Wiccan Road To Ghosts - Ghost Hunters Equipment

Equipment

Audio Enhancer With High Power Microphone

A device that enhances unexplained noises that occur at a haunted location is a valuable tool for ghost investigators. They are limited, however best used when the location is guiet and not in the middle of a lot of noisy, daily, and usual noises. Enhancers are attached to tape and digital records magnifying the sounds as they record them.

Computer software allows enhancing sounds in many ways and allow sounds not heard at the time of the recording. By speeding up or slowing down the sounds, subsonic or infrasonic sounds are heard when they are too low to hear under normal conditions.

Audio enhancers use a headphone and ultrasensitive microphone.

Barometer

Some ghost hunters believe that paranormal activity can affect barometric pressure so it may be useful to take one.

Batteries

It is said that a ghost hunters experience can be measured by how many extra batteries they carry to an investigation. Many are surprised when they see how equipment used to track ghosts go through batteries and how quickly they are drained in a haunted environment. Cameras, flashlights, meters, tape recorders, watches, meters and night vision scopes all use batteries for power.

As most investigators know, haunted area will drain a fresh battery within minutes and many investigators believe that ghosts use the power of the batteries to manifest. Stranger yet are the incidents where toys or electronic gadgets will work without batteries, even though batteries are required.

Alkaline batteries work in most battery operated units but may not be a good choice. They do not last long in cold weather and may die right away. Use them only as an emergency battery if you no other option. Alkaline batteries are primary batteries and not rechargeable. A rechargeable battery on the other hand has a lifetime of between 100 to 1,000 charge cycles depending on what material they are made of. When used in a digital camera, they will have from 500 to 800 charge cycles or about one to three years of average use.

NIMH batteries are nickel metal hydride and the most popular for digital cameras. They are rechargeable, non-toxic and inexpensive. They are designed to be used with power draining equipment so they give more pictures per charge and any other type of battery. This type of battery runs though three to six charge cycles before obtaining maximum power. The NIMH battery runs three to four times as long as an alkaline battery from a single charge. NiCd batteries are nickel cadmium and the most widely used in portable devises. They do well in low temperatures but their memory effect, like mine, need some work. They can be recharged quickly and last for hundreds of re-charges. Cadium is an expensive and toxic metal those producing these batteries cost more and there is a cost for disposal.

Do not mix rechargeable batteries of different types together in any one device. Attempting to recharge a battery that is not fully dead can result in not getting a full charge or not delivering the full capacity of the charge. When recharging a battery when it is only half empty, will only delivers a half charge. Potassium-hydroxide crystals that build up inside the battery cells cause a memory problem. This buildup interferes with the chemical process of generating electrons during the next battery use charge. To fix the problem, leave the camera and the LCD on to full discharge the batteries or utilize a battery charger.

Lilon, lithium ion, batteries are one of the new type rechargeable batteries. They last double the time of any NiMH battery and won’t loose their charge when stored. They also do not have any memory problems. However, they are harder to find that most other types of batteries.

In order to get the most from your batteries, keep them clean for that will allow a better connection to your camera. Batteries can be cleaned with an alcohol dipped and squeezed cotton swab. Never leave a battery on a charger for more than 24 hours for this will shorten the life of the battery. When using new batteries, break them in. Charging them to the max and then discharge them several time to attain their maximum capacity. Use the battery regularly at least one in every two to three weeks. Always charge your batteries in sets of two, always keeping at least one extra set with you, ready to go.

Battery manufacturers do not recommend freezing batteries. Freezing can cause the liquid electrolyte to freeze and stress and sometimes rupture the seals. Most batteries work between minus 40 degrees and 100 degrees Fahrenheit so a freez will have no impact on the batteries life span. Extremely high temperatures will have a negative affect so avoid storing batteries in direct sunlight. Store them in a cool, dry place and recharge them fully before using again.

Bells

Bell protect again evil and their ringing sends the negative vibrations or spirits away, if only momentarily.

Keeping with the protection numbers use 5, 7, or 9 small silver bells. Using incense, charge the bells with your spiritual petition, remembering "Harm None". Pass the bells though the smoke of the incense as you petition the bells to protect you and all those present from anything that is not for your Higher Good, keeping you from all negative entities. Hang the bells around the area you are investigating. If the bell should ring, it must be recharged before reused and will serve to tell you that a negative vibration has been encountered.

Black Plastic And Flour

This can be a bit messy but it is a way to capture the “fingerprints or footsteps of a ghost. Using a black plastic bag and cutting it into a square and sprinkling flour or some type of baby powder or talcum powder and placing it into a secluded area and asking the ghost to leave its mark.

Check before you leave the investigation to see if the powder or flour is disturbed. Just make sure everyone knows where the experiment is so no one accidentally steps on it.

Candles and Matches

Candles and matches are always good for a back up for it is a well-known fact among ghost investigators that batteries are drained, even new ones, when used in an area suspected of being haunted. Just make sure to use a candle container that will be safe and self-contained. A lantern with a wick would be a good selection

Carbon Monoxide Indicator

monoxide (CO is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. CO comes from appliances fueled with natural gas, liquefied petroleum, oil, kerosene, coal or wood or charcoal burning Leaving a car run also produces Carbon Monoxide. Over 200 people a year in the United States die from CO fumes. The symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to what some inexperience ghost investigators feel when they don’t protect themselves. The symptoms are: Headaches Fatigue Shortness of breath Nausea Dizziness and lightheadedness Plugging in a carbon monoxide meter will ensure that the area is safe especially if any of the occupants complain about the following symptoms.

Cell Phone

Cell phones are as common today as carry a wallet or a purse. Everyone has one and many people carry more than one. At least one member of the team should carry the cell phone in the operating position during a ghost tour but all others should make sure they are not disturbed or disturbing others during an investigation. For emergencies, the number of the phone carrier should be given to those who would have to reach you during any emergency at home. Cell phones can be used to reach investigation members before entering the investigation area. Directions and where are you calls are essential prior to arrival but once the investigation begins they should be turned off unless they are being used in the recording and picture taking mode for those who use the cell phone as their ghosting investigation evp and photo capturing. In case of a group emergency, a cell phone can summon the police, fire, or ambulance if needed.

