Minelab F3 User manual

F3 Metal Mine Detector
INSTRUCTORS NOTES AND SYLLABUS
Issue 1.3 March, 2006

F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
2
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F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
3
SLIDE DESCRIPTION
INSTRUCTORS NOTES
These Instructor Notes are produced to assist instructors in preparing for the
F3 Operator Training Course. They are provided as a guide and are not
intended to be prescriptive. They should be used in combination with the
information contained in the F3 Operations Manual and Field Guide.
The confirmation of a student’s ability to operate the F3 will be achieved
through a series of performance objectives completed after each lesson.
Personnel attending the course will be required to pass an outdoor operator
confirmation exercise to qualify as a proficient operator on the equipment.
One INTRODUCTION
The instructor will provide a short welcome and brief the students on the
course. This can include some background information on Minelab and its
countermine product range.
Students will be organized into pairs and issued one F3 mine detector per
pair.
Students will complete course registration administration as required.
Two COURSE OUTLINE
The Minelab F3 Operator Training Course includes lectures and practical
sessions. The course is conducted over two to three days (depending on
language translation requirements) and consists of the following lessons:
• Introduction
• LESSON 1 – General description and preparation
• LESSON 2 – Functional description
• LESSON 3 – Operating procedures
• LESSON 4 – Care & Trouble Shooting
• Outdoor training
• Operator Confirmation Exercise
• Award of Course Certificates

F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
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Three LESSON 1 – GENERAL DESCRIPTION & PREPARATION
Aim. Correctly describe and identify the F3 and prepare it for use.
Classroom Instruction. The training aids required are:
Chalk board or white board
Computer Projector
F3 Operations Manual
F3 Operator Training PowerPoint presentation
One F3 inside a Hard Case and one F3 in its soft Carry Bag
F3 detectors - one per two students (including Hard Case)
The major teaching points of this lesson are as follows:
Safety
Equipment Specifications
Description of Main Components
F3 Preparation
Three
TEACHING POINTS
Safety. Emphasize the need to become very familiar with the equipment and
the need to be able to identify all parts. Relate this to safety issues during the
demining process. All components should be checked for correct operation
before operating the equipment. If a fault develops, an operator must be able to
correctly name the part of the detector that is at fault. Explain the importance of
the Test Piece.
Four
Equipment Specifications. List the basic specifications. Explain that the
entire detector is waterproof to IP67. Explain the need to use good quality
alkaline batteries and not carbon batteries. When using rechargeable batteries,
they should have a minimum capacity of 3Ah (3,000mAh), batteries with a
capacity of 4.5Ah (4,500mAh) are recommended.

F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
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Five
Mine Detecting Set
Using the F3 in the Hard Case identify the following components:
•Hard Case
•Detector with Black Endcap
•Soft Carry Bag
•Earset (with Volume Control)
•Red Low Sensitivity Endcap
•Four D Cell Batteries
• Test Piece
• Operations Manual
• Field Guide
•
Six
Soft Carry Bag
Show the F3 in the Soft Carry Bag and locate the following:
• Detector with Black Endcap
• Red Low Sensitivity Endcap
• Earset (with Volume Control)
• Four D Cell Batteries
• Operations Manual
• Field Guide
• Test Piece
Explain and demonstrate the correct packing of components in the Soft Carry
Bag.
Seven
F3 Major Components
• Using the assembled detector identify the following components. Avoid
giving detailed descriptions of the function of each component, as this will be
covered in Lesson 3.
o Endcap. The sensitivity of the detector by using either the Black
(maximum) or Red (minimum) Endcaps.
o Arm Rest and Strap. Designed to ensure a comfortable fit for the
operator’s arm and adjustable when fitted to the detector. Note
the strength of the material and the Camlock adjustment for
comfort.
o Electronics Pack. Houses all electronics of the detector and is
permanently fixed to the Upper Shaft of the detector. The detector
is water resistant to IP67 (with Battery Pack mounted on Shaft).
Note: Although rated to IP67, the detector is not designed for
underwater operations. For example, underwater diver clearance
operations.
o Battery Pack. The F3 comes with a removable Battery Pack
which holds four alkaline ‘D’ cell batteries as standard. However,

F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
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if the client has purchased the option of a Battery Charger then
four NiCad ‘D’ cell batteries will have been provided. The Battery
Pack can be removed to reduce weight for periods of prolonged
use provided the optional Battery Pack Bag & Extension Cable is
included with the detector.
o Upper, Middle and Lower Shafts.
Identify Upper Shaft:
•Made of aluminum for robustness.
•Provides mounting for handle, Battery Pack,
Electronics Pack and Armrest.
Identify the Middle Shaft:
• Made from aluminum for robustness.
• Adjustable for operator comfort and differing
demining positions.
Identify the Lower Shaft:
• Made of impact resistant carbon fibre
• Adjustable for operator comfort and differing
demining positions.
o Upper, Middle and Lower Camlocks.
Identify all three Camlocks and note that they are self-cleaning
and are the mechanisms to lock the position of the Coil, Lower and
Middle Shafts.
o Handle.
Designed for comfort. Includes Earset Connector and all F3
Controls.
o Coil. It is important to mention that part of the F3’s superior
capability is due to its coil design. Give a brief description on the
monoloop design explaining that no separate transmission and
reception coils exist. Emphasize that the closed waterproof coil
eliminates interference from vegetation. Other points:
•Can be rotated 180 degrees.
•Monoloop design ensures consistent sensitivity around the
entire circumference and across the complete surface of the coil.
•Design permits edge detection (explained in Lesson 3).
•Extremely tough.
o Skid Plate. The skid plate provides protection for the coil. It has
no effect on the sensitivity of the coil even when wet and is easy to
replace.

