mudcadet, it sounds like there was really no signal there, from the git-go. You're doing something wrong, and interpretting something you think is a signal, for really-nothing-there. At least that's my guess. Without being there, hearing what you're hearing, seeing how you're swinging, what you're trying to isolate, there's no way to know. A person trying to help in this situation, would literally have to "be there", to know/see what's going on. You know, trade off-flagged signals, etc... to listen to before one digs, then go through with the pinpointing and retrieval, etc...
For example (
don't get "lost in the example", as this is only "an example"): I corresponded with a fellow near me in an on-line communication, where he complained of "disappearaing signals". He even sent the machine back to the factory 3x for 'repairs"
Each time they sent it back saying nothing is wrong with it. Yet each time, it continued to have the same "disappearing signals". He and I exchanged emails (which are limited by written text, JUST like this forum is), and all I could do was offer theories, advise to have a pinpointer, etc...
Finally, the fellow and I met up. I diagnosed the problem within 30 seconds of watching him. He had a 6000 di pro (which is a fairly fast motion swing machine). Each time he'd hear a signal, he'd "slow down" in order to "hear the signal better". But it would "disappear". Confused, he'd moved on. Get another signal. Slow down to "hear better", and that one would "disappear" too. And on and on it would go. He could only get shallow targets, or occasionally one to "stay put" in all-metal mode, etc.. He was totally confused. I was able to alert him that his error was in "slowing down" while in disc. mode. If ANYTHING, he would need to be SPEEDING UP with a machine like the 6000 di pro in order to make it bolder (since it goes deeper with faster swings). And I even asked him: "Didn't you read the instructions which distinctly and clearly say that motion is required?". He said "yes, he'd read that part of the instructions, but merely assumed it meant that you needed to swing the coil side to side as you move and progress through the field. And he had thought "that's a silly instruction. I mean HOW ELSE is a person supposed to ever progress through the field, unless he moves and swings the coil?". I mean, ... duh .... is the instructions expecting someone to stand there motionless with the coil staying in one spot? So he thought that part of the instructions was merely telling the user to move the coil side-to-side as he walks (ie.: "motion"). So you see: NO AMOUNT OF PRINTED instructions could have ever revealed the error here. I simply had to SEE what was going on, in order to diagnose.
Thus it's probably the same for your issue too. You're going to need to hook up with a proficient user in your area. Have him flag some signals for you to hear. Pick a spot flush with targets (clad etc...) just for practice. Even if only a modern school or sandbox. Conversely, you flag signals for him to hear. The chase a few. See how he does it, etc...
