Electro-Magnetic Radiation (EMR) Monitor

This is the new Electro-Magnetic Radiation (EMR) Monitor very recently put into commission with OKCGC. It is virtually an EMF meter with a few different capabilities incorporated. As we all may or may not know, most of the lower end EMF meters are all frequency weighted, which can make them more cost efficient and definitely better suited in an industrial setting. But, for paranormal investigation purposes, frequency weighting can sometimes be quite the enemy. Frequency weighting can make a meter very accurate at measuring EMF at whatever frequency it is set at (usually 50/60 Hz) and sometimes very inaccurate at any other frequencies.

In an industrial setting EMF meters are used to measure the amount of exposure a person is being subjected to. So, in designing most EMF meters, the sensors in the meters are made to imitate the reaction that the human body may give to EMF exposure. Not suggesting that the human body operates at 50/60 Hz but that is the majority of exposure that humans may be subject to.

The EMR has eliminated the need for a censor to imitate the human body since this unit uses the human body as the censor. Not only does this allow for a fairly accurate reading of EMF exposure in real-time, but it nullifies the reason for frequency weighting since it measures radiation and not the actual field. Although the EMR is only measuring the amount of radiation being absorbed into the body, unless you wear overalls made of electro-magnetic screen on your paranormal outings, the readings will be relative to the actual field. Specifications: Range ~ 0-999 mG Frequency ~ non-frequency weighted Censor ~ 0 Ohm electrode attached to a velcro wrist strap Readout ~ 3 digit LCD screen with a red backlight Sensitivity ~ 1 mG Accuracy ~ uncertainty calculated to 99.75% confidence level (using standards traceable to NIST)

F.L.E.A – Fluctation Logging Environmental Array

With this sophisticated setup. An area can be monitored for multiple types of data simultaneously, without the presence of an operator. Data can then later be reviewed for anomalies, correlations and incosistancies. Data is generally gathered at 2 samples per 0.5 second, thus giving us a reading down to the 0.25 second.

EMF meters

Definitions:

EMF – Electromagnetic field
AC – Alternating Current (i.e.building wiring, etc)
DC – Direct current (i.e batteries,magnets, etc)
mg – milligauss
filtered – meter has been adjusted to ignore or tune out specific frequency ranges.
FP – False Postives. (A meter activation or anomaly that may appear paranormal, but is actually caused by an outside factor.)

Theories:

It has been theorized that ghostly beings are comprised of some form of energy that exists beyond the human body. Through the use of various EMF meters, we can test environments for unnatural EMF, and/or uncommonly charged areas

Gaussmaster

Function: Detects AC magnetic fields and any changes therein. Unfiltered.

PROS: This meter has an audible tone as well as a numbered scale readout. This is handy in dark areas as you can hear the meter activate, and don’t neccessarily have to be looking at it. The numbered readout allows you to apply a strength value to a field. This meter has two different settings for obtaining readings. Depressed mode – press and hold down the activate button. The meter will now be reading on 10 to 1 ratio. For example, if the scale reads 5 in depressed mode, the reading is actually 0.5mg . Undepressed mode – Press and release the activate button. The meter is now acting in 1 to 1 ratio (ie, 1 on the scale means 1 mg). Works well out of its recommended operating temperature range.

CONS: The meter does not have a constant on power source. It is either activated by pressing and releasing the button (1 to 1 ratio) or by depressing the button entirely (10 to 1 ratio). When the meter is activated by the press and release method (1 to 1), the unit will only be powered on for about 4 minutes. After the timeout period expires, the meter will turn off without notice. The scale readout is not backlit which makes seeing the readings in the dark difficult. This meter is also only single axis and very directional. One other flaw we have found is that the meter when built, has the output scale glued to the outside casing, but the interior board is somewhat loose, and moves a bit when the activate button is pressed, or the meter is jostled. Over time, this can cause the solder joint on the output scale to come free of the circuit board. Luckily this is easily repairable. This meter is somewhat susceptible to FP due to hand movement.

FT2000

Function: Is basically the exact same meter as the Gaussmaster with a few improvments.

