Seismic detectors informational thread TRC3A

[Lowdown3]

Meanwhile people send me bids for the ONE set I am able to find in a year, with a bid that is a lower price than what they sold for 20 years ago when they were abundantly available. And then I get these "I can't understand why I didn't win the bid" emails... LOL. Answer- cause someone who understands their true worth bid based on that!

[Benn Gleck]

We need a blushing face emoticon, I didn't know what they went for 20 years ago! lol

Sorry man. ;)

[Lowdown3]

Not at all and not even who I was referencing. Got one bid for $100. that I did not even respond to. Then that same person emailed me back with a "why didn't I win?" email with an accusatory tone after it was over. The hours of me combing through these, testing them, cleaning them up is worth more than $100. Hell I'd buy a COUPLE DOZEN more sets JUST FOR MY OWN USE at that price...

SI, the predecessor to Major Surplus, sold these units for $695. in the early 90's. We sold them cheaper BACK THEN (1990's) when I could and did buy them 20-50 at a time.

I have quite a pile of "spare parts" for these units due to the fact that 3/4's of the ones I find or buyback do not test out properly, that "junk pile" includes every one I've found online.... So to be honest, my "cost" in any particular set also involves the THREE P.O.S. sets I was told were "working great" but later would not test out.

I could personally use another couple units for various upcoming projects, so that's always another thing in the back of my mind- do you sell something SO SCARCE that has EVERYDAY USE TO YOU, or do you sell it with the possibility of it being years before you see another one and then pay more for it?

[Lowdown3]

You know, CHINESE SKS'es, NIB were once $59.00 How much are they now? Know anyone that wants to sell one NIB for $59?

That's kinda the situation here....

Gold was also around $300. thirteen years ago. How much is that now?

[610Alpha]

I think there is possibility of doing a DIY version...I found some DIY Geophone kits that use leds to register signal strength. Granted they wouldn't be as good as the military version but...if there was only someone here on the forum that is really good with electronics hmm...hint hint qrprat. lol

[Lowdown3]

I'd love to see someone come up with a working unit remotely similar. Not to be a wet blanket, but I've heard "oh I KNOW I could build them" from DOZENS of guys that specialized in small electronics. Not a one succeeded to my knowledge. I even GAVE Dave at Martronics a unit in 1999 and he was going to figure a work around and build one... Come to think of it.... I should ask him for that one back!!! :)

[qrprat77]

...hint hint qrprat. lol

Believe me I've looked into it, and haven't come up with anything usable yet. I'm still thinking about it though, it's at the top of my non-radio project list. If LD had a Broke sensor I could hack apart, I could move it to the top of the list... :D

[Lowdown3]

Remind me and I'll bring you one at the FL campout in the spring.

[610Alpha]

I even GAVE Dave at Martronics a unit in 1999 and he was going to figure a work around and build one... Come to think of it.... I should ask him for that one back!!! :)

Yeah you should ask for it back... lol

Oh I am sure you have heard it all on this subject. I just find it hard to believe that no one else can seem to figure out how to do it.

[1Admin]

What I was always told was that the probes were the tough part. You could literally drive nails with them, they are meant to be submerged in water for extended periods of time, etc. Referring to the PSR1A probes.

[610Alpha]

Now that you said that I can see how that could pose a challenge.

[puternut]

But do we really need something "Military bullet proof"? Electronics have come a looong way since these
were made. Something encapsulated in epoxy or housed in PVC/aluminum should be more than good enough for the homestead.

Digital signals could give more than 4 sensors.

[kev80]

I recently come across an few sets and was wondering if you know how to store them properly, and where I might find an user manual.
Thnx

[Lowdown3]

My personal sets are stored with the batteries out, padded in ammo cans.

You didn't state whether you were talking about TRC3A's or PSR1A's but both type will fit in cans, you'll just need one of the bigger cans, like the 40mm cans for the PSR1A.

Manual for the PSR1A I might be able to help you with. Manual for the TRC3A, good luck. Having sold and shipped thousands of these over the first 10 years we've been in business, I saw a grand total of one manual for the TRC3A.

If you read this thread it's pretty much got all the set up instructions that you would find in the manual. Any further questions let me know and I'll try to help.

[kev80]

Thanks, I got the trc-3a , with og. Receivers . The issue I'm having now is I got 2 full set and only one head set, kinda no fun but at least they are all on same frequency.