Antenna Modes

The RD8000 system supports 5 antenna modes, exclusively dedicated to locating cable and pipes, and to suit your particular application or the local environment. These are:

• Peak mode
• Single antenna mode
• Null mode
• Combined Peak/Null mode
• Guidance mode

Peak Mode

Peak mode provides the most sensitive and accurate mode for location and depth measurement. It provides a sharp peak response with a corresponding small decrease in sensitivity. Peak mode cannot be disabled using the menu.

In Peak mode the following indicators are displayed by the LCD:

• Depth
• Current
• Signal strength
• Compass

To select Peak mode:

Press thekey until the Peak mode icon is displayed on the LCD.

Single Antenna Mode

In Single Antenna mode, the RD8000 locator will detect with higher sensitivity over a wider area than peak mode. This is particularly useful for locating deep utilities quickly and indiscriminately in single antenna mode the following indicators are displayed by the LCD:

• Depth
• Current
• Signal strength
• Compass

To select single antenna mode:

• Press the key to select your preferred frequency
• Press the key until the single antenna mode icon is displayed on the LCD.

Null Mode

Null mode is used to verify a locate signal in environments with limited or no electromagnetic distortion.

In null mode the following indicators are displayed by the LCD:

• Signal strength.
• Compass
• Right and left arrows.

To select null mode:

1 Press thekey until the null mode icon is displayed on the LCD.

Null mode gives a null response when it is directly over the line. The sharp, null response can be easier to use than the Peak response but is vulnerable to interference and should not be used for locating, except in areas where there is no interference present.

Combined Peak/Null mode

Peak/Null mode gives you the advantages associated with these modes simultaneously.

Use the proportional arrows to place the locator above the NULL point. If the peak response is not at a maximum then this is evidence of a distorted field. If the peak response is at its maximum level where the NULL point is located then there is no or very limited distortion present. At this point, peak mode may be selected to obtain depth and current information.

In Peak/Null mode the following indicators are displayed by the LCD:

• Proportional right and left arrows
• Signal strength
• Compass
• Current
• Depth

To select Peak/Null mode:

1 Press the key until the Peak/Null mode iconis displayed on the LCD.

Guidance mode

Guidance mode offers good performance in distorted fields and provides three indicators to guide the user towards the target line.

The Left and Right Proportional Arrows become shorter as the locator approaches the target, and the Target Position Indicator will move towards its central position. The Signal Strength reading will also reach its maximum value when the locator is positioned above the target.

Any deviation from all three indicators showing the target position in the same location could signal the presence of a distorted field.

In Guidance mode the following indicators are displayed:

• Proportional left and right arrows.
• Target position indicator
• Signal strength.
• Compass
• Current
• Depth

NOTE: The depth and current values will display automatically, although these values will not be accurate until the locator is directly over the target line and correctly orientated.

To select Guidance mode:

1 Press the key until the Guidance mode icon is displayed on the LCD.