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29/04/2019 Issue 49
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Special Interest Articles
APLA Time capsule Winners of the Minelab raffle. New Gold Extreme Coils from Coiltek.
Inside: Using a CB radio to find a lost person. Extracts from the papers Branch news
SUPPORT
APLA in 2019
With APLA Branches holding their AGM’s in the coming months, why not become a committee
member. Do not leave the running of the Association to just a dedicated few.
THE DATUM POST
Page 2 of 24
EDITORIAL
With the prospecting season upon us, try and remember you are a responsible APLA member. Safety first! Nothing more embarrassing than having to be rescued by the SES or police because of your lack of planning, or common sense. Pastoral Leases. Remember you are prospecting in someone’s backyard. Have the curtesy (if the station is occupied) to inform or contact the Pastoralist once on the Station . Rubbish. Take all your rubbish with you. Not a big ask but it is not good enough to dump rubbish in the fire pit to burn. Animals, wind etc will eventually spread the residue thru the bush. Detector holes. Not filling in a detector hole is just plain laziness! Not only are they a hazard to stock but also to humans. Some holes I have seen are over ½ mt deep and have just been left unfilled. Expense Sheets and Sect 40E reports. Make sure you fill in and return all the relevant paperwork. Particularly Sect 40E gold find locations and return them to Dmirs. Any good finds. take a picture and send it into the Datum Post. (You have the option of private email to the editor with Eastings and Northings showing where you found the gold but that is up to you. LOL ..HAHA)
Good luck in the 2019 season.
Steve Palmer. Editor
Mob 0498 353 232
Page 3 of 24 THE DATUM POST
APLA ASSOCIATION CONTACT DETAILS :
Branch Officers of APLA
Goldfields Branch President. Tim Bates [email protected] Treasurer. Peter Curtis [email protected] Secretary. Robert Laing [email protected]
Perth Branch President. Kurk.Brandstater [email protected] Treasurer. Marise.Palmer.. [email protected] Secretary. Sue. McKenna [email protected]
Albany Branch President. Gerry.Gregson [email protected] Secretary. Bruce.Smith [email protected]
Mandurah Branch President. Alan.Branchie [email protected] Secretary. Bob.Wilson [email protected]
South West Branch President. Ken.O’Keefe [email protected] Treasurer. Denise.Hough [email protected] Secretary. Judith.Smith [email protected]
Goldfields Branch President. Tim Bates [email protected] Treasurer. Peter Curtis [email protected]
Secretary. Robert Laing [email protected]
Editor The Datum Post: Steve Palmer 0498 353 232.. [email protected] Advertising: Kurk Brandstater.. [email protected]
State Officers of APLA President. Les. Lowe.. [email protected]
Secretary. Marise Palmer.. [email protected]
Treasurer (membership ). Kurk. Brandstater.. [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/groups/161668831290449/
THE DATUM POST
Page 4 of 24
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Please send all correspondence to
Steve Palmer.. Editor Mob: 0498 353 232
Live Tenement Issues
I often wonder why the difficulty in obtaining written permission to use a metal detector on a mining or exploration
lease?
We know that as prospectors we can purchase a 40 E to operate on up to 10 graticles of an exploration tenement
relatively easily. This will give us the legal authority of approx. 9 weeks detecting after the 3 weeks of pending
approval for the permission to take effect.
However, getting a written permission from a mining or exploration tenement holder is not so easy.
After reading the article “The Gold Thieves” in the April 2019 edition of “Gold,Gem & Treasure”,I now have a better
understanding of the issues that tenement holders face.
A tenement holder made comment on situations that they experienced on their lease. They had not given any approvals
to detect on their lease, yet on returning from an extended break found a man detecting and a caravan on their lease.
The detectorist explained with a “careless handling of the truth” his so-called reason for being on the lease. He was told
to leave immediately and because of the hard luck story that he told he could keep the small amount of gold he had in
his possession. They later learned that he and his mate had taken 25 ounces off that block.
Another couple were caught illegally prospecting and told none too politely to pack up and never return, the following
year they were discovered to have returned due to evidence of his boot pattern, the particular way he walked and their
vehicle tyre tread pattern.
“No Entry” signs have been erected but yet a quad bike driver had deviated around the sign and then on being
approached claimed it was not him and that he never saw it. His tyre tracks to the hidden bike proved the point.
The final instance of illegal prospecting takes the “cake”. Besides being on the tenement illegally and telling of how
much gold they had found, had the audacity to have published a photograph of the wife in detecting equipment holding
a piece of gold from the tenement. The background view on the leaseholder’s image was the same as the published
image minus the gold thief. The police have been notified.