Compass

All that glitters is not gold and not all hundred dollars tools are always the best. One good example is the use of a compass in lieu of an EMF meter. Compasses are inexpensive, easy to use and many people already have them in their cars. They are small and easy to carry and also easy to find which makes it a usable tool, especially for beginners. Avoid the electronic type and go for the Boy Scout version with a free floating, North pointing type.

The needle of the compass wills always point North. If the needle should point to any other direction, there is some kind of unusual energy field. If the compass is in the area of a vortex, the needle may spin wildly. Any form of unusual activity of the compass needle points to some type of paranormal activity.

Before jumping to the conclusion and yelling "ghost', look up and make sure you are not under electrical wires or standing in front of wiring that may be found in an appliance. We must rule out magnetized metal objects. When using the compass, line up North so that the point (usually a red point) is over the North arrow painted on the compass. Remember North is always North and will never change its direction. Expect the compass to move a little as you move around but the compass will always return to North.

It is important to remember to hold the compass as flat as possible and before getting to excited by a compass anomaly, make sure there is no explainable magnetic field around, above, or underneath you.

Over head or buried cables or electrical outlets can cause the compass to act erratically, but once all these factors are investigated and discarded, you can suspect that there is paranormal activity going on. Retrace your steps and see it repeats. Usually it will but then will move back to normal as the energy moves away. If the opportunity presents itself, recheck that same area another day and record your findings.

Control Item

There are many ways a control item can be set up but this one is the easiest and it is most likely you have everything in your ghost investigating kit already. Take a coin of any size and trace it on a piece of white paper. Leave it somewhere where it will not be disturbed. Examine it when you are packed up and ready to leave to see if the coin has been moved.

Take 4 or 5 pencils and lay them in a row, erasers all pointing in the same direction. Leave them somewhere where it will not be disturbed. Examine it

Digital Camera

If you don’t own a computer then owing a digital camera may not be of any value to you, but for those who use a computer, the digital camera is a must.

For those who take hundreds of pictures, the digital camera will save a small fortune for there is no film to buy, nor are there any processing costs. The pictures are immediate and ready to be enhance, enlarge or doctor. The pictures will last forever for there are no paper to deteriorate or negatives to fade. The storage of phographs requires minimum space.

Well so much for the upside, lets take a quick look at the downside. Digital cameras are usually more expensive and the one time expense of purchasing the data saver, cards, etc. will tape the wallet.

A film or photographic print has ten times the information as gathered with a digital camera. So if you are going to make enlargements, a 35 mm camera may be a better selection, but for the web and general pictures, the digital works great.

HOW CAMERAS WORK

Like a film camera they have five components.

Lens- A plastic or glass that collects light and focuses and image.
Aperature- An opening that control the amount of light that comes into the camera through the lens
Shutter- a device that opens and closes to control how long the film is exposed o the light.
Body- Plastic or metal casing to hold things together
Viewfinder- A glass frame that allow the photographer to see the picture he is about to take.

The difference between the film camera and the digital camera is how they capture the image. A film camera creates an image when light passes through a lens onto a film which is coated with light sensitive chemicals that react when the light strikes the film and creates an image. The image reacts to the chemical in developing and produces the image.

In a digital camera, the image is captured by the light-sensitive computer chip called an image sensor.. Chips are either CCD-( Charge coupled device) or CMOS,( Complementary metal oxide semiconductors). Most cameras today he CCDs but SMOS are getting more popular.

CMOS Mores susceptible to noise and small defects in images
CCD- Quieter

CMOS- Lower light sensitivity
CCD Sensors- high quality, low noise images

CMOC- Consume little power
CCD- Uses more power because of a special process that requires it.

CMOS- Chips are less expensive to make
CCD- Chips are more expensive to make

CMOS- Cameras cost less and have better battery life
CCD- High quality images with more pixels and superior light sensitivity.

WHAT IS A CHIP?

A chip has rows of tiny light sensors called photsites that capture the light and color, converts them into electrical charges where a processor inside your camera analyzes and translates the electrical charges into digital image data. The brighter the light, the strong the resulting charge will be.

WHAT IS A PIXEL?

Digital images are made of pixels. Pixel is short for picture cells or picture element. Each pixel is a tiny dot similar to that from the image n a television screen. The pixels blend together when viewed. When magnifying an image on a screen, the individual pixels appear.

The more pixels, the better the resolution. More is not always better. It depends on how you are going to use your camera. For a Web site or e-mail a resolution of 71-96 ppi is fine because most monitor can’t display any more pixels per inch. If you plan to print your images and looking for good quality picture, you will need a resolution of about 300 ppi.

RESOLUTION

Less than Two Mega Pixels-

Good for Web pictures and emails.
Indoor photos will be of lower quality.
Maximum resolution- 1.024 X 768.
Storage 4 MB.

Between 2 Megapixels and 3 Megapixels-

Camera will provide consistent image quality.
Good for outdoor and indoors.
Good selection of manual controls, including digital zoom.
More expensive.
Maximum resolution 1.600 x 1.200.
Storage 8 MB.

More than 3 Megapixels-

Extremely high quality images and extensive controls.
Exteremely expensive.
Optical zoom.
Maxium resolution 2.048 x 1.536.
Storage 8 MB.
Advanced manual controls.

MEMORY

Digital cameras come with memory used to store images. Most have a built in which is usually RAM (random access memory). Once the maximum of pictures are taken and the memory card filled, the camera will stop and will not work until the images are transferred to a computer.

Most cameras have removable media for image story. Insert a memory card or disk into a slot on the camera and you are back in business.

Electrical Car Power Inverter And Cables

When conducted an outside investigation especially in a cemetery or out on the desert, electricity is not always available to run investigating equipment. Electrical converters come in several sizes and are easy to transport. It converts the car’s electricity to the AC 110-volt needed to run our electrical equipment.