PROS: Audio output jack has been added to be able to listen to the emf field via headphones. Led added to backlight the meter display.

Sperry 200A

Function: Detects AC magnetic fields and any changes therein. Somewhat filtered.PROS: This meter has a digital readout that leaves no guessing to the user. Also, this meters range starts at 0.1 without special settings or switches to set. This meter is also dual axis, thus monitoring more directions simultaneously. Being somewhat filtered, this meter will reduce most man made fields unless they are extermely strong. One power on switch stays on until turned off. Work well outside of its recommended operating temperature range.

CONS: There is no audible indicator builtin. Also there is no backlit display require a flashlight to be used to see the display. This meter is also very susceptible to hand movement.

Profi/Multidetector

Function: Detects AC and DC magnetic fields and any changes therein. Somewhat filtered.

PROS: This meter is small and lightweight. With different colored leds to indicate strength of field, this meter is easy to use in the dark. It is also equiped with an alarm tone once the reading maxes out the scale. Several switches and settings allow you to customize the meter for the specific anomaly you are searching for. It is switchable between Magnetic and electric fields making it more versatile than most handheld meters. Very stable, and not prone to hand movement FPs. This meter can also be set for sensitivity all the way down to 1/100th mg.

CONS: Unfortunatly, this meter has an antennae attached to the top. Walking around dark buildings lends the tendance to run into objects, and can bend and/or damage the anttenae. Also the activate button for this metere must be constanly held down. After many uses, the meter can become susceptible to FP reading from slight button movment. Also more difficult to store and transport due to antennae. Reports erroneously outside of its recommended operating temperature range.

Trifield Natural

Function: Detects AC and DC magnetic fields and any changes therein. filtered.

PROS: Great meter for tuning out man made sources. Can measure electric as well as magnetic, or both combined. Large meter readout make seeing the needle move more easily. Unique sound tone increases with strength increase. Runs well outside of is recommended operating temperature range.

CONS: Standalone unit only. This unit is not stable when in motion, and should not be operated as a handheld unit. No backlight to see the display in the dark.

EMF array

Function: Detects AC magnetic fields and any changes therein. filtered.

PROS: Bright multicolored led indicators increase with field strength. Extermely stable, not susceptible to hand movement FPs. Single on/off button make operation of this unit super simple. Great for nightshot video recording. Operates well outside its recommended operating temperature range.

CONS: No audible tone for output. Meter will not report any reading more precise than 1.0 mg (thus th whole 0.1 – 0.9 range is excluded).

Magnometer

Function: Detects DC magnetic fields and any changes therein. unfiltered.

PROS: Only detecs DC magnetic, thus eliminating AC from the equation. Single on off button operation makes it very easy to use. Audilbe alert on activation. Valume control for audible alert. Lighted alert indicator makes it easy to determine readings in the dark

CONS: No numbered meter display. Reading is an approximation in strength. Quick rotating, or bumping hand movement can cause FP readings.

Temperature Probes

Definitions:

IR – Infrared

F – Farenheit

FP – False Postives. (A meter activation or anomaly that may appear paranormal, but is actually caused by an outside factor.)

Theories:

It has been theorized that ghostly beings effect surround temperature in some fashion. Drawing heat from the air as an energy source, or producing heat as an emotional factor are a few common theories.

Infrared NonContact Probe

Function: Uses an infrared beam to bounce off a surface and determine temperature.

PROS: Easy point and shoot operation. Digital readout with backlight. Laser pointer is an optional feature that assists in seeing where you are pointing.

CONS: Susceptible to RF interference causing erratic readings. There is a common fallacy with the use of this meter. Many people think that whatever you point the laser at is what you are getting the temperature for. Cone effect – All Ir temp probes are subject to this, as the beam leaves the unit, the diameter of the test area increases 1 inch for each foot of distance. For example: If you are 1 foot away from a door and measure the temperature of the handle, this is sufficient as you will only be measuring a one inch circle on the door handle. Now assume you are 15 feet away, and point the laser at the door handle expecting to get the temperature of only the door handle, You are mistaken. At 15 feet away, the beams diameter is 15 inches which may include the door handle, part of the door, likely the jam as well, and even part of the wall. Then the temp probe will report the average temperature for that 15 inch diameter. Another problem with this meter is that generally we want to report the air temperature of an area, but this probe requires a surface to bounce off of. This is only reporting the temperature of that surface, and not the air temp.

