets for the day and I was fighting that lazy feeling. You know. That "man, should I dig that thing or not" kind of feeling. When in doubt, dig that f*cker out.

-Swartzie

Hahahahaha!

CrazySlasher · Apr 22, 2011

I was about to make a post about this. Maybe you can help Woodland. I'm having a hell of a time with iffy signals on my e-trac. For whatever reason, if I get an iffy signal that's on the lower side, like buttton/gold range, I have no problem figuring out if I should dig the target. But the higher toned stuff is killing me! I never know which ones to dig. The only ones I know FOR SURE not to dig are the ones that lock on in the 35 range/iron range.

treasurefiend · Apr 23, 2011

Yup I love iffy signals!!! These were all from signals that bounced from coin to iron because iron was mixed in. I dig a ton of garbage but sometimes it pays off, my last iffy find was the morgan dollar. :icon_pirat:

Bart@Big Boys Hobbies · Apr 23, 2011

Beautiful coins treasure F!!

m bryan · Apr 23, 2011

Well, it's time to go back and dig! lol

deepskyal · Apr 23, 2011

IH's were the first thing that popped into my head too.

I've dug up a couple tootsie toys and those old fashion lighters, padlocks, campaign buttons...

I think after a while when you really get to know your machine, you can tell that certain "iffy" signals aren't your ordinary iffy signals....if that makes sense to anyone. :dontknow:

I was just over a guys house a week ago that lives in a mid 1800's unit. Didn't find anything old but a lot of clad and as I was showing him and letting him use my Vision, he hit an "iffy" signal. I said, "Now there's something!" Turned out to be a modern tonka toy...but...you do learn certain iffy signal require digging.

Al

philinchio · Apr 23, 2011

I'm just starting out so I'm trying to mentally discern my signals. Most of my solid repeating hits have yielded me trash or a few pennies so far. Iffy signals are typically rebar from sidewalks or curbs. I have gotten some good signals that I've dug and then they either went away or were deeper down than I thought. Probably me just needing to learn to read the depth guage better or do more accurate pinpointing.

oldcoon · Apr 23, 2011

If I can't get a signal to repeat I lose interest. I have dug one-way-wonders, and a few times I have come up with something worthwhile, but by and in large when I have dug a one-way-wonder I come away feeling silly, sheepish and stupid because I knew I shouldn't have been digging in the first place.

I think the answer to your question comes down how bad do you want to find everything of value in the ground and how hard are you willing to work for it?

goldseeker4000 · Apr 24, 2011

Found a 1929 wheatie today on an iffy signal. It it is repeatable but not accurate on tids but puts up mostly good tids I dig. Lots of old coins that way. todays wheatie around 7 inches down.