Electromagnetic Field Meter

In this writer's humble opinion, I believe too much emphasis is given to the EMF meters and its ready which many believe show a "ghost". Electromagnetic fields of many frequencies are very common and the fastest growing environmental influences, which expose most of the population and where they live and breath to varying degrees of EMF, which scientists say, will increase as our technology advances. We need to take a look at just what it is we are trying to measure and make our determination from that knowledge.

Where electric current flows, they create electrical fields. The stronger the current, the stronger the magnetic field. An electric field will exist even when the current is no longer flowing and when it does flow, will correspond in strength with the amount of current being used but the electric field itself will remain constant.

Where do electromagnetic fields come from?

The field may be natural or man-made.

Tell me about natural electromagnetic fields.

Electromagnetic field are everywhere in our world but invisible to the naked eye. They may be natural or man-made. They can be caused by the build up of electrical charges in the atmosphere that we associate with a thunderstorm and it’s lightning. The earth itself has a magnetic field which causes a compass needed to point North. Birds and fish use this navigation tool to find their way.

Tell me about man made electromagnet fields.

Electric magnetic fields come from X-ray machines, light sockets, electric wires, TV antennas, radio stations and cell phone towers just to name a few. Any electric appliance, fuse panel or machine puts out an electromagnet field.

What is the difference?

The difference between the electromagnetic field comes down to its frequency or wavelength. Different field frequencies interact with things in a different way.

I don't get it.

The best explanation was the one that illustrates the idea. If we tie a rope to pole and held the free end and moved the rope up and down slowly, we would generate a big wave. If we moved the rope faster the faster motion would generate a series of small waves. Because the length of the rope stays the same, just like when the current stays the same, the more waves we generate by moving the rope, produces a higher frequency and the smaller or slower waves will be the distance between the waves will be the shorter wavelength.

Ok, I kinda get that. How do they travel?

Particles called quanta carry these electromagnet waves. Shorter wavelengths cause high frequency. They have more energy than low frequency, because of their longer wavelength. Those electromagnetic field that are man made and come from microwaves, radio waves and electricity, are at the long wavelength and low frequency end of the electromagnet spectrum.

Why do they affect electric wires? Note: We are talking about an electrical field, not a magnetic field.

Any electric wire that is charged will produce an electrical field. The field will exist even though there is no current flowing. The higher the voltage, (the measure of an electrical field), the stronger the electrical field at a given distance from the wire. Electrical fields are strongest the closer they are to a charge or charged conductor. The further it moves awary, the weaker the field gets. Thus any building, trees, walls or other types of shield will reduce the force of the electrical field. If power lines are buried underground, there will be just a slight field and may be hardly detectable although present.

What is the difference between an electrical field and magnetic field?

Magnetic fields come from the motion of electric charges. In an electrical field, the magnetic field is present only when a divide is on and current is flowing. The electrical field is there even when the device is off. In a magnetic field, it exists when the device is on and the current is flowing. The higher the current, the greater the power of the magnetic field. Both fields are strongest closest to their origin and decrease as they move from the source. Magnetic field are not blocked by walls or building.

How do you measure these fields?

We measure electrical fields in Volts per meter and Magnetic fields in Amps.

Let me get this straight.

When I plug in an appliance, for example a lamp. The electrical wire goes into an outlet and creates an electrical field in the air surrounding the light. The higher the voltage, the stronger the electrical field. Because the voltage still exists even when the current is not flowing, the appliance can be off and still produce an electrical field in the room. On the other hand, when the electrical currents flows, it creates magnetic fields. So a magnetic field and electrical field exist in the room environment. The greater the current, the stronger the magnetic field. The electrical field around the wire to the lamp will cease when the appliance is unplugged but will still exist around the cable in the wall.

Can these fields make me sick?

Some people have an electrical hypersensitivity and report skin disorders or allergic reactions to EMF exposure. People may feel irritated, fatigued, dizzy, have headaches and feel nauseated. For years, people blamed ghosts for this feeling and bad energy fields when it was just the old EMF all along.

Can a human's aura set off an EMF meter?

The energy that surrounds the human body is so subtle that most meters will not pick it up although a TriField Natural EM Meter can pick up humans up to ten feet away. It can also pick up radio waves and microwaves.

Most investigators like the DC field detector although the AC work as well for locating "ghosts". AC is what come out of the wall sockets and natural fields are usually DC so the choice is yours. The biggest challenge is ruling out those fields that are either environmental or man-made.

EFM meters measure their readouts in "milliGauss". An average television gives off 7 milliGauss when measured a foot away. The milliGauss will not vary when they come from electrical appliances such as air conditioner, television, electrical plugs, etc. The closer you get, the stronger the signal will become.

Ghost energy will be erratic, changing and disappearing. When you detect what you think is ghost energy, follow it, and track its course. They may climb a wall getting high above your head or maybe they will disappear into a wall or closet. When using the EMF to track ghost, look for erotic fields of energy with no physical explanation. Ghost energy will move around an area and then disappear. When an unexplained energy source is found, it is the time to take photographs.

Hot spots sometime detected, after ruling out all of the natural and manmade fields, may be the product of geomagnetic activity which may be caused by a source like over head wires. This energy can be a source of energy to enable a ghost to manifest.

Electrostatic Generator

Assuming that it is true that ghosts use charges as building blocks to manifest, then enhancing the electrical environment should increase our chances of running into them, Using a Van de Graaff, Wimshurst/Bonetti or similar static electricity generator to pump ions into the atmosphere, which are the building blocks necessary for a ghost to manifest or create an n interactive, physical body can create this environment. The following questions were answered by William J. Beatty in 1998 on his Van de Graaff generator website. He explains that a Van de Graaff generator is a device designed to create static electricity and make it available for experimentation and for our use, manifest evidence of ghosts.

The Van de Graaff generator is made up of:

A motor
Two rollers
A belt
Two brush assemblies
An output terminal (usually a metal or aluminum sphere)

The lower roller (charger) begins turning the belt when we turn the motor on. The belt is made of rubber and the lower roller covered in silicon tape. The lower roller begins to build a negative charge and the belt builds a positive charge. You can understand why this charge imbalance occurs by looking at the turboelectric series: Silicon is more negative than rubber; therefore, the lower roller is capturing electrons from the belt as it passes over the roller. It is important to realize that the charge on the roller is much more concentrated than the charge on the belt. Because of this concentration of charge, the roller's electric field is much stronger than the belt's at the location of the roller and lower brush assembly. The strong negative charge from the roller now begins to do two things:

1. The electrons near the tips of the lower brush assembly are repelled. Metals are good conductors because they are basically positive atoms surrounded by easily movable electrons. The brush assembly has positively charged wire tips because the electrons moved away from the tips, toward the connection at the motor housing.

