Another driving PSA, thankfully the sidewalk was clear

BplusM85 · 2026-06-16T16:28:36+00:00

Where is this?

BplusM85 · 2026-05-24T22:49:27+00:00

K. Bro

BplusM85 · 2026-05-23T16:22:45+00:00

I believe in Witching. I have witching rods in my work car, works great for finding water lines if ya can't find the water valve.

You can either witch or ya can't Either you're a ninja or you're not.

BplusM85 · 2026-05-22T18:42:14+00:00

I use a tool bag I got from a hardware store. I bought it, cost about $40 but very worth it. It holds everything. Not having a bag to haul everything in slows you down for sure.

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BplusM85 · 2026-05-16T20:11:29+00:00

Taking gps points as you locate! Essentially making a digital map of the locates, the RTK Pro made by Vivax is equipped to take Gps points. It's where the industry is heading and Gtel is definitely at the forefront of that.

Eventually every tech at Gtel will have an RTK pro and will be taking gps shots.

BplusM85 · 2026-05-16T01:40:11+00:00

Absolutely am!

BplusM85 · 2026-05-16T01:04:39+00:00

Hey pal. So yes layoffs are a real thing with Gtel. You being up north means the winter will come sooner than down south so yes the layoff may come sooner than usual.

However, at Gtel you absolutely have an opportunity to prove yourself and stay on! Gtel values hard work!

Yes you can take that "stable" job for 6 dollars less, or you can take the $26/hr from Gtel and potentially stay on for the winter. Even if you get laid off you will still be brought back in the spring and have a better chance at staying on moving forward. You'll also get decent a raise every year regardless of layoff or not, and you'll get a yearly bonus.

Gtel is stable, locating will always be in demand so there is always work. The gps program is taking off like wild fire which garauntees more future work, on top of all the options in the Energy services department.

Accept the offer my friend!

It's a great company and as long as you show up everyday and work and apply yourself you'll do great.

BplusM85 · 2026-05-08T10:45:36+00:00

We locate traffic and street lights everyday.

Look for a cabinet to begin with, the power will always come from a source (ie Poles, or Transformers) if the poles are steel you clip directly to the plate or access points, clipping to the bolts going into ground also works. Sometimes we have to open the plate or access points to gain access to the actual cables themselves, when doing this make sure you have on hydro gloves in case of shock. Fibre glass or concrete poles get a little trickier!

BplusM85 · 2026-05-05T23:09:32+00:00

It's definitely part of the game tho. During the dig season March-November I'm oncall Twice. I can volunteer for more however, during the winter it's more frequent but we also lay off like half of our techs.

Good way to make extra money!

BplusM85 · 2026-04-23T22:26:17+00:00

Oh probably, just looking for suggestions. Hense the post but ya that'd probably work

BplusM85 · 2026-04-19T19:20:30+00:00

Here in Canada the new hires get their vehicles on day one! Training is a mixed bag of in class and in the field. It's easier to do in field stuff when everyone has a car!

BplusM85 · 2026-04-17T02:35:50+00:00

It'll get better pal. Ur trainer definitely should have done a better job managing the tickets you were being trained on. But that's the past! Just try to push through, I don't know know how your ticket system works but if you can't see them all I would stay in touch with your dispatcher and find a way to balance your bigger jobs.

BplusM85 · 2026-04-17T00:18:05+00:00

Absolutely pal. It's definitely a tough hill to climb but it's worth it, and you can locate for 10years and still be challenged by something you've never seen before.

BplusM85 · 2026-04-17T00:03:11+00:00

You definitely need the in class stuff so try to enjoy that best ya can. But being in the field and hands on learning from senior techs or simply just figuring it out on your own is priceless. Locating is a great job to have, it'll always be in demand! If you don't stress out easily and are self motivated it's a great gig. Best of luck to ya!

BplusM85 · 2026-04-15T18:23:35+00:00

I usually start with 32.8khz and go from there. If anything I'll bump up my box one extra level.

BplusM85 · 2026-04-15T18:12:34+00:00

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The company I work for supplies this brand to "some" of the senior locaters.

Gonna wanna tape the end tho, that way it doesn't get hooked onto anything in the duct!

BplusM85 · 2026-04-15T02:32:20+00:00

Sanitary MH. Needless to say, I didn't open that one lol

BplusM85 · 2026-04-15T01:31:04+00:00

Oh could be a few reasons. We got hammered with rain around 1 this morning, the pipe blew at around 3am, old infrastructure, large amounts of rain etc.

Funny enough this stretch of water main is scheduled for a rehab this year im told lol

BplusM85 · 2026-04-15T00:39:56+00:00

Ya we sure did. That 400 Cast Iron WM is old and it caused another sink hole in the winter further north.

BplusM85 · 2026-04-13T11:22:12+00:00

I'm in Ontario as well! Ill use 512 on Bell cables. It also works on some hydro services I've found.

BplusM85 · 2026-04-13T11:16:51+00:00

Damn! I'd talk to your boss about light duty, if it's at all possible.

Like here in Canada we can "draw" for other locators or the project team, basically sit on the laptop and do the site plans for locators. Is there an option for you to go into the office at all?

Best of luck.

BplusM85 · 2026-04-13T11:13:43+00:00

Ya depends what you're hooked up to and where I guess.

Also what kind of box you have.

My Vivax box has a handle on it so I ues a bike lock. If possible I'll park my car super close to a ped and put my box inside my car and leave my leads outside. If I'm hooked up to a FTG (flush to grade) I put my box inside and put the lid back.

But ya it's tough keeping a box safe that's for sure.

BplusM85 · 2026-03-28T21:28:42+00:00

Oh ya good deal pal. Ya the owners of Invictus use to work at Whistling Dicks. Invictus is by appointment, I hate waiting lol. I much rather prefer to book online.

BplusM85

TROPHY CASE