Digital Control F2R F2R User Manual Operating Instructions

Digital Control Inc F2R Operating Instructions

User Manual

                   Directional Drilling Locating System  Operator’s Manual                   DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED DCI Headquarters 19625 62nd Ave. S., Suite B-103 Kent, Washington  98032 USA Tel  425 251 0559 / 800 288 3610  Fax  253 395 2800 E-mail  DCI@digital-control.com  www.digitrak.com  DCI Europe Kurmainzer Strasse 56 D-97836 Bischbrunn  Germany Tel +49(0) 9394 990 990 Fax +49(0) 9394 990 999 DCI.Europe@digital-control.com DCI India SCO # 259, Sector 44-C Chandigarh (UT) 160 047 Punjab, India Tel +91(0) 172 464 0444 Fax +91(0) 172 464 0999 DCI.India@digital-control.com DCI China No. 41, Lane 500, Xingle Road Huacao Twon, Minhang District Shanghai P.R.C. 201107  Tel +86(0) 21 6432 5186 Fax +86(0) 21 6432 5187 DCI.China@digital-control.com DCI Australia 2/9 Frinton Street Southport, Queensland 4215 Australia Tel +61(0) 7 5531 4283 Fax +61(0) 7 5531 2617 DCI.Australia@digital-control.com DCI Russia 420059 Pavlyukhina Street  104, Kazan Russia Tel +7 843 277 52 22 Fax +7 843 277 52 07 DCI.Russia@digital-control.com
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED    2  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 3-2200-00-A    © 2009 by Digital Control Incorporated. All rights reserved. February 2009.  68BTrademarks  The DCI logo, CableLink®, DataLog®, DigiTrak®, Eclipse®, iGPS®, MFD®, SST®, target-in-the-box®, Target Steering®, and TensiTrak® are U.S. registered trademarks and DucTrak™,  F Series™, F2™,  FSD™, FasTrak™, LT™, LT2™, and TeleLock™ are trademarks of Digital Control Incorporated.  69BPatents  The DigiTrak® F2™ Locating System is covered by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 5,337,002; 5,633,589; 5,990,682; 5,990,683;  6,002,258;  6,005,532; 6,008,651; 6,014,026; 6,035,951; 6,047,783; 6,057,687;  6,095,260;  6,160,401; 6,232,780; 6,250,402;  6,396,275;  6,496,008;  6,525,538; 6,593,745; 6,653,837;  6,693,429; 6,756,784; 6,768,307; 6,838,882; 6,924,645; 7,061,244; 7,080,698; 7,154,273; 7,159,672;  7,167,005; 7,176,690; 7,304,479; 7,309,990; 7,345,486. Sale of a DigiTrak® F2™ receiver does not convey a license under any patents covering the DigiTrak® transmitter or underground drill housing. Other patents pending.  70BLimited Warranty  All products manufactured and sold by Digital Control Incorporated (DCI) are subject to the terms of a Limited Warranty. A copy of the Limited Warranty is included with your DigiTrak® F2™ Locating System; it can also be obtained by contacting DCI Customer Service, 800-288-3610 or 425-251-0559, or by connecting to DCI's website, www.digitrak.com.  71BImportant Notice  All statements, technical information, and recommendations related to the products of DCI are based on information believed to be reliable, but the accuracy or completeness thereof is not warranted. Before utilizing any DCI product, the user should determine the suitability of the product for its intended use. All statements herein refer to DCI products as delivered by DCI and do not apply to any user customizations not authorized by DCI nor to any third-party products. Nothing herein shall constitute any warranty by DCI nor will anything herein be deemed to modify the terms of DCI’s existing limited warranty applicable to all DCI products.  72BFCC Compliance Statement  This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class  A and Class B  digital devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the Rules of the Federal Communications Commission. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a horizontal directional drilling installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications or inaccurate readings on your DCI locating equipment. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:  Reorient or relocate the DigiTrak® F2™ receiver.  Increase the separation between the problematic equipment and the DigiTrak® F2™ receiver.  Connect the equipment into an outlet on a different circuit.  Consult the dealer for help. Changes or modifications to the DCI equipment not expressly approved and carried out by DCI will void the user’s limited warranty and the FCC’s authorization to operate the equipment.
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 3 Table of Contents SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS ................................................................................................ 5 DEAR CUSTOMER: ...................................................................................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 9 RECEIVER .................................................................................................................................................. 11 General Description ................................................................................................................................. 11 Power On/Off ........................................................................................................................................... 12 Installing and Removing the Battery Pack ........................................................................................... 12 Turning On the Receiver ...................................................................................................................... 12 Turning Off the Receiver ...................................................................................................................... 15 Automatic Shutdown ............................................................................................................................ 15 Trigger Switch .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Audible Tones .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Adjusting Screen Contrast ....................................................................................................................... 16 Main Menu ............................................................................................................................................... 16 Height-Above-Ground (HAG) Menu ........................................................................................................ 17 Turn On HAG ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Turn Off HAG ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Set HAG ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Telemetry Channel Menu ........................................................................................................................ 20 Calibration Menu ..................................................................................................................................... 21 1-Point Calibration (Above Ground) .................................................................................................... 22 2 Point Calibration (In Ground) ............................................................................................................ 24 Units Menu .............................................................................................................................................. 26 Depth Units Menu ................................................................................................................................ 26 Pitch Units Menu .................................................................................................................................. 27 Target Steering Menu .............................................................................................................................. 28 Turn On Target Steering ...................................................................................................................... 28 Turn Off Target Steering ...................................................................................................................... 29 Set Target Depth.................................................................................................................................. 29 Display Screens ....................................................................................................................................... 31 Locate Mode Screen ............................................................................................................................ 31 Depth Mode Screen ............................................................................................................................. 32 Predicted Depth Display Screen .......................................................................................................... 32 Standard Receiver Display Screen Symbols .......................................................................................... 33 TRANSMITTER ........................................................................................................................................... 35 Types of F2 Transmitters......................................................................................................................... 35 Batteries and Power On/Off .................................................................................................................... 36 Installing Batteries / Power On ............................................................................................................ 36 Transmitter Battery Status ................................................................................................................... 36 Sleep Mode (Automatic Shutdown) / Power Off .................................................................................. 36 Transmitter Housing Requirements ......................................................................................................... 37 Temperature Updates and Overheat Indicator ........................................................................................ 38 Transmitter Temperature Warning Tones............................................................................................ 38 Transmitter Overheat Indicator (Temp Dot) ......................................................................................... 39
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED    4  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual REMOTE DISPLAY ..................................................................................................................................... 41 General Description ................................................................................................................................. 41 Power Options ......................................................................................................................................... 42 Connecting the DC Power Cable ......................................................................................................... 42 Installing and Removing the Battery Pack or Brace Insert .................................................................. 42 Power On/Off ........................................................................................................................................... 43 Keypad .................................................................................................................................................... 43 Audible Tones .......................................................................................................................................... 43 Adjusting Screen Contrast ....................................................................................................................... 43 Adjusting the Viewing Angle .................................................................................................................... 44 Attaching and Removing Visor ................................................................................................................ 44 Main Menu ............................................................................................................................................... 45 Contrast Adjustment ............................................................................................................................ 46 Settings Menu .......................................................................................................................................... 47 Display Screens ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Main Display Screen ............................................................................................................................ 48 Depth Display Screen .......................................................................................................................... 48 Predicted Depth Display Screen .......................................................................................................... 49 BATTERY CHARGER ................................................................................................................................. 51 General Description ................................................................................................................................. 51 AC/DC Power Setup ................................................................................................................................ 52 Charging a Battery Pack.......................................................................................................................... 52 Battery Charger LED Indicators .............................................................................................................. 52 Warnings and Precautions ...................................................................................................................... 53 LOCATING .................................................................................................................................................. 55 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 55 Locate Points (FLP & RLP) and Locate Line (LL) ................................................................................... 56 Effects of Depth, Pitch, and Topography on Distance Between FLP and RLP....................................... 57 Marking Locate Points ............................................................................................................................. 58 Display Screens ....................................................................................................................................... 59 Interference: What It Is and How to Check for It ..................................................................................... 61 Suggestions for Dealing with Interference ........................................................................................... 62 Standard Method for Locating the Transmitter ........................................................................................ 64 Finding the Front Locate Point (FLP)................................................................................................... 64 Finding the Locate Line (LL) ................................................................................................................ 66 Finding the RLP to Confirm Transmitter Heading and Position ........................................................... 68 Tracking “On-the-Fly” .............................................................................................................................. 70 Off-Track Locating ................................................................................................................................... 71 THE TARGET STEERING FUNCTION ...................................................................................................... 75 Feasible Target Depth and Positioning the Receiver as a Target .......................................................... 75 Steering to the Target .............................................................................................................................. 76 Target Steering in Interference Areas ..................................................................................................... 77 APPENDIX A: SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS AND  MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS ........................... 79 Power Requirements ............................................................................................................................... 79 Environmental Requirements .................................................................................................................. 79 General Transmitter Care Instructions .................................................................................................... 80 APPENDIX B: PROJECTED DEPTH VERSUS ACTUAL  DEPTH AND THE FORE/AFT OFFSET ......... 81 APPENDIX C: CALCULATING DEPTH BASED ON  DISTANCE BETWEEN FLP AND RLP .................. 87 LIMITED WARRANTY
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 5 Safety Precautions  and Warnings  Important Note:  All operators must read and understand the following Safety Precautions and Warnings and must review this Operator’s Manual before using the DigiTrak® F2™ Locating System.  Serious injury and death can result if underground drilling equipment makes contact with an underground utility such as a high-voltage electrical cable or a natural gas line.       Substantial property damage and liability can result if underground drilling equipment makes contact with an underground utility such as a telephone, fiber-optic, water, or sewer line.      Work slowdowns and cost overruns can occur if drilling operators do not use the drilling or locating equipment correctly to obtain proper performance.   Directional drilling operators MUST at all times: • Understand the safe and proper operation of drilling and locating equipment, including the use of ground mats and proper grounding procedures. • Ensure that all underground utilities have been located, exposed, and marked accurately prior to drilling. • Wear protective safety clothing such as dielectric boots, gloves, hard-hats, high-visibility vests and safety glasses. • Locate and track the transmitter in the drill head accurately and correctly during drilling. • Comply with state and local governmental regulations (e.g., OSHA). • Follow all other safety procedures.   The DigiTrak F2 system cannot be used to locate utilities.   Continued exposure to heat, due to frictional heating of the transmitter in the drill head from drilling in sand, gravel, or rock without sufficient fluid flow around the transmitter, can cause inaccurate infor-mation to be displayed and may permanently damage the transmitter. For more information see the Transmitter section of this manual.  The DigiTrak F2 equipment is not explosion-proof and should never be used near flammable or explosive substances.
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED    6  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Safety Precautions  and Warnings (Continued)   The battery charger provided with the DigiTrak F2 system is designed with adequate safeguards to protect you from shock and other hazards when used as specified within this document. If you use the  battery charger in a manner not specified by this document, the protection provided may be impaired. Do not attempt to disassemble the battery charger. It contains no user-serviceable parts.   Remove the batteries from all components of the system during shipping and prolonged storage.   Prior to the start of each drilling run, test the DigiTrak F2 system with the transmitter inside the drill head to confirm that it is operating properly and is providing accurate drill head location and heading information (see the Receiver and Locating sections) and accurate transmitter depth, pitch, and roll information.   During drilling, the depth will not be accurate unless: • The receiver has been properly calibrated and the calibration has been checked for accuracy so that the receiver shows the correct depth. • The transmitter has been located correctly and accurately and the receiver is directly above the transmitter in the drill head underground. • The receiver is kept level and the height-above-ground has been set correctly.   Always test calibration after you have stopped drilling for any length of time.   Interference can cause inaccuracies in the measurement of depth and loss of the transmitter’s pitch, roll, or heading. You should always perform an electrical interference check prior to drilling. • Sources of interference include but are not limited to traffic signal loops, invisible dog fences, cable TV, power lines, fiber-trace lines, metal structures, cathodic protection, telephone lines, cell phones,  transmission towers, conductive earth, salt water, rebar, radio frequencies, and other unknown sources of interference. • Interference with the operation of the remote display may also occur from other sources operating nearby on the same frequency, such as car rental agencies using their remote check-in modules, other directional drilling locating equipment, etc. • Background noise must be minimal and signal strength must be at least 150 points above the background noise during all locating operations.   Carefully review this manual to ensure you know how to operate the DigiTrak F2 system properly to obtain accurate depth, pitch, roll, and locate points. If you have any questions about the operation of the system, please call DCI’s Customer Service Department at any of the phone numbers provided on the cover, and we will do our best to assist you.