I am not a tenement holder, but I feel I should share some of the comments made in the GG&T article so that we are
better able to understand the problems experienced by illegal prospecting on live tenements
It is our duty as prospectors to leave our camps tidy, fill in detecting holes and complete and submit all reports that are
required when permissions are granted on live leases. Hopefully this will lead to a better understanding between
detectorists and tenement holders.
Robert Clare
York.
Letters to the Editor will be published if suitable, and as space permits. They should not exceed 500 words (spaced) in length, and may be subject to editing or abridgment
Page 5 of 24 THE DATUM POST
The State Government is set for another potentially bruising stoush with the mining sector over its plans to expand WA’s conservation estate by 20 per cent.
Last month, Premier Mark McGowan announced a “bold” plan to create new national parks and marine reserves covering five million hectares in a move he said was unprecedented in its scale.
Among the areas slated for protection are big areas of the Mid West and Pilbara, which are rich in minerals such as iron ore.
Miners have told The West Australian the Government’s plan would require companies to surrender their tenements over these areas and many would be unlikely to do so voluntarily.
One potential flashpoint is the proposed Helena Aurora national park in the Yilgarn, about 500km north-east of Perth.
Chris Ellison, one of WA’s richest men and the head of mining company Mineral Resources, has long wanted to develop an iron ore mine at the range, claiming it would save 425 jobs and create an extra 1000 positions indirectly.
However, the Government in 2017 tried to kill off the plans, which have been strongly opposed by WA’s environment watchdog and green groups, saying they would do “irreversible damage” to an area of great environmental significance.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston noted the boundaries for the Government’s proposed national parks had not yet been determined, with consultation still to take place.
EXTRACTS from the News newsNews
But Mr Johnston said that “where possible” the Government would seek to reach agreements with affected stakeholders such as tenement holders.
“Boundaries for areas proposed to be included in the conservation estate will be finalised after the consultation period,” Mr Johnston said.
“Any affected tenement holders within the areas of the Government’s proposal will be consulted, and where possible an agreement will be reached.
“The Government will consult with traditional owners, industry, stakeholders and peak bodies to discuss the conservation boundaries.
“Once the consultation process is complete, I look forward to working with the Minister for Environment and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on refining our Plan for Our Parks.
“The State Government expects a detailed plan, inclusive of the process for consultation to be determined in September.” Extract from the Kalgoorlie Miner
APLA needs your KNOWLEDGE and EXPERTISE.
There are many prospectors out there who have vast amounts of experience in dealing with Government Depts., Warden Courts, pegging leases and running
those leases.
You can assist in APLA’s future by imparting this knowledge to others or attending on behalf of APLA
various Governmental Departmental meetings throughout the year.
Currently, APLA Executive is looking for a person to
fill the role of Technical Advisor (sub contract) . Interested persons contact:
[email protected] Mob: 0403 353 029
THE DATUM POST
Page 6 of 24
Lithium, gold demand drives first WA mining jobs rise in five years
Surging production of gold and lithium has given
WA its first increase in mining employment in five
years, with the sector now providing the equivalent
of almost 90,000 full-time jobs.
The WA mining industry had direct employment of
about 89,800 full-time equivalent jobs in the 2018
financial year, a 5.8 per cent increase.
Lithium and gold mining each added about 2000
full-time positions of the total 5238 jobs the mining
sector added.
Full-time equivalent employment in WA mining last
rose in the 2013 financial year to a peak of more than
101,000 jobs.
Mining employed 112,000 people, with part-time
and casual employment resulting in the lower
number of about 89,800 full-time equivalent jobs.
Gold production rose 4.5 per cent to 212 tonnes
worth $11.4 billion, according to the data released
today by the Department of Mines, Industry
Regulation and Safety.
Extract from Perth Now Mining News
EXTRACTS from the News.. cont..
