I've been viewing the posts on the friendly forums for several years and finally decided to sign up.
I've been an electronic hobbyist since my teenage years. I actually built my first detector in the early 70's from scratch using a schematic diagram from a book in my local library. I used an antenna coil from an old 5 tube AM radio mounted on a broomstick as my search coil. The circuit was a Beat Frequency Oscillator that produced a steady tone. When a metal object got near the coil, the tone changed pitch. It worked 'kind of' I found mostly cans with it.
In the 80's I bought a Radio Shack detector for $5 at a garage sale and got good enough with it to find loose change.
Several years ago, I picked up a used Ace 400 and was surprised how much I was able to find with it. My wife was on the sideline about the hobby until I found my first diamond ring. It was just her size! That Christmas Santa brought me a Nox 800 and it is amazing. I'm retired and go out a couple times a week when the weather is nice. I spend most of my time in city parks and playgrounds. I did get my first permission this past year and joined a local metal detecting club. Looking forward to enjoying the hobby more.
I've been an electronic hobbyist since my teenage years. I actually built my first detector in the early 70's from scratch using a schematic diagram from a book in my local library. I used an antenna coil from an old 5 tube AM radio mounted on a broomstick as my search coil. The circuit was a Beat Frequency Oscillator that produced a steady tone. When a metal object got near the coil, the tone changed pitch. It worked 'kind of' I found mostly cans with it.
In the 80's I bought a Radio Shack detector for $5 at a garage sale and got good enough with it to find loose change.
Several years ago, I picked up a used Ace 400 and was surprised how much I was able to find with it. My wife was on the sideline about the hobby until I found my first diamond ring. It was just her size! That Christmas Santa brought me a Nox 800 and it is amazing. I'm retired and go out a couple times a week when the weather is nice. I spend most of my time in city parks and playgrounds. I did get my first permission this past year and joined a local metal detecting club. Looking forward to enjoying the hobby more.
Happy hunting! 
