Method for testing metal detectors

A method for testing low power, low frequency devices used for locating metal objects or the like and equipped with, at least, a radio receiver, comprising the steps of:

• selectively supplying variable voltage power to an input of voltage measuring means and to a power input connection of a low power, low frequency radio frequency transmitter unit for transmitting to said receiver,
• placing said receiver at a predetermined fixed location at a constant distance and orientation with respect to the antenna of said radio transmitter,
• tuning said receiver to receive the signal radiated from said radio transmitter,
• measuring an output voltage produced by the received signal at said receiver,
• adjusting the voltage of said supplied power to said transmitter to a predetermined value,
• decreasing the variable voltage of said supplied power until a minimum acceptable voltage output is obtained from the receiver and
• comparing the measurements of said supplied variable voltage corresponding to a minimum acceptable output from the receiver at which the receiver is functional with a predetermined value indicative of a properly functioning receiver whereby the receiver is determined to be operative or nonoperative.