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 7    Dear Customer:  Thank you for choosing the DigiTrak® F2™ Locating System. We are proud of the equipment that we have been designing and building in Washington State since 1990. We believe in providing a unique, high-quality product and standing behind it with superior customer service and training.  Please take the time to read this entire manual—especially the section on safety. Also, please fill in the warranty registration and mail or fax it to us at 253-395-2800. We will put you on the Digital Control mailing list and send you product upgrade information and our FasTrak™ newsletter.  Feel free to contact us at any of our global offices listed on the front cover if you have any problems or questions. Our Customer Service Department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide assistance.  As the horizontal directional drilling industry grows, we’re keeping our eye on the future to develop equipment that will make your job faster and easier. Stay current by visiting our web site on the internet at www.digitrak.com or by giving us a call.  We welcome questions, comments, and ideas.  Digital Control Incorporated Kent, Washington 2009
DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED    8  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Notes
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 9 Introduction  DigiTrak F2 Locating System The DigiTrak F2 Locating System is used during horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations to locate and track a transmitter installed in the drill head.  The system consists of a handheld receiver, a transmitter, a remote display with battery or cable power options,  a battery charger system, and three rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs used for powering the receiver and remote.  Locating is streamlined using the F2 receiver’s graphic display and menu system. The real-time graphics guide you in positioning a target in a box on the display window to help locate the transmitter. In addition to the basic locating capabilities of directional tracking and depth, the F2 system includes the advanced features of predicted depth, off-track locating,  and Target Steering to navigate the drill head easily and accurately even when obstacles prevent walkover tracking.  This manual provides information on each F2 system component—the receiver, transmitter, remote display, and battery charger—in separate sections following this Introduction. These sections are followed by the Locating section, which explains important locating terms and gives step-by-step locating instructions. FX Transmitter FXL Transmitter Battery Charger Receiver Remote Display Rechargeable Battery Pack
Introduction      10 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual The F2 system is programmed to comply with varying global operating requirements.  The receiver’s regional  designation number must match that of the transmitter for proper communication (see figure showing startup screen in Receiver section and photo of FX transmitter in Transmitter section). Also, the receiver’s telemetry frequency designation must match that of the remote display (see photos of serial number labels in Receiver and Remote Display sections). Appendix A presents the F2 system’s power, environmental, and maintenance requirements. Appendix B explains how to calculate depth when the transmitter is deep (greater than 15 ft or 4.5 m) and/or at a steep pitch (greater than ±30% or ±17°).  Appendix C explains how  to calculate the transmitter depth based on the distance between the front and rear locate points and the pitch of the transmitter.
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 11 Receiver        F2 Receiver – Side and Back Views General Description The F2 receiver is a handheld unit used for locating and tracking an F2 transmitter. The receiver converts signals from the transmitter and displays the following information: depth, pitch, roll, temperature, and battery level. The F2 receiver can send this same information to the remote display at the drill rig. To meet regional requirements and for proper communication, the telemetry frequency designation for the receiver must match that for the remote display. The telemetry frequency designation is identified on the receiver’s serial number label, which is located inside the battery compartment (see photo). It must match one of those listed on the remote display’s serial number label  located on the back of the unit (see "General Description" in Remote Display section). The receiver and transmitter must also be able to communicate properly in different global regions. A regional  designation number is provided in the receiver’s software (see figure titled "Receiver Startup Screen"  later in this section). This number must match that stamped on the transmitter for proper communication (see photo of FX transmitter in Transmitter section). Trigger Switch Front Panel Boot Battery Tab Display Screen Handle Grip Serial Number Telemetry Frequency Designation Battery Compartment
Receiver     12 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Power On/Off  Installing and Removing the Battery Pack Insert a fully charged DCI lithium-ion battery pack so that it is flush with the back of the receiver and the tab is securely latched, as shown below. If necessary, push on the battery pack to latch the tab in place.      Inserting Battery Pack Battery Pack Fully Inserted Removing Battery Pack To remove the battery pack, push down on the battery tab and pull it away from the unit until the tab is released. Then grasp the battery firmly and lift it out of the battery compartment.  Check the charge on the battery pack by pushing the battery status button   on the battery pack; the five LEDs will illuminate to indicate the amount of charge on the battery. See the Battery Charger section for more information on checking, removing, and recharging a battery. Turning On the Receiver To turn on the F2 receiver once the battery is properly installed, pull and hold in the trigger for 1 second, and then release it. You will hear a short beep followed by a long beep. The first screen you will see is the warning screen, which will appear every time you turn on the unit. Tab Battery Status Button
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 13  Receiver Warning Screen Next, click the trigger to check the box on the warning screen acknowledging that you have read and understand this manual. You must read this entire manual before using the F2 system for any directional drilling procedure.  The self-test will automatically initiate after the checkmark is displayed in the box. The self-test is performed every time the receiver is powered on. The following screen will display indicating a successful self-test. If a component of the self-test fails, contact DCI Customer Service before proceeding.  Receiver Self-Test Pass Screen The startup screen will automatically appear after the self-test. The startup screen displays the informa-tion shown below. Note the regional designation number shown inside the globe icon (  ); this number must match that shown on the transmitter (see photo of FX transmitter in Transmitter section).
Receiver     14 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual  Receiver Startup Screen From the startup screen, click the trigger to continue to the locate mode screen. When there is not a powered-up transmitter in the area, the screen will appear as shown below.    Receiver Locate Mode Screen (No Transmitter) When a transmitter is in range, the locate mode screen provides real-time data about the transmitter’s location,  temperature, pitch, roll, and signal strength. The standard receiver display screens are discussed further under "Display Screens" later in this section. See the Locating section  for detailed instructions on locating with the F2 system.  The locate mode screen is the default receiver screen. If the receiver does not sense any trigger action for a period of time, then the display returns to the locate mode screen.   Regional Designation Number (Must Match that on Transmitter)  Model Name   Serial Number  Software Version  DCI’s Web Address  Customer Service Phone Numbers   Signal Strength Will Vary with Background Interference Signal
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 15 Turning Off the Receiver To turn off the unit, you must first access the main menu (see “Main Menu” below). Click the trigger until you highlight the power icon   in the main menu, then hold the trigger in for at least 1 full second. You will hear four long tones as the unit turns off. Note that when the receiver is turned off, the height-above-ground function is also turned off. If you want to use the HAG function, you must turn it on and, if needed, reset the HAG value after turning the receiver back on. Automatic Shutdown  The F2 receiver will shut down if no trigger action and no transmitter signal are detected for 15 minutes.  As noted above, when the receiver is turned off, the height-above-ground function is also turned off. You must turn the function back on and, if needed, reset the HAG value after turning the unit on.  Trigger Switch The F2 receiver operates with a single trigger switch. The trigger switch is used to turn on the unit, adjust the screen contrast, access and select menu options, as well as to change the screen view for depth measurements. Clicking the trigger versus holding the trigger will result in different actions. Click – Quickly pulling and releasing the trigger (in less than 1 second). From the locate mode screen, a single click accesses the main menu, and then each subsequent click advances through the menu options. Hold – Holding the trigger in for more than 1 second. This action adjusts the screen contrast, selects a menu option, or changes the display view for depth readings. If the receiver does not sense any trigger action within a few seconds of entering a menu, then the display returns to the locate mode screen. Audible Tones The F2 receiver gives audible tones to signal power on/off, menu changes, and the pass/fail status of actions, as summarized below. The receiver also sounds temperature warnings from the transmitter (see “Transmitter Temperature Warning Tones” in the Transmitter section).  Power On – One short beep followed by a long beep. Power Off – Four long beeps. Confirmation Signal – Four short beeps to confirm menu selection has been successfully executed.  Failure Signal – Two long beeps to indicate a problem with the menu item selected. A failure screen will appear. The failure screen will display until the trigger is clicked.
Receiver     16 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Adjusting Screen Contrast You can adjust the screen contrast by holding the trigger in with the receiver held vertical and in locate mode. Release the trigger when the screen contrast is adjusted to the desired level.      Main Menu  The main menu allows you to set the desired depth units, pitch units, and height-above-ground; to select telemetry options; to calibrate the receiver to the transmitter; to use the Target Steering function; and to turn off the receiver. To access the main menu, click the trigger from the locate mode screen. You will see six menu options, with the first one, the height-above-ground option, highlighted for selection.   Receiver Main Menu Screen The main menu screen also displays the receiver battery status and the current telemetry channel selec-tion (channel 2 is shown in the example above). If the main menu is accessed by accident, you can click through all the options to return to the locate mode screen or wait 5 seconds for the menu to time out and return to the locate mode screen. The table below shows the options available on the main menu and provides a brief description of each. These options are described more fully in the following discussion. To access a menu option, hold the trigger in with the option highlighted. Receiver Battery Status (Shown 80% Full) Telemetry Channel Menu (Channel 2 Selected) Depth/Pitch Units Menu Target Steering Menu  Height-Above-Ground (HAG) Menu Power Off Calibration Menu  Box around item indicates it is high-lighted for selection.
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 17 Receiver Main Menu Options  Height-Above-Ground (HAG) Menu – Accesses the HAG menu to turn on, turn off, or set the height at which the receiver will be held above the ground during depth readings. See the “Height-Above-Ground (HAG) Menu” below.  Power Off – Turns the unit off accompanied by four long tones.   Telemetry Channel Menu – Accesses the telemetry channel menu to select a telemetry channel (1 through 4) or to turn off the telemetry (channel 0). The receiver must be set to the same channel as the remote. See the “Telemetry Channel Menu” below.  Calibration Menu – Accesses the calibration function to calibrate the receiver to the transmitter using the above-ground (1-point) method or the below-ground (2-point) method. See the “Calibration Menu” below.  Depth/Pitch Units Menu – Accesses the units menu to select depth and pitch units. See the “Units Menu” below.  Target Steering Menu – Accesses the Target Steering menu to set target depth, turn on Target Steering, or return to standard locate mode. See the “Target Steering Menu” below.    Height-Above-Ground (HAG) Menu The HAG menu has three options: Turn  On, Turn Off, and Set.  Set allows you to change the current height setting. Clicking the trigger advances through each option, and holding the trigger in selects the option displayed.  The default setting for the HAG function is off. Until you turn on or set a new HAG, the receiver must be placed on the ground for accurate depth readings. Before accessing the HAG menu to turn on or set the HAG, you should measure your desired HAG. To do so, hold the receiver comfortably at your side and measure the distance from the bottom of the receiver to the ground. The available values range from 1–3 ft, 12–36 in., or 30–90 cm. The menu will time out if selections are not made within 5 seconds.
Receiver     18 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Turn On HAG When the HAG menu is accessed, the first screen that appears shows either the default HAG value (1 ft, 12 in., or 30 cm) or the value that was most recently set.   Turn On HAG Screen To turn on the HAG function using the value displayed, hold in the trigger. You will hear the confirmation signal (four short beeps), and a checkmark will appear next to the setting to indicate the HAG has been successfully turned on. The receiver must be held at this height for accurate depth readings. If you want to select another value for the HAG setting or want to turn off the HAG function, click the trigger. You will advance to the turn off HAG screen.   Turn Off HAG The turn off HAG menu option shows the F2 receiver on the ground.   Turn Off HAG Screen
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 19 Hold the trigger in to turn off the HAG function. You will hear the confirmation signal, and a checkmark will appear next to the receiver to indicate that the HAG has been successfully turned off. The receiver now must be placed on the ground to obtain accurate depth readings.  If you do not want to turn the HAG function off, click the trigger to advance to the set HAG screen. Set HAG The set HAG option allows you to program the height that the receiver will be held above the ground. A question mark will appear in place of the HAG value.  Set HAG Screen Hold the trigger in to select this option, and the current or default HAG setting will display in place of the question mark.  Click the trigger to scroll through the available height-above-ground values (1–3 ft, 12–36 in., or 30–90 cm). Each click will advance in 1-in. (or 2-cm) increments.  Hold the trigger in when the desired HAG value is displayed. You will hear the confirmation signal, and a checkmark will appear next to the HAG value to indicate that it has been turned on to the value displayed. The receiver must be held at this height during locating for accurate depth measurements.
Receiver     20 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Telemetry Channel Menu The telemetry channel menu has five options: no telemetry (channel 0) or telemetry channel 1, 2, 3, or 4. The telemetry channel icon on the main menu (and in the heading above) shows the current channel setting of 2.  When the telemetry channel menu is accessed, the screen will display as shown below, with an arrow next to the current telemetry setting (channel 2 in this example). The receiver must be set to the same telemetry channel as the remote for proper communication.  Receiver Telemetry Channel Menu To change the telemetry channel setting, click the trigger to scroll through the channel options. When the arrow is next to the desired channel, hold the trigger in, and a checkmark will appear in place of the arrow followed by the confirmation signal. You can verify the telemetry channel by entering the main menu screen and viewing the channel number shown on the telemetry channel menu icon. In addition to the receiver and remote being set to the same channel, the telemetry frequency designation for the receiver must match that for the remote display. The telemetry frequency designation on the receiver’s serial number label must match one of those listed on the remote display’s serial number label located on the back of the unit (see "General Description" in Remote Display section).
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 21 Calibration Menu The calibration menu allows you to calibrate the receiver to the transmitter with the transmitter above ground (1-point calibration at a distance of 10 ft or 3 m) or below ground (2-point calibration). When you select the calibration menu, the 1PT CAL option is highlighted for selection as shown below.   Receiver Calibration Menu Clicking the trigger will toggle between the 1PT CAL option  (the preferred method)  and  the 2PT CAL option  (in-ground calibration).  Hold  in  the trigger when the desired menu item is highlighted or wait 8 seconds to exit the menu. Do not calibrate if:  You are within 10 ft (3 m) of metal structures, such as steel pipe, chain-link fence, metal siding, construction equipment, automobiles, etc.  The receiver is over rebar or underground utilities.  The receiver is in the vicinity of excessive electrical interference as described in the Safety Precautions and Warnings section at the beginning of this manual.  The transmitter is not turned on. See the Transmitter section for information on installing batteries and verifying signal.  The transmitter is not installed in the housing.  See “Transmitter Housing Requirements” in the Transmitter section.