It’s a quasi-self-regulatory system that has generally served the mining sector well but recently there has been growing disquiet that it’s being used by serial plainters to extort so-called “go away payments” in a practice commonly referred to as greenmailing. In 2017, a private company lodged a series of plaints over tenements held by Chinese-owned Hanking Australia at its Southern Cross gold operations. The plaints were later settled, paving the way for the mine’s $330 million sale to Shandong Tianye Group. Some say such payments are a legitimate financial arrangement between two consenting parties, while others say they are a rort. Gilbert + Tobin partner Marshall McKenna said the practice was not new but had become more tactical and targeted in recent years. Mr McKenna said the problem was exacerbated by disputes frequently taking months or even years to resolve. He said the Department of Mines, Industrial Regulation and Safety had been more vigilant on minimum spending requirements in recent years after an Auditor General’s report in 1996. “Now the department will issue a show-cause notice if you’re under-expended, so the rationale behind the jealous neighbour being able to plaint has kind of fallen away,” Mr McKenna said. “It’s very rare that you actually see a plaintiff who will issue proceedings for forfeiture, make their own application and start mining. “Mostly they’ll either accept the cheque or, if they do get priority, they’ll sell the application.” Mr McKenna agreed the system was being rorted and needed to change. “If you made it clearer that if you didn’t meet expenditure the department would be all over you, you would have a much more efficient system,” he said. Amalgamated Prospectors & Leaseholders Association president Les Lowe noted the Mining Act applied equally to everyone. “The Mining Act gives anybody the right to question expenditure on a tenement,” he said. “Companies have got the right, if they can manage it, to hold on to as much ground as they want to, but they’ve got to do it within the legal terms of the Mining Act.” Mr Lowe also noted the onus of proof was on plainters to prove in the Warden’s Court that the tenement holder had not met the required exploration spending.” “There are many cases where forfeiture plaints are legitimate because the company hasn’t spent the required amount and the plainter has every intention of developing the ground,” he said. But he conceded there were also professional plainters who wanted “back-door or go-away money”. “That is a facet of the industry that I don’t find particularly pleasant,” he said. “Until they get the Mining Act changed, there is very little anyone can do about it.” WA Mines Minister Bill Johnston ruled out changes to the Mining Act. “By and large, the current system works well and it has an independent arbiter in the Mining Warden who can adjudicate on such disputes,” Mr Johnston told West Business in a statement. Extract from the West Australian West Business
Pegging new ground not a plaint and simple call Use it or lose it. It’s a widely accepted tenet of the resources sector from prospectors to mining giants. But how it is applied is increasingly being called into question. Under the Mines Act 1978, tenement holders must explore the land they hold. Minimum expenditure obligations are designed to ensure tenement holders are genuine in their efforts to explore their ground and are not sitting on land in the hope of some future payday, a practice known as land banking or tenement warehousing. Anyone can lodge a plaint over a tenement in the Warden’s Court alleging the holder has not met its minimum expenditure obligations, and request for it be forfeited if they can prove their case. The court makes a recommendation to the Minister, who then makes a decision. If the forfeiture is granted, the plaintiff gets first option to apply for the tenement and, if granted, gets an opportunity to work the ground.
Page 7 of 24 THE DATUM POST
Happy winner of the Minelab GPX 5000 Perth Open Day raffle.
The Minelab GPX 5000 winner: Joe Murphy, Dianella
A massive thank you to Minelab for their donation of the first prize for the APLA open day raffle.
THE DATUM POST
Page 8 of 24
The Nugget Finder coil - 12” x 8”- 3rd prize Winner: Peter Arscott, Thornlie
Fifth prize was.. Detector Carry Bag and Control box cover Winner: Sandra Vinson, Kensington
A huge thanks to Bill O’Connor and Udo
from Gold Prospecting WA for this
prize.
The Nugget Finder coil - 17” x 13”- 2nd prize Winner: Aaron Newman, Mt Hawthorn
Thank you, Nugget Finder, for fantastic raffle prizes.
Once again Thank you, Nugget Finder, for fantastic raffle prizes.
Page 9 of 24 THE DATUM POST
Snippets of news From Greg Millar on Facebook Giving you heads up people Strictly NO Dogs on .Minarra stn Yundamindra stn . Glenore stn .and Nambi stn The whole area has been extremely heavy baited with 10/80 baits Phil Wedgewood the overseer of the 4 stations has given this warning if your our found on any of these stations with dogs you will asked to remove yourself and your dogs regardless of size shape or form. He will be checking all prospectors camps this year
...Drone guidelines give DMIRS a lift -Abandoned mine site investigations and rehabilitation Requested Action...