2. Stripped of their electrons, the nearby air molecules become plasma, the fourth state of matter. So free electrons and positively charged atoms of air existing between the roller and the brush. The electrons repel from the roller and attract to the electron less brush tips while the positive atoms attract to the negatively charged roller.

The positively charged atomic nuclei from the air molecules try to move toward the negatively charged roller, but the belt is in the way. So now the belt gets "coated" with the positive charge, which it then carries away from the roller.

As long as there is air between the lower roller and brush assembly, the Van de Graaff generator will continue to charge the belt. Theoretically, the Van de Graaff generator can continue to charge forever. Unfortunately, dirt and other impurities in the surroundings will limit the actual charge that develops on the sphere.

The belt is positively charged and rolling toward the upper roller and upper brush assembly. The nylon on the upper roller wants to repel the charge on the belt. The upper brush assembly connectd to the inside of the sphere and hangs near the upper roller and belt location. The electrons in the brush move to the tips of the wires because they are attracted to the positively charged belt. Once the air breaks down as before, the brushes attract the positive atomic nuclei of air. At the same time, the free electrons in the air move to the belt. When a charged object touches the inside of a metal container, the container will take all of the charge, leaving the object neutral. The excess charge then shows up on the outside surface of the container. Here, our container is the sphere. It is through this effect that the Van de Graaff generator is able to achieve its huge voltages. For the Van de Graaff generator, the belt is the charged object, delivering a continuous positive charge to the sphere. Before going on to build your own Van de Graaff generator, know that we use a neutral material for the upper roller. This makes the belt becomes neutral after the sphere sucks its excess charge away. Because I've used a nylon upper roller (which is positive on the triboelectric series), I cause the belt to actually deliver more positive charge and become negative. This is a technique used for doubling your current. The belt is positive on one side as it approaches the upper roller and negative on the other side as it approaches the lower roller.

Electrostatic Voltmeter

To solve a particular problem of static electricity, generally only one type of measurement from the list below is needed, but this electrostatic voltmeter is capable of making all these types of measurements:

The amount of charge (or voltage) on surfaces.
Net number (per cm2 per second) of air ions that are hitting a surface.
DC Electric field strength in air (also AC if you use your own multimeter or oscilloscope).
Approximate conductivity of surfaces.
Effectiveness of ionizers for discharging surfaces (measures both the speed of discharge and residual voltage).
Approximate attractive/repulsive force between charged surfaces.
Voltage differential through the thickness of an insulating sheet or film.

This meter has a high-resolution 4½ digit display that can resolve the difference, for example, between 19142 and 19143 volts, which allows precise measurements of charge buildup while buildup is happening. The typical maximum error is +/-2% of the reading, but the meter can still measure much smaller relative changes. This meter also includes a charge plate detector and charging source, along with a grounding cable, and a one-inch spacer rod to standardize n Missing

Facemasks

Facemasks are always a good thing to keep in your ghost investigating tool chest. More than once you will find yourself in a dirty, spider web covered basement walls and ceiling and with several people moving about on dusty floors, the air quickly becomes dust filled and unhealthy to breath.

Mask also come in handy when conducting an outdoor investigate, especially in the desert states where a dust storm can come up in a minute making the air, dangerous to breath.

A facemask is always handy when stuck in a closed area with someone who is coming down with a bad cold or the flu. They don’t cost much and don’t take up much room.

First Aid Kit

Attending to scrapes and cuts received while climbing in and out of windows and scrambling around the cactii for those who live in the desert, all require an occasional first aid treatment. A well stock first aid kit should be within easy reach. Choose containers for your kits that are roomy, durable, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or containers for storing art supplies are ideal, since they're lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space.

First-aid manual
Sterile gauze
Adhesive tape
Adhesive bandages in several sizes
Elastic bandage
Antiseptic wipes
Soap
Antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)
Antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Tweezers
Sharp scissors
Safety pins
Disposable instant cold packs
Calamine lotion
Alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
Thermometer
Plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)
Mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)
Emergency phone numbers
Blanket (stored nearby)

Flashlight

When working in the dark, trying to set up or adjust equipment, there is no substitute for a flashlight. Keep a small one in your pocket and a larger, bright light one for use if necessary to find your way around. Bring extra batteries for haunted places have a way of draining them.

Often we find ourselves wanting to peer through the dark into windows or into the far recesses of a spooky basement. Nothing works better than a flashlight.

A hands-free one, such as one the miner’s use, gives you two hands to work with without jeopardizing the light factor.

Painting a coat of red fingernail polish on the lens or using a red cellophane provides a dinner light and will. take less time for your eyes to become adjusted. Should you encounter an apparition, those seconds can mean the difference between seeing or not seeing.

Night Vision equipment, or other invisible-light detection equipment is required to make use of an IR light. These pieces of equipment are special purpose items commonly found for use in military and law enforcement applications, by scientists, photographer, commercial/industrial equipment manufacturers, as well as in video cameras made for IR us and have recently entered into the land of ghost investigators.

Film Camera

Whether we are a die-hard, film based camera fan or converted to the digital camera benefits, each have a place in a ghost investigation. Just make sure you have enough film or digital card memory.

What are the benefits of the film camera over the digital camera?

The viability of film is everywhere where it may not be quite too easy and inexpensive to pick up a memory card. There are some who feel the resolution on a film camera can't not be beat. Films give us the greater sensitivity to light, which allows a better chance of shooting a good picture even with low light. Film cameras provide a faster shutter response than the digital allowing for better sport and action pictures. Because of the variety of lenses on film comers, we can be very creative with the pictures we take. There is no delay in the film camera as the refresh rate required by the digital to clear the image sensor, resetting the white balance to correct the color, resetting the exposure and last refocusing the image. It also takes a moment to set up the flash.

