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Minelab F3 Instructions Manual
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Minelab F3 Instructions Manual

Minelab F3 Instructions Manual

Metal mine detector
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Download this manual See also: Service Manual, Operating Manual
F3 Metal Mine Detector
Issue 1.3 March, 2006

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Summary of Contents for Minelab F3

  • Page 1 F3 Metal Mine Detector Issue 1.3 March, 2006...
  • Page 2 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES WARNING THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS MINELAB ELECTRONICS LIMITED RIGHTS TECHNICAL DATA OR RESTRICTED RIGHTS DATA OR BOTH. © Minelab Electronics This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without written...
  • Page 3 INSTRUCTORS NOTES These Instructor Notes are produced to assist instructors in preparing for the F3 Operator Training Course. They are provided as a guide and are not intended to be prescriptive. They should be used in combination with the information contained in the F3 Operations Manual and Field Guide.
  • Page 4 F3 Operations Manual F3 Operator Training PowerPoint presentation One F3 inside a Hard Case and one F3 in its soft Carry Bag F3 detectors - one per two students (including Hard Case) The major teaching points of this lesson are as follows:...
  • Page 5 Test Piece • Operations Manual • Field Guide • Soft Carry Bag Show the F3 in the Soft Carry Bag and locate the following: • Detector with Black Endcap • Red Low Sensitivity Endcap • Earset (with Volume Control) •...
  • Page 6 Includes Earset Connector and all F3 Controls. o Coil. It is important to mention that part of the F3’s superior capability is due to its coil design. Give a brief description on the monoloop design explaining that no separate transmission and reception coils exist.
  • Page 7 • Battery Pack and Inserting Batteries o Invert the F3 being careful to rest the Endcap either inside the Hard Case or Soft Carry Bag to keep it clear of dirt, remove the Battery Pack and insert four D Cell batteries as follows:...
  • Page 8 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES Upper Shaft Battery Pack Lock Lever Electronics Pack P0616-A o Slowly slide the Battery Pack towards the Electronics Pack until the connector is firmly engaged. Secure the Battery Pack by rotating the Lock Lever in a clockwise motion into the locked position.
  • Page 9 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES either side of the shaft (required if the F3 is to be used in the prone position). Once the position of the coil is selected, lock it into position by closing the Lower Camlock. P0618-A P0619-A P0620-A o In sequence, extend the Lower and then Middle Shafts to suit the deminer’s height and selected demining position.
  • Page 10 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES Changing Endcaps • A unique feature of the F3 is its ability to change sensitivity through the exchange of Sensitivity Endcaps. This design feature eliminates the possibility of an operator selecting the wrong sensitivity through manipulation of dials or switches. The Sensitivity Endcap provides an obvious visual cue that confirms the level of sensitivity selected in the F3.
  • Page 11 Depending on the size of the target and the depth of detection required, the Red Sensitivity Endcap may not be suitable for use. It is recommended that, prior to operational use, the capability of the F3, fitted with the Red Sensitivity Cap, be tested against the local threat to ensure detection occurs.

  • Page 12: Functional Controls

    Revision. Revise the description and identification of components of the F3. Prepare the F3 Change Endcaps Functional Controls Twelve • For ease of use, all controls for the F3 are located on the Handle. The figure below illustrates the location of all controls: Ground Balance/ Audio Reset...
  • Page 13 (known as the Start-Up Tones). o At the completion of the Start-Up Tones the F3 emits a low steady tone known as the Threshold Tone, which confirms to the operator that the F3 is functioning correctly.
  • Page 14 Functional Tones Thirteen • The F3 emits tones that vary in pitch and volume to alert an operator to targets, automatic detector functions or equipment alarm conditions. The following table summarizes the tones that an F3 can produce (Note: the...
  • Page 15 Low Battery Alarm will alert the operator. **WARNING** When Low Battery Alarm occurs the operator must immediately STOP demining operations. The F3 should be switched off and new or recharged batteries inserted into the Battery. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Students shall be able to correctly identify and describe the functional controls and tones of the F3.
  • Page 16 Revision. List and describe the Functional Controls and the different Functional Tones of the F3. Standard Procedure Sixteen • The F3 is designed to ensure the operation of the detector is as simple as possible. Additionally, the F3 is extremely capable, safe to use, robust and eliminates need...