'A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) program will help the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) meet the challenges of working in an increasingly complex environment. The release of the RPA Operational Procedure ensures the department operates its unmanned aircraft safely and lawfully for activities including geological mapping, abandoned mine site investigations and rehabilitation performance. Acting Executive Director Resource and Environmental Compliance, Karen Caple said DMIRS developed its operational procedure in consultation with other government agencies and leading energy companies. “Using unmanned aircraft involves risks, so our endorsed operational procedure will help DMIRS identify, assess, and where appropriate, manage issues that may arise during our RPA activities,” Ms Caple said. “The procedure will also ensure we operate all RPA’s in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements.” The operational procedure outlines a range of strategies for the pre-flight phase through to the demobilisation phase, and includes job-safety analysis, incident reporting and regular maintenance schemes. Ms Caple explained that unmanned aircraft are a dynamic technology with constantly changing capabilities, so the department would monitor and review its RPA operational procedure as required. “Innovation is a key part of what we do, so we look forward to tracking RPA developments and assessing the unique advantages the technology can deliver,” Ms Caple said. “Most importantly, our drones allow us operate safely and efficiently – such as being able to access previously inaccessible areas to obtain quality data. This is a major benefit given much of the work we do is in remote locations. “I’m sure it will benefit our field officers in particular, as our drones will allow them to cover huge amounts of territory where the data collection used to be done on foot.” DMIRS’ RPA project started several years ago and included a thorough analysis and trial of RPA capabilities. The department now has two drones and a number of fully-licensed operators.
THE DATUM POST
Page 10 of 24
SOME BUSH SAFETY HINTS Make sure you come home safely to your family and friends.
Always tell either police or someone where you are going and for how long.
If you do become lost …A top tip is do not panic – be rational and not emotional in a stressful situation. All prospectors should be carrying water, matches or a lighter, GPS (fully charged or extra batteries), a Personal Location Beacon and a 2 way radio. (again fully charged or extra batteries)
One simple way to help guide you in the right direction is the rule of three.
In a nutshell, it implies that you can stay alive for three minutes without oxygen, three hours without
shelter in extreme conditions (heat or cold), three days without water and three weeks without
food. So, if you’re stuck in the extreme heat of the desert during the day and battling freezing cold
temperatures at night, there’s a good chance shelter (or protection from the elements and warmth)
for the day or night would be your first priority, then you would concentrate on finding water, and
then food (providing you’ve got plenty of oxygen, of course).
Water, warmth, signals, shelter and food are the top 5 priorities in a survival situation.
Page 11 of 24 THE DATUM POST
Prospectors and fossickers.
As a prospector it is your responsibility to know how to find the guidelines and understand them. The link to the Government web site has been included and under each heading more information is provided. It is your opportunity to bring yourself up to date and refresh your memory before heading out on your next field trip.
The information included is: Put safety first. (Important precautions to consider if you intend undertaking any prospecting activities.) Prospecting – fossicking in WA. (Explains the terms ‘prospecting’ & ‘fossicking’ as included under the Mining Act 1978.) Miner’s Rights. (How to obtain a Miner’s right and any obligations and restrictions placed on the holder of a Miner’s Right.) Where you can go prospecting. (Includes land available for prospecting.) Restrictions over Crown land. (Various requirements and notifications under the Mining Act 1978 over Crown land – including pastoral leases.) Obligations when prospecting. Penalties for illegal prospecting. (Penalties for breaches of the Mining Act 1978 can be substantial.) What can you do when prospecting? (What activities you are authorised to carry out once you have a Miner’s Right.) Section 40E permit. Allows Miner’s Right holders to apply for a permit to prospect on land within a granted exploration licence)
Accessing maps -Tengraph. (View maps that show availability of land for prospecting and help determine whether special permissions may be required) Permission for accessing land. (Permissions that may be required if you intend to prospect on various categories of land throughout the state) How much ground can be disturbed? (Details the amount of ground that can be disturbed by a Miner’s Right holder during prospecting activities) What to do with gold you find. (Are you allowed to keep the gold or other minerals that you find whilst carrying out prospecting activities) When you finish prospecting. (What you need to do once you have finished prospecting over an area of land)
For further detailed information…
Government of Western Australia: (Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety) http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Minerals/Prospectors-fossickers-1525.aspx
