Minelab F3 User manual

OPERATIONS MANUAL
F3 COMPACT Ve r s i o n 2
Metal Detector
Part No: 4901-0174 Revision 2

WARNING
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,
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ELECTRONICS PTY LIMITED. THIS MATERIAL MUST NOT BE
USED WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF
MINELAB ELECTRONICS PTY LTD.
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any part of it is strictly prohibited. No part of this document may be used
or reproduced by any means or by any process, in any form, without the
prior written permission of the copyright owner Minelab Electronics Pty
Ltd of 2Second Avenue, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia.

F3 COMPACT Version 2 Operations Manual
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction.............................................................................................. 3
2. General Description and Preparation....................................................5
2.1 Mine Detecting Set................................................................................ 5
2.2 F3 COMPACT Main Components .........................................................6
2.3 F3 COMPACT Preparation....................................................................8
3. Functional Description..........................................................................12
3.1Functional Controls and Displays........................................................12
3.1.1 On/Off Switch............................................................................12
3.1.2 Sensitivity Knob.........................................................................13
3.1.3 Ground Balance/Audio Reset Button........................................14
3.1.4 Noise Cancel Button .................................................................14
3.1.5 Volume Control .........................................................................15
3.1.6 LED Display ..............................................................................15
3.1.7 Battery Status ...........................................................................17
3.1.8 Earset Socket............................................................................17
3.2 Functional Tones.................................................................................18
3.3 Test Piece –Functional Test ...............................................................19
4. Operating Procedures...........................................................................21
4.1 Introduction..........................................................................................21
4.2 Standard Procedure ............................................................................22
4.2.1 STEP 1 Switch ON....................................................................22
4.2.2 STEP 2 Ground Balance ..........................................................23
4.2.3 STEP 3 Test Piece....................................................................24
4.3 Optional Procedure .............................................................................26
4.3.1 Noise Cancel.............................................................................26
4.3.2 Audio Reset...............................................................................27
4.4 Sweeping Procedure...........................................................................29

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4.5 Pinpointing Procedure.........................................................................30
4.5.1 STEP 1 Mapping the Target.....................................................30
4.5.2 STEP 2 Determine Centre of Target.........................................32
4.6 Multiple Targets...................................................................................33
4.6.1 STEP 1 Mapping the Target.....................................................33
4.6.2 STEP 2 Determining the Centre of Target...............................34
4.7 Operating Multiple Detectors in Close Proximity.................................34
4.8 Completion of Operations....................................................................36
5. Care and Troubleshooting....................................................................37
5.1 Routine Care.......................................................................................37
5.2 Troubleshooting...................................................................................38
6. Specifications ........................................................................................39

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1. Introduction
Since 1996, Minelab has designed, developed and manufactured
its range of detectors to meet the requirements of mine and
unexploded ordnance clearance operations throughout the
world. Through its patented and unique technology, Minelab has
emphasised equipment capability and operator safety in its
products.
The F3 COMPACT is a lightweight, compact detector that
includes a uniquely designed mechanical platform thereby
providing superior ergonomics.
The F3 COMPACT incorporates patented bipolar technology that
enhances Minelab’s renowned and highly successful Multi-Period
Sensing (MPS) technology. Through MPS, the sensitivity of a
detector remains consistent regardless of the mineralised content
of soil. Bipolar technology also helps to eliminate the possibility of
initiating a magnetic influence mine. Combined with ‘static
coupling’ the F3 COMPACT does not require motion to detect a
target thereby making pinpointing techniques fast and accurate.
Figure 1: F3 COMPACT mine detector

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The F3 COMPACT is a robust detector that is extremely simple
to operate. When working in an environment that includes highly
mineralised ground or electrical interference from overhead
power lines or other sources, simple and quick semi-automatic
procedures can be initiated by an operator resulting in the
detector continuing to perform at maximum capability.
The F3 COMPACT incorporates several safety features such as
Low Battery and System Fault warnings, audible confirmation at
the completion of specific operational procedures, and
continuous microprocessor controlled internal self-testing. The
inclusion of a Test Piece provides the operator with a quick and
easy check to ensure that the detector is working at its
operational capability.
The F3 COMPACT also provides a visual indication of detection
via a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display. Sensitivity settings can
be changed through seven preset selections. If required, the F3
COMPACT can be programmed to user initiated customised
volume and sensitivity selections using Minelab’s configuration
software.
Components of the F3 COMPACT are manufactured within tightly
controlled parameters so that they can be interchanged in the
field without any requirement for calibration.
The F3 COMPACT is designed to satisfy MIL STD 810G.
NOTE
Although the F3 COMPACT can withstand immersion to a depth of
three metres for short periods of time, it is NOT designed for use as
an underwater detector.