What kind of film should I have in my camera?

The choice between a black and white film and color is simply a matter of choice and availability. The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) rates the image sensors and the film speed. Numbers run from 100, 200, and 400. The higher the number, the more sensitive the film is to light. For best results us a film no less than 200 and if possible get the 800 although the pictures will appear grainy.

Tell me about infrared film

Many unexpected results come from this light sensitive film. Some of the longer length infrared we cannot see with the naked eye. However, it will and can be captured the unexpected on film, excellent for ghost investigating.

when you are packed up and ready to leave to see if the pencils have been moved.

If any of the items are disturbed you can be fairly sure, assuming no human touched them, that there is some paranormal activity going on.

Head Sets

Staying in touch during an investigation is vital and using a head set for communication works better than the two way radio because they allow you to keep your hand free for other tasks. Headsets cost between 30-80 and some work up to 100 yards, perfect for investigations.

When operating as a team of three or more people, headset communicators are useful for staying in contact when spread out. Headset communicators, unlike their counterpart the walkie talkie allow the user to have their hands free to use other equipment such as cameras.

Infrared lluminator

Infrared illuminated can be used indoors or outdoor during a ghost investigation. It is used in combination with a camera in low-light or complete darkness. They are best used mounted on a tripod for easy movement. Some units can cover an area of up to 98 feet and come with a power on and off switch. When using outside, be sure to use a suitable outdoor power supply.

Infrared Digital Camera

One of the first lessons which seem to escape many ghost investigators is to ask permission before approaching a spirit. This sign of respect suggest that the entity has some measure of control over the circumstances. It seems to make a difference. When we are ready to take a picture with a digital camera, we have some degree of infrared for the digital camera only sees into the "near infrared" realm. This is the portion of the spectrum closest to visible light.

Infrared radiation has a longer wavelength (lower frequency) and lower energy than light from the visual light spectrum. We can photograph the spectral range from 700 to 1350 nanometers, but conventional cameras are limited to the range of approximately 700 to 925 nanometers. Its name comes from the Latin, infrared, meaning below red. It has wavelengths between 750 nm and 1 mm. In an infrared camera, infrared filters and sometimes-infrared blockers capture the near-infrared spectrum. You can take good ghost pictures, with or without a flash. We must consider the resulting flares caused by the flash when anomalies on our photographs appear.

A good system is to have the shooter say "flash" before taking a picture to warn other photographers of the forthcoming flash of his camera. These flares emanate from white or reflective objects and can be mistaken for ghostly images. Raindrops, fog or dust that is close to the camera lens also reflects light.

Avoid taking a flash picture when others are taking pictures for it will give some strange optical effects. Cigarette smoke is death anywhere near a ghost investigation for that will also leave strange mists or fogs. Even one's breath in cold weather can leave unusual results which is mistaken for something paranormal in nature.

Infrared Light Bulb

Light is a form of energy released by an atom; the lightbulb takes advantage of this fact. It uses many small particles like packets that have energy and momentum but no mass. These particles are light protons and the most basic units of light.

When the electrons get excited, the atoms release the light photons. When electrons are the negatively charged, particles that move around an atom's nucleus (which has a net positive charge). An atom's electrons have different levels of energy, depending on several factors, including their speed and distance from the nucleus. Electrons of different energy levels occupy different orbitals. Generally speaking, electrons with greater energy move in orbital farther away from the nucleus. The movement of electrons expresses the change, when an atom gains or loses energy. When energy passes on to an atom, an electron is temporarily boosted to a higher orbital (farther away from the nucleus).

The electron only holds this position for a tiny fraction of a second then immediately, drawa back toward the nucleus, its original orbital. As it returns to its original orbital, the electron releases the extra energy in the form of a photon, in some cases a light photon. The wavelength of the emitted light (which determines its color) depends on how much energy is released, which depends on the particular position of the electron. Consequently, different sorts of atoms will release different sorts of light photons. In other words, the type of atom excited determines the color of the light. Metal atoms release mostly infrared light photons, which are invisible to the human eye if they are heated to a high enough level -- around 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees C) in the case of a light bulb -- they will emit a good deal of visible light.

Infrared Meter

An infrared meter is a handheld meter displaying levels of infrared activity, which allows photographs of this invisible energy. Unfortunately they also pick up energy from humans, animals and sources of heat up to 150 feet away. Hunters use the to find downed game making them available at any sporting goods store or on-line catalog.

Infrared Thermal Scanner

The use of a scanner saves on infrared film but pin pointing the cold spots. NFRA-SCAN METER (THERMAL SCANNER) This scanner has been used to detect fevers in airline passenger and has been taken over by the ghost investigators. This smaller version of the more high-tech thermal scanner above offers ghost hunters the chance for remote temperature sensing at half the price! This meter is perfect for indoor or outdoor use for quick and simple temperature measurements using a technique called radiation thermometry. This allows accurate measurement of surface temperatures without contact. Small temperature changes can be easily measured. Measures temperatures from -5°F to 572°F up to ten feet away with single button operation. No ghost hunter should be without this kind of meter! One of the most affordable on the market and sells for $49.95

Ion Generator

Most ghost investigators believe that the manifesting of a ghost depends on the electrostatic charge in the area. Following this train of thought, anything that will break up the natural electrical bonds, putting ions into the air, should increase the ghost's ability to materialize. An ion generator will provide the building blocks on which a spirit can climb in order to manifest. This machine is only for indoor use for it only affects a confined space. It may not create new activity but it may heighten any activity already taking place.

For two of the best generators to use if you are in the market are the Van de Graaff and the Winshurst/Boetti machines. When placed in a suspected haunted area, each of them pours hundreds of thousands of volts into the air. An ion counter measures the positive and the negative ions in the air. The presence of ghosts will produce a higher number of positive ions because of the electromagnetic discharges they produce.