Your Rights and Obligations when Prospecting
Image courtesy WA State Library
THE DATUM POST
Page 12 of 24
Rainy Rocks ..prospecting trip Recently completed a 5-day gold trip to Rainy Rocks with fellow prospector Croc. Rainy Rocks are on the road to Ex Mt Elvire pastoral lease. (lease was abandoned when police found the owners were growing massive amounts of marijuana.) Location is approximately 200 kms north of Bullfinch. The road passes through the Mt Helena and Aurora Ranges which are due to become a national park. Whilst the area is not known for large amounts of alluvial gold, there are certain areas that have been dry blown and some gold remains. The rocks area was a very dry place, lacking in bird life or native animals such as kangaroos. But the flies! From pre-dawn to full sunset, one had to wear a flynet they were so bad. The area ranged from flat sandy to steep iron stone hills. Extremely tiring and hard to detect over. After detecting the area for 3 days with only a few gms of gold found we headed towards Evanston Mine, back down the Evanston bullfinch road. Evanston mine was abandoned in 1978. It was once owned by the Govt who needed a continual source of gold during the second world war. The mine site, which covers a massive area is littered with discarded machinery, tin cans, old bottles and hundreds of empty 100kg Sodium Cyanide drums. One disappointment was a man-made dam just down from the mine, which was polluted, presumably with cyanide. In evidence were about a dozen dead cows, numerous kangaroos and birds. This dam wall needs to be removed so the the cyanide can disperse through the creek system. While not the best solution at least the residue will be diluted enough not to be a health hazard. After spending a day on site, the weather, still hot, turned on the rain. 24 hours of persistent drizzle with no wind turned the ground to mush. Slowed the fly population down but brought out the termite queens looking for mates. At this stage we decided to get out before we became stuck. Headed back to Southern Cross. For about 100 kms the rain followed us then just before Bullfinch it was sunny and hot. By this stage we had both collected 200 kg of mud under the vehicles. Below are a few pictures, hoping someone can identify what was in the large tin food can.(the stubby holder gives some idea of the size)
Page 13 of 24 THE DATUM POST
COILTEK GOLD EXTREME SERIES
THE DATUM POST
Page 14 of 24
Since opening the first Prospecting Super Store in October last year, we’ve started to greatly increase our product range, from picks, scoops, books, dry blowers, rock crushers, and much more.
Reeds Prospecting has also become W.A.’s dealer for XP (Deus & ORX) detectors.
The NEW SDC-2300 coil range from COILTEK have been released. These include sizes:
11-inch round 14 x 9-inch Elliptical 10 x 5-inch Elliptical
Page 15 of 24 THE DATUM POST
Alluvial Tensions, Early life on the WA Goldfields Alluvial rights and alluvial gold for the alluvial man! Banner at alluvial miner’s rollup, 1 December 1899 In the late nineteenth century, there was a growing gulf between the mining community and the government as miners faced hard times with the decline of easily obtainable alluvial gold. The discovery of deep alluvial, or ‘deep leads,’ at several locations on the eastern goldfields was greeted with relief by the government. However, it soon highlighted the simmering tensions between mine owners and alluvial diggers.
The Goldfields Act 1895 had introduced a system of ‘dual title’ that enabled a digger with his Miner’s Right to remove gold more than 50 feet (15 metres) from a leaseholder’s reef. The sinking of shafts to obtain gold, however, led to conflict. The Ivanhoe Venture dispute in 1898 saw alluvialists challenging mine owners. The government supported the owners and introduced the ‘Ten Foot Regulation,’ which restricted miners in their search for alluvial gold to a depth of ten feet (three metres). Alluvial miners defied the regulation. Some miners were gaoled, Mining Minister Edward Wittenoom’s effigy was paraded, and in March 1898 Premier Forrest was mobbed by several thousand angry diggers in Kalgoorlie. The Ten Foot Regulation was rapidly rescinded.
Curtesy WA Museum.
THE DATUM POST
Page 16 of 24
APLA recently came up to Kalgoorlie to kick off the “Goldfields Branch” of APLA and while here went out to the old APLA building to pick up the APLA files etc.. What was noticed in one of the filing cabinets was the file on the APLA “Time Capsule”. After everyone had read about the Time Capsule we felt that is important that all Members are familiar with it. The Time Capsule was placed in a rock situated at the Hannans North Tourist Mine, previously the site of the “Australian Prospectors & Miners Hall Of Fame” APMHOF. When APMHOF collapsed KCGM took over the site and they are running the Hannans North Tourist Mine on that site. See the attached map showing where the “APLA Rock” is situated. So when visiting or passing through Kalgoorlie/Boulder, pop into the tourist mine and check it out. You can’t get at the Time Capsule though, because when it was installed in 2004 it was declared not to be opened until 2054, which is 150 year after APLA was first established. We only hope there is a lot of our Members still around in 2054 to be there for the official opening of the Time Capsule. We do have instructions on how to get into the Capsule on file, so the Secretary of the time can look it up and away you go. Good luck as I don’t believe I will be there to celebrate.