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2. General Description and Preparation
2.1 Mine Detecting Set
The F3 COMPACT is supplied as a mine detecting set (Figure 2)
comprising:
Hard Case (optional)
Operations Manual
Detector
Field Guide
Soft Carry Bag
Test Piece
Earset (Speaker On and
Speaker Off variants)
Four C-Cell Batteries
(Alkaline or Rechargeable)
The optional Hard Case permits the stowage of the detector
inside the Soft Carry Bag and provides protection for the
detector when in transit or placed in storage.
The Soft Carry Bag allows the operator to comfortably carry the
detector when use of the Hard Case is impractical. The Soft
Carry Bag is not suitable for use when transporting the detector
by road or air. For added protection during road or air transport, it
is recommended that the detector be packed in the Hard Case.
Figure 2:F3 COMPACT mine detecting set

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2.2 F3 COMPACT Main Components
Figure 3 identifies the main components of the F3 COMPACT.
Battery Compartment –contains 4 x C cell alkaline or
rechargeable batteries. A battery map is provided to indicate correct
alignment of batteries.
Armrest and Strap –provided for operator comfort when the F3
COMPACT is used for prolonged periods. The Armrest can be
extended for operator comfort.
Figure 3: F3 COMPACT main components
Armrest Strap
Controls
Upper Shaft
Upper Camlock
Middle Shaft
Lower Camlock
Coil
Lower Shaft
Coil Pivot Assembly
Skid Plate
Test Piece
Battery
Compartment
Earset
Connector
Main Body
Armrest

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Test Piece –conveniently stowed on the Armrest to allow the
operator to ensure the detector is working at its operational
capability.
Earset Connector –provides connection for the Earset and also
the programming cable when using the configuration software to
customise volume and sensitivity settings.
Main Body –waterproof housing containing the detector electronics
and batteries.
Handle Assembly –collapsible handle that also contains Ground
Balance/Audio Reset button, LED display, LED On/Off button, Noise
Cancel button, Volume Increase/Decrease and Battery Low LED
indicator.
Controls –On/Off and Sensitivity selection knobs –both controls
have a lift to turn safety feature to prevent accidental adjustment.
Shaft Hinge –pivot point for unfolding or folding the shafts. The
hinge is only locked in position when the Handle Assembly is in its
deployed position.
Upper, Middle, Lower Shafts –carbon fibre shafts that are
adjustable for operator comfort and for changes in demining
positions.
Upper and Lower Camlocks –self-cleaning locking mechanisms to
secure middle and lower shafts.
Coil Pivot Assembly –permits the tilt and rotation of the coil and
provides a tension screw for adjustment as required.
Coil –waterproof enclosed coil to eliminate possible interference
from vegetation. The coil’s mono loop design ensures consistent
sensitivity around the entire circumference, and across the complete
surface of the coil.
Skid Plate –removable cover that protects and prolongs the life of
the coil thereby reducing maintenance costs.

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2.3 F3 COMPACT Preparation
To prepare the detector for use, conduct the following procedure:
a. Open the Hard Case and/or Soft Carry Bag.
b. Remove the F3 COMPACT and inspect for obvious signs of
damage. If damage is evident, report to the supervisor/team
leader.
c. Unlock the Battery Compartment Lid by twisting the Battery
Lock Lever counter clockwise one-quarter turn. Once
unlocked, pull the lid away from the Battery Compartment (the
lid will stay attached by a tether as shown in Figure 4).
d. Using the battery map located on the side of the Main Body,
insert four C cell batteries. Close the Battery Lid and rotate the
Battery Lock Lever clockwise one-quarter turn. If the batteries
are inserted incorrectly, the F3 COMPACT will fail to function
when switched on.
e. Using Figure 5 as a guide, unfold and adjust the F3
COMPACT.
f. Extend the Lower and Middle Shafts to suit the selected
demining position as shown in Figure 6.
NOTE
The F3 COMPACT requires 4 C cell batteries for operation. Use only
high quality alkaline or rechargeable batteries. Minelab recommends
that only rechargeable batteries with a capacity of 4000 mAH or
greater be used with the F3 COMPACT. Rechargeable batteries
have specific charge/discharge maintenance requirements, which
should be strictly followed to ensure maximum battery life.
Figure 4: Opening the Battery Lid

