# Coil & Ground

> Independent UK metal-detecting guidance on choosing equipment, reading signals, obtaining permission and caring for finds.

Our buying advice compares documented specifications and practical trade-offs using explicit decision criteria. Permission, protected-site status and finds reporting depend on the exact place and current official rules. The linked HTML articles contain the complete guidance, product limitations, disclosures and sources where relevant.

## Start here

- [Guide index](https://coilandground.co.uk/guides/): Browse the complete topic map.
- [First day metal detecting](https://coilandground.co.uk/starting-out/first-day-metal-detecting/): A UK field plan from permission to tidy recovery.
- [Set up a metal detector](https://coilandground.co.uk/starting-out/set-up-metal-detector/): Assembly, first settings and a calm practice baseline.
- [Beginner practice plan](https://coilandground.co.uk/starting-out/beginner-practice-plan/): Build signal and recovery habits over several sessions.

## Choose equipment

- [Detector guides](https://coilandground.co.uk/detectors/): Models, frequency, coils and ownership advice.
- [Best beginner metal detectors](https://coilandground.co.uk/best/metal-detectors-for-beginners-uk/): A UK shortlist with use cases and limitations.
- [Best beach metal detectors](https://coilandground.co.uk/best/metal-detectors-for-beaches-uk/): Separate dry sand, wet salt and water boundaries.
- [Metal detectors under £500](https://coilandground.co.uk/best/metal-detectors-under-500/): Compare a budget ceiling against actual capability.
- [Multi-frequency metal detectors](https://coilandground.co.uk/best/multi-frequency-metal-detectors/): When simultaneous frequency operation helps.
- [Search coils explained](https://coilandground.co.uk/detectors/search-coils-explained/): Coil size, shape, coverage and compatibility.
- [Field kit](https://coilandground.co.uk/field-kit/): Recovery tools, headphones and finds storage.

## Ground and technique

- [Places and conditions](https://coilandground.co.uk/places/): Fields, beaches, parks and weather-sensitive ground.
- [Beach detecting in the UK](https://coilandground.co.uk/places/beach-metal-detecting-uk/): Ownership, tides, ground and recovery.
- [Wet sand versus dry sand](https://coilandground.co.uk/places/wet-sand-vs-dry-sand/): Why salt changes detector response.
- [Technique guides](https://coilandground.co.uk/technique/): Sweep, signals, target ID and recovery.
- [Ground balance explained](https://coilandground.co.uk/technique/ground-balance-explained/): Distinguish soil response from a target.
- [Target ID explained](https://coilandground.co.uk/technique/target-id-explained/): Numbers are clues, not object names.
- [False signals](https://coilandground.co.uk/help/false-signals/): A staged diagnosis for chatter and erratic tones.

## Permissions and finds

- [UK permissions and law](https://coilandground.co.uk/permissions-and-law/): Navigate the four nations and protected places.
- [England and Wales permissions](https://coilandground.co.uk/permissions-and-law/england-wales/): Land consent, restrictions and reporting.
- [Scotland permissions](https://coilandground.co.uk/permissions-and-law/scotland/): The separate Scottish approach to finds.
- [Northern Ireland permissions](https://coilandground.co.uk/permissions-and-law/northern-ireland/): Archaeological-search licensing and reporting.
- [Crown Estate beaches](https://coilandground.co.uk/permissions-and-law/crown-estate-beaches/): Foreshore boundaries and conditions.
- [Report possible Treasure](https://coilandground.co.uk/permissions-and-law/reporting-treasure/): What to record and who to contact.
- [Finds care](https://coilandground.co.uk/finds-care/): Preserve context before identification or cleaning.
- [Record a find](https://coilandground.co.uk/finds-care/record-a-find/): Location, photographs and associated material.

## Optional

- [About Coil & Ground](https://coilandground.co.uk/about/): Who the site serves and how it works.
- [Editorial policy](https://coilandground.co.uk/editorial-policy/): Recommendation, correction and disclosure standards.
- [Source policy](https://coilandground.co.uk/source-policy/): Evidence hierarchy for claims.
- [Sitemap](https://coilandground.co.uk/sitemap.xml): All canonical article and hub URLs.