PICKINI - an easy to build PI detector

[Frank_Schwab]

Hello Bernard

I like the idea of making the coil like described in post #172 in this thread.

I'm still struggling with finding a good solution to mount the shaft to the coil. The version you are using in pic 7 of #172 looks very professional. What are you using here?

BR
Frank

[F117]

Frank,
in order to mount a coil with 2 fixation ears to a round shaft, you need to make a sqare part at the end of the shaft.
Originally I did this by glueing the 2 parts of a tube clamp to the end of the shaft.
Drill a hole through it and put a nylon bolt through the coil ears, tube clamp and tube.

In the mean time, I buy ready made coil shells with the ears already on them and matching carbon bottom part of the shaft.
For the top part, I use alu crutches, or something like that.

Do a search in the "tools and techniques" section of this forum for various examples of shafts:

http://www.geotech1.com/forums/forum...amp-Techniques

Success!,
- Bernard

[Frank_Schwab]

For the top part I've ordered a carbon tripod from ebay for a reasonable price. This means I am now equipped with enough material for three shafts:-)

Ready made coil shells are most likely the best and easiest solution. I should probably have a closer look at the available options.

Nevertheless: What did you use as coil ears in this picture http://www.geotech1.com/forums/attac...9&d=1377629339 ?

BR
Frank

[WM6]

...I've ordered a carbon tripod from ebay ...

Good idea, if construction of telescopic legs are out of carbon in whole?

Assume that leg locks are out of aluminum and steel?

[Frank_Schwab]

Good idea, if construction of telescopic legs are out of carbon in whole?

Assume that leg locks are out of aluminum and steel?

So far I've only noticed plastic and carbon. Swiping a tripod leg over my Tesoro did not show any reaction as well:-)

[WM6]

So far I've only noticed plastic and carbon. Swiping a tripod leg over my Tesoro did not show any reaction as well:-)

Nice. Where did you find that one. Can you post a link?

[bernte_one]

hello Frank

you can assemble the Teleskop Stem like this
https://sites.google.com/site/detektorschmiede/

but it is much cheaper if you take a monopod made of Aluminium and just chage the lower section with a gfk pipe

full carbon rod can make Problems as i remind carbon pipes can be act as a conductor

not seens any disadvantage with pi detectors but i think it can make Trouble with vlf (Phase drifting)

[Frank_Schwab]

Hello Bernd,

I've given it another try today and for some reason my Tesoro did respond to the carbon pipe. I've used only the lower section from the leg. I can't spot any metallic object. Actually it's possible to look through the pipe so there's for sure nothing hidden inside. Nevertheless I got a signal. The carbon has to be very close to the coil to be recognized.

Strange, I was 100% certain that there was no response when I've tried that last time. That was half a year ago (some other things kept me busy but now I'm back on the topic), might be that my memory is a little mixed up...

Hopefully it's only a VLF problem. I have to give it a try with the Baracuda or Surf I'm about to finish now.

If the problem remains then I have to follow Bernd's suggestion and use a PVC pipe for the lower section. Thanks for the hint!

BR
Frank

[Frank_Schwab]

Nice. Where did you find that one. Can you post a link?

I just had a look at ebay but did not find the one I got anymore. It was approx. 50€ for a new one.

You might also watch out for a used one. Sometimes these are sold below 30€ - at least at ebay.de

[N0QBH]

Hello to the group,
I've read through the discussion here and didn't see any mention of anyone having pcb boards available for the Pickini.
Has anyone put this project on one of the small run board house's shared projects area?
I used OSH Park for one of my ham PIC projects with very good results and reasonable pricing.
You end up with a very nice one or two sided PCB with through plating and silkscreen.
Mike

[N0QBH]

I had not heard any reply, so I ordered three PCBs for the Pickini project from OSH Park.
There is an option to share the design so others may order as well, but until I've built and tested one, I'll hold off on that.
Here's photos of the front and back rendition made from F117's Eagle file for V3.

[6666]

Hi
I would be interested in one of your PCB's thanks.

[bernte_one]

Hello WM6, take a triopo tl-30 monopod and replace the lower section with a gfk pipe (gfk - glass fibre komposite) cheap and stiff

and the connector for the grip is a 1" to 3/4" t-connector made for pvc pipes for garden Installation or pool Installation

@N0QBH
as soon as you have tested the pcb from osh park can you please enable them for reproduction, many thanks- good idea

[N0QBH]

Once I've got one from this board house working, I'll share the project.
Cost was $31.05 for three pcbs including shipping.
Mike

Hi
I would be interested in one of your PCB's thanks.

[F117]

Nice looking PCB's
Be aware that these PCBs are for Pickini V3 which has a separate thread:
http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showt...ld-PI-detector

The main disadvantage of V3 over V1/2 described in this thread is that the performance of V3 is changing with changing power supply voltage. V1 and V2 have an onboard 12V regulator.