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Minelab MDS-10 Operator Training
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Minelab MDS-10 Operator Training

Minelab MDS-10 Operator Training

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Summary of Contents for Minelab MDS-10

  • Page 1 Operator Training...
  • Page 2 Course Outline References: A. MDS-10 Operations Manual B. MDS-10 Field Guide Lesson 1 – System Overview & Quick Start Lesson 2 – User Interface & Setup Options Lesson 3 – MD, GPR Overview & Search Techniques Lesson 4 – Accessories, Trouble Shooting & Maintenance...
  • Page 3 Lesson 1 System Overview & Quick Start...
  • Page 4 MD & GPR Fundamentals Metal Detection Advantages* • Detects all conductive metal targets • Ignores non metal clutter • Provides information on target composition Disadvantages* • Suffers in mineralised ground (Ground Balance) • Cannot detect non-metal non-conductive targets • Difficult to discriminate between targets •...
  • Page 5 MD & GPR Fundamentals Ground Penetrating Radar (dielectric anomaly detector) Advantages Disadvantages • Detects non-metal targets • Depth of detection can vary depending on ground • Can provide indication of depth • Cannot distinguish between ground anomalies • Prone to false alarms •...
  • Page 6 MDS-10 Dual Sensor Detector MDS-10 combines unique Metal Detection (MD) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technologies to provide superior results in the detection of buried metal and non-metal explosive device components Including: • Wires • Improvised explosive devices • Landmines •...
  • Page 7 MDS-10 General Specifications & Features • • Variable Metal Detection and Adjustable search head Ground Penetrating Radar • Selectable audio, haptic sensitivity with volume control (vibration) and visual • Detection, Interrogation and operator alerts Pinpointing modes • Li-ion battery often used in •...
  • Page 8 MDS-10 General Specifications & Features Detector Dimensions Collapsed: 485 × 152 × 195 mm Extended: 1567 × 275 × 195 mm Detector Weight 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs) Li-ion Battery 6.8 Ah Battery Life: >7 hours AA Battery Pack For use with AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries...
  • Page 9 MDS-10 Kit Contents Standard Items 1. MDS-10 Detector 2. Hard Transit Case 3. Carry Bag 4. Battery Charger 5. Lithium-ion Battery (x 2) 6. MDS-10 Earset 7. Operations Manual 8. Field Guide 9. GPR Test Target...
  • Page 10 MDS-10 Kit Contents Standard Items 1. MDS-10 Detector 2. Hard Transit Case 3. Carry Bag 4. Battery Charger 5. Lithium-ion Battery (x 2) 6. MDS-10 Earset 7. Operations Manual 8. Field Guide 9. GPR Test Target Optional Items 10. AA Battery Pack 11.
  • Page 11 MDS-10 Unfolding Procedures Attach Earset...
  • Page 12 MDS-10 Description & Identification 1. Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery 2. Battery Release Lever 3. Control Box 4. Lateral Shaft Camlock 5. Adjustable Armrest 6. Armrest Strap 7. User Interface 8. Speaker 9. Trigger Button 10. Folding Handle...
  • Page 13 MDS-10 Description & Identification 11. Stand 12. Earset Connector 13. MD Test Piece 14. Upper Shaft 15. Upper Shaft Camlock 16. Middle Shaft 17. Lower Shaft Camlock 18. Lower Shaft 19. Sensor Head 20. Sensor Head Rotation Camlock 21. Sensor Head Pivot Tension 22.
  • Page 14 MDS-10 User Interface • The MDS-10 User Interface has a large LCD Screen, a backlight, and a keypad. • The User Interface displays and controls all of the detector functions. 1. LCD 2. MD Button 3. Ground Balance Button/Noise Cancel 4.
  • Page 15 MDS-10 User Interface SWITCH ON – SELECT SENSORS Purpose: Switch detector ON and OFF and select MD and/or GPR sensors • Long press on ON/OFF button to switch ON and • Single press of MD or GPR to select or deselect •...