Receiver     22 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 1-Point Calibration (Above Ground) The 1PT CAL procedure is performed with the transmitter turned on and in the drill head, parallel to and 10 ft (3 m) from the receiver as described below. DCI does not recommend calibrating every day, but you should verify the receiver’s depth reading daily at several locations using a tape measure. NOTE:   Calibration is necessary prior to first-time use and before a different transmitter, receiver, or drill head is to be used. The 1-point calibration menu display appears as follows:  1PT CAL Screen The above figure shows the calibration setup with the receiver and transmitter situated parallel to each other. The flashing symbol at the top of the screen indicates that you must click the trigger to initiate the calibration.  If you wait longer than 10 seconds to click the trigger,  the operation will end without con-ducting the calibration procedure. To calibrate:  1.  The receiver must be parallel to and level with the transmitter.  It is preferable to conduct the procedure on level ground. 2. Measure 10 ft (3 m) from the center of the transmitter to the inside edge of the receiver as shown above in the 1PT CAL screen. 3. Verify that roll and pitch values are being displayed on the receiver and that a steady signal is being received from the transmitter.  4. Access the 1PT CAL screen and click the trigger to initiate the calibration. 5. A countdown sequence from 5 to 0 will begin on the screen. 6. If the calibration is successful, you will see a checkmark above the transmitter icon and you will hear the confirmation signal, as shown below.   Trigger Click Prompt (Flashes) Displays in Metric When Using Metric Units
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 23  Successful 1PT CAL Screen If the calibration fails, a failure screen as shown below will appear and you will hear the failure signal (two long beeps).  1PT CAL Failure Screen (Signal Too Low) The failure screen will show an X above the transmitter icon followed by a symbol  to indicate failure due to low signal strength ( ), as shown, or high signal strength ( ). NOTE:  The calibration will fail when the signal from the transmitter is above 950 points or below 300 points.
Receiver     24 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual   2 Point Calibration (In Ground)   The 2PT CAL option allows you to calibrate the receiver to the transmitter when it is in the ground. Two- point calibration is rarely needed.  If you must calibrate with the transmitter in the ground, use this procedure with caution. To start the 2-point calibration procedure, select 2PT CAL from the calibration menu. You will see the following screen.  First Point, 2PT CAL This screen instructs you to put the receiver on the ground directly above the transmitter, preferably with the transmitter nearly level.  (See the Locating  section for instructions on how to position the receiver directly over the transmitter.)  The flashing trigger symbol at the top of the screen indicates that a trigger click is needed to obtain the first point for the 2-point calibration. Click the trigger, and the display will count down from 5 to 0 while the receiver records the first calibration point. If the signal strength from the transmitter is within the tolerable range (300–950 points), a checkmark will display on the screen and you will hear the confirmation signal indicating that the first calibration point has been successfully recorded. Then the second 2PT CAL screen appears.
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 25  Second Point, 2PT CAL To record the second calibration point, lift the receiver 3 ft (1 m) directly up, keeping it level, and click the trigger. The display will count down from 5 to 0. Do not move the receiver while the display is counting down.  NOTE:   The second point screen will display even if the first point fails. After the second point is recorded, an Χ will appear on the screen and you will hear the failure signal. You must click the trigger to continue and restart the calibration procedure. You will see the following screen and hear the confirmation signal when the calibration is complete.   Successful 2PT CAL Screen
Receiver     26 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual After the 2-point calibration procedure has passed, verify the distance between the two calibration points by taking depth measurements at the first point and the second point and then determining the difference between the two values. The difference should be 3 ft ± 2 in. (1 m ± 5 cm). Repeat these measurements several times as you continue drilling to verify that the depth remains valid as the pitch of the transmitter changes. If the 2-point calibration procedure fails, a failure screen will appear, and you will hear the failure signal. The 2-point calibration will fail if the signal strength is too high or too low or if the procedure is done improperly, for example, if the receiver is not raised high enough. The 2-point calibration will also fail if the receiver calculates a depth that is not legitimate for the range of the transmitter.  If the calibration fails, verify the setup and signal from the transmitter at both calibration points to make sure they are stable and within range. If the signal strength is too high at the first point (>950), lift the receiver until the signal strength is 950 or less, and then take the first calibration point. Lift the receiver 3 ft (1 m) higher to record the second point. If the signal strength is less than 300 at either point, you will have to pull back until the signal strength is greater than 300 points or trip out to do an above-ground calibration (1-point calibration). Units Menu    The  units menu allows you to select the depth and pitch units. When the units menu is selected,  the following screen will appear with the depth units option highlighted, as shown below.   Receiver Units Menu Click the trigger to toggle between the depth unit and pitch unit options.  Hold the trigger in  when  the desired option is highlighted. Depth Units Menu    The depth units menu displays three options: IN” represents the use of inches only; FT’IN” represents the use of both feet and inches; and M.CM represents the use of metric units (meters and centimeters). An arrow points to the current setting, which is feet and inches in the example shown below.
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 27  Depth Units Menu To change the depth units setting, click the trigger to scroll the arrow through the three options. When the arrow is next to the desired setting, hold the trigger in to select it. A checkmark will appear in place of the arrow, and you will hear the confirmation signal. NOTE:   The temperature units are determined by the depth units selected. Celsius (°C) temperature units will display if metric depth units are selected, and Fahrenheit (°F) temperature units will display if English depth units (inches or feet and inches) are selected. Pitch Units Menu    The pitch units menu displays the two available options: percent (%) and degrees (°), with an arrow next to the current setting.  Pitch Units Menu
Receiver     28 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual To change the pitch units setting, click the trigger to toggle between the two options. Hold the trigger in when the arrow is next to the desired option. A checkmark will appear in place of the arrow, and you will hear the confirmation signal.  Target Steering Menu The Target Steering function allows you to place the F2 receiver in front of the drill  head to use as  a steering target. See The Target Steering Function section for detailed information on determining where to place the receiver and how to steer to it. This section gives instructions for using the Target Steering menu once a target depth number has been determined. add note: re: seeing # when the target depth is set  The first screen of the Target Steering menu turns on Target Steering to the target depth displayed: either the default value (2 ft, 24 in., or 1 m) or the value that was most recently set. The second screen turns off the Target Steering function and returns you to the standard locate mode screen. The third screen allows you to program the target depth.  NOTE:   The HAG setting is automatically turned off during Target Steering. If you need to adjust the receiver to a height other than the ground level with the drill rig, then you must add that distance to the target depth. Turn On Target Steering The turn on Target Steering screen displays the current target depth.   Turn On Target Steering Screen Hold the trigger in to turn on the Target Steering function and set the target depth to the displayed value. A checkmark will appear next to the receiver icon and you will hear the confirmation signal.  Click the trigger to advance to the turn off Target Steering screen. Target changes in appearance when in Target Steering mode.
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 29 Turn Off Target Steering The turn off Target Steering screen displays the locating target in the box in both the bird’s-eye (over-head) and side views.  Turn Off Target Steering Screen  To turn off the Target Steering function, hold the trigger in to select this option. A checkmark will appear next to the receiver icon, and you will hear the confirmation signal. Then the display will return to the standard locate mode screen.  To advance to the next option without turning off the Target Steering function, click the trigger.  Set Target Depth The set target depth screen is similar to the turn on screen except that a question mark (?) appears in place of the current target depth setting.   Set Target Depth Screen Bird’s-Eye View Side View
Receiver     30 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Hold the trigger in to advance to the screen shown below where you can set the target depth value. At this screen, you can click through the available fields, which are the foot or meter (ft/m) setting, the inches or centimeters (in./cm) setting, and the checkmark (used to confirm the target depth setting).  Set Target Depth Value Screen (Foot or Meter Setting Highlighted) In this example, the line under the number 2 indicates that the ft/m setting is highlighted. To change this setting, hold in the trigger until a box appears around the number 2, as shown below. Once you see the box, click the trigger to increase (in 1-ft or 1-m increments) to the desired number. Once you reach the desired number, hold in the trigger, and the box will turn back into an underline under the ft/m setting.    Set Target Depth Value Screen (Foot or Meter Setting Selected) NOTE:  The  F2 receiver’s ft/m setting can  be programmed to a maximum of 99 ft or 30 m.  If your previous target depth is greater than your new target depth, you must click past 99 ft or 30 m to cycle back to the initial settings of 2 ft or 0.5 m.   Underline indicates value is highlighted and can be changed.  Checkmark is used to confirm the target depth setting.  Foot or  Meter Setting Inches or Centimeters Setting
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 31 To change the in./cm setting, click the trigger to move the underline to the in/cm position, and then hold the trigger in until a box surrounds the number. Once you see the box, click the trigger to increase in 1-in. or 2-cm increments. Once you have the desired in./cm setting, hold in the trigger.  NOTE:   If you click past 11 in. or 98 cm, then the number in the ft/m setting will automatically increase. To set this value as your target depth, click the trigger to move the underline underneath the checkmark and hold the trigger in. A confirmation tone will sound. For information about how to position the receiver ahead of the tool for target steering, see the Target Steering Function section. Display Screens  The basic receiver displays include the locate mode screen, the depth mode screen, and the predicted depth screen. These are presented below. For more information regarding these screens and for detailed locating instructions, please see the Locating section. Locate Mode Screen When a transmitter is in range, the locate mode screen provides real-time data about the transmitter’s location, temperature, pitch, roll, and signal strength. The roll/pitch meter shows the quality of the signal from the transmitter. The locate mode screen is the default screen setting.   Receiver Locate Mode Screen with Transmitter in Range (Trigger Out) ((Should we put info here re: the roll/pitch update meter like we did for the Remote Display?))  2 Locating target (FLP or RLP) Transmitter Signal Strength Roll/Pitch Update Meter Roll Indicator Transmitter Temperature Transmitter Pitch Receiver
Receiver     32 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Depth Mode Screen From the locate mode screen, hold in the trigger to access the depth mode screen. This screen shows the battery status of the transmitter. It also provides a depth reading and other data about the position of the transmitter with respect to the receiver.   Receiver Depth Mode Screen at LL with HAG on (Trigger In)  Predicted Depth Display Screen When the receiver is positioned at the front or rear locate point (FLP or RLP) and the trigger is held in, you will see the predicted depth screen. The value for predicted depth and horizontal distance are only valid if the receiver is at the FLP. See the Locating section for more information regarding the locate points and positioning the receiver at the locate points.  Receiver Predicted Depth Screen at FLP with HAG on (Trigger in) Height-Above-Ground (HAG) Setting  Locate Line (LL) Depth of Transmitter  Transmitter  Battery Status  Target-in-the-box at FLP Predicted Depth of Transmitter  HAG Setting Transmitter Battery Status  Horizontal Distance from Transmitter  to Receiver Bird's-Eye View
 Receiver DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 33   Standard Receiver Display Screen Symbols   Transmitter Roll – The transmitter’s 12 roll clock positions are represented by the lines at the edge of the circle. The dot aligns with the clock position, and the clock setting  appears in the center to indicate the roll of the transmitter.  Roll/Pitch  Update  Meter –The update meter shows the quality of data reception from the transmitter (specifically, data rate). This feature lets you know if you are in an area of interference or are reaching the range limit of the transmitter. On the remote display, the same symbol is used for the telemetry update meter.  Transmitter Pitch Angle – The number next to this icon on the locating screen indicates the transmitter pitch. It is also the menu selection icon for changing the pitch angle units between percent and degrees.   Transmitter Signal Strength – The number next to this icon on the locate mode screen indicates the transmitter signal strength. During a calibration failure, an up or down arrow with this icon indicates signal strength is too high or too low, respectively.   Transmitter Temperature – The number next to this icon shows the temperature of the transmitter (Fahrenheit when depth units are in feet or inches, Celsius when depth units are in meters). An up or down arrow and a change in the thermometer level will accompany a change in temperature. The icon will display steam and flash when the transmitter becomes dangerously hot and must be cooled immediately or it will be damaged.  Receiver Icon – Indicates the position of the receiver relative to the ground for the HAG function, depth readings, the two-point calibration procedure, and the Target Steering function.  Ground Level – Represents the ground for the HAG function, depth readings, and the two-point calibration procedure.  Locating Icon – Represents a bird’s-eye view of the receiver. The square at the top of this icon is referred to as the “box” in the terms target-in-the-box and line-in-the-box locating.   Locate Target – Represents the front and rear locate points (FLP and RLP). When the locate line  appears,  the  locate target will become a solid circle (ball) representing the approximate locate point. See the Locating section for more information.  Locate Line – Represents the locate line (LL). The LL is found at some location between the front and rear locate points only  after a reference point has been obtained. See  the Locating section for more information about the locate line. R Reference – Indicates that a reference signal has been obtained for locating the transmitter. See the Locating section for more information.  Transmitter Battery/Drill Head –  Depicts the remaining battery life of the transmitter when alkaline batteries are used (shown fully charged here). Also used to represent the position of the drill head relative to the receiver in the depth screen.  Receiver Battery –  Depicts the remaining battery life of the receiver (shown 80% full here). Displayed on the main menu screen. When empty, the icon will appear in the locate mode screen and will flash signifying that it is critical to change the battery immediately.   Steer-to Target – Used in the Target Steering function to signify the target that you are steering
Receiver     34 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual  towards. If Target Steering is on and a target depth value has been selected, then that value will show below the steer-to target on the main menu.   Trigger Click Prompt – Appears on menu screens to indicate that a trigger click is required.
