TM 5-6635-386-12&P
Unpacking
Shipping Case
Damage upon receipt is the responsibility of the freight
The shipping case is a fiberglass case with integral,
company. A claim should be filed with the freight
molded foam padding (see Para 3-7 for shipping case
company for damage. If the radioactive source may
maintenance).
have been damaged, see Para 4-31.
Reference Standard
The reference standard is a
separate standard with the fiberglass case.
1-1. GENERAL OPERATION
Reference standards are serialized for each tester,
The tester is ready for use after unpacking.
however, they are interchangeable between testers.
There are no adjustments in the tester. All settings are
Guideplate
factory set and sealed.
The guideplate is cast aluminum. It is entirely adequate
Batteries will be removed from tester and placed in the
for all surfacing and for support of the drill pin during
shipping case, whenever the tester is not in operation or
transmission hole preparation.
is being shipped overseas. BATTERIES WILL NOT BE
LEFT OR STORED IN THE TESTER. Refer to Section
Do not use the plate to remove the drill pin.
III for instructions.
Drill Pin The standard drill pin is 3/4 inch diameter with a
If the batteries are low, a letter "L" will appear in the
forged head.
display. If the batteries are very low, the tester will
"cutout". The "L" will appear, but the gauge will not
1-2. MODES OF OPERATION
operate. Recharge or replace the batteries (NICAD
batteries only-NSN 6140-00-497-0490).
BACKSCATTER is the technique of placing source on
the surface of a flat material. This technique measures
Charge the tester overnight when the batteries indicate
only the top 2-inches of soil and is very sensitive to
"L" or low. The battery charger will not damage the
surface roughness or quality of site preparation.
batteries by overcharging.
TRANSMISSION is the technique of pre-drilling a small
A satisfactory program would be to charge the tester
hole in the ground and then inserting the radioactive
over a weekend once or twice a month depending upon
source in the ground via the movable source rod. This
use.
technique permits measurement to specific depths to 12-
inches and is insensitive to surface roughness. It is very
CAUTION
accurate and is the preferred method of measurement
for soils.
Due to excessive damage caused by battery leakage,
only NICAD batteries, NSN 6140-00-4970490, will be
DENSITY is measured by backscatter or transmission.
used as battery replacement. Quantity of eight (8) each
should be ordered.
MOISTURE is measured by backscatter only. It is not a
transmission phenomenon. The tester uses a separate
WARNING
source in the bottom casting to insure constant
*
Do not attempt charging alkaline batteries.
Alkaline batteries are not to be used in the
tester.
*
Do not attempt charging zinc-carbon batteries.
zinc-carbon batteries are not to be used in the
tester.
1-2