  • Page 16: Ground Balance

    MDS-10 User Interface GROUND BALANCE Purpose: Remove MD sensor noise caused by ground mineralisation Note: GB cannot be started until first LED on MD sensor stops flashing after switching detector ON Hold detector 25-50mm Press and release Slowly move search head Observe Ground (1-2”) above surface...
  • Page 17 MDS-10 User Interface SKYSHOT Purpose: Remove GPR’s own radar signature to clear screen imagery and optimise GPR performance Note: Skyshot cannot commence until first LED on GPR sensor stops flashing after switching detector ON Hold detector in air away Press and release Skyshot...
  • Page 18 MDS-10 Quick Start (Both Sensors Enabled)
  • Page 19 MDS-10 Quick Start (Both Sensors Enabled)
  • Page 20 MDS-10 Quick Start (Both Sensors Enabled)
  • Page 21 MDS-10 Detect Screen 1. Status Bar 2. MD Sensitivity Level Indicator 3. Battery Level Indicator 4. GPR Sensitivity Level Indicator 5. MD Ground Balance Mode 6. Enabled MD Feedback Indicators 7. MD Trace 8. GPR Imagery 9. Enabled GPR Feedback Indicators...
  • Page 22 MDS-10 Setup Screen 1. Setting Overview Area 2. Setup Menu Icon 3. Battery Level Indicator 4. MD Sensitivity Level 5. Volume Level 6. GPR Sensitivity Level 7. LCD/LED Brightness Level 8. Default Setting Markers 9. MD Ground Balance Mode 10.Enabled MD Feedback Indicators 11.MD Setup Page Indicator...
  • Page 23 Lesson 2 User Interface & Setup Options...
  • Page 24 MDS-10 User Interface SWITCH ON – SELECT SENSORS Purpose: Switch detector ON and OFF and select MD and/or GPR sensors • Long press on ON/OFF button to switch ON and • Single press of MD or GPR to select or deselect •...
  • Page 25 MDS-10 User Interface GROUND BALANCE Purpose: Remove MD sensor noise caused by ground mineralisation Note: GB cannot be started until first LED on MD sensor stops flashing after switching detector ON Hold detector 25-50mm Press and release Slowly move search head Observe Ground (1-2”) above surface...

  • Page 26: Noise Cancel

    MDS-10 User Interface NOISE CANCEL Purpose: Remove/reduce electrical interference with MD sensor Observe Noise Cancel progress screen Hold detector horizontally Long press and release Ground Balance 25 seconds and stationary Button to enter into Noise Cancel...
  • Page 27 MDS-10 User Interface SKYSHOT Purpose: Remove GPR’s own radar signature to clear screen imagery and optimise GPR performance Note: Skyshot cannot commence until first LED on GPR sensor stops flashing after switching detector ON Hold detector in air away Press and release Skyshot...
  • Page 28 MDS-10 User Interface VOLUME & SENSOR SENSITIVITY Purpose: Adjust audio volume, MD and GPR sensitivities Volume MD Sensitivity GPR Sensitivity Press + and – buttons to Press and release GPR button Press and release MD button then + and – buttons to adjust then + and –...
  • Page 29 MDS-10 User Interface PAUSE & SCREEN BRIGHTNESS Purpose: Pause screen, adjust brightness or extinguish screen Press + and – buttons to adjust Press and release Pause Press and hold Pause button to button – repeat to Play extinguish screen – repeat to illuminate...
  • Page 30 MDS-10 User Interface NIGHT VISION & TACTICAL MODE Purpose: Allow for use of Night Vision Goggles and reduce alerts to vibration only for tactical purposes Night Vision Tactical LCD and Target Indicator LED • Speaker off – Earset on Switch to night Vision Mode •...
  • Page 31 MDS-10 User Interface GPR START/STOP GATES Purpose: Reduce GPR false alarms due to rough or uneven surfaces and shallow or deep clutter Stop Gate Start Gate -100 -100 Press Skyshot button again to display Stop Gate icon and press Press + and – buttons to + and –...
  • Page 32 MDS-10 User Interface GPR DETECTION THRESHOLD Purpose: Adjusts ability of GPR to detect weak targets in GPR imagery Press + and – to adjust Threshold While in Stop Gate display press Skyshot button to display GPR Threshold icon between 0 and 100. Default is 30...