For those interested in the technical aspects of these generators, the Van de Graaff is a metal ball that rests on top of an insulted base. A belt runs inside and builds up positive charges that emanate from the ball. The Winshurst/Bonetti is the better of the two because it produces more power. By attaching a metal nail or needle to the electrodes, it facilitates the easy in which the ions pour into the air. They move easily from a sharp point. Using a dehumidifier in a room before an investigation draws the moisture out of the air and allows the ion to produce more effectively rather than escape into the air's moisture. Remember, the stronger the field, the drier the air and the better the condition for a manifestation.

Mirrors

Experience ghost investigators will tell you that alot of spritual activity takes place around mirros, expeciall where two mirrors face each other. Experts feel it is because the morrors reflect electromagentic energy and that they create a highly pinpointed ray of energy that enable a ghost to appear. It is my personal opinion that although this is possible, there is another possibility that when the mirrors face each other they create an infinity mirrow which is the bounching back and forth of its own reflection which crcreates a tunnel of light which is an electromagnetic energy. Since light and ghosts are made of the same electromagnetic energy, it creats a vortex, a tunnel though which ghosts can enter our material dimention. Two 9" x 12" mirrors are easy to carry and will work fine in creating the vortex.

Motion Detector

Originally a tool to detector intruders and activity in a control area, the motion detector has become a tool in the ghost investigator's toolbox. Infrared radiation detects the motion of warm bodies.

The portable Motion Sensor uses advanced technology to detect intruders and activity in a controlled area: 110° horizontal view, 20° vertical view up to 30 feet from unit. Completely self-contained and portable, the Portable Motion Sensor operates on 2 standard AA batteries. The motion detector can be mounted on a wall, floor or ceiling, or simply placed on a tabletop.

Night Vision Scope

This device is similar to combining a video camera with a night vision scope and allows the recording of light not normally visible to the naked eye. A good investigative tool today but in the beginning, the scope was used by hunters and for surveillances. Now it has crossed over to the world of ghost investigations. It allows one to see in the dark without polluting the area with light. The scope allows a look into the world of the ultra red.

The better your device, the greater your vision. The higher the generation number the better the scope. Generation 3 is the best at this time but Generation 4 is just around the corner. Regardless of what generation you use, they will allow a look into the otherwise invisible beam of infrared energy that comes off of a television or VCR remote control. The higher quality ones will see heat energy rising off of an object. Models are usable indoors or out in dark conditions but in order to protect the optics, never used in bright light. If the scope is not marked it is probably a generation 0. Most ghost investigator go the distance and buy the best for they for only the high end models work well for spectral observation.

Notebook And Clipboard

Out of all the equipment one might take to an investigation, none is more important than a notebook and pen. Be prepared and bring a clipboard because there is not always something to write on and a clipboard is always convenient and a good way to keep your forms and information together. Be organized before you arrive at your destination. Write down each known detail before you arrive, almost like you were ready to write a story. If it is a private home, note the owner's name, address, phone number, and email address.

Note the name of the persons residing in the home and their approximate age, paying particular attention to the sex and ages of children. Describe the house or building and make a layout drawing. Be sure to record the time of arrival and the time of departure, along with the date and year. This should be done before any witness statements are given. Don't think you can remember the details for after several dozen investigations, it is almost impossible. It is best to use a form so all of the important data is recorded.

Pendulum

Begin by holding the pendulum with the hand that you write with over the open palm of the other. Clear your mind and remain quiet. Wait for the movement of the pendulum. The pendulum may move from side to side, front to back, or in a circle. The movement may be slow at first but will increase in speed as you work with it.

Once movement is achieved, hold the pendulum and ask it either aloud or silently to show you what will be your “yes”. Record this and then ask what will be your “no”. Record this also in your metaphysical journal. You may be wondering what the third movement means and that is a logical question. The third answer will mean that “ the question is not clear” or that “it is none of your business”.

Once you have established your answers, begin with simple questions before jumping into the more difficult question. A good question is to ask about your family or your job. Questions whose answers are those which you know. The more you work with the pendulum, the more comfortable you will become and after time, you will begin to rely more and more on the information you receive from your pendulum.

As you use your subconscious mind put your conscious mind away. Avoid thinking about the question and the answer and let the pendulum do its magic. Our subconscious mind knows all the answers so we need to train our mind to get out of its own way.

Road Maps

Know before hand exactly where you are going. Map Quest is only one of the on-line tools that will make sure you get where we are headed to avoid valuable time being lost because we are lost.

Rods

Notice the energy coming from the hands

The rods used in ghost research and investigations are a "knock off" of the old dowsing rods or divining sticks used in the days of old to find water.

How do the rods work?

No one really knows for sure but many dowsers feel there is a psychic thread that connects the dowser to the earth and everything in-between. This is due to the energy field that surrounds all things, both living and inanimate. Using concentration, the dowser is able to translate the energy or the vibration of that being sought as it moves through the rods and into their hands. The rod strictly acts as an amplifier or antenna which highlights the energy field.

Can anyone use the rods and make them work?

Anyone can use the rods and like all other psychic abilities, it intensifies with practice. The rods can tell which direction should be taken to find an object or a spirit energy. The rods can answer "Yes" and "No" questions such as " Is this the vitamin I should be taking", or "show me which are of this cemetery is most active." When an answer is received, it is like an electrical signal received and transmitted through the stick and into the hands of the dowser, not unlike a lie detector used by law enforcement agencies. The difference is that the dowser taps into powerful intuition which everyone possesses rather than electrical charges. The results can be the same. A pendulum works on the same premise.

Using the right concentration, the right intent and focus will bring a right response. It is by using it that skill is acquired. When muscles become attuned with the rods, the body and the rods will work together with great accuracy and great speed.

What will rods help me find?

Rods can be used to find water, minerals, lost items, unseen energies, metals including pipes, electrical courses and unmarked graves, among other things.

What can the rods tell me?

Rods can reveal whether the body in an unmarked grave is male or female.Rods can answer any question that can be done with a yes or no answer. If the dowser is well versed in the use of their rods, various systems can be employed to answer any type of question from giving numbers and giving names, dates, etc. The rods can tells us the right way to turn when looking for directions.

Where can one find rods?

Rods are found on E-Bay or they can easily be made out of a coat hanger or any type of metal rod. It was once believed that the rods had to be brass but experience has taught us that any form of metal can be used successfully.

