Which antenna mode should you use, Peak, Null, Combined?

[@brianball4912]

Great video. There are likely a few (like me) who take a locating course every 3 years and RE-LEARN all that stuff that has been forgotten. thanks for the refresher.

[@GeelongCableLocations]

Thanks Brian, yeah I am exactly the same. Although to be honest has been a lot longer than 3 years since I did my last course. I should really go and enroll in another one now while I remember. And as you say, its not to learn how to locate, but more to remember the stuff we have forgotten hahahahah

[@Learngpr]

This is so helpful! I have not heard of half over before. Great stuff.

[@GeelongCableLocations]

ahh really? Yeah, to be honest, I have never really been a fan of it. Have known it for years, but I hate having to mark something at a location that is different from where the instrument is telling you it should be. If I have a locate like this, I will generally find a different earth or hook on somewhere else or try and change it around so that I can get a round signal. But in situations, as I had here, where there is nothing else in the area, it's just very odd that I wasn't getting a nice round signal. So that is when you have to pull the old textbook out and do it the scientific way. But this one did make it even better, because I was able to dig down and prove that it does actually work. It's not often we get to do that on jobs we go on.

[@garymorris7939]

Really great video! This cannot be a rule for every time Null and Peak do not line up as I have had Null off by 1 meter and peak directly over the cable that I clamped onto. This particular locate was marked with paint and I was just locating the same utility. My locate was 32 in (1 m) away from where the first person had painted marks on the ground. The rep that I was working with decided to dig up my locate and expose the cable. I could reproduce the marked results with null which had a 32" (1m) difference from the directional peak locate, which was directly over the cable. We exposed the cable to verify that the peak locate was the most accurate. In my opinion, if a locator does not pothole the locates, then painting on the peak locate position is the best practice. You can also use the peak at different levels to see if the magnetic field is distorted and affecting your locate. Try this, find a peak close to the ground, mark and then raise the locate 1 foot (30 cm) and relocate the peak. You can use these two known points to help determine the buried position. Visually ;) Peak locate 1' (30 cm): * Peak locate @ ground: _______*________ The direction of the target locate: * Actual pipe: * Thanks for the video, it was excellent. Let me know your thoughts. [e-mail]

[@GeelongCableLocations]

Hi Gary, thanks for taking the time to watch the video and give a detailed comment and a great tip. Yes I actually prefer the lifting up and checking depth method, it is a lot easier and quicker to do. Interesting to hear about your experience with the peak and null. I'm sure there is a scientific reason behind what happened that day, but hey, I guess its why we always say, the marks are only a guide, you still need to dig down and always confirm.

[@bpbriggsy]

Enjoyed the vid, a great real world demonstration.

[@GeelongCableLocations]

Thanks Ben, appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment on it, thank you.

[@Mark-ix5vp]

Great video thanks

[@GeelongCableLocations]

Cheers Mark

[@locatingunlimited1361]

Hi Ben - nice video, however I would prefer you to tell people how to fix the non-round field so that it becomes round and you can then locate accurately - there are 5 things that you can do that will fix your non-round field.

[@GeelongCableLocations]

hahahah, nah mate, I don't want to start teaching people on video. Happy to give a few tips here and there and to show what not to do and what can go wrong, but when it comes to teaching guys, I would prefer they go to the experts like you guys where they can learn exactly how to do it right and learn the theory behind why you do it different ways, This way, regardless what situation they come across in the field they will be able to tackle it as they have learnt why it is doing what it is doing.

[@hbaykiwi]

I'd love to find out how you dug such a skinny hole under that cone. Can you please post a video of how you did that? I always find I have to go wider as I go deeper.

[@brianball4912]

The hole under the cone was likely done with a Vac, or Hydrovac truck.

[@GeelongCableLocations]

Sorry Ray, have only just seen this message. And yes, as Brian has perfectly pointed out, it was done with a hydro excavator. When you know exactly where to dig it is awesome, as you can dig straight down on it and don't need to make a huge hole.

[@dcbrunk]

Hello, so ive looked at your videos, and I feel like you really know your stuff. Have you ever tried a vivix unit to compare to the radiodetection? Just like your comparison of the peak and null showing different locations, im wondering if radio detection versus vivax would be different, and which is closer to actual. Specifically im asking about vivax vloc3 pro. Thank you

[@GeelongCableLocations]

Hi Dcbrunk, Yeah I have actually swapped over to the Vivax and that is my main go to locator these days. In terms of differences locators will always have there favourites, but I say it is like BMW vs Mercedes. They are both great units. Some years one model might be better than the other, but they both get you from A - B. I haven't done a side by side test with them and exposing the service, but have done many side by side test with just standard locating and they both are the same. I like the Vivax more because of the batteries and the sonde mode, plus I like some of the extra features it has. However I hate the power mode in it, so I do still constantly pull out the RD.

[@liuzhuo8362]

curious, which textbook?

[@GeelongCableLocations]

What do you mean? As in what is the name of the textbook? It's more of a saying or a phrase than an actual book, but the system of pinpointing the true position of the cable when peak and null don't line up is generally written in the manual you get when you buy your locator. It's normally also taught at locating courses.

[@liuzhuo8362]

@@GeelongCableLocations thank you

[@locatingunlimited1361]

@@liuzhuo8362 Have a look at ABCXYZ of Locating by Radio Detection