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Minelab

Minelab CTX 3030 - UK program - Part 1

29 Apr 2013

The CTX 3030 is a great metal detector that can be used many different ways, and in this blog post I'm going to show you how I use it.

First I need to explain where and what I’m searching for. In the UK I search for ancient finds rather than the more recent finds like milled coins. My entire quarry dates older than 300 years, and I often search for finds over a thousand years old. So Search Modes (programs) used to find coins in parks just don’t cut it for me.

The majority of ancient coins are smaller than modern coinage. This is because most of them have an intrinsic value; made from gold, silver or copper alloys. This also tends to make them thinner and lighter. Some small denomination medieval silver coins can sound like tin foil. Most of the CTX 3030 preset modes have a discrimination pattern too aggressive for these tiny coins, reducing depth and sensitivity.

So I need a discrimination pattern more suitable for my quarry, in fact I needed four. Two based on the "Tadpole" pattern I used to use on the E-TRAC… a third with a single line of discrimination along the bottom of the screen... and then a final one “wide open” with no discrimination.

The easiest way to build these patterns and modes, is using the XChange 2 software. You can build them within the detector, but using the software it’s just so much easier... and this way you end up with saved programs you can share.

XChange-2-software-for-metal-detectors-fig-1Fig. 1

To build a mode open XChange 2 and click on the “Add a new mode” button (Fig 1). Choose a collection (folder) to store the mode in, and then a new window will open with a factory mode ready to be customised. Click the plus symbol to the left of the pattern window, then click the "Accept All" button lower down (fig 2) To clear the pattern.

Fig 2 – Accept all to clear the screenFig 2 – Accept all to clear the screen

Fig 3 – Building a pattern using the rectangle toolFig 3 – Building a pattern using the rectangle tool

Fig 4 – First tadpole patternFig 4 – First tadpole pattern

Now click the cross symbol and drag your curser over the discrimination screen to build your pattern (fig 4). Then click/check pattern 2 and build a second pattern (fig 5). So that's two patterns on the first mode done, now click the audio tab and choose "50 conductivity". The low tone I set to 75 giving low grunts to thin section targets. Set the high tone for your personal hearing, you want a range that you can easily differentiate. For my personal hearing I use a high setting is 862 (fig 6).

Fig 5 – Second slightly more aggressive patternFig 5 – Second slightly more aggressive pattern

Fig 6 – Setting the tone ID profileFig 6 – Setting the tone ID profile

Now let's finish the first mode by selecting the following settings;

Response – Normal
Recovery Fast – Off
Recovery Deep – On
Seawater – Off
Target Separation - Ferrous-Coin
Pinpoint type – Sizing

Name and save the first mode, and then repeat the process for the second using the same settings. The patterns for this mode are less aggressive. The first is just a single line along the bottom of the screen (fig 7). The second pattern is left clear (fig 8). Save this second mode and you are finished, it's just a matter of uploading the new modes to your detector. Connect your CTX 3030 to your PC and drag the two new modes onto the CTX 3030 icon top left.

Fig 7Fig 7

Fig 8Fig 8

To use both modes at the push of a button; press and hold the user button, and then scroll down and select "Previous Mode".

To use this feature in the field; choose and load the first of the new modes. Press the detect button, then back to the menu and choose the second mode. Now you can switch between the two modes by just pressing the user button (fig 9).

Fig 9Fig 9

So that's part one complete, in part two I’ll explain what I'm trying to achieve and the best way of using these modes.

Now get out there and find something!

View FAQs for XChange 2 here

Gordon Heritage
MLOTV.com

Comments

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Thanks very usefull
Posted By: vktrs on September 25, 2016 12:08am
Hi Gordon
I have just bought my CTX 3030 and I have copied your Tadpole programmes - Thank You. I do not understand why we have four programmes. What am I looking for with the two with the almost blank screens? You say it is to analyse iffy targets. What should I be looking for during this analysis and what does the screen show what you cannot see in the first Tadpole pattern?
Regards
David
Posted By: david.hpl on April 27, 2017 07:07pm
hi gordan i have made your programs but 1 i forgot to set the tone on the second program and dont know how to get back into it to change it and 2 i cant get the programs onto my ctx or if i have put them on there i cant find them please help this is driving me up the wall
Posted By: scarfaced69 on September 25, 2017 04:14am
David - read part 2 and all will be explained.

Scareface69 - the Xchange 2 instruction PDF covers the building of a new mode better than I can do here. After constructing a new mode in Xchange 2, simply drag it onto the CTX 3030 icon which appears top left when you connect your detector to your PC.

If you constructed the program on your detector; load the program from the menu, it will probably be named "mode 6" or similar, then go back in the menu and select mode 6 and then edit on the detector, to continue adding the program settings. If you still have problems join Minelabowners.com for detailed advice.
Posted By: Ironhearted Gog on September 26, 2017 04:09pm
Is there a download for these programs?
Posted By: Estrella on October 25, 2017 08:57am

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