An Introduction to Ghost Hunting Equipment Both Traditional and Modern Compiled By Bradley F. Maurer, B.A., NQPRG

INTUITION, CURIOSITY, AND FAITH What Equipment Does a Paranormal Investigator Really Need to Conduct an investigation? INTUITION, CURIOSITY, AND FAITH Are the most important human tools that an paranormal investigator can possess “What about all of the expensive high-tech gear that I’ve seen on my favorite ghost hunting shows? I want to find a ‘ghost’ or speak to a ‘spirit’, but I can’t afford to buy a lot of expensive equipment to become an Investigator. I guess that I’m out of luck” Let us, first, talk about the basic equipment that a “Ghost Hunter”/Paranormal Researcher must own.

(that you probably already own) The Bare Essentials The basic must haves (that you probably already own) Voice Recorder Camera Flash light Other common basics Infra-red digital thermometer EMF meter Video Camera

Staying Safe It is important to have the right gear on hand to conduct a safe investigation under even unexpected conditions First Aid Kit Heavy Duty Work and/or Latex Surgical Gloves Surgical Masks Candles Lighter Extra Batteries

The Basics of Ghost Hunting Equipment—Cameras © 2011 David Juliano davejuliano@theshadowlands.net 35mm Camera At least  400 speed film.  800 speed film is also good at night but you'll have to test your cameras flash strength to see which speed works best for you.    Single use 35mm cameras have gotten good results.  Disposable Camera When you develop them you don't need to go to a camera shop, the local drug store or department store is fine.  Let them know you want all the pictures developed so that you get the pictures that they might think are bad ones.  These "bad ones" are normally your best ectoplasm mist photos.  35mm film camera

Flashlight with spare batteries Digital Camera Digital cameras are great tools for ghost researchers.  They allow you to see instantly if you have a positive photo They can also take photos in limited infrared range of light.  Flashlight with spare batteries A common sense item.  Remember to bring spare batteries for everything.  Due to spirit activity, batteries often run down very fast and you don't want to miss anything because of dead batteries.   A good investigator always has a large supply of batteries on hand for all of their equipment. The piece of equipment is useless if it does not have power!

Notebook with pens and pencils Weather appropriate clothes First Aid Kit Just in case, it's very easy to trip in the dark and get cut Notebook with pens and pencils You need to write and log in everything  that happens on an investigation.  If you don't then you really don't retain very much research information.    Many investigators use a pocket tape recorder or digital recorder instead Weather appropriate clothes Pretty much common sense! Dress for success Watch You need to log the times of events and your arrival and departure from an investigation A good old-fashioned wind-up watch is best—No batteries

Video camera (optional tripod) Advanced Gear Video camera  (optional tripod) Video cameras are an important instrument for an investigation.  Unlike still cameras they provide us with constant visual and audio surveillance for review and observation.  With video any phenomena occurring can be documented in its entirety.  This will show the length of time the phenomena occurs, what is happening, the conditions surrounding the phenomena, and possibly even the cause of the phenomena  Preferably camera should be equipped with night-vision capabilities Video camera with night vision capabilities can be equipped with an infra-red array that allows the camera to record in complete darkness.

Analogue vs. Digital For years, paranormal groups have debated which is a better way of collecting data; analog or digital? With the ever growing popularity of digital media, it certainly is the most cost effective way to go, but is it the right way? Does newer technology help collect better evidence? The most common battleground in this debate between media formats is photography. Why? Because everyone owns a camera..

Digital vs. Analog They are cheap, they are able to give investigators a physical format to show other people There has been lots of speculation in this field regarding the validity of digital technology for use in modern research of life after death. In order to validate or dismiss a piece of equipment for this research, one must first gain a better understanding of the device in question

Tape recorder with external microphone and high grade tapes Analogue vs. Digital Tape recorder with external microphone and high grade tapes Recorders are used for Interviews Spontaneous thoughts Analog Audio recorders are used for many different purposes throughout an investigation.  Your notes Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVPs) The type of tape that is most often recommended is high bias tapes or metal tapes You have to use a external microphone when recording EVPs If you rely on the internal microphone you will also be recording the internal gears and motors and this will make your tape worthless.

EMF Detector - The Electromagnetic Field Detector With this instrument it is possible to locate and track energy sources   It will detect fluctuations in electromagnetic fields and low strength moving EMF fields that have no source  It is a common theory that spirits disrupt this field in such a way that you can tell one is present by higher than normal readings with this meter Most units when purchased come with a manual describing most household and major appliances and their corresponding electromagnetic reading When using the EMF as a tracking device look for fluctuations of 2.0 to 7.0, this usually indicates spirit presence Before using the EMF meter as a research tool on an investigation be sure to walk around the area and take initial readings around energy sources such as light poles or electrical outlets to be sure of the readings you receive while scanning the area during the investigation.

