I'm in Chattanooga and a newbie as well. To be honest, I'm greener than a newbie, don't even have a machine yet but on the verge. Wondering where to hunt around here. Maybe we can get a local group going.
I just got an AT Pro. Bad time of year to have bought it (if interested, see my story at http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=267958). Weather warmed up, but was raining. Detected for about 20 minutes between showers the other day behind the house and dug up a piece of aluminum flashing and a 4 inch piece of quarter inch copper tubing. :-/
Anyway, if the weather gets nice sometime, would be interested in learning from someone who knows what they're doing, or putzing around with someone who is learning, like me.
We are down at our cabin in Coker Creek, just south of Tellico Plains, every few weeks, so might be interested in hunting down there also.