  • Page 33: Screen Overview

    MDS-10 Setup Options SCREEN OVERVIEW Purpose: Selects MD and GPR alerts, audio outputs and GB mode 1. Setting Overview Area 2. Setup Menu Icon 3. Battery Level Indicator 4. MD Sensitivity Level 5. Volume Level 6. GPR Sensitivity Level 7. LCD/LED Brightness Level 8.
  • Page 34 MDS-10 Setup Options MD & GPR ALERTS Purpose: Use soft keys to select/deselect MD and GPR alerts Note: It is not possible to deselect all three alerts for each sensor simultaneously Press GPR button to display GPR alerts and press...

  • Page 35: Ground Balance Mode

    MDS-10 Setup Options GROUND BALANCE MODE Purpose: To select IED or Conventional (Bomb) mode Note: • IED mode is default mode used to detect all metal targets including high frequency targets like wires and carbon rods • Conventional mode is less...

  • Page 36: Audio Output Modes

    MDS-10 Setup Options AUDIO OUTPUT MODES Purpose: To select preferred Audio output When in Setup screen existing Press soft key to toggle Audio Output Mode is displayed between Audio Output Modes...
  • Page 37 Lesson 3 MD/GPR Overview & Search Techniques...
  • Page 38 MDS-10 MD Sensor MD SENSOR MODES Purpose: To detect, pinpoint and obtain information about a target Detection Mode (Default) • Maximum performance • Dynamic mode • Pitch and volume proportional to target signal strength • More sensitive than Pinpoint or Interrogation modes Pinpoint Mode •...
  • Page 39 MDS-10 MD Sensor MD INTERROGATION MODE Purpose: To obtain information on characteristics and composition of target Interrogation Mode • Press and release trigger • Ferrous and non-ferrous indications • Provides graphical information about target • Indicates carbon rod detections • Provides varied tones depending on target...
  • Page 40 MDS-10 MD Sensor MD TRACE Purpose: Provides real time MD visual indication of target detection Detection Mode Small or deep metallic targets Large or shallow metallic targets 4 seconds of data right to left 4 seconds of data right to left...
  • Page 41 MDS-10 GPR Sensor GPR IMAGERY Purpose: Provides real time GPR visual indication of target detection Parts of GPR imagery Examples of GPR imagery...
  • Page 42 MDS-10 GPR Sensor GPR MOTION DISABLE INDICATOR Purpose: Stops GPR transmission during periods of inactivity • After 8 seconds of inactivity ▪ GPR transmission stops ▪ Scrolling screen stops ▪ Flashing icon • GPR transmission and scrolling screen resume upon detector...
  • Page 43 MDS-10 MD & GPR Sensors DISPLAY & GPR IMAGERY Purpose: Provides real time combined MD and GPR visual information Note: Alignment of MD and GPR traces indicate target is an anomaly in the ground and contains metal...
  • Page 44 MDS-10 Search Technique • Smooth motion 0.5 to 1 m (1.5’ to 3’) / sec Search Speed • Half coil overlap Search Overlap • Parallel sweeping • 25-50mm 1-2” Search Height • MD only sweep closer • GPR no closer than 25mm...
  • Page 45 MDS-10 Locating the Target In detection mode, once MD and/or GPR sensors Select pinpoint mode and commence mapping give target indications attempt to sweep to the target by approaching with the long side of cleared ground and obtain a mental image of the...
  • Page 46 MDS-10 Locating the Target For targets including multiple targets, approach When moving over a target detection mode and from several angles to map out the area pinpoint mode give a different number of tones...
  • Page 47 MDS-10 Pinpointing the Target In pinpoint mode sweep the target at 90 degrees Pinpointing of AT, AP mines and crushed noting the loss of tone (null point). Extremely wire fuse accurate pinpointing can be achieved...
  • Page 48 Lesson 4 Accessories, Possible Faults, Maintenance...
  • Page 49 Accessories LITHION-ION BATTERY CHARGER & PACK Battery Charger, AC power pack, AC power cable Battery Charger Status battery pack Battery Pack Status...
  • Page 50 Accessories OPTIONAL AA BATTERY PACK Note: • Until low battery alert, detection performance is consistent • Battery alert indication is one or more of: ▪ Flashing battery icon on display ▪ Rapid high-low audio tone every 10 seconds ▪ Three rapid vibrations every 10 seconds •...