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 35 Transmitter Types of F2 Transmitters DCI manufactures two different battery-operated transmitters for use with the F2 system:  the long-range FX transmitter and the extended-range FXL transmitter.  Both transmit a signal at 12  kHz and provide pitch readings in 0.1% or 0.1° increments (from 0% to 100% or 0° to 45°).  The transmitter fits inside the drill housing and emits electromagnetic signals that the F2 receiver “hears”. The receiver converts  these signals to display the drill head location, position, and heading on the receiver and remote display screens.  An index slot at the front end assists in proper alignment of the transmitter in the housing.  The transmitter and receiver must have matching regional  designation numbers to ensure that they comply with local operating requirements. The transmitter’s regional designation number is located inside the globe symbol (  ) near the serial number on the transmitter’s battery compartment, as shown in the photo below. This number must match that of your receiver for proper communication (see startup screen figure under “Turning on the Receiver” in the Receiver section.)  Long-Range FX Transmitter The long-range FX transmitter provides a depth range of approximately 65 ft (19.8 m). It measures 15 in. (38.1 cm) long and 1.25 in. (3.175 cm) in diameter.   Extended-Range FXL Transmitter The extended-range FXL transmitter provides a depth range of approximately 85 ft (25.9 m). It measures 19 in. (48.3 cm) long and 1.25 in. (3.175 cm) in diameter.  NOTE:   The range of any transmitter with any DCI receiver is largely dependent upon the amount of interference at a job site. The range decreases as interference increases. Transmitter Serial Number Regional Designation Number (Must Match that of Receiver) Battery Cap End Front End Cap with Temp Dot and Index Slot
Transmitter     36 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Batteries and Power On/Off The long-range FX transmitter requires two C-cell alkaline batteries or one DCI SuperCell Lithium Battery. The extended-range FXL requires one DCI SuperCell battery. Do not use alkaline batteries in the FXL transmitter; they would last only a few hours.  Never use damaged or non-DCI lithium batteries. DCI SuperCell batteries are manufactured to military specifications. The use of damaged or lower-quality lithium batteries may damage the transmitter and/or housing and will void the DCI warranty. Installing Batteries / Power On The transmitter is powered on once the batteries are installed properly. To install batteries into the transmitter, first remove the battery cap by rotating it counterclockwise. Then insert the batteries positive terminal first into the battery compartment, as shown below.  Replace the battery cap, ensuring that it bottoms out for a proper seal. C-Cell C-CellSuperCell™ Install Transmitter Batteries Positive Terminal First Use a compatible receiver to verify the signal from the transmitter. Roll, pitch, and a stable signal strength reading should be observed on the receiver.  Transmitter Battery Status  When alkaline batteries are used in the FX transmitter, the battery status symbol on the receiver’s depth mode screen will indicate the remaining transmitter battery life with progress bars that decrease as battery power is used. When using a DCI SuperCell battery in the FX or FXL transmitter, the battery status symbol will appear full until just before the battery dies. NOTE:   Because the SuperCell battery will appear full until just before it dies, you must track the hours of use for the SuperCell battery. Sleep Mode (Automatic Shutdown) / Power Off The FX and FXL transmitters will go into sleep mode and stop transmitting to conserve battery power if they are stationary for longer than 15 minutes. To “wake” the transmitter, rotate the drill string.
 Transmitter DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 37 A small amount of charge will continue to drain from the batteries while the transmitter is in sleep mode. To conserve battery life, do not leave batteries in the transmitter when they can easily be removed, and always remove batteries when the transmitter is not being used.  Transmitter Housing Requirements For maximum transmitter range and battery life, the slots in the drill housing must meet minimum length and width requirements and be correctly positioned. DCI recommends at least three slots, each at least 1/16-inch or 0.0625 in. (1.6 mm) wide and equally spaced around the circumference of the housing. For accuracy, slot measurements must be taken from the inside of the housing.  For the long-range FX transmitter (15 in./38.10 cm long), the slots must be at least 8.5 in. (21.6 cm) long and begin at least 2 in. (5.1 cm) but not more than 3 in. (7.6 cm) from the front of the transmitter, as shown below.  FX Transmitter Housing Slot Requirements For the extended-range FXL transmitter (19 in./48.26 cm long), the slots must be at least 13 in. (33 cm) long and begin at least 2 in. (5.1 cm) but not more than 3 in. (7.6 cm) from the front of the transmitter, as shown below.  FXL Transmitter Housing Slot Requirements Both the FX and FXL transmitters are 1.25 in. (3.175 cm) in diameter and must fit snugly into the housing. It may be necessary to wrap the transmitter with tape or O-rings to prevent it from rattling in the housing. The index slot in the front end cap of the transmitter should fit onto the anti-roll pin (key) in the housing for proper alignment of the transmitter in the housing. Battery Compartment End Front End Cap  Slot Position Slot Length 8.5 in. (21.6 cm) 2 in. (5.1 cm) Battery Compartment End Slot Position Slot Length 13 in. (33 cm) 2 in. (5.1 cm) Front End Cap
Transmitter     38 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Temperature Updates and Overheat Indicator F2 transmitters are equipped with an internal digital thermometer. The internal temperature of the trans-mitter is sent to the receiver and remote display every 2 seconds. This temperature is displayed on the bottom right of the receiver and remote display screens next to the transmitter temperature symbol . NOTE:   Because the digital thermometer is inside the transmitter, temperature increases due to external drilling conditions will take time to transfer to the transmitter. Any increase in temperature should be dealt with quickly to avoid irreversible damage. Normal drilling temperatures range from 64°F (16°C) to 104°F (40°C). You should suspend drilling when temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C) to permit cooling. Once the temperature reaches 104°F (40°C) the thermometer icon will change to display steam and it will flash: . At this point, the transmitter has become dangerously hot and must be cooled immediately or it will be damaged. To stop temperature increases and cool the transmitter, slow or stop drilling and/or add more drilling fluid.  Transmitter Temperature Warning Tones The audible tones emitted by the F2 receiver and remote display to indicate an increase in the transmitter temperature are summarized in the table below.  Temperature Warning Tones Below 61°F (16°C) No tones for temperature increases. 61–90°F (16–32°C)  Double-beep sequence (beep-beep) for every 4°C increase in temperature. 97–111°F (36–44°C)  Two double-beep sequences (beep-beep, beep-beep) for every 4°C increase in temperature.  NOTE: Action is required to cool the transmitter. 118–133°F (48–56°C) Three double-beep sequences (beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep) for every 4°C increase in temperature.  NOTE: Cooling is critical to avoid ir-reversible damage.  Above 140°F (60°C)  Three double-beep sequences every 5 seconds on the remote display, and every 20 seconds on the receiver.  NOTE: Warning signifies dangerous drilling conditions; irreversible damage may have already been done. Above 183°F (84°C) Transmitter shuts down. 220°F (104°C) Transmitter overheat indicator (temp dot) turns black (see below).
 Transmitter DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 39 Transmitter Overheat Indicator (Temp Dot) The transmitter has a temperature overheat indicator (temp dot) on the front end cap. The temp dot has an outer yellow ring with a 1/8-inch (3-mm) white dot in the center. The white dot will change color if the transmitter is exposed to excessive heat.  If the temp dot changes to silver or gray, then the transmitter has been exposed to heat but not in excess of the specifications. If the temp dot is black, then the transmitter has been exposed to temperatures in excess of 220°F (104°C) and can no longer be used. The DCI warranty will be void for any transmitter that has been overheated (black dot) or had its temp dot removed.              Front End Cap of Transmitter Showing Temp Dot, Index Slot, and Black Temp Dot Avoid transmitter overheating by practicing proper drilling techniques.  Abrasive soils, clogged jets, in-adequate mud flow, and poorly mixed mud are some of the factors that can contribute significantly to the overheating of a transmitter. Temp Dot Index Slot at  6 o’clock Position Black Temp Dot Voids Warranty
Transmitter     40 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Notes
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 41 Remote Display  DigiTrak F Series Display (FSD) General Description The  DigiTrak F Series Display (FSD) is a multifunction display that can be used with a variety of DCI receivers. It provides the drill rig operator with information from the receiver about the depth, orientation, and status of the transmitter.  The  FSD  remote  can be powered through either a DC cable source or a DCI lithium-ion battery pack. The unit performs an automatic self-test every time it is turned on. The antenna provided with the system must be attached before drilling.  To meet regional requirements and for proper communi-cation, one of the frequency designations shown on  the remote’s serial number label (see photo to the right) must match that shown on the receiver. The  receiver’s fre-quency designation is located on the serial number label inside the receiver’s battery compartment (see “General Description” discussion in the Receiver section.)  Direction Buttons Execute Button Removable Visor Display Screen  Magnetic Base  Serial Number Label on Back of FSD Serial Number Telemetry Frequency Designations Keypad Antenna
Remote Display     42 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Power Options The FSD remote can be powered by either a DCI lithium-ion battery pack or a 10–32 V DC power source using the DC power cable. If both a battery pack and the DC cable are installed, the remote will draw power from the battery pack. Install the brace insert as you would the battery when using the DC cable source (see “Installing and Removing the Battery Pack” below).  Connecting the DC Power Cable To connect the DC power cable, remove the protec-tive cap from the DC power port on the back of the remote. Then align the four pin holes in the DC cable with the four pins in the DC power port. Push in and rotate the cable connector clockwise until the cable is secure. Install the other end of the DC cable into the DC power source.   DC Power Cable  Installing and Removing the Battery Pack or Brace Insert The DCI lithium-ion battery pack is installed in the FSD remote’s battery compartment for battery power. When the remote is powered by a DC cable source, the brace insert must be installed in place of the battery pack. The brace insert is the same size as the battery pack, and it is installed and removed in the same manner as the battery pack.  To install the battery pack or brace insert, with the tab facing up and away from the FSD remote, insert the battery/insert into the battery compartment and push it in until the tab latches in place. To remove the battery pack or brace insert, push down on the battery tab and pull it away from the remote until the tab is released, then lift it out of the battery compartment. NOTE: If the FSD remote’s power is supplied via the DC cable, the battery compartment must have the brace insert installed into the battery compartment for structural integrity. The brace insert looks like a DCI lithium-ion battery.  DC Power Cable Installed in FSD Remote DC Power Port Brace Insert Pin Holes Protective Cap
 Remote Display DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 43 Power On/Off Once you have provided power to the FSD remote, either using the battery pack or a DC power source, then you can operate the unit. The power on and off functions are as follows. Power On – Press the execute button   for a half-second or more to turn on the FSD unit. You will hear a tone and the main display screen will appear. If you do not hear a tone, there may be a problem with the internal speaker; please call DCI for customer support.  Power Off –To turn off the FSD remote, you must access the main menu and select the power off option. See the instructions for using the main menu under later in this section.  Keypad The keypad to the right of the display window is used to operate the FSD remote.  Execute  Button – The execute button (curved arrow) turns on the FSD unit and selects a highlighted menu option. It is also used for adjusting contrast and for executing menu options. It functions like the trigger switch on the receiver. Direction  Buttons – The up/down, left/right arrow  buttons  are used to navigate through menu options. The down button also can be used to access the main menu from the remote mode (see “Main Menu” later in this section).  Audible Tones The FSD remote has an internal speaker that emits a tone at startup and emits warning tones when the transmitter temperature increases. See “Transmitter Temperature Warning Tones” in the Transmitter section for a complete listing of the warning tones and what they signify.   Adjusting Screen Contrast The screen contrast can be adjusted from the main display screen by holding in the execute button on the keypad and pressing the left or right arrow button for the desired adjustment: left for darker, right for lighter. You can also adjust the screen contrast by using the contrast adjustment option in the main menu (see "Main Menu" later in this section).
