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Posted by Oren on May 2, 2007, 5:21 pm
wrote:
>frank1492 wrote:
>> Thanks so much Doug! Will relay this info to her.
>> One quick comment: The Petsafe guy told her she
>> would need an analog rather than a digital radio. I would
>> assume that would cover most of the cheapo AM's, no?
>> Thanks again!
>> Frank
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, 02 May 2007 12:42:45 GMT, spambait@milmac.com (Doug Miller)
>> wrote:
>>
>>>> A friend has an invisible fence for her dog. The wire was apparently
>>>> severed by someone turning over soil in a rather large area adjacent
>>>> to her property.
>>>> She claims to have used a portable radio to find the break in
>>>> this system before, but she can't remember whether she was using
>>>> the AM
>>>> or the FM band.
>>>
>>> AM, tuned to a staticky place between stations.
>>>
>>>> In any event, this time she has tried a different
>>>> radio (the other one is broken) with no success.
>>>
>>> I've observed that some radios work better for this than others. We
>>> have one
>>> radio that's just dandy for locating breaks, and another one that
>>> isn't worth
>>> a hoot. Don't know why.
>>>
>>> Fresh batteries make the job a lot easier.
>>>
>>>> My question is: Can one use a radio to find a break like this?
>>>> And if so, how is it done?
>>>
>>> Yes. Tune an AM radio between stations, and move it side-to-side
>>> across the
>>> suspected path of the wire, just above the ground. It's best to
>>> start in a
>>> spot where you *know* the exact location of the wire -- like where
>>> it crosses
>>> a driveway, or a sidewalk, where you can see the saw cut that the
>>> installer
>>> made in the concrete or asphalt. Wave the radio back and forth until
>>> you hear
>>> a definite change in the pattern of the static -- that's what you're
>>> searching
>>> for. Then start walking along the path of the wire, continuing to
>>> wave the
>>> radio back and forth.
>>>
>>> Sooner or later, you'll come to a spot where the signal fades, and
>>> eventually
>>> disappears completely. Mark that spot.
>>>
>>> Now go back to where you started, and in the same manner, follow the
>>> wire
>>> around the yard in the opposite direction. Again, you'll come to a
>>> place where
>>> the signal fades, and eventually disappears completely. Mark that
>>> spot, too.
>>>
>>> The break is approximately half-way between the marks.
>>>
>>>> If not, is there an inexpensive device that
>>>> could be used to do it? (She doesn't want to spring for a metal
>>>> detector.)
>>>
>>> Well, metal detectors aren't all *that* expensive... but the radio
>>> works just
>>> fine.
>>>
>>>> I really don't need more info, but would like to know a little
>>>> more about how invisible fences work. I would assume the wire simply
>>>> acts like a transmitting antenna.
>>>
>>> Yep, that's all it is.
>
>Right. Actually, the best radio you could use is one of the cheaper ones,
>cheaper the better. Or the oldest radio you might have in the house would
>likely be sure to not be digital.
Transistor, circa '60s? Radio Shack may have a kit to build an AM
radio.
>If you have to make splices underground, be sure they're watertight. I find
>that GE Silicone II works well in a cocoon around the splice.
I like that shrink wrap stuff when you heat it..(auto store)
--
Oren
"I don't have anything against work. I just figure, why deprive somebody who
really loves it."
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