RIDGID NaviTrack II - Manual (Page 22)

NaviTrack® II
21
Orientation to the Signal
Because of the multiple signals being processed by each
Omnidirectional antenna, the target’s signal always gets
stronger as the receiver gets closer to the target. How the unit
is held does not affect signal strength. The user can approach
from any direction and does not need to know the lie of the
pipe or wire.
Locating Sondes
Used with a sonde, the NaviTrack® II eliminates Nulls and
”Ghost Peaks”. A conventional locator signal often sees a signal
increase followed by a null (better described as no signal
registering on the antenna) and then a peak. This can confuse
the operator especially if they interpret a smaller peak as the
target.
Figure 35: The signal from a sonde as “seen”
by a conventional locator
The main peak is in the center, and two false peaks
are outside the two nulls.
The NaviTrack® II uses just one peak to draw the user to the
target. Finding a sonde using signal strength is a very direct
process.
Figure 36: Signal as “seen” by the NaviTrack® II
The only way to go is “up” toward the maximum
signal.
Proximity Signal
The NaviTrack® II’s Proximity Signal is a new piece of information
– a tool to help center the locator on the target line. It tells the
operator how close the instrument is to the target. Using the
Proximity Signal in a locate gives a more defined peak than
using simple signal strength.
The proximity signal is based on comparing the information
being sensed by two Omnidirectional antennas in the upper
and lower node casings of the NaviTrack® II. The NaviTrack® II
provides an instant, integrated picture of field conditions at
any moment and location along the line trace.
“Informational” Locating
Because of NaviTrack® II’s advanced processing and display,
the information provided by the NaviTrack® II makes it clear
when a good locate is certain, and when a locate is suspect.
A good locator can understand the underground picture with
much less effort by using the combined information provided
by:
• Proximity Signal/Signal Strength
• Signal Trace Lines from each antenna
• Continuous Depth indications
These indicators show what the antennas are “sensing” as
they move through the field. This signals when a field is being
pulled or pushed out of shape by interference from other
lines or objects nearby, because either indicator will disagree
with other indicators when significant distortion is present.
Knowing distortion is present allows the operator the option
of taking action to reduce it or at least account for it. (For
example, depth reading in distorted fields becomes suspect.)
The other side of having more information is verification that
a locate is good. If all of the indicators are in agreement and
reasonable, then the degree of confidence in a locate can be
much higher.
False Peaks
Nulls
Peak
Peak