4 Reasons Why Keeping Your Locator Off the Ground is Better

Interference and Interference Avoidance

The main reason for locating with a DigiTrak locator held off of the ground is interference avoidance. The closer your locator is to a source of active or passive interference, the more likely the locator’s information will be negatively affected.

Have you ever heard static on your car’s radio while driving beneath high-tension power lines? Perhaps you remember listening to AM radio on one channel and faintly hearing a second station’s transmission bleed through? These are all examples of signal interference.

The high-tension power line is an example of an Active Interference source. Active Interference can be defined as anything that emits its own electromagnetic field. Anything and everything electrical emits an electro-magnetic field. When an active interference’s electromagnetic signal is near the frequency of the HDD locating equipment being used or very strong there is a greater possibility of your locator and signal being negatively impacted.

In the USA, HDD locators comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules, which states, “Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.” Other examples of active interference include: below ground electric power, traffic signal loops, micro-wave towers, cathodic protection, fiber trace tones lines, handheld radios, electrical systems of operating machinery, and buried dog fences

Steel bridges are an example of Passive Interference. Passive interference is not a source of electromagnetic signal but a blocker and absorber of signal. The metal in the bridge acts to distort, misshapen, and weaken the signal reaching your vehicle’s radio receiver just as rebar reinforced concrete acts to distort and weaken the transmitter’s signal on its way to your HDD locator.

Additionally, metal can also act as a signal carrier, artificially increasing the amount of signal received if the locator unit is positioned too close to metal. If the shape of the signal has been distorted because of a passive interference source, chances are good that pin pointing the transmitter’s position will be more difficult. Remember, the amount of signal strength received by the HDD locator is the basis for the depth reading. The transmitter’s signal strength and the depth reading become one and the same after the system calibration sequence.

Signal Strength and depth are generally tied to one another, but can also fluctuate depending on interference. The stronger the signal received by the locating unit, the shallower the depth reading will be, the weaker the signal received by the locating unit, the deeper the depth reading will be.

An example would go something like: “How did my depth just increase 12 inches while drilling one 10-foot rod at 0.0% pitch under level terrain?” You didn’t. More than likely, you drilled beneath a passive interference source which weakened the transmitter signal creating the illusion of being deeper than you actually are.

Other common sources of passive interference include steel pipe, guard rails, railroad tracks, vehicles and machinery, chain link fencing, metal plates, metal buildings, vertical bridge abutments, and salty or brackish water.

To help combat these HDD difficulties, DCI has developed and continued to improve our Falcon technology to lessen the negative effects of both active and passive interferences sources. Falcon technology offers over 1000 distinct frequencies, some of which are below the 1 kilohertz threshold which are proven to be most effect in passive interference environments.

Enhanced Telemetry

Telemetry is the ability of the handheld locator to relay transmitter information back to the remote display mounted near or on the HDD rig. World governments dictate what frequencies are available to electronic manufacturers, and that can make things difficult. DCI’s telemetry frequencies are between 419 MHz – 472 MHz (Mega Hertz), and because many other “fixed” and “mobile” radio transmitters have been assigned frequencies in the same range, the chance for signal interference is significantly increased.

Telemetry works best when complete line-of-sight is possible between the locator and the remote display unit during pilot drill shots. Line-of-sight is always enhanced when the locator is not placed on the ground. DigiTrak Locators are in fact, Transceivers - equipment that transmits and receives data from below-ground electronics. Merely holding the locator at arm’s length when standing tall can significantly improve telemetry if the signal back to the Remote Display unit gets spotty. Historically, DigiTrak users tend to place their locator on the ground because the telemetry signal usually works. We understand that there are moments when not having the locator properly set above ground is needed, like river crossings and below-house installs, but whenever possible, we will always recommend keeping the locator off the ground.

Less Wear and Tear on Your Body

The goal of ergonomics (i.e., the scientific study of people at work) is to prevent soft tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by sudden or sustained exposure to force, vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward posture. Needlessly bending over to operate a DigiTrak locator takes its toll on skilled laborers both young and old. What most DigiTraks users don’t' take into account is that the locator / transmitter tandem is no more accurate when the two are closer in proximity. Not only is placing the locator on the ground no more accurate but can also worsen the signal if an interference source exists underground like rebar, reinforced concrete, or underground utilities. Lesson: keep the locator off the ground, get a better signal, and save your back.

More Efficient Locating

Pinpointing the Front Locate point (FLP), Locate Line (LL) and/or Rear Locate Point (RLP) can be accomplished more quickly when the locator is being held at a comfortable height. Needless to say, bending over dozens of times per work shift is not as efficient as remaining at a comfortable upright position while locating. When standing upright, finding the FLP, LL, or RLP can be done in a fraction of the time with no loss of locating accuracy. Seconds add up to minutes, minutes add up to hours, hours add up to days, and days add up to weeks. Being the slightest bit more efficient on an hourly basis can add up to real money at the end of each month.

Does all this sound good to you? If so, pick yourself up a TrakStand from your local DCI dealer or start using the manual Heigh Above Ground (HAG) setting on your Falcon locator!