Infrared Motion Detectors These can be used to sense movements by often unseen forces or spirits or Someone trying to hoax an investigation Motion detector Thermometer There are three types available Regular digital thermometers—Physical contact is needed Infrared thermometers— Physical contact is not needed Old-fashioned Mercury/Alcohol physical thermometers When used on an investigation this will aid as a detection system for spirit presence.  Rapid temperature drop of 10 degrees of more could indicate spirit presence.  Infrared thermometer Digital thermometer

Ghost Box The argument has been made that Thomas Edison was working on a ghost communication device – a ghost box of sorts, to contact the dead. However, there are many Edison experts that would argue that it was only legend, a myth that is untrue. Nikola Tesla, and many others of the early radio pioneers, often thought they heard voices in their radio receptions. Both Edison and Tesla claimed to be working towards communicating with disembodied spirits. Why would the early pioneers of Radio and Electricity investigate or Deny the possibility of communicating with the dead through Radio and Electronic Devices?

Ghost Box A ghost box was the first two-way  Radio communication device between the earthly realm and the spiritual realm Ghost Boxes are modified AM/FM radios that continually scan the AM/FM frequencies and are thought to allow a sprit or a ghost to pause the transmission long enough to communicate a word or a phrase. In short, ghost boxes create audio bits and white noise that ghosts and/or spirits can then manipulate into forming words Most other ghost boxes are not random band sweeping, but linear sweeping of the AM or FM bands.   That is not to say other bands, such as shortwave, weather, etc are not being experimented

Ovilus The Ovilus, or Puck, is an electronic device created by Bill Chappell, a retired electronics engineer interested in the paranormal The Ovilus has an embedded database of words. It contains an EMF Meter and a thermometer. These readings are combined to create a number and this number is used to reference a database of words . The Ovilus then "speaks" that word An Ovilus can also operate in a phonetic mode that reacts to EMF variations to create words that are not in the database Buyer beware! Ovilus has been made into an app for your IPHONE. No one can prove that works like the original hardware.

Traditional Ghost Hunting Methods While we live in a modern world full of electronic devices and computer oriented apps. This has not always been the case People have been “ghost hunting” or more, exactly, divining spirits since time immemorial Obviously, they used the technologies that were available to them during their life times Let’s examine traditional/folk technologies that have persisted into the 21st Century

Dowsing What is Dowsing? From www.leylijnen.com/index2.htm What is Dowsing? Dowsing is the exercise of a human faculty, which allows one to obtain information in a manner beyond the scope and power of the standard human physical senses of sight, sound, touch, etc. This is possible using tools, the body or using intuition or paranormal abilities / the human ~body (=deviceless dowsing). Dowsing with a pendulum, rod or other instrument is a type of divination, what is perceiving/having knowledge of the hidden and comes from the sub consciousness of a person.

Dowsing Rods and suspended pendulums Other words for dowsing are: divining or divination, rhabdomancy, doodlebugging, and radiesthesia. The French use the word sourcier for finding the invisible (origin: finding water). Someone who is practicing this ancient art, is called a dowser or a diviner. Dowsing Rods and suspended pendulums

Dowsing Dowsing with an instrument can be done in several ways. The four most known possibilities are: A dowsing-rod (L-rod and Y-rod) A pendulum

Dowsing A dowsing-rod, pendulum, lecher-aerial and bobber all work similar. The instruments do work as an aerial that receives signals. The instrument is an extension of the subconscious. The human himself is an aerial too when energies are noticed. The person who is measuring is the measurement instrument, in better words feel-instrument, and the instrument itself is the pointer. For most instruments some experience is necessary to measure well. Before you can work with an instrument, you have to relaxed, empty and concentrated. It is very important to screen (protect) yourself, or you can get sick by the energies.

Dowsing It is also possible to dowse by using intuition or paranormal abilities (inner senses). Some people are a clairsentient. This means that they get answers inside themselves about certain subjects without knowing that it is true. Many people can feel energies.– either Positive or Negative Dowsing can’t be taught or learned—it is an innate ability of the practitioner This does not mean that you don’t the ability—but you have to developed it

Dowsing The outcome of a dowsing-rod or other instrument can never be forced—you will get a wrong answer. Any effort to force the instrument to move leads to an invalid outcome The only one way to dowse is to “just let it happen”. If you want to find something, with a strong will, you will find it.