Remote Display     44 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Adjusting the Viewing Angle  The FSD remote allows you to adjust the viewing angle through a range of 180° left/right, 90° up/down, and 360° about the display’s center.  Up/Down – Loosen and squeeze the two knobs on the back of the remote display, then adjust the screen as desired and tighten the knobs. If the knobs are loose, the display will hold its vertical position only until the knobs are squeezed together or the display is vibrated. Thus, DCI recommends tightening the knobs before drilling.        Loosen Display Knobs Adjust Viewing Angle Tighten Display Knobs Left/Right – When the FSD remote’s magnetic base is secure, you can adjust the left-right viewing angle by rotating the display about the base.  Center – With the magnetic base secure, take hold of the display and rotate it to the desired orientation. Attaching and Removing Visor  The removable visor on the FSD remote shields the screen from environmental conditions such as rain and sun. The visor is held in place by a ridge on the top of the display and channels on the sides of the display.  To install the visor, slide the pegs on the visor along the  peg  channels  on the sides of the display until the visor locks over the ridge. To remove the visor, push the visor back over the ridge and along the channels. Squeeze Knobs  Ridge Peg Channel Rotation for Left/Right Viewing Adjustment  Rotation for Center Viewing Adjustment
 Remote Display DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 45 Main Menu  The main menu is accessed by pushing the down arrow button. It displays the menu options with the remote mode option automatically highlighted for selection.  FSD Main Menu Screen Use the arrow buttons to highlight an option, and press the execute button to select that option. The table below lists the main menu options and the result of selecting each item. FSD Main Menu Options .   Remote Mode–  Puts the FSD unit into remote radio mode. It will then display information from the receiver, including transmitter pitch, roll, temperature, battery status, depth, predicted depth, and Target Steering data.  Power Off – Turns off the unit with no audible signal.  Settings Menu – Opens the settings menu allowing you to change telemetry chan-nels, pitch and depth units, and the receiver model. See “Settings Menu” below.  Contrast Adjustment – Allows you to adjust the screen contrast. See below for instructions.  Information  –  Displays system information such as the software version, serial number, and current settings.  Remote Mode (Shown Highlighted) Contrast Adjustment Power Off  Information  Settings Menu I  Description of Highlighted Option
Remote Display     46 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Contrast Adjustment The screen contrast can be adjusted from the main display screen by holding in the execute button on the keypad  and pressing the left or right arrow button for the desired adjustment: left for darker, right for lighter. You can also adjust the screen contrast by using the contrast adjustment option. When  this  option is selected from the main menu, the following screen appears.  Adjust Screen Contrast Using the left or right arrow button on the remote, select the desired action: either decrease contrast (left arrow), increase contrast (right arrow), or the curved arrow. Adjust the contrast by pressing the remote’s execute button after you have selected the decrease or increase contrast arrow. Each time the execute button is pressed, the contrast will change incrementally. When the contrast is adjusted as desired, use the left/right arrow buttons on the remote to highlight the curved arrow on the screen, and then press the execute button on the keypad to return to the main menu. Decrease  Contrast Arrow  (Darkens Screen) Increase Contrast Arrow (Lightens Screen) Curved Arrow Saves Contrast Setting and Returns to Main Menu (Shown Highlighted)
 Remote Display DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 47 Settings Menu The settings menu, shown below, will appear after selecting the settings menu at the main menu screen.  FSD Settings Menu Screen The table below shows the menu options as they appear on the display with descriptions of their uses. Any changes that are made to the settings will be saved when the FSD unit is turned off. DCI recommends that you program the FSD settings to match the settings on your receiver. FSD Settings Menu Options  Telemetry Channel – Opens the telemetry channel selection screen. There are four channel options. Select the telemetry channel that matches that set on the receiver. The remote and the receiver must be set to the same telemetry channel.  Receiver Model – Opens the receiver options screen to identify the receiver model. The options are F2, Eclipse, LT2, and Mark 3/5. If a receiver other than the F2 is to be used, see the MFD/FSD Operator’s Manual.   Telemetry Frequency Designation – Allows you to view the remote's telemetry designations to ensure that the receiver is compatible. If the receiver’s frequency designation is not listed, then it is not compatible (see “General Description” in Receiver section).  Depth Units – Allows you to select distance units as either English or metric. When English units are selected, the temperature will display in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). When metric units are selected, the temperature will display in degrees Celsius (°C).   Pitch Units – Allows you to select pitch angle units. The options are percent (%) or degree (°).  Exit – Exits the settings menu and returns to the main menu screen. After a setting is changed, the exit option is automatically highlighted for selection.  Telemetry Channel (Shown Highlighted) Depth Units  Receiver Model Exit  Telemetry Frequency Designation Function of Selected Option  Pitch Units
Remote Display     48 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Display Screens Main Display Screen The main display screen is the default screen you will see after turning on the FSD remote. It shows the transmitter pitch, roll, battery status, and temperature.  The  main screen also shows the FSD battery status, receiver type, telemetry channel, telemetry update meter, and Target Steering data (if active).   FSD Main Display Screen The telemetry update meter displays the amount of signal being received. If less data is being received, then  fewer bars are shown  on the meter. If the meter  is decreasing or low, you should pause before making steering decisions to ensure you have correct data. When the meter is empty, no telemetry data is being received and all transmitter information will disappear. Depth Display Screen The depth or predicted depth of the transmitter can be viewed on the remote display, but only when the receiver is positioned at the locate line (LL) or at the front locate point (FLP) with its trigger held in. See “Locate Points (FLP & RLP) and Locate Line (LL)” in the Locating section for information on correctly positioning the receiver. When the receiver is positioned at the LL with the trigger held in, the FSD display will change to show the depth reading with arrows pointing to the ground and drill head. When the height-above-ground function is turned on, the receiver icon is shown elevated above the ground with the HAG setting displayed. In the figure below you can see that the HAG setting is 2’ 10” to indicate that the receiver is being held that distance above the ground. For more information on the HAG settings, see “Height-Above-Ground (HAG) Menu” in the Receiver section. Transmitter Temperature Transmitter Battery Status (Alkaline Only) Transmitter Pitch  Receiver Type with Telemetry Channel FSD Battery Status Transmitter Roll Telemetry Update Meter Thermometer for Transmitter Temperature   Direction of Temperature Change
 Remote Display DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 49  FSD Depth Display at Locate Line with HAG On The depth will display for 10 seconds after the trigger on the receiver is released, and then the display will return to the main display screen. Predicted Depth Display Screen The predicted depth display screen appears when the receiver is positioned at the FLP or the RLP (rear locate point) and the trigger is held in.  However, the predicted depth is only valid at the FLP. The predicted depth display will show arrows pointing to the receiver and the predicted depth point ahead of the transmitter. For more information about the predicted depth, see the Locating section.  FSD Predicted Depth Display with HAG On When the transmitter pitch information cannot be obtained at the receiver due to range restrictions or interference, the remote will assume the transmitter has a pitch of 0 for predicted depth readings. The following screen will appear. HAG Setting Depth Reading Horizontal Distance from Transmitter to Receiver Predicted Depth
Remote Display     50 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual  FSD Predicted Depth Display with Pitch “0” Assumed   Assumption of “0” Pitch
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 51 Battery Charger General Description  F2 Battery Charger System The DCI F Series Battery Charger (FBC) system includes AC and DC power cords, an AC adapter, and three rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs. The battery packs are used to power the F2 receiver and the FSD remote. Only DCI battery packs should be used in the F2 system and in the battery charger. Using another type of battery could result in system damage and voiding of the warranty. OK?? The battery charger can operate from AC (100–240 V, 50–60 Hz, 1.5 A max.) or DC (9–32 V, 5 A max.) power sources, and power cords are provided for both power sources. The AC power cord that is shipped with your system is standard to your global area of operation. A fully charged DCI  lithium-ion battery pack will power an F2 receiver  for approximately 12 hours or an FSD remote for approxi-mately 14 hours before recharging is necessary.  The battery pack can be recharged approximately 400 times before the battery life is reduced by up to 50%. To check the charge status of the DCI lithium-ion battery pack at any time, press the battery status button below the five LEDs on the battery.  Each of the LEDs represents 20% of the battery charge. While charging, the LEDs will flash to show the current charge level. Upon  completion of the charge cycle, all five LEDs will illuminate briefly and then turn off.  AC Adapter AC Power Cord DCI Lithium-Ion Battery Charger DCI Lithium-Ion Battery Packs  DC Power Cord   DCI Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Tab LEDs Indicate Charge Level Battery Status Button
Battery Charger     52 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual AC/DC Power Setup Install either the AC adapter or the DC power cord by inserting the charger plug into the power port of the battery charger (see photo to the right) and then rotating it a quarter turn in either direction to lock it in place. If using AC power, connect the AC power cord to the AC adapter, then plug the cord into an AC power receptacle (wall outlet). If using the DC power cord, plug  it  directly into the DC power source.  Once powered, the orange LED on the battery charger will begin to flash and the charger will emit a series of tones. Charging a Battery Pack With the battery charger powered on, insert a battery pack and push on the tab to ensure it is latched. The battery pack will be flush with the charger. The orange LED will stop flashing and turn solid, and the red LED will illuminate to indicate active charging. Do not ever try to charge a non-DCI battery pack. The battery pack is fully charged when the orange LED starts flashing again, the red LED goes off, and the green LED starts flashing.  Battery Charger LED Indicators The battery charger has three LEDs (red, orange, and green) that are on, off, or flashing, depending on the  charging status.  The chart below summarizes the charging status indicated by the various LED settings, including the battery’s status, where applicable, and the charge time. LEDs  Charging Status Battery Status Charge Time Solid Orange Power supplied to charger and charging a battery 4–16.8 V  N/A Flashing Orange Power supplied to charger and not charging a battery None installed or  fully charged N/A Solid Red Battery charging  4–16.8 V  <3–8 hr Flashing Red Battery or communication fault Varies Varies Solid Green Battery Installed and receiving trickle charge 16.6–16.8 V  Approaching  full charge Flashing Green Battery installed and fully charged 16.8–17 V  N/A Solid Red and Green  Temperature fault  (see Appendix A for environmental operating specifications)  Installed Will not charge  Inserting Charger Plug into Power Port Green LED  Orange LED  Red LED  Charger Plug Power Port
 Battery Charger DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 53 Warnings and Precautions DCI  (The manufacturer) assumes no liability for problems that occur when you do not follow these warnings and precautions, as well as the general precautions outlined in the Safety Precautions and Warnings section. (Safety and Regulatory Guide packaged with your Receiver)  WARNlNG:  The charger is designed with adequate safeguards to protect you from shock and other hazards when  used as specified within this manual. If you use the charger in a manner not specified by this document, the protection provided by the charger may be impaired. Please read this manual before using the charger.  WARNlNG:  If you transport the charger in checked baggage, be sure to remove the bat-teries from the charger before packing it. Battery Temperature • The temperature of the  air around the battery charger should be between +32°F to +95°F (0°C to +35°C). Charging the battery outside this range may increase charge time, harm battery performance, or reduce battery life. • It is important to maintain free airflow around the charger, especially near the top and bottom vents. • If the battery internal temperature is below +32°F  (0°C)  or above 113°F (+45°C), the charger will not deliver charge current and will indicate a tem-perature fault.  Battery Voltage • The battery voltage should be in the range of 8 V to 16.8 V when inserted into the charger. • If the battery voltage is above 17 V, the charger will display a flashing red battery fault indicator and will not charge the battery. • If the battery voltage is between 16.8 V and 17 V,  the charger will display a charge complete status. • If the battery voltage is between 4 V and 8 V, a small trickle charge current wil be applied to bring the battery voltage up to 8 V. If the battery voltage does not increase to above 8 V within 2 minutes, a battery fault will be displayed and charging discontiued.  Charge Time • The charger will fully charge a battery in less than 3 hours if the ambient temperature is inside the operating ambient temperature specification. • If the ambient temperature is above or below the operating ambient temperature range, the charger may eventually charge the battery, but the charge time will be longer than 3 hours. • If charging is not complete inside 8 hours, a battery fault will be displayed and charging discontinued.  Power Input Use the supplied AC/DC adapter or the cigarette lighter adapter cable to power the charger with DC power in the specified voltage range. Failure to do so could damage the charger, void the warranty, and cause a safety hazard. User Serviceability Do not disassemble the charger. It contains no user-serviceable parts. Liquids Avoid spilling liquids on the charger. Liquids spilled onto the charger could short circuit it. If liquids are accidentally spilled, let the charger dry before use. Battery Disposal Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. (that's DCI -- did we say how to dispose?)
Battery Charger     54 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 55 Locating  Locating in High-Interference Area with the F2 Receiver Introduction Locating with the F2 system is relatively easy and intuitive, but you must understand some locating basics first. This section describes the locate points and locate line; the geometry of these elements with respect to the transmitter; the display screens encountered during locating; and the proper method for marking locate points once they are found. You are then given the standard locating procedure, including tracking “on-the-fly,”  and  a  method for tracking the transmitter when you cannot walk over it,  called off-track locating. For a detailed explanation of how to track the transmitter when it is steep and deep, please read the information provided in Appendix B: Projected Depth Versus Actual Depth and the Fore/Aft Offset.
Locating     56 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Locate Points (FLP & RLP) and Locate Line (LL) The F2 receiver locates the transmitter by detecting three specific places in the transmitter’s magnetic field: the locate points and the locate line. The locate points are indistinguishable from one another by the receiver. They represent similar points in the transmitter’s field in front of and behind the transmitter. The front locate point  (FLP) is ahead of the transmitter, and the rear locate point (RLP) is behind the transmitter. (See Appendix B for more information about the transmitter’s magnetic field.) The locate line (LL) extends 90° to the left and right of the transmitter and represents the location of the transmitter between the FLP and RLP.  The most accurate tracking requires the use of all three locations to determine the position, heading, and depth of the transmitter.  Aligning the FLP and RLP reveals the heading and left/right position of the transmitter.  The LL determines the central position and depth of the transmitter when the receiver is properly aligned between the FLP and RLP. The full procedure for tracking is given later in this section under “Standard Method for Locating the Transmitter.”     TransmitterSurface of Geometry of FLP, RLP, and LL from Top (Bird’s Eye) and Side Views Note how the RLP and FLP are equal distances from the LL when the transmitter is level. NOTE: If the transmitter pitch exceeds ±30% (or ±17°) and/or the transmitter depth exceeds 15 ft (4.5 m), the position of the locate line will be somewhat ahead of or behind the transmitter’s actual position. In these cases, the depth displayed on the receiver is referred to as the projected depth (see Appendix B for more information regarding this situation).
