• Only operate your DCI guidance system in accordance with the operating instructions for your system.
• Serious injury and death, as well as property damage, can result if underground drilling equipment strikes a natural gas line, high-voltage electrical cable, or other utility.
• Work slowdowns and cost overruns can occur if you do not use your system correctly.
• Properly calibrate your DCI guidance system anytime you change frequencies, transmitters, or drill heads and validate the calibration before every drilling project. If you fail to do so, depth readings will likely be inaccurate.
• Interference can lead to inaccurate depth readings and/or interruption of data. See "Special Notes About Interference" for more details.
• DCI guidance systems are used to locate and guide the transmitter (housing) underground. They cannot be used to locate underground utilities.
• Failure to find the front and rear locate points can lead to inaccuracies which may result in drilling off-path and striking an underground utility.
• The locate line on a DCI locator does not indicate the position of the drill head. DCI locators track the transmitter in its housing, which sits behind the drill bit. Also, when drilling steep and/or deep, the locate line may indicate a position behind or ahead of the transmitter. Please see "Steep and Deep" under Advanced Topics for important information about accurately locating the drill head when drilling steep and/or deep.
• Ensure that all underground utilities have been located, exposed, and/or accurately marked prior to drilling. Follow all proper safety precautions, such as potholing.
• DCI equipment is not explosion-proof and should never be used near flammable or explosive substances.
• Wear jobsite protective/safety clothing such as dielectric boots, gloves, hard hat, high-visibility vest, and safety glasses.
• Install transmitters into the drill housing as soon as possible after powering on. If you can't, unscrew the cap to power off the transmitter until you can install the transmitter into the drill housing to reduce RF exposure.
• Comply with federal, state, and local governmental regulations (such as OSHA) and all other customary or required safety precautions.

If you have any questions about the operation of your guidance system, please contact DCI Customer Service for assistance.

While DCI guidance systems provide you with technology to combat active interference (and passive interference, with the Sub-K Rebar transmitter), no guidance system is immune to all interference.

Interference can lead to inaccurate depth readings and/or interruption or loss of data. Never rely on data that does not display quickly and/or remain stable.

The Falcon frequency optimizer selects frequencies based on measured interference at a specific time and location.

Interference levels change with time and with even minor changes in location. The frequency optimizer is not a substitute for prudent operator judgment. If performance drops while drilling, consider switching to the other selected band (not available on the Falcon F1) or use Max Mode.

An A on the screen can indicate signal Attenuation due to the presence of excessive interference, which can make depth readings inaccurate. Attenuation is normal in shallow depths less than 8 ft (2.4 m). If the signal strength is also flashing; this indicates extreme interference. Depth and locate points may be compromised and the locator will not calibrate.

Interference is classified as either active (generating electro-magnetic signals) or passive (material that can conduct or block electro-magnetic signals). Sources of interference may include:
 

Active

• Traffic signal loops
• Buried dog fences
• Cathodic protection
• Radio communications
• Security systems
• Microwave towers
• Power, phone, fiber-trace and cable TV lines

Passive

• Metal pipes
• Rebar
• Trench plates
• Chain-link fences
• Vehicles
• Saltwater/salt domes
• Conductive earth, such as iron ore

If you have any questions about the operation of your guidance system, please contact DCI Customer Service for assistance.
 

System working altitude: up to 6562 ft (2000m).

Storage and transportation temperature: -40° to 149°F (-40° to 65°C).

Operation may be compromised if the equipment is subjected to conditions outside these specified limits.

Ship in original carrying case or packaging of sufficient durability to prevent mechanical shock to equipment during transportation.

If you have any questions about the operation of your guidance system, please contact DCI Customer Service for assistance.

Remove the batteries from all system components during shipping and prolonged storage. Failure to do so may result in battery leakage, which may lead to risk of explosion, health risks, and/or damage.

Store and transport batteries using a suitable protective case that will keep batteries safely isolated from one another. Failure to do so may result in short circuits, which may lead to hazardous conditions including fire. 

Lithium-ion batteries must be packaged and shipped by trained and certified personnel only. Never ship damaged batteries.

If you plan to store the battery packs for any period of time, please follow these guidelines:

• Store and transport batteries using a suitable protective case that will keep batteries safely isolated from one another. Failure to do so may result in short circuits which may lead to hazardous conditions including fire. 

• Do not store the battery pack at temperatures greater than 113° F (45°C).

• Do not store the battery pack in a fully discharged state.

• Do not store the battery pack in the battery charger.

• Do not store multiple batteries together where their terminals or other loose conductive materials may contact one another and cause a short circuit.

• Never ship damaged batteries.

• If a lithium-ion battery pack will be stored for an extended period of time, pre-charge the battery to a charge level of 30% to 50% (two or three LEDs illuminated on the meter).

• Do not store the battery pack for more than one year unless it is periodically recharged to the 30% to 50% level.

Lithium batteries are considered Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods under International Air Transportation Association (IATA) regulations; IATA regulation and Ground Transportation regulations 49 CFR 172 and 174 apply. These batteries must be packaged and shipped by trained and certified personnel only. Never ship damaged batteries.