  • Page 17: Step 2 - Ground Balance

    F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES P0645-A The F3 will emit a series of four rising tones over 12 seconds (internal diagnostic checks occurring). At the completion of the Start-Up Tones listen for the low volume Threshold Tone. This slide includes embedded wav file to demonstrate applicable tones.
  • Page 18 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES Beep Beep 150mm (6 in) P0623-A NOTE Movement of the coil during the entire Ground Balance procedure should be slow, continuous and smooth and each down and up movement should take 3 to 4 seconds. If the Ground Balance OK tone is not heard within 20 seconds of starting the procedure, release the Ground Balance button and repeat this procedure.
  • Page 19 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES P0647-A Red Sensitivity Endcap: Hold the Test Piece above the middle of the Coil with the rounded end (containing the metallic target) TOWARDS the coil. Move the Test Piece towards the centre of the Coil until it...
  • Page 20 Within two seconds the threshold tone will return to its correct level. Once Noise Cancel or Audio Reset is complete, continue with Steps 2 and 3. Once completed, the F3 can now be used for demining operations in compliance with local Standard Operating Minelab Countermine Division...
  • Page 21 Noise Cancel and Audio Reset procedures can be performed at any time the Threshold Tone becomes noisy, uneven, or rises in volume. Having completed STEPS 1, 2 and 3 the F3 remembers the Ground Balance setting even after the detector has been switched off.
  • Page 22 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES o The detector remembers its Ground Balance condition after being switched off and will retain it until another Ground Balance is conducted. The detector remembers its Noise Cancel condition after being switched off and will retain it until another Noise Cancel is conducted.
  • Page 23 Sweeping Procedure Nineteen • The F3 should be swept with a smooth even motion at a speed of 0.6 m/s (2 ft/s). If the detector is swept too fast or too slow, small or deep targets may be missed. The coil should always be kept at the same height above the...
  • Page 24 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES Edge Detection makes use of the coil’s consistent sensitivity around its circumference to detect the edges of a target. To conduct edge detection, the coil should approach the suspected location of the target from a variety of angles.
  • Page 25 For example, small anti-personnel mines may be laid in a cluster, or a large anti-tank mine may be surrounded by smaller anti-personnel mines or booby-traps. Regardless, the pin-pointing procedure for the F3 can be used to effectively map a suspicious area as follows: o STEP 1 Mapping the Target Using edge detection technique to map the suspicious area.
  • Page 26 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES P0627-A NOTE To an experienced operator the shape of the mapped area can indicate whether multiple targets may be present. However, the volume from the large target may mask the volume of the smaller target and so great care is necessary for accuracy.
  • Page 27 Twenty Four • On occasion it may be necessary to operate F3 detectors in close proximity. In normal circumstances, an F3 detector can operate as close as 2 meters (7 feet) to another F3 detector without suffering excessive mutual interference.
  • Page 28 F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES Case or Soft Carry Bag. o Stow the detector in the Hard Case or Soft Carry Bag. o Ensure all components are correctly packed (especially the Test Piece and Earset). PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Students shall be able to explain and conduct the following procedures:...
  • Page 29 Twenty Routine Care Seven The F3 has been designed and manufactured using robust materials to minimize the potential for faults or excessive wear on individual components. However, to assist in maintaining equipment longevity the following daily actions should be carried out:...

  • Page 30: Recommended Procedure

    Typical problems and possible solutions are described as follows: Problem Recommended Procedure 1. Check Batteries have been inserted correctly into F3 will not switch on the Battery Pack, or 2. Replace Batteries, or 3. Remove Battery Pack and reconnect ensuring Battery Pack Lever is locked into position, or 4.
  • Page 31 Cannot hear the Test 1. Ensure that the detector has been turned on for Piece with the Black at least 30 seconds Endcap PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Students shall be able to describe F3 daily maintenance and trouble shooting. Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence...
  • Page 32 Although the F3 is capable of canceling the electronic influence created by another F3 as close as 2m away and still operate to its full capability, a ten- metre separation between detectors is suggested. This will ensure that those students with no experience understand how to operate the detector and recognise its responses.
  • Page 33 • Water. Dig a hole and fill it with water (or use a plastic bucket without a metal handle) and show the F3 coil is not affected by operating in a wet environment. • Soil sifting. The closed Monoloop Coil offers an excellent method when searching an area for a target.
  • Page 34 Cleared evaluation area – constructed as one mine lane (1m wide and 5m long) Targets to bury in the test area as described below – if inert mines are not available, F3 test pieces buried at varying depths will suffice...

  • Page 35: Start Point

    F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES A suggested training lane layout is as follows: START POINT • A - medium Size Target (PMA-2 det). A good strong tone so that they can demonstrate solid pinpointing technique. • B - large and Small Target (M14 and PMA-2). A student must demonstrate that they can actually detect two targets.
  • Page 36 - Small different targets 10-15 cm apart - Large metal anti-tank mine at 30 cm 2 small identical targets 7-10 cm apart Small anti-personnel mine near metal anti-tank F3 OPERATOR PRACTICAL EVALUATION Name Remarks Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence...