Modern Mag Blog

UAV magnetometers. A.K.A. Drone Mag

2018-06-14T00:00:00+00:00

GSMP35UP UAV magnetometers

UAV magnetometers need to be light. The GEM Systems GSMP35U “DroneMag” magnetomer weighs in at less than 1kg. It is based on the proven and reliable GSMP35 ground based magnetometer GEM pioneered over 10 years ago.

Optically pumped Potassium vapor magnetometers are more accurate and have less of a heading error than their Cesium variants.

UAV Magnetometers available

There are many versions of this magnetometer:

The GSMP35U alone is $17,500, while the version that integrates with a Pixhawk flight controller (GSMP35UP) is $21,000.
The GSMP35UC “Special” can be installed on any UAV and includes a laser altimeter, GPS, Inertial Measurement unit and Digital Acquisition System. This unit is $32,000
The GSMP35UC is the same as above but also includes a radio link (15km) to the magnetometer and a panansonic toughbook base station. This unit is $54,500
For those that need a turnkey, ready-to-fly system, there is the Airbird, which includes all of the above, plus an aerodynamic bird. This unit is AUD$64,000

All systems come with software and the required cabling.

Experienced After Sales Support

Modern Mag has been operating GSMP35UC UAV magnetomers for almost 2 years now, and the GSMP35 for over 10 years. We can provide comprehensive after sales service and support.

Used GEM Systems GSMP35 Potassium magnetometer with GPS for sale (SOLD)

2018-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

Used k-mag

Console, sensor and gps antenna

Light weight carbon fibre magnetometer backpack

We have for sale a used GEM Systems GSMP35 potassium magnetometer with GPS and navigation.

These are the best magnetometers money can buy. They are ideal for gold, base metals, iron ore, mineral sands, UXO and archaeology.

It comes with a lot of spares and a premium backpack with carbon fiber poles.

Can ship anywhere.

[Update] This item sold to an Iron ore exploration company that rented it and really really liked it.

Price is AUD $13,950.

Used GEM Systems GSM19W overhauser magnetometer with GPS for sale (SOLD)

2018-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

GEM systems GSM-19 Overhauser magnetometer

Used GEM Systems GSM19 overhauser magnetometer

Ideal for UAV or ground magnetic base station.

Ideal for ground magnetic survey roving (walking) magnetometer.

We have for a sale a modern GEM Systems GSM-19W overhauser magnetometer. This unit has recently been serviced by GEM and has the latest firmware.

It includes GPS and navigation.

The overhauser magnetometer is far superior to a proton unit and uses much less power and has smaller/lighter batteries.

Can ship anywhere.

AUD$9,200.

GEM Systems Magnetometer spare parts

2017-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

We have a lot of magnetometer spare parts for sale.

Modern Mag has developed our own backpack to hold magnetometers from GEM Systems, Geometrics and Scintrex. As a consequence, we have a LOT of used spare parts for GEM Systems backpacks and magnetometers.

Some of the spares we have for sale are:

GSM-19 and GSMP35 console SLA and Li-ion chargers.
Batteries
GPS cables
GPS antennas
All fabric and Aluminium parts.
Poles
GPS holders
Sensor holders

…and so many others. Please call for pricing. We can send spares immediately if you are in a pinch in the field.

GEM Systems and Geometrics Magnetometer Backpack. $2,950

2017-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Backpack for GEM Systems, Scintrex and Geometrics magnetometers

Modern Mag has developed a carbon fibre and aluminium backpack for use with GEM systems, Scintrex or a Geometrics magnetometer.

This pack is lighter and much more comfortable than the backpacks shipped from the manufacturers. For example, students call the Geometrics magnetometer G858/859 the “rack of pain”!

Comfortable

A prominent Australian hiking brand has designed the Modern Mag pack. It features an in-built hydration pouch, internal aluminium frame and lightweight carbon fibre poles. It is made of strong tear resistant fabric.

Modern Mag has been using these packs in the field for 4 years now. The design has been perfected and now includes modern plastics. These lightweight plastic are impregnated with glass fiber for additional strength. We have walked thousands of line-kilometers with these packs. Our crew would never go back to conventional magnetometer packs.

The reduced length of the poles is by far the best feature. A custom non-magnetic GPS antenna allows the magnetometer sensor to be down lower - at or below head height. This reduces the likelihood of the poles snagging on trees or thick vegetation. Where possible, cables have been routed internally. This further reduce the likelihood of cables hooking on trees and shrubs.

A story about why this pack was developed and how it can help you can be found here.

A pouch covers the console (computer) protecting the paint and electronics from scratches and other damage. This can increases the resale value.

We estimate that line-km production rates increase 20% with this backpack. It is lighter and more comfortable making the operator more agile. This reduces accidents and incidents. Line cutting costs in thick forest and jungle can be reduced since the line cutting crew does not have to cut as high.

Magnetometers from any manufacturer can be used with this pack. However GEM Systems magnetometers are the best available and can be easily integrated with the Modern Mag pack.

Upgrades

Upgrades will be available in the future to interface to a low-magnetic-interference PDA. This PDA screen is sunlight readable and includes many safety features that major and mid-tier mining companies demand. It also includes radio modem communications over many miles as well as GPS navigation. GPS navigation is important since magnetometers such as the Geometrics 858/859 rack of pain can only record the GPS position. They do not help the user navigate efficient straight survey lines. A Geometrics magnetometer can tell you where it has been, but cannot tell you where to go. Whereas the Modern Mag PDA includes survey line navigation.

The introductory price for a single pack is AUD$2,950. Two packs are $5,500.

Poles slide out and fold back for transport.

Pouch protects console and includes map pocket.

Used Overhauser magnetometer for sale (SOLD)

2017-11-14T00:00:00+00:00

Overhauser magnetic gradiometer

Ideal for UAV or ground magnetic base station. Recently serviced by GEM.

We have for sale a used GEM Systems GSM-19 Overhauser gradiometer. It would be ideal for a base station used in tandem with a UAV magnetometer or a roving ground mag system.

Can sample at 3s.

Much more accurate than a proton magnetometer and uses less power.

This unit is actually a gradiometer. Comes with two sensors, but only one sensor cable. Thus there would be redundancy and reliability gains in the field using this gradiometer as a base station.

Does not have a GPS. Comes with poles. Any other spares needed can be purchased from Modern Mag.

$3,900

Magnetometer batteries

2016-09-17T00:00:00+00:00

Console batteries

Scintrex and Geometrics magnetometers require heavy sealed lead acid magnetometer batteries greater than 7.2Ah in size. In contrast GEM Systems uses lightweight lithium Ion batteries and SLA batteries only 2.2Ah in size.

While the SLA batteries are conveniently built in to the console, they do however need to be protected against a short circuit against the console case. GEM modifies and customises Panasonic batteries to fit into the console and protect them against short circuits in a number of ways. GEM systems Li-ion batteries have built in fuses and the GEM SLA batteries have built in polyfuses. Modern Mag does not recommend that customers create their own battery without sufficient short circuit protection. We recently received an overhauser console from a customer for repair. Upon closer inspection, the electrical tape covering the terminals on the non-standard battery had worn through and arced on the case. This was not unexpected since the battery was loose in the bottom of the console and able to rub against the inside of the console with every step. The result was a $2,200 repair bill from the GEM Systems factory.

Modern Mag has GEM Systems proton and overhauser magnetometer batteries in stock and can produce GSMP35 batteries in about 2 weeks. If you are getting tired from lugging around HUGE lead acid batteries attached to Scintrex and Geometrics magnetometers, ask Modern Mag about a lighter Li-ion replacement battery.

UAV Magnetic surveys

2016-06-05T00:00:00+00:00

Modern Mag now offers UAV magnetic surveys, otherwise known as drone mag surveys.

Ground magnetic surveys result in the best quality magnetic data possible. We can survey your tenement on the ground using our fleet of state of the art potassium magnetometers. But if your area is too large for a ground magnetic survey, then airborne surveys are next to be considered. Heli-mag would be an obvious choice, but with the rise of the drones, drone-mag is replacing heli-mag.

Modern Mag can survey your tenement with state of the art terrain following multi-rotor UAV (aka RPAS) systems. Our systems use potassium magnetometers for superior data resolution. Our multi-rotors are the best currently available. They are able to lift a bag of concrete or fly for 50 minutes, but of course not both at the same time!

However the quality of your data is our primary focus. The drone is just a safe and reliable tool to acquire your data. We process your data with the industry best practise software and can deliver it within 7 days.

Modern Mag. Safe, accurate and reliable magnetic surveys. On the ground or in the air. Feel free to call us for a quotation.

Overhauser Magnetometer sale

2015-08-28T00:00:00+00:00

For a limited time you can save thousands off the new price of a GEM Systems GSM-19 overhauser base station or rover magnetometer. Fast sampling rover (GSM-19W overhauser) magnetometers are currently CAD$11,850 and base station GSM-19 overhausers are currently priced at CAD$9,000.

Overhauser magnetometers have a sensitivity of 0.02 nT and are ideal for base stations and walking though thick vegetation. Rovers have built in GPS and navigation.

Buy from the official GEM re-seller in Australia and get the same manufacturers retail price as in Canada plus superior sales, service and support. Buying from Modern Mag also qualifies you for discounted backpack and PDA upgrades.

UAV airborne magnetic surveys. Off the shelf and ready to go.

2015-06-10T00:00:00+00:00

GEM systems UAV for magnetic surveys.

“let’s strap a magnetometer onto our UAV. Easy. We’ll make millions. Millions I tells ya doing UAV airborne magnetic surveys!!”

Get in line people. I have fielded one call/email per week for about two years from people wanting to strap a magnetometer to their toy plane. At this point I may sound a bit tired and not as scientific as I should be, but please understand I take a lot of these calls and have seen it all before. Alas I will put my cynicism aside momentarily and explain what resources are required to get your UAV with a magnetometer in the air. It can be done…at a price.

You will need the following people intermittently for 6 months to 1 year. They are in order of importance:

1. Geophysicist

2. Electronics engineer

3. Software engineer

4. Aeronautical engineer

The geophysicist is the most important since they can tell you how to reduce the magnetic noise from the UAV using certain materials and compensation systems. If your data is too noisy, you will not be able to sell it, nor detect what you are looking for. The aeronautics engineer is the least important since many of the UAV’s are off the shelf and ready to go. The flight systems and software are mature. You will only need them when you need to change out some stock parts that are causing magnetic noise at the sensor. You could save costs by getting an electronics engineer or geophysicist who can write computer code.

My estimate is that the people will cost ~$200k. Less perhaps if one of these people is a founder and you give up some equity.

If purchased ad-hoc, the geophysical equipment will cost around $65,000 for a single sensor platform. This does not include a base station magnetometer or spares for when you crash. And you will crash. Everybody does. It is the reason that Universal Wing and Fugro Airborne surveys failed at great cost to develop UAVs for the airborne magnetic survey market. I was the first to use the Fugro GeoRanger system for a commercial survey in Canada. It was very impressive. But alas they crashed too many, and the business model failed.

I don’t know how much your UAV cost. A couple of grand? Ten grand max?

Choosing the right UAV in order to reduce magnetic noise is probably the most important step in your venture. Unfortunately, most people contact me with a UAV in hand made of all the wrong parts to provide clean magnetic data. I am not just talking materials science here. There a many strategies to reduce magnetic noise, such as engine type, electronics shielding, UAV configuration (push/pull etc), sensor location etc.

The way you should choose a UAV is a follows: You buy two GSMP-35 magnetometers (you need these for your business anyway) and take them to a UAV show and test the magnetic noise of dozens of UAVs powered on and off and with different orientations. You will probably need a geophysicist with you for this process. Then you conduct further ground trials on the best candidates and choose one to start your 6-12 months R&D development phase.

So at this stage you have spent $275k and will be ready to conduct your UAV airborne magnetic survey in 6-12 months.

Or you can just buy the new GEMS systems UAV for $125k in about 3 months’ time. They have done all this work for you. Off the shelf and ready to go. The system has TWO GSMP-35s potassium magnetometers. Gradiometer systems have a distinct and saleable advantage over single sensor systems. GEM has gotten the payload down to 3.6kg and obtains a compensated magnetic signal with a noise level of only 20pT per flight. They are using a proven UAV chosen for its reliability and low magnetic noise.

Initial testing indicates the geophysical sensors can survive a crash, though this can never be guaranteed, since there is always the possibility that the UAV could fall nose first from great height.

GEM are experts in magnetic survey systems. It has taken them years and a team of engineers to develop a UAV for magnetic surveys. Do you really think you can do it for less than $125k for a gradiometer system?

Contact Modern Mag for more information, advice, special pricing and preorders of the system.

Coal magnetic surveys. Ultra-high resolution ground magnetic surveys for the coal industry.

2015-06-09T00:00:00+00:00

An obvious volcanic plug can be seen in the north of the survey, but more subtle and smaller features can be seen throughout this ultra-high resolution ground magnetic survey

Coal magnetic surveys are usually done at an ultra-high resolution. That is, with a line spacing of 10m.

However the best ground magnetic data I have ever seen was over a gold prospect in Western Australia. The explorer was interested detecting mineralized structures trending east-west AS WELL AS north-south dolomite dikes intersecting the mineralisation. Ground magnetic surveys have two critical survey parameters. Line direction and line spacing. The line spacing is often chosen for economic reasons, but optimally it should be no more than the depth to what you are looking for. The line direction should be perpendicular to the geology of interest. In this case, the structures of interest were perpendicular, so making the line spacing perpendicular to both required doing the survey with both east-west AND north-south lines. The north-south lines were done at a 10m line spacing, and the east-west lines at a 20m line spacing.

The data resolution was simply spectacular. The absolute accuracy and negligible heading error of the GSMP-35 potassium magnetometers meant that the two surveys (with different line directions) were seamless when gridded as one survey.

Such ultra-high resolution surveys are rare in mineral exploration, though many of the best gold explorers do them. In fact there is now a large hole in the ground at this survey location and the company won the coveted title of gold explorer of the year a few years back.

In contrast, coal explorers realize the benefit of ultra-high resolution ground magnetic surveys and they routinely commission them. At a regional scale, magnetometers can be used to map basin shapes. But more commonly, ground magnetic surveys are used in coal exploration and mining to maps hazards such as basaltic intrusions. These intrusions can be quite narrow and small so ultra-high resolution ground magnetic surveys are required to detect and map them.

The intrusion shown in the image is a large and obvious volcanic plug. However there are other smaller and more subtle features in the data only detected with ultra-high resolution ground magnetic surveys at a 10m line spacing.

Modern Mag are experts in ground magnetic surveys for coal. We have standard 11 qualifications among others. Our equipment is modern and ideal for these ultra-high resolution surveys. Our built in GPS has the accuracy required to do such surveys, and we provide final data in industry standard formats along with a logistics report.

One of our offices is conveniently location on the east coast to support our coal clients.

Coal magnetic surveys by Modern Mag.