The rock with the Capsule in front of it ready to go into the drill hole
Lindsay Stockdale representing APLA
APLA time capsule at Hannan’s North Tourist Mine BY…Lindsay Stockdale
Page 17 of 24 THE DATUM POST
BRANCH NEWS
ALBANY BRANCH
Albany Branch meets the 3rd Saturday of Feb. April, June, August and October. Each meeting has the general branch business and a guest speaker to assist members. Meetings are held at the White Star hotel Stirling Tce at 4pm
MANDURAH BRANCH Meetings are held at 1.30 on the second Sunday of every month starting in January, March, May, July , September and November. At the old CWA Hall in Cooper St Mandurah. Next meeting 5th May ..AGM and Camp meeting
SOUTH WEST BRANCH Meets 4th Wednesday of every 2nd month at the Capel Golf Club at 7pm Next meeting June 27th
APLA South West Branch Field day on the 17/3/2019 at the Dardanup Aero Modelling Club We has approx. 120 people attend between 10-3pm. There were test competitions and displays and talks from Happy Prospector Bob Sullivan Out back Survival Brad Fowler big coil detecting Minelab – Jason Other displays The Prospectors Pick Battery World Whiteys Camping and fishing Bunbury Muffler and Tow Bar We raffled off a Minelab GPX 4500 and the winner was Bob Aitken prize donated by Minelab Other minor prizes donated by The Prospectors Pick and Minelab We raffled off a 3 day training course with Gold Talk Leonora and Keith was the lucky winner prize donated by Gold Talk Leonora.
THE DATUM POST
Page 18 of 24
PERTH BRANCH A recently held social day for the Perth Branch was held at Whiteman Park. Whilst the weather was not the best, a good day was had by all. Winner of the target competition was Ray Betts. Seen here holding his winner’s trophy.
GOLDFIELDS BRANCH Now up and running as an independent branch, below is a picture of the President, Vice President and Secretary.
From left to right. Vice President….Julie Bradley President … Tim Bates Secretary.. Robert Laing. On the night we were lucky to have as..
Guest Speaker, Wayne Hitchcock. DMIRS- | Prospector Approvals Facilitator Resource Tenure Division – Native Title – Aboriginal Heritage Act . We were also fortunate to have Special Guest Virginia Wrights -Regional Mining Registrar
Next meeting 27th May. AGM. Railway
Hotel. Forrest St at 7pm
Marise Palmer and Greg Young on the night.
Page 19 of 24 THE DATUM POST
USING HAND- HELD CB RADIOS TO FIND A LOST PERSON BY..David Kitson Recent incidents involving “lost” prospectors were reviewed during the August 2014 Perth Branch APLA meeting. One radio location method was outlined by APLA member Dave Kitson who explained that the “Body Fade” method is commonly used globally by amateur radio operators to locate a hidden transmitter. Hand-held CB radio users can practice this technique using two walkie talkie type radio handsets. The method is pretty simple in practice and could be learnt and practiced very easily (all you need is two portable CB radio handsets). This method is most likely to be of value when two or more people in radio contact get separated and one party is lost and/or injured but is still in radio contact. The idea is that at UHF CB radio frequencies (476 mHz), the human body can attenuate or reduce the strength of a signal passing through the body. The body is basically salty water so holding the walkie talkie receiver close to the body will reduce the signal received from stations behind the body more than in front. If the user understands this basic concept they should be able to recall what to do in an emergency. If the lost person is far away – say 2 to 5 km, they should be asked to hold their radio up in the air, away from their body and hold down the transmit button, for say 15 seconds, to emit a strong signal. If they are only a few hundred meters away they can emit a weaker signal by holding the radio close to their body. We
need a weak signal to best determine their direction so we can estimate their azimuth or bearing from true north. Operating Procedure Ask the lost person to stand still with the radio held steady, and press the transmit button for say 15 seconds. They should not speak into the microphone or let it be affected by wind. The searcher should position themselves at least 10 meters from metal objects such as cars, fences or metal poles. Hold their radio close to their lower chest and quickly adjust their volume control so they can hear the noise of the non-verbal transmission from the lost party. The noise is an audible background “hiss” of the FM radio signal. The searcher turns their body slowly, keeping the radio steady against their body and listens to the noise. At a certain point the noise will become more distinct. In some positions the hiss may even cut out. Use the squelch control to hear the full effect of the “body fade”. It is best to practice this so that you know how the signal you are looking for sounds. The mid point of the loudest “hiss” means that the lost radio is located in the direction directly behind the searcher. Do this a couple of times, each time reassuring the lost person and asking them to repeat their 15 second transmission. This should provide a consistent result and provide a bearing in line with the direction of the lost person.
