Product · Electromagnetic (EM) Systems
Geonics EM16R
Ferrite-core VLF receiver paired with resistivity electrodes — one of the most widely deployed electromagnetic geophysical instruments in history, now largely superseded on the primary market by modern conductivity meters.
Refurbished Absolute Certified Surplus
This model is no longer in general new production. PartnerGeometrics sources it through the used and refurbished market — available as Refurbished, Absolute Certified, or Surplus only.
About the Geonics EM16R
The EM16 uses a ferrite-core coil to detect very-low-frequency (VLF) military and navigation radio transmissions in the 15–25 kHz band, measuring the in-phase and quadrature components of the secondary field induced by conductive bodies in the ground relative to the primary VLF signal. The EM16R adds a pair of stainless-steel electrodes spaced 10 m apart to also derive apparent earth resistivity and the phase angle between the electric and magnetic field components, extending the base EM16 into a combined conductivity/resistivity mapping tool.
For decades it was the standard reconnaissance tool for tracing conductive ore bodies, fracture and fault zones, and water-bearing structures using freely available VLF transmitter signals rather than a dedicated local transmitter. The technique has been substantially superseded in routine practice by dedicated ground conductivity meters (EM31/EM34/EM38 family) and modern resistivity/IP systems, which is why EM16/EM16R units now circulate primarily through the used-equipment market.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating frequency | 15–25 kHz (VLF broadcast band) |
| Measured quantities (EM16) | In-phase & quadrature secondary field (% of primary) |
| Measured quantities (EM16R) | Apparent resistivity (Ω·m) + E-H phase angle |
| Electrode spacing (EM16R) | 10 m |
| Signal source | Remote VLF broadcast stations, or portable TX27 transmitter |
| Operation | Single operator, walking survey |
Available as Refurbished, Absolute Certified, or Surplus. See our condition tier guide for details on what each tier includes.