Tell me how to make the dowsing rods. After cutting off the hanger hook, cut all remaining three side in halves. This will require three cuts. The shorter of the pieces will be the handle. For each piece into an L-shape. This will make three rods, one extra to lend to a friend.

To form the sleeves on the handles, a plastic tube used in toilets can be found inexpensively in the plumbing department. Cut them to fit. A plastic straw can be used although they don't hold up as well. After putting on the sleeves, use a vice to make an L-shape on the bottom of the handle to prevent the sleeve from falling off. Using a sleeve insures that the rods will turn without being touched by the dowser.

Does size matter?

Size has no barring on the accuracy of the rods. Small rods do have the benefit of being easier to carry or slip through a belt loop and easily fit into a purse.

Now that I have the rods, what do I do?

The answer to this question is to use them. Holding the rods as you would a six-shooter, hold the rods comfortably from the waist. Hold them loosely and allow the rods to move freely. Realize that the wind and air-conditioning can move the rods. They may move because of electrical currents and underground pipes.

Work with your rods to establish a "yes" answer and then asking them to show you a "no" answer. They way the rods work may vary from person to person. "Yes" may be that the rods cross and "no" may be that the rods open up.

Taking a page from the Spiritualist, always ask the rods for permission to ask questions whenever dealing with spirit no matter what device you choose to use. It may be that the questions we ask, are questions that we have a right to ask and the answer may be "none of our business".

Where do the answers come from?

The answer to this question is one that may never get answered scientifically. Some feel we use our intuition and that all answers come from our "Higher Self". Others feel it is the energy and electricity that produce electrical impulses which manifest as thoughts in our mind.

When will the rods not work?

When will the rods not work? When greed is involved, the rods will not co-operate. We much have proper intent and motivation for success. If the rods act in an unusual way, it is time to reconsider our questions or perhaps the answer is not a "yes" or "no" question.

Case in point. When working with Sprout and Scott, from Peaceriver Ghost Trackers, Jessie and Lori from the South Fl Ghost Trackers, we had such an experience. We were near Cedar Key, Florida, looking for the cemetery for the Rosewood murders. We drove down a two-tire track road and stopped to use the rods for direction. No matter who used the rods, they spun wildly, around and around. We found later that the entire area was filled with unmarked graves. The rods were not telling us yes or no, but they were telling us the cemetery was "all around".

History of the rods.

Tracing the history of the rods takes us back to the time of Moses and his divining rod. In China, the rods were used to discern and avoid negative energies in the environment, both above and below the ground. Today this has been taken a step further and called the practice of Feng Shui. Dowsers have been a part of the States since the early days of the pioneers as finding water was vital to their survival.

Split Screen-Quad Splitter

This enables the investigator to watch four camera outputs at one time. Connects up to four cameras for split screen viewing and plugs into any TV, VCR or Monitor. Comes with four audio and video inputs and easy to install. Even comes with a on screen menu for easy programing, completes itself with AC adapter and A/V cable.

Strobe Light

A strobe light is a tool used in ghost investigating which simulates the shutter of a camera. The strobe light allows seeing things that usually would be moving too fast for the mind to perceive. Most believe manifesting apparition function on a much higher vibration than those on the physical plane.

The faster the strobe light, the more effectively it works in ghost investigations. Researchers are leading toward the opinion that the strobe exercises the eyes and make them more capable of seeing an apparition. This is particularly true when seeing “shadow people” only seen with peripheral vision seen out of the corner of the eye.

Tape or Digital Recorder & Microphone

Tape records have several uses when doing a ghost investigation. They can be used to record witnesses and occupant's interviews, to record stories shared by those acquainted with the site, to record the results of a circle following an investigation and to communicate with spirit through a method called an EVP. The initials stand for an "electronic voice phenomenon."

Most experience investigators know that an external microphone is best so the mechanical and internals sounds of the recorder will not interfere with what we are trying to record. It is always best to have more than one audio tape recorder so that we can compare findings.

Few people realize that Thomas Edison was the first to introduce the concept of the EVP in the last days of his life when he realized he was looking death in the face. Wanting to prove an afterlife, he locked himself in a room and experimented with a form of the phonograph, which he had invented earlier. He would ask questions and wait for an answer. He was amazed that he was able to capture voices other than his own which he called "spirit voices".

Although humans hear sound waves in the 20 to 20,000 Hertz, extremely low frequencies of from 30 to 300 Hertz capture EVPs. This range makes it impossible for humans to hear. To determine the spectral range of a recorded or live sound wave, there are numerous omputer software programs. Cool Edit is one of the best.

A voice activation mode is the best used to eliminate alot of dead space. The digital recorders all come with this plus and they actually work better in the voice activation mode.

There are several ways to make an EVP. One is to sit in a circle following the investigation and each member of the group shares what they saw, heard, or felt. Many times, a spirit voice will respond such the ghost that attended a circle after a ghost investigation at a private home in Warren, Michigan. A circle sitter said, " I was getting very hot", and when the tape was replayed, the pause after that statement was a woman's voice that replied, " I am cold". Three recorders recorded the same voice at the exact same spot of each of the tapes replayed.

Some ghos investigators like to walk around with their tape recorder asking questions and then pausing for a response. Some like to set down the recorder and microphone and let it run hoping for spirit communication. Again, my experiece with this method was in a Michigan cemetery where we left a microphone and tape recorder on a tombstone. When the investigation was over and the tape reviewed, a distinct voice said, "help me". Blew me away. Be sure to record the date, time and location before beginning each recording. A good ghost investigator keeps good and complete records.

All those present at the cemetery, knew that no one alive had gone anyway near that tombstone and that the recording was not man-made. This EVP can be heard on the EVP section of this web site.

35mm Camera

Prior to the advent of the digitial camera, the 35 mm SLR camera is probably the most popular type among people interested in taking photographs. Available in various sizes, large, complicated a simple “point and shoot” 35 mm camera, sometimes small enough to fit in purse or pocket, replaces bulky cameras and all the necessary equipment.