THE DATUM POST
Page 20 of 24
The lost party (transmitting party), holds the transmitting radio aloft if some distance away, but closer to body if closer to the receiving radio. The searcher (receiving radio) holds their radio upright close to their body while listening. Or if the signal is too strong (the receiving radio cannot hear the “hiss”) hold their radio close their body at waist height oriented horizontally with the horizontal aerial pointing outwards away from the body. Now using your GPS in your current position record your GPS position and walk in a straight line in the direction you have determined towards the target (the lost individual). Enter another waypoint. Use your GPS to determine the bearing to the lost person, then extend this bearing to provide a target to walk towards. You are also now in a position to advise the lost person to walk towards you as their bearing is the reciprocal. Alternatively give simpler instructions such as “keep the sun on their left” etc to reach you. You should be able to hear one another shouting or calling “Cooeee” at about 300 meters apart. If the lost person’s signal is very strong (possibly because you are quite close) it may be difficult to get a clear “hiss”. In this case hold your radio horizontal (antenna parallel with the ground with the aerial pointing directly away from you), at navel level and rotate your body to make use of the attenuation of the signal produced by your body. When you (and the horizontal) radio antennae are facing directly away from the lost person the loudest “hiss” will occur, indicating the lost person is directly behind you. The nature of the received signal “hiss” (strong, weak or non-existent, etc) can give some concept of proximity to the target. Hint. If several people are involved in a search take control and group them in twos with one on the Lost channel and the second on a designated different channel at least 2 channels away from the lost channel ie if lost person is on ch 17 move all others to 19 or higher and limit the “chatter” on both ch 17 and on ch 19. Control the group on ch 19 with your helper’s radio. Only the lost person and the searcher should use ch 17. To be skilled in using this process may need some practice. If you practice this without success then the two radios are probably too close together. Try moving further apart. In summary
Hold your radio transmitter tight against your chest and turn around slowly, looking for the direction at which your body blocks the signal most effectively and you hear a distinct “hiss”. At this point, the signal is coming from behind you. Walk in that direction, taking bearings at regular intervals, and observe the signal strength getting stronger. When the signal is so strong that you can't find the weak signal direction identified by the “hiss’, use the alternative strategy of holding the radio unit horizontally close to the body at waste level with the antennae pointing directly away and
repeat the process. Several other variations of this method are possible including the two parties reversing the process with the lost party also identifying the transmission direction by the same method and heading in that direction such that the two parties are walking towards each other. This may speed up the recovery. Another useful variant is to have two searchers at widely spaced locations (but both within radio range of the target), both using the ‘body fade” method and both creating independent direct lines to the target radio that will intersect and pinpoint the target location (see illustration below). The method will still also work if the lost party is transmitting from a fixed vehicle-mounted CB radio system. The portable search radio though still needs to be rotated in order to pinpoint the location of the transmitting radio. Be aware however that vehicle mounted CB radios with fixed much longer antennae put out much stronger radio signals. This article was written by David Kitson, a retired Electrical Engineer and a Ham Radio Operator since 1958 and a Prospector since 1998. He has been involved in locating two persons with this technique.
Radio transmission pattern emanating from the antennae.
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Upright provides strongest signal
Horizontal with antennae point directly away provides weakest signal & is preferred if no “hiss” is heard
Plan view of the use of two receiving radios to pinpoint a lost transmitting source
Initially hold the receiving radio upright and close against your body. Rotate slowly and listen for the characteristic “hiss”. If no “hiss” heard then signal may be too strong. In this case hold the radio horizontally against body with antennae pointing horizontally outward away from the body. Again rotate slowly and listen for the “hiss”.
THE DATUM POST
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NANNOWTHARRA [Some confusion here as an 1895 map shows this site and THE BROTHERS as distinct locations, some miles apart but the information for the two has been pooled together. The same detail has been entered for both sites until the distinction can be made.] [One of these sites was also known as DEEP WELL.][Another spelling suggested by maps is NARROWTHARRA. LOCATION = Yalgoo area. About thirty two kilometres east of the present town of Yalgoo. INDUSTRY = Coaching way station. HISTORY = The Pastoral industry were using the wells before gold was found and a reserve was gazetted there in 1894. HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION = A negro man named Sam RUSSELL, and his family operated a rough canvas and bough premises. He had a wine and beer license, which he renewed in September 1895, before moving to Yoweragabbie early the following year.