  • Page 51: Troubleshooting

    Possible Faults TROUBLE SHOOTING Trouble Shooting - Refer to Operations Manual...

  • Page 52: Error Codes

    Possible Faults ERROR CODES Types of Codes Level of Error System Error Critical Advisory MD Error Fatal GPR Error Error Codes - Refer to Operations Manual...
  • Page 53 Possible Faults ERROR CODES Types of Codes Level of Error System Error Critical MD & GPR Advisory MD Error Fatal GPR Error System Action • Attempt to reset by powering off detector • If necessary deselect affected sensor • View error code in setup screen •...
  • Page 54 Possible Faults ERROR CODES Types of Codes Level of Error System Error Critical Advisory MD Error Fatal Will not affect detector GPR Error performance Action • Elect to continue detecting • View error code in setup screen • Report error Error Codes - Refer to Operations Manual...
  • Page 55 Possible Faults ERROR CODES Types of Codes Level of Error System Error Critical Advisory MD Error Automatically shuts Fatal GPR Error down detector May result in damage to detector Action • No error codes displayed • Attempt factory reset • Report error Error Codes - Refer to Operations Manual...
  • Page 56 Course Summary & Revision MDS-10 Kit Contents Night Vision and Tactical Mode Unfolding and Folding GPR Start and Stop Gates Description and Identification GPR Detection Threshold MDS-10 Quick Start MD and GPR Alerts Switch On Select Sensors Ground Balance Mode...
  • Page 57 Operator Confirmation Exercise BRIEFING...
  • Page 58 Annex A...
  • Page 59 Frequently Asked Questions a. Environmental concerns. (1) Max and min operating temperatures? • -30°C to +60°C Tested (2) Battery life for the above? • 7 hours run time at 25°C. Run time will be slightly less at the extremes of temperature range. (3) Submergible depth? •...
  • Page 60 • The MD is capable of detecting wires and in many cases can detect and map out the location of wires. The MDS-10 is incredibly immune to interference and will be able to operate effectively whilst quite close to electrical utilities and cables. Dependant on specific details (current, voltage and earth of utilities) •...
  • Page 61 Integration Issues: (1) Interoperability with other MDS-10 or HORN Mk3. • MD can operate as close as 2m from another MDS-10 detector. We don’t have details on the HORN Mk3. (a) Operating distances from each other? • Minimum two meters.
  • Page 62 • MD is very tolerant of very high swing speeds with reasonable detection results at speeds of up to 1.5m per second. Sweep speed and style is similar to other dual sensors. The MDS-10 is significantly lighter and more versatile than other dual sensor detectors so operators will have more control, balance and less fatigue than other dual sensor detectors.
  • Page 63 Frequently Asked Questions (c) Methods of delineation. Is it the same in all functions? • MD has three distinct and different operating modes that offer optimised delineation as follows: o Detection Mode: Very responsive, very sensitive with low latency and fast recovery. Ideal for searching new ground and detecting all targets.
  • Page 64 • Cut and paste content from brochure/manual (e) Min distance from EEDs, Pre/post destruction/exposed EEDs. • Dependant on specifics of the actual EED (Electro Explosive Devise). Minelab do not have specific safety stand-off distances between the MDS-10 and EEDs. Testing to date has shown the MDS-10 doesn’t initiate magnetic influence mines.