F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
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Eight
F3 Preparation
To prepare the F3 for operations the following procedure should be followed:
• Open the Hard Case or Soft Carry Bag.
• Remove the F3 and inspect for obvious signs of damage.
• Check that the correct Sensitivity Endcap is selected and mounted
correctly. (Changing Endcaps discussed in Slide 10).
• Battery Pack and Inserting Batteries
o Invert the F3 being careful to rest the Endcap either inside the
Hard Case or Soft Carry Bag to keep it clear of dirt, remove the
Battery Pack and insert four D Cell batteries as follows:
P0615-A
Battery
Map
Battery
Pack
Battery
Pack Lid
Battery
Lock
Lever
o Carefully unlock the Battery Pack Lid by rotating the Battery Lock
Lever counter clockwise one-quarter turn. Once unlocked,
carefully pull the lid away from the Battery Pack (the lid will stay
attached to the Battery Pack by a tether).
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o Using the battery maps, located on the side of the Battery Pack
and on the inside of the Battery Pack Lid, insert four D cell
batteries. Replace the Battery Pack Lid and rotate the Battery
Lock Lever clockwise one-quarter turn. If the batteries are
inserted incorrectly, the F3 will fail to function when switched on.
o If the Battery Pack was removed (Note: removal of the Battery
Pack to replace batteries is not necessary) ensure that the Lock
Lever at the front of the Electronics Pack is in the unlocked
position and position the Battery Pack on the rail underneath the
Upper Shaft.

F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
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P0616-A
Electronics
Pack
Lock
Lever
Battery
Pack
Upper
Shaft
o Slowly slide the Battery Pack towards the Electronics Pack until
the connector is firmly engaged. Secure the Battery Pack by
rotating the Lock Lever in a clockwise motion into the locked
position.
o If required, the Battery Pack can be separated from the Upper
Shaft thereby reducing the overall weight of the detector. Using
the bayonet connectors at each end of the Extension Cable
connect the cable to the Battery Pack and feed the cable through
the base of the Battery Pack Bag before connecting to the
Electronics Pack. The Battery Pack Bag can then be clipped onto
a belt worn by the operator.
P0653-A
Nine
F3 Preparation
• Extend Middle and Lower Shafts to suit demining Position
Upper
Camlock
Middle
Camlock
Lower
Camlock P0617-A
o Open the Lower Camlock and rotate the coil to the desired
position. The normal operating position of the coil is in line with the
shaft
. However, the coil can also be positioned at right angles to

F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
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either side of the shaft (required if the F3 is to be used in the prone
position). Once the position of the coil is selected, lock it into
position by closing the Lower Camlock.
P0618-A
P0619-A
P0620-A
o In sequence, extend the Lower and then Middle Shafts to suit the
deminer’s height and selected demining position.
NOTE
The Lower Shaft must be extended at least 100mm (4ins). Incorrect operation
of the detector may result if the detector is used with the Lower Shaft fully
retracted.
• Connect Earset
o Undo the dustcaps from the Earset plug and Earset socket on the
detector. The Earset plug can only be connected to the socket in one
way. Gently hold the Earset by the rubber collar using thumb and
index finger (raised double arrow should be uppermost). Align the
plug with the Earset socket and firmly slide the collar onto the socket.
Confirm the plug is locked into position by gently pulling back on the
rubber collar.
P0638-B
NOTE
The Earset connector is waterproof and it is most important that it is 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 wire at the rear of the rubber collar.
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Adjust Armrest and Armstrap as Required.

F3 INSTRUCTOR NOTES
Minelab Countermine Division Safety Through Excellence
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Ten
Changing Endcaps
• A unique feature of the F3 is its ability to change sensitivity through the
exchange of Sensitivity Endcaps. This design feature eliminates the
possibility of an operator selecting the wrong sensitivity through manipulation
of dials or switches. The Sensitivity Endcap provides an obvious visual cue
that confirms the level of sensitivity selected in the F3. The F3 is supplied
with one Black (maximum sensitivity) and one Red (low sensitivity)
Sensitivity Endcap.
• The F3 can be used with Black or Red Sensitivity Endcaps.
The decision on which Endcap to use will be provided by the
local authority.
• To change a Sensitivity Endcap:
o Ensure the F3 is switched off.
o Place the thumb of one hand in the centre of the Endcap and curl
the fingers under the base of the Endcap.
o Gently push inwards with the thumb and simultaneously pull the
base of the Endcap away from the Electronics Pack.
o Fit the selected Endcap by gently positioning the inside of the
base of the Endcap under the base of the Electronics Pack. Using
the palm of the hand, apply light pressure to fit the Endcap into
position.
• The Black Endcap is for Maximum Sensitivity.
o The Black Endcap MUST be selected when searching for
minimum metal mines or when maximum clearance depth is
required.
• The Red Endcap is for Minimum Sensitivity.
o This feature may be useful when there is a need to ignore small
metal fragmentation on the surface but still detect large targets at
depth.
P0650-A
P0651-A