NOONGAL - Original name - MELVILE] LOCATION = Latitude 28° 11' south by Longitude 116° 45' east. Twelve kilometres north of the present town of Yalgoo. HISTORY = Gold was discovered there by Harry MELVILLE, who in partnership with KENNEDY & PEARSE established the May Queen mine in 1893. Thirty seven leases were being worked by 1895. The town grew around the May Queen mine. By 1895 two hundred men were working the area, then known as Melville. When it was decided to declare a townsite there in 1896 the name Melville was not available because of duplication, and Noongal, the name of a nearby rockhole was selected when the townsite was gazetted in 1897. The name is Aboriginal, of unknown meaning. In 1901 there were four houses, eleven males and six females in the town. POSTAL & COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES = By 1895 there was a Post Office connected by telegraph to Yalgoo. HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION CLUB HOTEL = Lillian BRAZENALL is listed at the hotel in the 1897 postal directory. MAY QUEEN HOTEL = This existed by 1895 when it was licensed to Patrick TOBIN. It closed in about 1896. MELVILLE HOTEL = This existed by 1895 when it was operated by T. P. BOURKE. The 1897 postal directory lists Charles RODAN. It was the last hotel in the town when it closed in 1942 or shortly afterward. SHAMROCK HOTEL = This existed by 1895 when it was operated by Michael RATTIGAN. He is also recorded in the 1897
postal directory. The hotel closed in about 1899. 2 public batteries existed in 1895
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN GOLD MINING GHOST TOWNS Western Australia’s gold rush was from the1880’s through to the 1930’s and resulted in more than 120 town sites. Of which approximately 20 are still in existence. The progression from gold find to town site followed a similar pattern each time. Firstly, the miners establishing their 50 foot by 50 foot claims, usually within 48 hrs over a 100 miners were working in the area. Hotel and shop keepers would follow and within two weeks a community of canvas, burlap sacks and flattened kerosene tins would exist divided roughly into miners’ camps and commercial area. A mining surveyor would soon arrive and mark out business areas and residential areas into some resemblance of order. A progress committee was formed, and application made to the local Warden to have the site declared a town. This process could take up to 3 years, thus many places were deserted by the time the application was granted because the gold had run out. The town was usually named after the finder of the gold. Following are some of the towns now ghost towns.
Page 23 of 24 THE DATUM POST
Personalized names on APLA shirts
Not only shirts but towels and other Manchester.
Towels with name and design range from $25 to $35.
Most designs are done on set sizes 100cm x 100 cm and 180cm x 130cm.
Loads of different designs
Call Linda on 0409971438
Advert
NEED SOME SIGNAGE FOR YOUR LEASE OR
VEHICLES
Danger Signs
Safety Signs
Mandatory Health & Safety Notices
Yellow Diamond Reflective Tape
Vehicle Decals or Numbers
Call Steve: 0498 353 232
Have something for sale or want to
advertise your products in The Datum Post..
contact editor STEVE PALMER on 0498 353
232 or email [email protected]
FOR SALE
Minelab SDC2300.
I have done less than 10 hours with this machine and it was purchased from Reeds Prospecting and still has 12 months warranty left. It comprises of Pro-sonic wireless system, one charger 12v and 240v,extra set of batteries,Minelab earphones, and protective cover for the 2300 and has been well cared for. It also has harness with bungee cord and water bottle and hooks for pick etc.
I am asking $3,300for the SDC2300 Regards Des de Gruchy mobile 0409 462 944.
THE DATUM POST
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DISCLAIMER: The Datum Post takes no responsibility for articles or advertising material published in its newsletter. Opinions expressed are those of the original authors and do not
necessarily reflect those of the editor or the association. Persons acting on any article or advertising published in The Datum Post do so at their own discretion.
NEXT ISSUE OF The Datum Post is JUNE 14th 2019 Cut-off date for advertising, articles, members photos 8th JUNE Editor contact: [email protected] STEVE PALMER 0498 353 232
ONLY IN AMERICA…OR MAYBE NOT????
Details are emerging on the internet of a metal-detector-enthusiast needing the assistance of the emergency services after digging a 12ft hole after his metal detector started to give a huge reading indicating that the male could be standing on a vast amount treasure. However, it would appear that the male suffered a morale failure after realizing, 12ft into the hole, that his trusty metal detector was, in fact, picking up his steel-capped boots.
