Why does my locator signal seem wide?

Sensitivity (gain) is likely too high. Lowering sensitivity tightens the signal field and makes the center easier to identify.

Why does the peak move as I walk?

This can occur when signal is coupling onto nearby conductors or when grounding is poor.

Does a locator show the pipe itself?

No. A locator detects the electromagnetic field around a conductor, not the physical pipe.

What if the tone never drops off?

The receiver sensitivity is set too high or the signal is bleeding onto adjacent utilities.

Can different frequencies affect pinpointing?

Yes. Higher frequencies tend to spread more easily onto nearby conductors, while lower frequencies stay tighter to the intended line.

Alabama / Mississippi Water

Joint Annual Conference 2026

April 12—15, 2026

Mobile, AL

Mobile Convention Center

Booth #509

Why Visit the Pipehorn Booth

Built for Difficult Locates

Broken tracer wire, interference, short services, congested corridors.

Straight Answers

Talk with people who understand the real-world challenges of locating in the field.

Equipment That Works

Durable, analog signal locating trusted for decades.

“I’ve used a Pipehorn for 10 years, but never a Maghorn. Once I got my first, I took the Maghorn to my problem area and found 3 valves in five minutes.”

Bartow County Water Department

John Doughten – Locator Supervisor

"The Pipehorn is great... Maghorn is superior to those Metrotechs we used to have. Once we bought one Maghorn, we had to buy one for everyone else!"

Prattville Water Works Board

Anthony McGough – Assistant Super

"Our system purchased a Maghorn and within a few weeks we found 8 to 10 valves we've been looking years for! Now we can make repairs without cutting off huge sections of our water. Pipehorn training has got us on the right track - we've been getting a lot more value out of it."

Sterett-Vandiver Water System

Adam Gasaway – Supervisor

"No issues, which is great. Pipehorns are bullet proof. Every once in a while one gets run over but other than that, the things never quit."

Central Alabama Water

Formerly Birmingham Water Works

"AWESOME SERVICE! As ALWAYS. Wish all my vendors were that way."

Gadsden Water Works

Tommy Franklin – Meter Shop

"I'm not one to give testimonials, but I was able to borrow a Pipehorn yesterday and I'm here now buying one today. I think that says how good of a tool it is."

Mud Creek Water Associates

Lynn Robbins - Manager

Stop By Pipehorn's Booth & Enter to Win!

We're giving away gear made for the jobsite. Stop by Booth #509 and enter for your chance to win a Pipehorn Prize Pack that includes:

Carhartt Backpack
Cowboy Hard Hat
Pipehorn Tumbler
$100 Amazon Gift Card

What You'll See at the Booth

Find Us at Booth #509

Located in the center of the exhibition hall.

What to Expect at the Pipehorn Booth:

Hands-on locator walkthroughs
One-on-one conversations about real locating challenges
Practical tips from people who’ve spent decades in the industry

This is for You If You…

Work in utility locating, damage prevention, or verification
Deal with difficult locates or unreliable signals
Want tools that reduce risk without adding complexity

Featured at the Booth:

SEE YOU AT AL/MS WATER JOINT ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Tools for the Water Locate Problems Crews Face Every Day

Pipe & Cable
Locators

Locate and verify water lines when tracer wire is weak, broken, or hard to follow.

Maghorn Magentic Locator

Find buried valves, valve boxes, curb stops, and fittings before having to dig.

Water Leak
Detectors

Pinpoint water leaks faster to reduce unnecessary digging.

Attending the AL/MS Water Conference?

Schedule a quick demo and we’ll show how crews locate utilities when signals fade or stop.

Common Water Locate Problems We Help Solve:

Tracer wire that stops or fades
Water services in congested corridors
Valves and valve boxes that are hard to find
Verifying lines before excavation or repair
Water leak detection and troubleshooting

Fill out the form and we’ll follow-up to reserve time for you at the booth.

SCHEDULE A DEMO

See Pipehorn in the Field

Pipehorn Safety Sweep

Pipehorn Steps to an Accurate Locate

Pipehorn 800 Series System Check

About Us

For more than 50 years, Pipehorn has been in the business of delivering solutions to address problems related to underground utility location and damage prevention.

The industries we serve are varied and complex; many, of which, have a great deal of assets at risk underground. Through intense focus on our customer’s unique needs, we are able to create solutions that excel in simplicity, accuracy, durability and value.

industry links

Alabama/Mississippi Water Conference 2026