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 57 Effects of Depth, Pitch, and Topography on Distance Between FLP and RLP In general, the deeper the transmitter is, the further apart the FLP and RLP will be. The distance between the FLP and RLP with respect to the location of the LL is also a function of the transmitter pitch and topography. (For more information, see Appendix B.) When the transmitter pitch is negative, the FLP will be further from the LL than the RLP (see figure below). When the transmitter pitch is positive, the RLP will be further from the LL than the FLP. If the ground surface or topography slopes significantly, the locations of the FLP and RLP will also be affected with respect to the LL even if the transmitter itself is level.    Surface ofTransmitter (Negativeor Downward Pitch)Transmitter (Negativeor Downward Pitch) Effect of Pitch on Distance Between FLP, RLP, and LL Note how the RLP and FLP are at different distances from the LL when the transmitter is at a negative pitch (compare with figure on previous page in which the transmitter is level). It is possible to calculate depth (for comparison to the receiver’s depth reading) using the distance between the locate points and the pitch of the transmitter. For additional information, see Appendix C: Calculating Depth Based on Distance Between FLP and RLP. It is also possible to track the locate line when walkover locating is not possible, such as when surface obstructions exist or interference occurs. For more information about this feature, called off-track locating, see “Off-Track Locating” at the end of this section.
Locating     58 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Marking Locate Points The locate points (FLP and RLP) and the locate line (LL) must be found and accurately marked during the locating procedure.  To mark a locate point after you have found it, stand with the receiver level and directly above the locate point. Look down the vertical axis that runs through the center of the display to project a plumb line to the ground (see figure below). The point where this plumb line hits the ground is the location that you should mark.  Center ofDisplayFront ofReceiverPlace MarkerStraight Downon GroundPlumb Line orVertical Axis Plumb Line for Marking Locate Points HANDLING THE RECEIVER NOTE: It is critical that you hold the receiver correctly to obtain accurate readings. You must hold the receiver level at all times and maintain a constant height-above-ground (HAG) distance that matches the value set on the receiver (see “Height-Above-Ground (HAG) Menu” in the Receiver section).
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 59 Display Screens The locate mode screen on the F2 receiver provides real-time data about the transmitter’s temperature, pitch, roll, and signal strength.   Receiver Locate Mode Screen When the F2 receiver is positioned at the locate line between the FLP and the RLP and the trigger is held in, you will see the depth mode screen. This screen provides more detailed data about the position of the transmitter with respect to the receiver. It also shows the battery status of the transmitter.   NOTE: The receiver and transmitter must be calibrated together, with the transmitter in the drill housing, before accurate depth data can be displayed. See “Calibration Menu” in the Receiver section.  Receiver Depth Mode Screen (at LL with HAG on) 2 Approximate Locate Point (FLP or RLP) HAG Setting  Line-in-the-box at Locate Line (LL) Depth of Transmitter  Transmitter Battery Status  Locating target (FLP or RLP) Transmitter Signal Strength R/P Update Meter Roll Indicator Transmitter Temperature Transmitter Pitch
Locating     60 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual If the HAG is turned off, the receiver will have to be set on the ground for accurate depth readings. In this case, the picture on the depth mode display will show the receiver on the ground.  When the F2 receiver is positioned at one of the locate points and the trigger is held in, you will see the predicted depth screen. The value for predicted depth and horizontal distance are only valid if the receiver is at the FLP.  The “R” at the top of the screen denotes that the reference signal is being taken.  See “Standard Method for Locating the Transmitter” later in this section for more information on the reference lock and positioning the receiver at the locate points.  Receiver Predicted Depth Screen (at FLP with HAG on) The depth screen can be accessed at any time during locating. However, depth and predicted depth data will only be displayed when the receiver is at the locate line and locate points,  respectively. The depth screen will display as follows when the receiver is not positioned at a locate point or the locate line.    Receiver Depth Screen (when not at the LL or LP)  Target-in-the-box at FLP Predicted Depth of Transmitter  HAG Setting Transmitter Battery Status  Horizontal Distance from Transmitter  to Receiver Reference Lock Slanted Line In-dicates Receiver Is Not at FLP, RLP, or LL. The 2'0" HAG setting appears with a slanted line, but it is still a vertical measurement.
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 61 Interference: What It Is and How to Check for It Before drilling (preferably before bidding on a project) the interference potential at your site should be evaluated. Interference can reduce the transmitter’s range or cause variable readings and possibly result in job slowdowns. Interference comes from two different types of sources: active and passive. Active interference is also known as electrical interference or background noise and can have varying effects upon the F2 locating equipment. Most electrical devices emit signals that can affect your ability to locate the tool accurately or to get good pitch/roll readings.  Some examples of active interference are traffic signal loops, buried dog fences, cathodic protection, radio communications, microwave towers, cable TV, fiber-trace lines, utility data transmissions, security systems, power lines, and phone lines, to name a few. Passive interference can reduce the amount of signal received from the transmitter, which results  in deeper than expected depth readings or a  completely blocked signal. Some examples of passive interference are metal objects (such as pipes, rebar, trench plate, chain-link fence, or vehicles). Two other examples of passive interference are saltwater/salt domes and conductive earth, such as iron ore. To install your product accurately and safely, the location of every underground structure proximal to the intended bore path should be confirmed by potholing. This task is the first step in familiarizing yourself with the interference potential along  your intended bore path. The next step is to conduct an electrical interference/background noise check. There are two steps to the interference/background noise check. The first step requires one person, the second step requires two people.  CAPTION With the transmitter off, power up the receiver and walk the bore path while monitoring the signal strength on the receiver’s screen, noting  any locations where it changes. A general rule is that the background noise should be at least 150 points less than the transmitter’s signal strength when measured at the maximum depth for that bore.
Locating     62 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual  CAPTION At the end of the bore path, have your coworker install batteries in the transmitter to power it up. With the receiver positioned on the intended bore path, have your coworker with the transmitter, step off to your side approximately 1.5 times the maximum depth of your intended bore. You will now walk back toward the launch end in tandem, maintaining this distance of 1.5X the max depth while periodically stopping to change the transmitter’s pitch and roll orientation to verify the speed and accuracy of these readings on the receiver.  Suggestions for Dealing with Interference Every job site warrants an interference/background noise check no matter how remote and interference-free your job site appears to be. If the pitch/roll information becomes erratic or is lost, move the receiver away from the interference source while staying within range of the transmitter. Separation (use of the HAG function) may also help when under metallic objects, because the greater the separation between the receiver and the metal objects, the better the receiver’s antenna will read the signal. Another solution is to use a transmitter  with a stronger signal strength that may be able to overcome the interference/ background noise. 1. Walk the intended bore path with the receiver on and in locate mode, watching for any background noise that affects the signal strength and could interfere with the transmitter’s signal. The transmitter must be off during this test. Tolerable levels for background noise vary depending on the depth of the bore and ground conditions. A general rule is that the background noise should be at least 150 points less than the signal strength at the bore’s maximum depth. Make note of any problem areas, and take steps to reduce the interference if possible. See the Safety Precautions and Warnings section for more information on interference. NOTE: The high-powered FXL transmitter can be a useful option if the minimum signal strength requirement cannot be met with the FX transmitter. Other options include getting the transmitter at depth and level before entering a problem area so that off-track locating or Target Steering methods can be applied. 2. With the transmitter turned on and in its housing, place the transmitter on the ground. Then place the receiver to the side of the housing as far as the maximum intended bore depth.
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 63 Maximum Bore Depth CAPTION Make note of the signal strength and verify that roll and pitch are displayed and that the depth reading on the receiver is accurate. Verify depth readings at several locations along the intended bore path with a tape measure. If necessary, recalibrate in an area where the background noise is lower than 100 points. 3. Follow all other pre-drill procedures required by the job and industry standards for a safe and effective HDD process.
Locating     64 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Standard Method for Locating the Transmitter With the F2 system, you can locate the transmitter and its heading while it moves, whether standing in front of it, behind it, or toward the side. You can also locate the transmitter facing either toward or away from the drill rig. The standard method described in this section guides you to the transmitter while standing out in front of it, facing the drill rig. This is the recommended method for locating. As you continue to drill or as the bore path curves, you may be facing the last marked locate point rather than the drill rig.  DrillLLFLPRLPMoveForward DrillLLFLPRLPMoveForward  Setup for Standard Locating Method   Standard Locating Method with a Curved Path Depth readings may be taken at the FLP or at the LL. It is necessary to hold the trigger in to view the depth or predicated depth and to send the depth reading to the remote display. Finding the Front Locate Point (FLP) The locating procedure described here assumes you are facing the drill with the transmitter below ground and between you and the drill.  1. Start with the receiver on and in locate mode. 2. Stand out in front of the drill head at a distance of approximately one rod length.  NOTE: The FLP will be found further out in front of the drill head as the drill head gets deeper.
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 65 3. Holding the receiver level, observe the position of the locating target ( ) relative to the receiver box on the display. The figures below illustrate what you might see on the display and the actual position of the receiver, transmitter, and locate points. Note that the FLP is ahead of and to the left of the receiver, as shown in the receiver display.   RLPFLPLL  Receiver Locate Mode Screen Actual Position of        Receiver and Transmitter 4. Walk in the direction indicated by the picture on the screen to center the target in the box, which is forward and to the left in this example. 5. When the target is centered in the box, hold the trigger in for one second so the receiver can get a “lock” on the reference signal. The “R” symbol will appear at the top of the depth screen. The depth value given at the FLP is the depth the transmitter will be at when it reaches its predicted location if no steering adjustments are made.    RLPFLPLL  Receiver Depth Mode Screen Actual Position of     (at FLP with HAG on) Receiver and Transmitter Locating “Target” “Box” Target-in-the-box
Locating     66 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual NOTE: To verify that the signal is balanced through the receiver’s antenna, carefully rotate the receiver 360° about the center of the display keeping the receiver level. The locating target should stay centered in the box. If it does not, the receiver’s antenna or signal processor may be malfunctioning. Do not continue to use the receiver, and contact DCI’s Customer Service Department. 6. Mark the location directly below the receiver’s display screen on the ground as the FLP.  Finding the Locate Line (LL) 7. Continue to walk in the direction of the drill or the last known transmitter location. Keep the locating target on the vertical crosshair and observe that the signal strength is increasing.   Receiver Locate Mode Screen (FLP Behind Receiver, Which Is Moving Toward LL) If the signal strength decreases, you may actually have just located the RLP. Position yourself further away from and facing the drill to locate the FLP. 8. When the target reaches the bottom of the screen, the locate line should appear and the target will change to a black ball representing the approximate locate point.  Signal Strength Higher than Value at FLP Locating Target  Aligned with  Vertical Crosshair
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 67    RLPFLPLL  Receiver Locate Mode Screen Actual Position of  (Approaching LL) Receiver and Transmitter NOTE: The ball is only the approximate position of the locate point. Do not rely on the alignment of the ball with the vertical crosshair to identify the left/right position of the transmitter. The front and rear locate points must be accurately found to determine the transmitter’s lateral position (heading) and to take accurate depth readings. 9. Position the receiver so that the LL aligns with the horizontal crosshair.       RLPFLPLL  Receiver Locate Mode Screen Actual Position of    (at the LL) Receiver and Transmitter Line-in-the-box  Locating Ball
Locating     68 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 10. Mark the location directly below the receiver’s display screen on the ground as the LL. You can take a depth reading here by holding in the trigger. However, to be certain you are directly above the trans-mitter, and your depth reading is accurate, you should first find the RLP.  NOTE: If the locate line does not appear, hold the trigger and move the receiver in a forward/aft direction over where you think the tool is located. This should re-reference the receiver to the transmitter's signal, and bring up the locate line.  Finding the RLP to Confirm Transmitter Heading and Position Finding the RLP will allow you to confirm the transmitter’s heading and position. Like the FLP, the RLP is represented as a target ( ) on the receiver display. Once the RLP is found, you will connect the RLP to the FLP with a line that represents the exact heading of the transmitter. The transmitter is located at the point where this line intersects the LL. Continue the locating procedure as follows: 11. From the LL, facing toward the drill or last transmitter location, walk forward keeping the target aligned on the vertical crosshairs.   RLPFLPLL  Receiver Locate Mode Screen  Actual Position of   (Approaching RLP from LL) Receiver and Transmitter 12. Position the receiver so that the locating target is centered in the box.