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NOTE
When the Handle Assembly is locked into position (Frame 3), it will
also lock the Upper Shaft in position. To unlock the Handle Assembly
and to allow the Upper Shaft to rotate when repacking the detector,
gently but firmly impact the base of the palm against the top of the
handle behind the LED display.
Figure 5: Guide to unfolding and adjusting the F3 COMPACT

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g. Undo the dust caps from the Earset plug and Earset socket on
the detector. Gently hold the Earset by the rubber collar using
thumb and index finger, the raised double arrow should be
uppermost (see Figure 7). Align the plug with the Earset
socket and firmly slide the collar onto the socket.
Figure 6: F3 COMPACT in the standing, kneeling or prone positions
Figure 7: Connecting the Earset

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NOTE
The Earset connector is waterproof and must be connected and
disconnected from the Earset socket by holding the rubber collar.
Do not attempt to connect or disconnect the Earset by pushing or
pulling on the strain relief or cable at the rear of the rubber collar.
The F3 COMPACT is now ready for use. Refer to Chapter 3 for
Functional Description, and Chapter 4 for Operating Procedures.
To repack the F3 COMPACT, this preparation procedure should
be reversed.

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3. Functional Description
3.1 Functional Controls and Displays
For ease of use, all controls and displays for the F3 COMPACT
are located on the Handle Assembly and Main Body. Figure 8
illustrates the location of all controls.
3.1.1 On/Off Switch
To switch the F3 COMPACT on, gently pull up the On/Off Knob
and rotate clockwise. Once in the On position release the knob
back to the locked position (refer Figure 9).
When switched on, the F3 COMPACT completes a series of
internal start-up functions including initialisation of the
microprocessor and self-tests, which check internal power
supplies, transmitter etc.
Internal diagnostics take approximately 12 seconds to complete,
during which the operator will hear a series of rising tones (known
as the Start-Up Tones).
Figure 8: F3 COMPACT controls

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On completion of the Start-Up Tones the F3 COMPACT begins
detecting, when there has been no target detection for 15
seconds the F3 COMPACT will emit a Heartbeat Tone, which
confirms to the operator that the F3 COMPACT is functioning
correctly.
During operation, continuous internal self-testing continues and
an alarm tone is triggered on detection of any fault condition
(refer to section 3.2 for a description of the alarm tones).
To turn the F3 COMPACT off, pull up the On/Off Knob and rotate
counter-clockwise to the Off position. Release the switch back to
the locked position.
3.1.2 Sensitivity Knob
The F3 COMPACT can be operated using seven preset and
sensitivity settings. Position 4 is the default position and should
always be selected when switching on the detector and
conducting the Test Piece procedure (refer to section 4.2.3).
The Yellow Dot on the decal indicates the position that, when
selected, permits the detector to be customised for specific
Volume and Sensitivity selections. To customise the detector,
Minelab supplied configuration software and cables are required.
The detector is shipped with a factory preset for the Yellow Dot
selection; this makes the detector operate the same as the
default Position 4.
Figure 9: Switching on the detector

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* WARNING *
When detecting minimum metal mines or targets with low metal
signatures, the F3 COMPACT should not be used on a selection
lower than the default setting (Position 4). Where possible,
Free From Explosive targets should be buried at the required
detection depth. Sensitivity options (Positions 4 to 7) should
then be tested to determine the most suitable sensitivity to
ensure detection of the target.
3.1.3 Ground Balance/Audio Reset Button
Easily identifiable as the Green Button located on top of the
Handle Assembly, this dual action button carries out the following
functions:
a. Ground Balance. (Press and hold the Green button) A key
feature of the F3 COMPACT is its ability to detect metallic
mines in all ground conditions. False alarms due to
mineralised (magnetic/lateritic) soils are automatically
removed through the Ground Balance procedure.
b. Audio Reset. (Press and immediately release the Green
button). On occasions, the F3 COMPACT may become louder
than normal with a constant tone. This may be caused by
holding the coil stationary over a metallic object or over
mineralised ground for an extended period of time. The Audio
Reset procedure will remove any constant tone making the F3
COMPACT quiet (refer to section4.3.2).
3.1.4 Noise Cancel Button
Interference from electrical motors, lights, power lines and other
detectors can occasionally cause noise in the F3 COMPACT.
When this occurs, the ability of an operator to distinguish targets
may be degraded.
Using the Noise Cancel function, the operator can initiate an
automatic frequency scanning sequence, as a result the F3
COMPACT will select an operating frequency that minimises the
effects of interference.