Greenlee DM55 Multimeter

Function: This is a multimeter that has an attached temp prob.

PROS: Digital readout. Meter measure temperature at 2.5 times per second providing a quick response.

CONS: cumbersome probe attachement. Digital readout is not backlit.

Audio collection equipment

is essential in documenting paranormal events. Some of the equipment we use is pictured here. As you can see we are partial to digital formats, but also use Minidisc as well for experimentation. Pictured here (L to R) Zoom H2, RCA RP-5012B, RP-5022A, RP-5013A, and 2 Sony MZ-N707 minidisc recorders. While all recorders have their weak and strong points, the Zoom H2 is our audio powerhouse. With 4 channel recording up to 48khz 24bit response (96khz 24 bit stereo), this recorder can easily distinguish common noises from anomalous ones by sheer quality alone. Designed to record the nuances of live music events, the H2’s noise floor is much lower than common digital recorders.

ThermaCam B2 from FLIR systems

This unit contains an uncooled microbolometer (120×160) to paint a thermal image of the environment. This unit features temperature and dewpoint alarms, multiple color and b/w palettes, onboard image storage, and 45 degree wide angle lens. A thermal imager is useful in paranormal investigations in many ways, such as recording tactile-based temperature fluctuations, natural cold air intrusion in structures, and recording any free-air phenomenon (anomalous, or VOC emissions) that may block the transmissivity (radiated heat) from objects behind it. It also provides the ultimate in situational awareness regarding site intrusion from other people.

Geophone

This device contains a SM-7 micro geophone sensor. Even the slightest vibration causes the geophone sensor to create a voltage. This voltage then shows the magnitude of the reading via an LED readout. This unit is very sensitive, much more so than standard accelerometer based systems. Even the slightest touch on the casing or in the vicinity will cause an activation, so this can be very helpful in reaction/control experiments.

Moditronic Full Spectrum camera

This is a “full spectrum” digital video camera modified by Moditronics. This camera is based off of the SVP HD T-700 camcorder and records up to 1080p resolution. The camera has had the IR cut filter (hot mirror) removed and a special bandpass filter placed over the sensor. This allows the camera to see a portion of UV/A as well as near IR above 700nm.

Sony DSC-V-1

An older Sony digital, this one remains in use because of it’s dedicated niteshot mode for still pictures. This camera with the addition of a Hoya R72 infrared filter and a neutral-density filter has the ability to take stunning daylight IR only shots.

Minibox Classic 718

This device is used for subjective experimentation with audio ITC (Instrumental Transcommunication). This device emulates a “Frank’s Box” by providing a variable random and linear AM sweep. The raw audio is supposedly rearranged into meaningful messages. We are fully aware that the does not constitute objective research, but like psychic impressions, it does aid us in subjective study via experimentation. We do not employ this device on client-based investigations due to the subjective and sometimes unreliable nature of the information obtained.

Radio Shack Boundary Mic

This portable microphone is very sensitive and allows for omnidirectional recording. It is useful in analog or minidisc recordings, as it can be distanced from the recording device so as not to catch the sound of the internal mechanics. This microphone is also helpful in laptop based recording.

Full / Wide Spectrum CCTV camera

This camera is sensitive to wavelengths from 320nm to 1000nm (UV, Visible light, and near infrared). This camera allows for experimentation with various wavelength illumination and it is possible to filter by band so that we can experiment with different light bands and find out which yields the most results.

SecuMate portable DVR system

This small, battery powered DVR is SD card based and extremely portable. This is the unit used to capture video from the FLIR. It features 320×240 30fps NTSC recording with timestamp. This unit can also be configured for motion-activated recording.