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 69    RLPFLPLL  Receiver Locate Mode Screen Actual Position of   (at RLP) Receiver and Transmitter 13. Mark the location directly below the receiver’s display screen on the ground as the RLP.  14. Connect the RLP to the FLP with a straight line. This line represents the transmitter’s heading. The exact position of the transmitter is located beneath where this line and the LL cross. 15. Position the receiver at the intersection of these lines with the LL passing through the center of the box on the display and hold the trigger in to take a depth reading. NOTE: To verify the depth reading, turn off the HAG and set the unit on the ground. Take another depth reading. This reading should be very near the depth reading obtained with the HAG on and the receiver lifted.     RLPFLPLL  Receiver Depth Mode Screen Actual Position of   (at LL)  Receiver and Transmitter With the LL aligned in the box, the receiver  may face toward the RLP or FLP during depth readings
Locating     70 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Tracking “On-the-Fly” If you are running at 0% (0°) pitch over level ground, the predicted depth will be the actual depth. In this case, all locating can be done at the FLP while the tool is moving. Once the transmitter has been found and its heading is on line, position yourself the distance of one rod length in front of the FLP on the intended bore path with the receiver facing the drill and sitting level on the ground.  DrillLLFLPRLPMoveForward DrillLLFLPRLPMoveForward  Tracking "On-the-Fly" Tracking "On-the-Fly"   with a Straight Path with a Curved Path Depth readings may be taken at the FLP or at the LL. It is necessary to hold the trigger in to view the depth or predicated depth and to send the depth reading to the remote display. Must fix these drawings
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 71    RLPFLPLL  Receiver Screen Tracking "On-the-Fly"  Actual Position of        Receiver and Transmitter As the tool advances, the FLP should travel along the receiver's vertical crosshairs indicating that the tool is still on line. Once the FLP is in the box, hold the trigger in and confirm that the predicted depth reading is as expected. Off-Track Locating The off-track locating technique is useful when it is not possible to walk above the transmitter due to a surface obstruction or interference. Using the locate line’s perpendicular relationship to the transmitter, it is possible to track the transmitter’s heading and also to determine if it is maintaining its intended depth. The off-track locating method is only effective when the pitch of the transmitter matches the pitch of the topography. Ideally, pitch will be 0% (0°) on flat ground. To explain how the off-track locating method works, we will use the example of an obstruction that is over the intended bore path, as shown in the figure below. The transmitter is about to go under the obstruction. 1. Stop drilling and find the LL of the transmitter by putting the line in the box. 2. While holding the trigger in and keeping the receiver in the same orientation, step to the side of the tool until you reach a predetermined distance (P1) from it. Move the receiver forward and aft until you can see the ball jump from the bottom of the screen to the top of the screen (or vice versa), then mark this location. Must fix these drawings
Locating     72 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual LLObstructionBorepathDrillP2 P3P1Path AroundObstructionPredeterminedDistances Preparing for Off-Track Locating 3. While still holding the trigger in and keeping the receiver in the same orientation, step to the side of the tool another predetermined distance (P2) further away from it.  Move the receiver forward and aft until you can see the ball jump from the bottom of the screen to the top of the screen (or vice versa), then mark this location. 4. While still holding the trigger in and keeping the receiver in the same orientation, step to the side of the tool another predetermined distance (P3) further away from it.  Move the receiver forward and aft until you can see the ball jump from the bottom of the screen to the top of the screen (or vice versa), then mark this location. 5.  After finding the three locations P1, P2, and P3 to the side of the transmitter, connect these locations with a line.  This is the locate line.  Because the LL runs perpendicular (at a 90° angle) to the transmitter, it is possible to determine the heading of the tool.  By comparing the slant distance or signal strength at the predetermined distances of P1, P2, and P3, as the tool  progresses you can verify if the drill head is moving away from or closer to the intended bore path. This allows steering corrections to be made.
 Locating DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 73 6. As drilling continues, the tool should be steered to maintain a constant slant distance at each of the points P1, P2, and P3. If the slant distance increases, the tool is moving away; if the slant distance decreases, the tool is moving toward the side position. LLObstructionPath AroundObstructionBorepathDrillP2 P3P1 Off-Track Locating
Locating     74 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Notes
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 75 The Target Steering Function The Target Steering function allows the F2 receiver to be placed out ahead of the drill head and used as a steering target. The receiver is positioned on level ground so that it is facing in the same direction as the  drilling.  To activate the Target Steering function, you must program the receiver with the desired target depth number. The drill head can then be guided to a point directly below where the receiver has been placed using the Target Steering screen on the remote display. The F2 system assumes level topography for the most accurate Target Steering results. It also assumes a conservative bend radius. Therefore,  in  situations  with  significant pitch changes,  such as during the launch/exit ends, the up/down steering information on the remote display may not be accurate. In these situations, only the left/right steering information should be considered accurate.  As a general rule, the depth cannot change by more than 4 ft (1.2 m) per 35 ft (10.7 m), and the pitch cannot change by more than 14% per 35 ft (10.7 m).   Feasible Target Depth and Positioning the Receiver as a Target The Target Steering procedure requires correct placement of the receiver. The receiver must be placed out in front of the transmitter with its back end (where the battery pack is inserted) facing the drill. The maximum horizontal distance from the transmitter that the receiver should be placed is approximately  35 ft (10.7 m).  The receiver must be programmed with the desired target depth number. To program the receiver, see the instructions under "Target Steering Menu" in the Receiver section. The figure below shows the receiver’s locate screen with the Target Steering distance at the bottom. This number is the horizontal distance that the receiver is from the transmitter. You will use this number to help you position the receiver a maximum distance of 35 ft (10.7 m) ahead of the tool.    Receiver Screen with Target Depth Programmed Horizontal Distance Between Transmitter and Receiver
Target Steering     76 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual The maximum distance that the receiver can be placed out ahead of the drill head for Target Steering is 35 ft (10.7 m). Over this 35-ft range, the following parameters apply:  The maximum depth change is approximately 4 ft (1.2 m).     The maximum pitch change is approximately 14%. To determine if your desired target depth is feasible: 1. Use the receiver to obtain the current transmitter depth with respect to level ground surface. 2.  Subtract the current transmitter depth from your desired target depth to obtain the desired depth change. Steering to the Target Once the target depth number has been entered on the receiver and the receiver has been positioned ahead of the tool as the target, then select remote mode from the remote's main menu (see "Main Menu" in the Remote Display section). You will then see the Target Steering screen shown below.   Target Steering on Remote Display The steering indicator in this case shows that the drill head is to the left and too high for the intended path. The steering indicator should be dead center in the display if you are correctly heading to your programmed target depth. A steering command of 4 o’clock would bring the drill head toward the target. Note that, for quick viewing and interpretation, the pointed end of the steering indicator corresponds to the clock position of the head. The horizontal distance from the drill head to the receiver is indicated at the bottom left part of the display. At the bottom right, the current depth of the drill head is indicated. A side view of the position of the receiver and of the transmitter is shown below on the left. An end view of the same setup is shown on the right. Horizontal Distance Between Transmitter and Receiver  Approximate Transmitter Depth  Transmitter’s Roll  Transmitter’s Pitch Steering Indicator  Center of Crosshairs
 Target Steering DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 77 20’4”4’6”5’6”5’6”4’6”TransmitterBack ofReceiverActual Positionof TransmitterTarget TargetSurface ofGround Side and End Views Showing Positions of Receiver, Transmitter, and Target  Target Steering in Interference Areas To achieve separation from interference, it may be advisable to physically elevate the receiver, such as in the example shown below where the receiver is placed at a height different than the ground level of the drill rig. In this case, the target depth needs to be set to 8’6” (2.7 m). 20’4”4’6”5’6”5’6”4’6”TransmitterBack ofReceiverActual Positionof TransmitterTarget TargetSurface ofGround3’3’This HeightMust Be Addedto Target Depth Side and Back End Views of Transmitter, Target, and Raised Receiver  Drill Rig
Target Steering     78 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Notes
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 79 Appendix A:  System Specifications and  Maintenance Requirements  The power requirements, environmental requirements, and equipment maintenance requirements for the DigiTrak F2 Locating System are listed below. Power Requirements Device (Model Number) Operational Voltage Operational Current DigiTrak F2 Receiver (F2R) 14.4 V  (nominal) 300 mA max DigiTrak F Series Display (FSD) 14.4 V  (nominal) 220 mA max DigiTrak F Series Battery Charger (FBC) Input      9–32 V  (nominal) Output  16.8 V  (nominal) 5 A max 1.8 A max  DCI Lithium-Ion Battery Pack (FBP) 12–16 V  4.25 A max DCI F Series Transmitters  (FX, FXL) 2–3.6 V  0.75 A max   Environmental Requirements Device Altitude Relative Humidity Operating Temperature DigiTrak F2 Receiver <16,404 ft (<5000 m) <90% -4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C) DigiTrak F Series Display <16,404 ft (<5000 m) <90% -4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C) DigiTrak F2 Transmitters <16,404 ft (<5000 m) <100% -4° to 220°F (-20° to 104°C) DigiTrak F Series Battery Charger <13,123 ft (<4000 m) <99% for 0-10°C <95% for 10-35°C 32° to 95°F (0° to 35°C) DCI Lithium-Ion Battery Pack <13,123 ft (<4000 m) <99% for <10°C <95% for 10-35°C <75% for 35-60°C -4° to 140°F (-20° to 60°C)
Appendix A     80 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual General Transmitter Care Instructions  Periodically clean the spring and threads inside the battery compartment as well as the spring and threads of the battery cap to ensure a proper power connection with the batteries. An emery cloth or wire brush can be used to remove any oxidation that has built up.  Be careful not to damage the battery cap O-ring; remove it while cleaning if necessary.  After cleaning, use a conductive lubricant on the battery cap threads to keep the battery cap from binding in the battery compartment.  Before use, inspect the battery cap O-ring for damage that may allow water to enter the battery compartment. Replace the 2-022 Buna-N70 type O-ring if the one installed becomes damaged.  Placing tape around the fiberglass tube of the transmitter, if space allows, will keep the fiberglass protected from most corrosive environmental wear.   Send in the Product Registration Card for the 90-day limited warranty.
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 81 Appendix B:  Projected Depth Versus Actual  Depth and the Fore/Aft Offset  What Happens When the  Transmitter Is Steep and Deep The signal field emitted by the transmitter, as shown in Figure B1, consists of a set of elliptical signals or flux lines. The flux lines indicate the position of the transmitter. When the transmitter is level with respect to the ground, you will find that the locate line (LL) is directly over the transmitter, and the depth displayed on the receiver is the actual depth. You will also find that the locate points (FLP and RLP) are at equal distances from the transmitter. The location of the LL is found at the intersection of the ground and the horizontal component of the flux field, and the FLP and RLP are found where the vertical components of the flux field intersect with the ground. Some of the horizontal and vertical components are identified by short yellow lines in Figure B1. RLP FLPLL Figure B1. Flux Field and Geometry of FLP, RLP, and LL (side view)
Appendix B  82 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Due to the shape of the transmitter’s signal field (flux lines), when it is at a pitch greater than ±30% (±17°) and/or a depth of 15 ft (4.5 m) or more, the position of the locate line will be some distance ahead of or behind the transmitter’s actual position. In this case, the depth displayed on the receiver becomes what is called the projected depth. The transmitter’s distance ahead of or behind the locate line is called the fore/aft offset.  The projected depth and fore/aft offset, shown in Figure B2, must be accounted for when the transmitter is steep and/or deep. See the tables provided later in this appendix (Tables B1 and B2) to determine the actual depth and fore/aft offset when you know the displayed (projected) depth and pitch of the transmitter.  LLLPLP Fore/Aft OffsetProjected Depth Actual Depth30% (17°)Pitch Figure B2. Projected Depth vs. Actual Depth and Fore/Aft Offset When Steep and Deep Figure B2 above shows a transmitter positioned in a drill string that is meant to illustrate drilling at either a positive or a negative pitch—the pitch is positive if you are drilling left to right, and it is negative if you are drilling right to left. The transmitter’s signal field is also pitched at the same angle as the transmitter. The locate line (LL), which is where the depth measurement is taken, is the horizontal component of the transmitter’s signal field flux lines. That is, the LL is found where the flux lines are horizontal, as illustrated with short horizontal yellow lines in the figure above.
 Appendix B DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 83 The locate points (FLP and RLP) are also shown in Figure B2. These points are located at the vertical components of the signal field, as illustrated with short vertical yellow lines in the figure above. Note that the locate points are not the same distance from the LL when the transmitter is pitched. Again, this situation requires compensation for the projected depth and the fore/aft offset. Using the tables provided below, you can look up the actual depth (Table B1) and the fore/aft offset (Table  B2) based on the receiver’s depth reading (projected depth) and the transmitter pitch. You can also look up the projected depth (Table B3) if you know the required depth (actual depth) of your instal-lation and you want to find the corresponding projected depth reading that you will see on the receiver during drilling. The final table (Table B4) provides conversion factors for determining the projected depth from the actual depth or the actual depth from the projected depth at various transmitter pitches.  Table B1 lists the projected or displayed depth values (shown in red) in 5 ft (1.52 m) increments in the first column and provides values for the actual depth (shown in green) at different transmitter pitches. For example, if you have a displayed depth of 25 ft (7.62 m) and your transmitter is at a 40% (22°) pitch, then you can see from Table B1 that the actual depth of the transmitter is 22 ft 8 in. (6.91 m).  Table B1. Determining Actual Depth from Displayed (Projected) Depth and Pitch  Pitch→ Displayed Depth ↓ ±10% (5.7°)  ±20% (11°)  ±30% (17°)  ±40% (22°)  ±50% (27°)  ±60% (31°)  ±75% (37°)  ±90% (42°)  ±100% (45°) 5'  (1.52 m) 5'  (1.52 m) 4' 11" (1.50 m) 4' 9" (1.45 m) 4' 6" (1.37 m) 4' 4" (1.32 m) 4' 2" (1.27 m) 3' 10" (1.17 m) 3' 6" (1.07 m) 2' 6" (0.76 m) 10'  (3.05 m) 9' 11" (3.02 m) 9' 9" (2.97 m) 9' 5" (2.87 m) 9' 1" (2.77 m) 8' 8" (2.64 m) 8' 3" (2.51 m) 7' 7" (2.31 m) 7'  (2.13 m) 5'  (1.52 m) 15'  (4.57 m) 14' 11" (4.55 m) 14' 8" (4.47 m) 14' 2" (4.32 m) 13' 7" (4.14 m) 13'  (3.96 m) 12' 5" (3.78 m) 11' 5" (3.48 m) 10' 6" (3.20 m) 7' 6" (2.29 m) 20'  (6.10 m) 19' 11" (6.07 m) 19' 6" (5.94 m) 18' 10" (5.74 m) 18' 1" (5.51 m) 17' 4" (5.28 m) 16' 6" (5.03 m) 15' 3" (4.65 m) 14'  (4.27 m) 10'  (3.05 m) 25'  (7.62 m) 24' 11" (7.59 m) 24' 5" (7.44 m) 23' 7" (7.19 m) 22' 8" (6.91 m) 21' 8" (6.60 m) 20' 8" (6.30 m) 19'  (5.79 m) 17' 6" (5.33 m) 12' 6" (3.81 m) 30'  (9.14 m) 29' 10" (9.09 m) 29' 3" (8.92 m) 28' 3" (8.61 m) 27' 2" (8.28 m) 26'  (7.92 m) 24' 9" (7.54 m) 22' 10" (6.96 m) 21'  (6.40 m) 15'  (4.57 m) 35'  (10.67 m) 34' 10" (10.62 m) 34' 2" (10.41 m) 33' 1" (10.08 m) 31' 8" (9.65 m) 30' 4" (9.25 m) 28' 11" (8.81 m) 26' 8" (8.13 m) 24' 6" (7.47 m) 17' 6" (5.33 m) 40'  (12.19 m) 39' 10" (12.14 m) 39' (11.89 m) 37' 9" (11.51 m) 36' 2" (11.02 m) 34' 8" (10.57 m) 33' (10.06 m) 30' 5" (9.27 m) 28'  (8.53 m) 20'  (6.10 m) 45'  (13.72 m) 44' 9" (13.64 m) 43' 11" (13.39 m) 42' 5" (12.93 m) 40' 9" (12.42 m) 39' (11.89 m) 37' 2" (11.33 m) 34' 3" (10.44 m) 31' 7" (9.63 m) 22' 6" (6.86 m) 50'  (15.24 m) 49' 9" (15.16 m) 48' 9" (14.86 m) 47' 2" (14.38 m) 45' 3" (13.79 m) 43' 4" (13.21 m) 41' 3" (12.57 m) 38' 1" (11.61 m) 35' 1" (10.69 m) 25'  (7.62 m)   Table B2 lists the projected or displayed depth values in 5 ft (1.52 m) increments in the first column and provides values for the fore/aft offset (shown in purple), rounded to the nearest inch (or cm) at different transmitter pitches.
