January 2009

Searching for Meteorites with a Radioshack Model 1100 Discriminating Metal Detector

Do you want to be a part of space exploration? Recent press coverage of meteorites (meteors that have hit the ground) is a fascinating area of extraterrestrial research that you can explore on your own using a metal detector. A search of EBAY or other online stores for meteorites for sale shows the tremendous interest and potential profit that can be had for any lucky meteorite discoverers.

I use a Radioshack Model 1100 Metal Detector for searching for metallic meteorites, coins metal artifacts. This handy metal detector has adjustable tones that can distinguish between different types of metal such as iron, nickel, gold, or silver that are buried up to 6 inches in soil.

What works: Some of the features I liked include:1) A 3-tone target identification that lets you choose what metal you want to find, 2) A touch pad and digital controls. 3) Interchangeable coil system and a 7 inch waterproof search coil. 4) The price ($129.00) makes this an affordable instrument that works just as well as very expensive models.

What doesn't work: 1) You may want to modify the hand grip and arm rest to fit your arm, as I have done. 2) You may also want to modify the control box with metal plates so it doesn't get damaged if it is dropped on large rocks (I found out the hard way).

Where to look: I have had really good luck searching on the very top of hills and mountains and in the rift or plane where two hills come together. Searching along cliffs that are of light sandstone in the deserts, mountains or beaches is an easy way to first visually spot a dark colored object which you can check with the Model 1100 Metal Detector before prying it out. (I found a very large meteorite that weighed 9 pounds this way.)
 

Your own robot - The iRobot Roomba Vacuum Cleaner

Do you remember the Jetson's cartoon, where the robotic maid was always using a vacuum cleaner? Do you know you can own a very advanced and portable robot vacuum cleaner for less about $200.00? Would it surprise you to learn that there are over 2.5 million iRobot robotic Roomba vacuum cleaners in use today?

There have been several generations of Roomba units: The original Roomba, Pro, and Pro Elite; the second-generation "Discovery" series with a larger dustbin, dirt detection, and optional home base; and the newest 6xx series.

The Roomba that I have is, 13.4 inches (34 cm) in diameter and about 3.5 inches (9 cm) high. A large contact-sensing bumper is mounted on front, with an infrared sensor at the top. Some models of the Roomba may come with between one and three "Virtual Wall" infrared transmitter units.

There have been three generations of Roomba units: The original Roomba, Pro, and Pro Elite; the second-generation "Discovery" series with a larger dustbin, dirt detection, and optional home base; and the newest 6xx series.

The Roomba operates with internal nickel-metal hydride batteries and must be recharged regularly from a wall plug(older models), and the newer second- and third-generation models have a self-charging home base they automatically try to find (via its infrared beacon). Charging on the home base takes about three hours. All second- and most third-generation Roombas can be used with the home base.

What works: 1) The Roomba is a surprisingly good cleaner on carpet or tile and will clean your house while you are away.

What doesn't work: 1) Sometimes the newer Roomba models do not get back to the charger docking station in time for a recharge and runs out of power (the older models are manually charged from a wall outlet) . 2) The Roomba does not climb stairs, so you will have to physically carry it upstairs for 2 story homes and clean stairs yourself. 3) The Roomba does not move furniture, such as dining room chairs, so there are some areas that it cannot reach without a little furniture moving and planning on your part.

 December 2008.

This month's Corner highlights a Free Book, more Free Books and an amazing Technology Wall Chart that I'm sure you will like.

Free Book

Did you know that you can download a fantastic free book: "A Primer For Tomorrow" right off of the web site www.tamashii.com? Once you are in the site, click on the icon for "Enter - A Primer for Tomorrow." Here you will find a book that delves into technologies and valuable research that will explain why you are here and why some of the things you believe in are not impossible, but reality.

More Free Books

Google Books has an site where you can download a PDF copy of thousands of books, if the books are out of copyright, or the publisher has given

Google permission to put the book into public domain. Go to the site http://books.google.com/ and I guarantee you will be impressed if you haven't seen the site previously.

Road Map to the Future

Wall Chart ($7.95) is a companion to the "Primer For Tomorrow" that is very well done and is in a dashboard format, so you can navigate the past, present and future in one glance. The information covered includes elementary particles, to the universe and is overlaid on time and space coordinates, giving you the ability to understand a unification theory model and how you fit into the scheme of the universe.

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