From Theory to Field: GPR Training in Extreme Weather
In early January 2025, Frank Casser traveled to Greeley, Colorado, to conduct a training session on the OKM Gepard GPR 3D. The customer, a company specializing in underground utility detection for construction and oil industries, required hands-on instruction to improve their workflow and accuracy. Frank Casser's trip to Colorado began with a long-haul flight to Denver. After landing in Denver, Frank met up with Mark Harris, Vice President of OKM Americas. Together they rented a car and made the hour and a half drive to Greeley, Colorado. After checking into the hotel, they enjoyed a delicious Mexican dinner - an energizing way to prepare for the training sessions ahead.
Day 1: Building a Strong Foundation in Ground Penetrating Radar
Early the next morning, Frank and Mark arrived at the client's facility, where 10 to 12 professionals were waiting to be trained. The client specializes in locating underground utilities for construction and oil companies, ensuring safe digging practices. The training focused on using the OKM Gepard GPR 3D to efficiently locate buried infrastructure. Fortunately, the first session was held in an insulated, heated steel building - a welcome relief from the freezing temperatures outside.
The day began with a thorough explanation of the Gepard's functions, proper assembly, and best practices for transporting the unit between job sites. Mark covered key technical aspects while Frank guided the trainees through the overall operation. The participants were engaged, asking insightful questions and presenting real-world scenarios from their job sites. Visualizer 3D Studio software analysis followed the hands-on session, allowing the trainees to effectively interpret the GPR scan data.
Using our combined knowledge, we were able to answer all of the questions and ensure the trainees understood the system’s full potential!
In addition, the customer demonstrated their Hydro-Vac Truck, a powerful excavation tool. Using high pressure water, the truck loosens the soil while a massive vacuum removes the debris. This method provides 100% verification of buried utilities, making it an ideal partner for GPR technology.
Day 2: Field Demonstrations and Unexpected Challenges
On the second day, the team planned a live demonstration of the OKM Gepard GPR 3D and Hydro-Vac at a job site. However, the morning brought extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to -9°F (-23°C). Although the Gepard is designed to operate in conditions as low as -20°C, the harsh morning cold still affected its functionality. To adapt, the team returned to the indoor training facility, waiting for the sun to raise temperatures to a workable level.
By midday, the temperature had risen and the team headed back outside. They began scanning and successfully located a buried pipe. The Hydro-Vac was positioned and excavation began. But to Frank's dismay, no pipe was found. The detection had been a false positive. Mark suggested a possible reason: the nearby building's gutter system may have interfered with the signal. This unexpected result served as an important teaching moment - an opportunity to educate the trainees about potential sources of error when using the GPR.
Moving on to a second site, the team scanned for a known natural gas pipeline buried at the legal depth of 1.5 meters (4.9 ft). This time, the Gepard accurately identified the pipeline, and the results matched the physical ground markings at the site.
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
While the first detection attempt was unsuccessful, the experience reinforced an important lesson - false positives can happen and users need to be aware of potential sources of interference. Frank and Mark came away from the trip with new insights, knowing that this knowledge would further improve future training sessions. This hands-on experience in Greeley was a testament to the power of training, adaptation, and continuous learning - essential elements in the world of underground detection.
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