Appendix B  84 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Table B2. Determining Fore/Aft Offset from Displayed (Projected) Depth and Pitch  Pitch→ Displayed Depth ↓ ±10% (5.7°)  ±20% (11°)  ±30% (17°)  ±40% (22°)  ±50% (27°)  ±60% (31°)  ±75% (37°)  ±90% (42°)  ±100% (45°) 5'  (1.52 m) 4"  (0.10 m) 8"  (0.20 m) 11"  (0.28 m) 1' 3" (0.38 m) 1' 7" (0.48 m) 1' 9" (0.53 m) 2' 1" (0.64 m) 2' 5" (0.74 m) 2' 6" (0.76 m) 10'  (3.05 m) 8"  (0.20 m) 1' 4" (0.41 m) 1' 11" (0.58 m) 2' 6" (0.76 m) 3' 1" (0.94 m) 3' 6" (1.07 m) 4' 2" (1.27 m) 4' 9" (1.45 m) 5'  (1.52 m) 15'  (4.57 m) 1'  (0.30 m) 2'  (0.61 m) 2' 11" (0.89 m) 3' 9" (1.14 m) 4' 7" (1.40 m) 5' 4 " (1.63 m) 6' 3" (1.91 m) 7' 1" (2.16 m) 7' 6" (2.29 m) 20'  (6.10 m) 1' 4" (0.41 m) 2' 7" (0.79 m) 3' 10" (1.17 m) 5'  (1.52 m) 6' 1" (1.85 m) 7' 1" (2.16 m) 8' 4" (2.54 m) 9' 6" (2.90 m) 10'  (3.05 m) 25'  (7.62 m) 1' 8" (0.51 m) 3' 3" (0.99 m) 4' 10" (1.47 m) 6' 3" (1.91 m) 7' 7" (2.31 m) 8' 10" (2.69 m) 10' 5" (3.18 m) 11' 10" (3.61 m) 12' 6" (3.81 m) 30'  (9.14 m) 2'  (0.61 m) 3' 11" (1.19 m) 5' 10" (1.78 m) 7' 6" (2.29 m) 9' 2" (2.79 m) 10' 7" (3.23 m) 12' 6" (3.81 m) 14' 2" (4.32 m) 15'  (4.57 m) 35'  (10.67 m) 2' 4" (0.71 m) 4' 7" (1.40 m) 6' 9" (2.06 m) 8' 9" (2.67 m) 10' 8" (3.25 m) 12' 5" (3.78 m) 14' 8" (4.47 m) 16' 7" (5.05 m) 17' 6" (5.33 m) 40'  (12.19 m) 2' 8" (0.81 m) 5' 3" (0.69 m) 7' 9" (2.36 m) 10'  (3.05 m) 12' 2" (3.71 m) 14' 2" (4.32 m) 16' 9" (5.11 m) 18' 11" (5.77 m) 20'  (6.10 m) 45'  (13.72 m) 3'  (0.91 m) 5' 11" (1.80 m) 8' 8" (2.64 m) 11' 4" (3.45 m) 13' 8" (4.17 m) 15' 11" (4.85 m) 18' 10" (5.74 m) 21' 3" (6.48 m) 22' 6" (6.86 m) 50'  (15.24 m) 3' 4" (1.02 m) 6' 7" (2.01 m) 9' 4" (2.84 m) 12' 7" (3.84 m) 15' 3" (4.65 m) 17' 8" (5.38 m) 20' 11" (6.38 m) 23' 8" (7.21 m) 25'  (7.62 m)   Table  B3 lists the actual depths in 5 ft (1.52 m) increments in the first column and provides projected depth values at different transmitter pitches. Table B3. Determining Projected Depth from Actual Depth and Pitch Pitch→ Actual Depth ↓ ±10% (5.7°)  ±20% (11°)  ±30% (17°)  ±40% (22°)  ±50% (27°)  ±60% (31°)  ±75% (37°)  ±90% (42°)  ±100% (45°) 5'  (1.52 m) 5'  (1.52 m) 5' 2" (1.57 m) 5' 3" (1.60 m) 5' 6" (1.68 m) 5' 8" (1.73 m) 5' 11" (1.80 m) 6' 3" (1.91 m) 6' 6" (1.98 m) 7' 6" (2.29 m) 10'  (3.05 m) 10' 1" (3.07 m) 10' 3" (3.12 m) 10' 7" (3.23 m) 10' 11" (3.33 m) 11' 4" (3.45 m) 11' 9" (3.58 m) 12' 5" (3.78 m) 13'  (3.96 m) 15'  (4.57 m) 15'  (4.57 m) 15' 1" (4.60 m) 15' 5" (4.70 m) 15' 10" (4.83 m) 16' 5" (5.00 m) 17'  (5.18 m) 17' 8" (5.38 m) 18' 7" (5.66 m) 19' 6" (5.94 m) 22' 6" (6.86 m) 20'  (6.10 m) 20' 1" (6.12 m) 20' 6" (6.25 m) 21' 2" (6.45 m) 21' 11" (6.68 m) 22' 8" (6.91 m) 23' 6" (7.16 m) 24' 9" (7.54 m) 26'  (7.92 m) 30'  (9.14 m) 25'  (7.62 m) 25' 2" (7.67 m) 25' 8" (7.82 m) 26' 5" (8.05 m) 27' 5" (8.36 m) 28' 4" (8.64 m) 29' 5" (8.97 m) 31'  (9.45 m) 32' 6" (9.91 m) 37' 6" (11.43 m) 30'  (9.14 m) 30' 2" (9.19 m) 30' 9" (9.37 m) 31' 9" (9.68 m) 32' 10" (10.01 m) 34' (10.36 m) 35' 3" (10.74 m) 37' 2" (11.33 m) 39' (11.89 m) 45' (13.72 m) 35'  (10.67 m) 35' 2" (10.72 m) 35' 11" (10.95 m) 37' (11.28 m) 38' 4" (11.68 m) 36' 8" (11.18 m) 41' 2" (12.55 m) 43' 4" (13.21 m) 45' 6" (13.87 m) 52' 6" (16.00 m) 40' (12.19 m) 40' 2" (12.24 m) 41' (12.50 m) 42' 3" (12.88 m) 43' 10" (13.36 m) 45' 4" (13.82 m) 47' (14.33 m) 49' 7" (15.11 m) 52' (15.85 m) 60' (18.29 m) 45' (13.72 m) 45' 3" (13.79 m) 46' 2" (14.07 m) 47' 7" (14.50 m) 49' 3" (15.01 m) 51' (15.54 m) 52' 2" (15.90 m) 55' 9" (16.99 m) 58' 6" (17.83 m) 67' 6" (11.43 m) 50' (15.24 m) 50' 3" (15.32 m) 51' 3" (15.62 m) 52' 10" (16.10 m) 54' 9" (16.69 m) 56' 8" (17.27 m) 58' 9" (17.91 m) 61' 11" (18.87 m) 64' 11" (19.79 m) 75' (22.86 m)
 Appendix B DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 85 Table B4 allows you to calculate the exact projected depth reading as well as the actual depth using a multiplier. Values for the multiplier, or conversion factor, are provided at different transmitter pitches. Table B4. Conversion Factors for Calculating Exact Projected Depth or Actual Depth Pitch → ±10% (5.7°) ±20% (11°)  ±30% (17°)  ±40% (22°)  ±50% (27°)  ±60% (31°)  ±75% (37°)  ±90% (42°) From Actual to Projected Depth 1.005 1.025 1.06 1.105 1.155 1.212 1.314 1.426 From Projected to Actual Depth 0.995 0.975 0.943 0.905 0.866 0.825 0.761 0.701  For example, referring to Table B4, if you have a required (actual) depth of 24 ft (7.32 m), you can determine the receiver’s projected depth reading at a 30% (17°) pitch. You will use the first row of conversion factors (From Actual to Projected Depth) to select the corresponding value for a pitch of 30%, which is 1.06. Multiply this value by the required depth, which is 24, and you will find that your receiver’s projected depth reading at the locate line should display as 25 ft 5 in. (7.75 m) Using the projected depth displayed on your receiver, you can calculate the actual depth of the transmitter using the second row of conversion factors. Select the corresponding conversion factor associated with your pitch value, then multiply that value by the projected depth. For example, if your pitch is 30% and your projected depth reading is 24 ft (7.32 m), then you would multiply 0.943 by 24 to determine that the actual depth of the transmitter is 22.63 ft or 22 ft 8 in. (6.90 m).
Appendix B  86 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Notes
 DIGITAL CONTROL INCORPORATED  DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual 87 Appendix C:  Calculating Depth Based on  Distance Between FLP and RLP  It is possible to estimate the transmitter depth should the information displayed on the receiver become unreliable. This is only possible if you know the transmitter pitch and the positions of the front locate point (FLP) and the rear locate point (RLP) and if the ground surface is level.  To estimate the transmitter depth, first measure the distance between the FLP and the RLP. The pitch of the transmitter must also be reliably known. Using the Depth Estimation Table below, find the divider that most closely corresponds to the transmitter pitch. Then use the following formula to estimate the depth: DividerRLPandFLPbetweenDistanceDepth = For example, if the transmitter pitch is 34% (or 18.8°) then the corresponding divider value (from the table) is 1.50. In this example, the distance between the FLP and the RLP is 11.5 ft (3.5 m). The depth would be: 7.661.50ft 11.5Depth ==ft or approximately 7.7 ft (2.35 m)  Table C1. Depth Estimation Table Pitch ( % / ° ) Divider    Pitch ( % / ° ) Divider    Pitch ( % / ° ) Divider 0 / 0.0 1.41    34 / 18.8 1.50    68 / 34.2 1.74 2 / 1.1 1.41    36 / 19.8 1.51    70 / 35.0 1.76 4 / 2.3 1.42    38 / 20.8 1.52    72 / 35.8 1.78 6 / 3.4 1.42    40 / 21.8 1.54    74 / 36.5 1.80 8 / 4.6 1.42    42 / 22.8 1.55    76 / 37.2 1.82 10 / 5.7 1.42    44 / 23.7 1.56    78 / 38.0 1.84 12 / 6.8 1.43    46 / 24.7 1.57    80 / 38.7 1.85 14 / 8.0 1.43    48 / 25.6 1.59    82 / 39.4 1.87 16 / 9.1 1.43    50 / 26.6 1.60    84 / 40.0 1.89 18 / 10.2 1.44    52 / 27.5 1.62    86 / 40.7 1.91 20 / 11.3 1.45    54 / 28.4 1.63    88 / 41.3 1.93 22 / 11.9 1.45    56 / 29.2 1.64    90 / 42.0 1.96 24 / 13.5 1.46    58 / 30.1 1.66    92 / 42.6 1.98 26 / 14.6 1.47    60 / 31.0 1.68    94 / 43.2 2.00 28 / 15.6 1.48    62 / 31.8 1.69    96 / 43.8 2.02 30 / 16.7 1.48    64 / 32.6 1.71    98 / 44.4 2.04 32 / 17.7 1.49    66 / 33.4 1.73    100 / 45.0 2.06
Appendix C  88 DigiTrak® F2™ Operator’s Manual Notes                        3-2200-00-A
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