Preferred Freq. (RD4000)

[duke]

Hey everybody,

I'm just curious about which frequency all you RD4000 users out there prefer to use. My box has 512, 8, and 65. During training, we were told to always use the lowest frequency possible, but I've found that 512 is pretty much insufferable for most locates. It's useful for congested locations like crossbox/VRAD/cabinet sites, but for most other applications it's just too "slow" for my tastes.

I use 8 on almost everything, usually with power at 2. This seems like a universally useful freq/power level, and I can usually find things with no problem.

I use 65 exclusively for "clamping".

Anybody out there have input/recommendations? What do you use for particular utilities?

I assume that alot of you out there are using the RD4000.

Thanks!

[LadyLeatherneck]

Use 8 and 32 most of the time. 512 is only good for short distances. If you've got a good ground use 8, if a lousy ground use 32. Never use 65, don't ring clamp, direct connect to everything.

[TBONE]

8 99% of the time 32 if I am having a problem and if that dont work ,,ahhhhhhhh I just break out the ol reliable pipehorn

[ifinditunderground]

I will always use the 82 kHz in the 9800's or the 83.3 kHz of the 810, and will use the 9.8kHz when I need a lower frequency.

[thejoker]

ah I remember those days.....3 tones ...yup that electric....sounds deap....

I will always use the 82 kHz in the 9800's or the 83.3 kHz of the 810, and will use the 9.8kHz when I need a lower frequency.

[yahoo]

save your self some trouble...........................get a subsite!!!! hahaha ..good luck with that heavy rd.....maybe you'll get a workout for your arms.....

[Metroman]

Hey everybody,

I'm just curious about which frequency all you RD4000 users out there prefer to use. My box has 512, 8, and 65. During training, we were told to always use the lowest frequency possible, but I've found that 512 is pretty much insufferable for most locates. It's useful for congested locations like crossbox/VRAD/cabinet sites, but for most other applications it's just too "slow" for my tastes.

I use 8 on almost everything, usually with power at 2. This seems like a universally useful freq/power level, and I can usually find things with no problem.

I use 65 exclusively for "clamping".

Anybody out there have input/recommendations? What do you use for particular utilities?

I assume that alot of you out there are using the RD4000.

Thanks!

For those rare occasions that you have to clamp you might want to try 8 for that as well.If the grounding system on the utilitiy is good 8 will work and youll bleed off less.

[Metroman]

I will always use the 82 kHz in the 9800's or the 83.3 kHz of the 810, and will use the 9.8kHz when I need a lower frequency.

I love the ALL feature.I use 9 to pinpoint and then 82 as a safety sweep.

[yahoo]

my coworkers use the rd4000.............they like the 65 feature and the radio feature.....

[USICKurt]

The RD has a Transmiter? I thought Radio and Power, then the Metrotech 810 for gas.

Just kidding.

In the area that I work in, Verizon/MCI has a 512 signal that is on there fiber lines 24/7. So I have to use 8 to locate in the area. We had a 10" Gas Main that was hit because the new locator was tought to use 512 all the time. Lucky for the Locator/Excavator, only the wrapping was knocked off.

Use 8 for ring clamp also unless line is hard to locate, then go to 65.

[scap]

Hey everybody,

I'm just curious about which frequency all you RD4000 users out there prefer to use. My box has 512, 8, and 65. During training, we were told to always use the lowest frequency possible, but I've found that 512 is pretty much insufferable for most locates. It's useful for congested locations like crossbox/VRAD/cabinet sites, but for most other applications it's just too "slow" for my tastes.

I use 8 on almost everything, usually with power at 2. This seems like a universally useful freq/power level, and I can usually find things with no problem.

I use 65 exclusively for "clamping".

Anybody out there have input/recommendations? What do you use for particular utilities?

I assume that alot of you out there are using the RD4000.

Thanks!

Same setup, and same freq usage...

I've talked to veterans and they all advise 8

[sue me]

Practice Practice Practice )
Whenever you have a few extra minutes on a job try new things.
If someone says always or never - think again.
8khz or 9khz work well for direct connection to most cables and some pipes.
33khz is good for others.
65khz and 83khz work best when clamping or inducing and also for systems that have gaps or insulators like gas and steam.
200khz and 450khz are useful in updating or pushing through congested areas once you know about where things are - digging and dead spots.
Always know the limits of your equipment and when to not trust it.

[locomike]

i use 32 like it alright i only use 65 when i drop the box i clam in 32.

[Dave72]

I use 8 or 33 for all the mains (tel only).. generally prefer 8 with a good whack of tx power. I do run into probs with drops not grounded in the house (and the entrance is under or basically stuck to the house finishing (concrete parging etc)).. then Ill try 33 up to max power and then 65 max.. usually I get something bleeding out of it enough to trace it (or .. trace 'something' anyhow..lol)

I cant figure tho, our full-time locator guy uses a Metro (the rest of us use an RD), so he's up at what.. 65k ? .. he just clips on and paints the town.. done quick.. the rest of us are screwing around at 8 and 33 tryin to 'be accurate' like management says to do clipping on each leg individually etc.. heck I havent seen the guy using Metro at 65 get an at-fault yet.. grr.. he easily works at 2 or 3x our speed (mind you, a career in locating the same plant over and over sort of gives you an idea where the dang stuff is.. something to be said for NOT doin the 'jack of all trades master of none' thing.

(in case you didnt catch my orig post in the survey section, Im a cable splicer who does locates as one of the #2 or #3 guys and standby/callouts)