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3.1.5 Volume Control
For each sensitivity setting, the default volume level of the F3
COMPACT is close to maximum. However, volume can be
lowered or slightly increased using the volume control feature of
the F3 COMPACT.
Volume can be reduced from default in seven steps by pressing
and releasing the Noise Cancel button. Volume can be
increased from default in one step by pressing and releasing the
LED On/Off button.
If the LEDs are switched On, and volume is changed, a
temporary visual indication of volume level is provided to the
operator.
For each reduction in volume, a low pitched beep will be emitted.
For each increase in volume, a high pitched beep with be
emitted. Whenever the default volume is re-selected a double
deep is emitted notifying the operator that default volume has
been selected
When the volume is adjusted to the extreme upper or lower
setting a longer beep is emitted alerting the operator that the
maximum or minimum setting has been reached.
3.1.6 LED Display
A display of nine red LEDs provides a visual indication of target
size and proximity. The display can be switched On and Off by
pressing and holding the LED On/Off button for two seconds.
When the LED display is switched on, a minimum, of one LED
will illuminate (see Figure 10).
Figure 10: LED Display with no target response

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Other typical illuminations of the LED display, including Battery
Low Alarm LED are illustrated inFigure 11.
Figure 11: Typical LED Responses

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NOTE
The LED display will always be off when the detector is first switched
on.
3.1.7 Battery Status
Battery status can be checked at any time by pressing and
holding down the LED On/Off button and then pressing and
immediately releasing the Noise Cancel button.
Once completed the LED display will indicate the battery status
for a period of three seconds, then revert to normal operation.
3.1.8 Earset Socket
The F3 COMPACT has an internal speaker located inside the
Main Body, however, it can also be fitted with an Earset via the
Earset Socket. The procedure for connecting the Earset is
described in section 2.3.g.
A standard humanitarian demining Earset (Earset Speaker On)
permits the F3 COMPACT’s internal speaker to continue to
function even when the Earset is connected.
For tactical applications, an Earset that mutes the F3 COMPACT’s
internal speaker when the Earset is connected is available (Earset
Speaker Off). The Earset Speaker Off is identified by a short length
of green tubing located at the rear of the Earset plug.
* WARNING *
Minelab strongly recommends that an operator always wears an
Earset when using the F3 COMPACT detector.

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3.2 Functional Tones
The F3 COMPACT emits tones that vary in pitch and volume to
alert the operator to targets, automatic detector functions or
equipment alarm conditions. The following table summarises the
tones that an F3 COMPACT can produce.
Tones
Event
Description
Start-Up
Internal diagnostic checks
when the F3 COMPACT is
switched on
Four or five rising tones
over 12 seconds.
Heartbeat
Signifies correct operation
of detector when there is no
target detection
High pitched low volume
double beep every 15
seconds.
Ground
Balance
Indicates successful
Ground Balance procedure
completed
One fast high pitched
double beep.
Target
Detection
Indicates metal target
detected
Increases volume with high
or low pitch depending on
target metal composition.
Battery Low
Indicates batteries do not
have enough charge to
continue detection
High pitched fast
continuous oscillating tone
PLUS blinking Battery Low
LED provided the LED
display is switched on.
Equipment
Fault
Indicates failure of detector
component
Low pitched slow
oscillating tone (ee-aww,
ee-aww).
Coil Fault
Indicates coil not connected
or abnormal coil current
Low pitched double tone
every five seconds.
Noise Cancel
Indicates Noise Cancel
procedure is occurring
Two single beeps followed
by 45 seconds of short
triple beeps finishing with
four single beeps.
Default
Sensitivity
Selected
Confirms to operator that
Sensitivity knob is at Position
4 (Default) when the detector
is switched on or Position 4
is selected when the detector
is in use
Double high pitched beep.