Using A Dowsing Rod The shape of the dowsing-rod looks like the letter L The materials a dowsing-rod can be made of are copper, brass, welding rod, and coppered steal. These last two would get magnetic after some time. The disadvantage of copper is that it can be bent easily.. The most advised material is brass. I have, personally used modified wire laundary hangers with great success!

Using A Dowsing Rod This type dowsing-rod exist of two bent metal bars that are L-shaped. You take the rod in both hands, the shortest legs of the rods being held loosely in in clenched fists to allow for freedom of movement The forearms ahead horizontally. The distance between both arms should be the length of a rod If the two rods swing together to form a “cross”, this usually indicates a “yes” or positive result If the two rods diverge in opposite directions, this usually indicates a “no” or negative result

Pendulum Divination Pendulums consist of a weight, or bob, which hangs freely from a chain or string.  Some form of handle may also be attached to the upper end of the chain to decrease the chance that the direction of movement would be caused by the person's subconcious.  However, the subconscious, as the person's intuitive self, may influence, and give correct answers, through the pendulum.  Spirits, your Higher Self, or even the pendulum itself may provide the answers you seek.  Like any divination tool, however, it may be influenced by lower spirits who may attempt to lie to you.  Just like asking a human, you should be careful who you choose to get answers from.  Blessing the pendulum should decrease the chances of a mal-intented spirit influencing the pendulum.

Pendulum Divination Blessing the Pendulum Before each session, the pendulum should be blessed in whatever way you feel comfortable with, from stating that only higher beings (or whatever being you wish to contact) may influence the pendulum, to smudging (burning incense) and other purification techniques.  The pendulum may also be purified after the session, to remove any residue the spirit may have left behind which may influence the next session.

Pendulum Divination How to use the Pendulum The pendulum handle or chain should be held loosely between the thumb and first finger and if the is used, the bob should be held approximately 1 inch above the paper—You can also use it without the circle, and just specify (or let the pendulum specify) which direction means what. Always program the pendulum at the beginning of the session before asking your questions. 

Pendulum Divination "Show me yes" Should cause it to swing in one direction; “ Show me No" should cause it to swing in a different direction.  It is also good to tell it to "Go to center" or "Stop" between questions, so that the swing of the pendulum won't be influenced by the last question's response.  Once programmed, ask the pendulum if it wishes to work with you Ask a few trial questions to make sure its working properly.

Pendulum Divination Pendulum Divination Circle The Pendulum will swing back and forth in the direction of the arrows Yes: Indicates a Yes response to a Yes/No Question. No: Indicates a No response to a Yes/No Question. Maybe: Indicates a Maybe response to a Yes/No Question. Another question may be asked if further clarification is necessary. DWA: Don't Wish to Answer. NA: Not Applicable - You don't need to know. RQ: Rephrase Question

When Using a Dowsing, Pendulum Phrase the Question Correctly Please take care you to phrase the question correctly 1. It is important that questions be phrased clearly, so that no misinterpretation can be made.  Questions should easily answered by “yes”, “no”, or “No response” when not using a circle. When using a circle, the answers can be a little more flexible 2. Be extremely specific—leave no room for ambiguity 3. If, after several questions, the pendulum starts swinging in random directions, ask it if it wishes to continue the session.  4. If not, put the pendulum away and try again another time.

When Using a Dowsing, Pendulum Phrase the Question Correctly It is important that questions be phrased clearly, so that no misinterpretation can be made.  This goes for all divination techniques—Both Traditional and Modern The Modern EVP Sessions EMF Sessions Ovilus Sessions Ghost Box Sessions The Traditional Dousing rod sessions Pendulum Sessions Séances

How Do We Use a Compass for Paranormal Research From www.ehow.com The compass is a traditional EMF detector First you will need to know what direction North is. The compass point is affected by magnetic fields. The theory is that paranormal activity changes the magnetic field—changing true North This makes the compass the precursor of the EMF meter Learn to use the compass in a not haunted site, first. Use only compasses with free-swinging needles. If the needle tends to get stuck pointing in one direction, it's not helpful.

So, What About Ouíja Boards? Psychic mediums would usually will tell you not play around with your Ouija boards, because it can get dangerous Ouija boards can serve as a portal to dark and evil realms, and we don't want that to be inside our households. Although the board, in itself, is not really evil, the kind of communication being attempted in this activity could be described as “Demonic”. Using a Ouija board can open a portal for very undesirable spirits to come in, and careless use of them has resulted in everything from poltergeists to full demonic possession. An Ad From the Internet