What Does It Do - RIDGID NaviTrack Scout Operating Instructions Manual

• Micro Map View.
• Indicate distinct signal characteristics.

2.2 What Does It Do?

The Scout is used above ground to sense electromagnetic
fields emitted from underground or hidden lines (electrical con-
ductors like metal wires and pipes) or sondes (actively trans-
mitting beacons). When the fields are simple and undistorted,
then the sensed fields are representative of the buried object.
The Scout locates conductive objects emitting a field; it does
not directly sense underground objects.
Electrical fields emitted by buried objects can be of two types;
the first type is emitted by long conductors such as energized
wires, inspection camera pushcables or pipes. These objects
produce a long cylindrical field and this is often referred to as
"Line" tracing.
The field emitted by a charged line.
(Passive, AC Tracing is just a special case where the line is
"energized" with electrical power.)
The second type, sondes (also called transmitters, beacons, or
active duct probes), emit a differently shaped field and the
Scout is programmed to measure and display this type of field.
The more complex field shape of a sonde is called a dipole
field, and is the same as that produced by a bar magnet and
our planet Earth.
The dipole field emitted by a sonde.
Electromagnetic fields have three (3) important properties:
frequency, strength and angle (direction). Unlike conventional
locators, which can only measure strength in the direction of
the individual antenna(s), the Scout measures both signal
strength and field angles in three dimensions (3D). This
enhanced capability makes the mapping display possible. The
experienced operator can use this additional information to
speed the locating process and to help sort out complex locat-
ing situations. On the other hand, the occasional or novice
user can easily locate using signal strength alone.
The Scout locating rule #1 is make the number big! –
Maximizing signal strength is the key, primary locating method.
Example of how the Scout maximizes directly
over the sonde.
Whether line tracing or locating a sonde, maximum signal
strength occurs over the target. Depth is displayed when over
the target.
2.3 What Is The Scout Multi Directional
Advantage?
Viewing all of the signal with Multi directional antennas offers
definite advantages:
1. Signal always gets stronger as user gets closer to the
target.
2. Eliminates Nulls and "Ghost Peaks". A conventional
locator signal has a peak, then a null and then a small-
er peak. This can confuse the operator, especially if
they interpret a smaller peak as the target (known as
"Ghost" or "False" peaks). The Scout sees just one peak
to draw the user to the target.
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