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The range of applications the GT-40 and GT-40S gamma ray spectrometer has been extended by the release of a desktop laboratory shield. The new shielding combines steel and lead materials to get maximum shielding efficiency and minimum weight.

With around 100 kg of mass can be located on a desk. In combination with multicomponents analysing method used in GT-40/GT-40S creates an alternative to big laboratory gamma spectrometers.

Mount Sopris recently released a cost-effective and versatile hitch boom that conveniently fits into a standard 2-inch by 2-inch hitch receiver – ideal for 4x4 vehicles and Vans.

The boom features simple adjustments that make it easy to position the boom over the borehole. These include an adjustable reach, making it possible to extend the boom up to 44 inches beyond the adjustable support mast. The boom also effortlessly swivels from side-to-side, secured by a spring-loaded pull pin. The maximum capacity of the boom is 500 lbs. in its standard configuration (as shown), and 250 lbs. in the extended reach position.

Its rugged powder-coat and galvanized finishes can tolerate the harshest conditions that you may experience in the field. You’ll also appreciate the cable wiper that will keep your wireline, winch, and vehicle cleaner.

The Scintrex CG5 Autograv has been the leading relative gravity meter for commercial mineral exploration and ground engineering studies for over a decade. In that time we have developed robust test procedures to ensure the instruments are operating within manufacturers specifications. It is our policy that all CG5s are setup to record data when they are not in service. This allows us to analyse the noise floor of each instrument and manually calculate the drift correction.

On returning to work after the new year bank holiday the data from all CG5s -which were not out on rental- was downloaded from the instruments. On analysing the data we noticed a significant tear in the measured gravitational acceleration at exactly 11:59pm on the 31/12/2016. The amplitude of the tear varied for each instrument, but the tear is always positive. The building was empty at the time, and the tilt values showed no environmental event which would have caused such a DC shift in the data. The measurement stability did not change after the tear event. The tear was present on all instruments.

Through further analysis we deduced the tear was caused by the new tide correction modal which took effect on the 1/1/2017. Scintrex corroborated our findings. Although the tear has not affected the performance of the instruments, the tear was only discovered because we analyse the data before perform a manual drift correction. Those who use the automated drift correction might find the new drift value is significantly different from the previous value.

Action to be taken:

• If the CG5 was set to perform an automatic drift correction spanning the dates of 31/12/2016 and the 1/1/2017 we suggest the new correction is disregarded and the instrument is placed by on drift correction for a further 24 hours.
• If the instrument was set up for a manual drift correction the operator can calculate the new drift correction from measurements recorded after 1/1/2017. The performance of the instrument will not be affected.

For further information please feel free to contact us.

The tidal zone is by far the most challenging environment to survey. The ground conditions, tidal range and harsh saline environment constrain access and the type of equipment which can be utilised. In areas with large slow tidal ranges and gentle sloping shores the opportunity to survey the whole survey area may only be presented once or twice a year when the Luna orbit produces atypical tides.

Such a case was presented to Geomatrix earlier this year. In this particular case the client had specified the UXO survey had to be completed by a date. As a result we proposed developing a bespoke telemetry package for deploying an array of 4 x G-880 marine magnetometers off a sledge which could be partially submerged. Many of the system components were already available for rental and the concept behind the system was well understood. The magnetometers selected for this application were the Geometrics G-880. The G-880s were the original caesium vapour marine magnetometer produced by Geometrics and have since been succeeded by the G-881 and G-882. The form factor of the G-880 resembles that of an airborne magnetometer like the G-823 or G-824 rather than a G-882. They are ideal for this application as the electronics bottle and sensor are housed in independent pressure vessels which keep the weight and size low and also permits sensor geometry to be flexible.
The sledge comprises of two fibreglass hulls which ride smoothly over uneven ground minimising the egress of noise into recorded data. The fibreglass hulls are designed to be light but durable with nylon skids to resist abrasive wear. The hulls are connected by two fibreboard decks held in place with nylon bolts. The platform is designed to be nonmagnetic and nonconductive yet robust and stable. Ports were made in the rear of the hull so additional weight could be added if the force from waves moved the sledge. Our main concern was that the elliptical wave motions would pick the sledge up and move it off line.

In order to keep the sensors isolated from the magnetic field of the vehicle and battery the telemetry system had to be able to provide power to the magnetometers and convey data back to the recording laptop over a 30m tow cable, and run from a 24V DC supply. With this in mind the telemetry system comprises a top end power data junction box and wet end electronics package which is placed on the sledge. The wet end electronics package includes a DC-DC inverter to ensure adequate power is received by all of the magnetometers. Serial data from the sensors is converted to UDP before being passed to the data recording device. As well as the Magnetometer data additional channels were included for GPS and a Gyro.

We have subsequently added the system to the rental pool. Please contact sales@geomatrix.co.uk for further information.

It appears that in some instances the Windows 10 anniversary update can disrupt ProsysII, ElectrePro or Sysmar form running. An error message is presented informing the user the FTD2XX.DDL is missing. In order to fix this issue it is necessary to uninstall all of the Syscal Utility programs, delete their respective directories under program files, and reinstall the latest version of the software from Iris Instruments Website.

The lastest version of the programs can be downloaded from the following link. http://www.iris-instruments.com/download.html#processing