SINGLE LENS REFLEX SYSTEM (SLR)

If you are looking for something a little more challenging, the SLF camera has many advantages, one being the change of lenses which enables the selection of the perfect lens for the shoot.

By looking through a viewfinder, you are looking through prisms and mirrors and through he lens. The shutter trips and the mirror moves out of the way. The result, the object projected on the film is a reflection of what appears through the viewfinder. Look through a different lens and a different picture appears.

The "35 millimeter" refers to the width of the film. It's certainly possible to make an SLR camera that shoots different-sized film, but they are fairly rare.

The Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras usually do not have a sensor as big as 35- millimeter film, but most use the same lenses.

ADVANTAGES OF SLR CAMERA

Systems can be changed with a snap of a lens from Micro to Macro in seconds.
Upgrading is easy. If a fantastic new camera body comes out, you can replace your old one, and all your old lenses will continue to work.
Backup is easy with a second body; only your pocketbook limits you in a lifetime picture with no worries about camera failure.
Equipment quality is available- If you can afford it, you can have it. With the point and shoot what you get is all you have, no options.

There are some disadvantages as well:

DISADVANTAGES OF SLR CAMERA

SLRs will be heavier and bulkier than the point-and-shoots.
SLRs will probably cost a bit more.
Most point-and-shoots are optimized so that any idiot can use them. This is not necessarily true for SLRs.

USING YOUR CAMERA

Check the camera for cleanliness and battery freshness.
Clean camera.
Replace battery, if required.
Set the ISO dial to correspond with the ISO rating of the selected film.
Open the film back and insert the film, with the leader on the bottom.
Be sure to engage the film sprockets so that the film winds correctly on the empty right-hand spool.
Close the film back.
Trip the shutter release and wind the film until it indicates the first frame in the frame counter.
Assess local conditions
Set the shutter speed for the desired speed of exposure.
Select the proper lens and place it on the camera body clicking it into place.
Look through the lens at a subject for a test meter reading.
Pushing the shutter release button partially down produces a meter reading in the eyepiece without tripping the shutter.
If you are not manually operating the camera, set the camera to the automatic mode by placing the “A” on the lens aperture ring across from the aperture indicator mark.
Expose the film.
Make sure to wind to the next frame after each exposure so that you are always ready to shoot.
Depress the film release button before rewinding exposed rolls of film back into their canister.
Open the film back to remove the film. 7-21.

SIZE AND WEIGHT

These are some of the most important camera features. If your camera is too big or too heavy you will not bother to have it with you. Think before you buy your camera; do you need one you can carry in a pocket or handbag, or will you be happy to carry a more capable but larger or heavier model.

FILM TYPES

All 35mm cameras use any film made in that format, including color negative and slide films, and black and white films. Take care when using slide film and avoid cameras with little or no exposure control.
There are a few very cheap cameras taking 120 film (and older models found in junk shops) which use a red window on the camera back to wind the film to the correct position. These give light leakages with color films, and not usable with the double length 220 films.

Thermometer Infrared And Laser

Some of the following information comes from the American Laboratory magazine, November 2000 written by Pete Garite and Kathy Klein, Cole Parmer Insturment Company.

One of the phenomena ghost hunters love to find is a cold spot. These are isolated and self-contained patches of cold air without any explanation. A subject may feel cold when ions brush their skin and not everyone may feel cold at the same time. A person's interpretation of cold is subjective at best. Body temperature can vary with fear or stress resulting in the chills. Ghost investigators believe when a ghost manifests, it draws energy from whatever is available and when they take this energy in form of heat in the air, the result is a cold spot or a hot spot. The best meters to measure this temperature change are the infrared thermometer. To display the temperature of the object or area, the trigger is pulled.

The IR thermometer comes in various shapes, sizes and functions but all have several advantages over the previous surface temperature measurement techniques. One of these advantages is the no contact measurement capability at various distances. They feature high accuracy, a wide measuring range, and a fast response time.

To understand the benefits of IR thermometers, it is important to understand how they function. All objects emit IR energy. The hotter an object is, the more active its molecules are, and the more IR energy it emits. Optics located inside an IR thermometer collect the infrared energy emitted by an object and focus the energy onto a detector. The detector then converts the energy into an electrical signal, which is amplified and displayed as a temperature reading.

The greatest advantage of IR thermometers is the ability to take temperature measurements of hot, hazardous, or hard-to-reach objects without contact. With standard IR meters, measurements from within a few inches to approx. 10 ft from the object are possible. IR thermometers come with lasers, which help the user define the area they are measuring. Units with Class II lasers use less than 1 mW of power and measurements up to 50 ft from the object are possible. Units with Class III lasers use less than 5 mW of power and can take measurements up to 100 ft away. Most IR thermometers are limited to a measuring distance of approx. 100 ft due to atmospheric considerations. However, even with their limitations, IR thermometers still surpass standard thermometers regarding the distance from the object that is necessary for temperature measurement.

IR thermometers come in multiple styles ranging from portable, handheld instruments to permanently mounted in-line units. Handheld meters are usually gun-shaped with triggers, making them easy to handle and aim. IR thermometers are highly accurate compared to other temperature measurement methods. Most IR meters operate in an accuracy range of ±1.0-3.0% of reading, while thermocouple probes have an accuracy of ±1.8-7.9 °F, plus the uncertainty of the meter to determine overall system accuracy.

Another common feature of an IR thermometer is a large temperature range. With thermocouple thermometers, the type of meter and probe being used limits measuring range. For example, a standard type T meter has a measuring range up to 400°C. If measuring higher temperatures, the user needs to switch the meter and probe. With IR thermometers, basic units can measure up to 538°C, while specialized IR meters can take readings up to 3000°C IR thermometers also reduce the long response times typical of meter/probe systems. It is not uncommon to have to wait 30 sec or more when taking a surface measurement with a conventional surface probe. Basic IR thermometers feature response times as low as a half a second. Users simply aim and shoot to receive almost instantaneous readings.

Although there are many benefits of IR temperature measurement, there are also a few disadvantages. It is difficult to take temperature measurements of reflective surfaces using IR thermometers. They pick up both emitted and reflected energy unless they adjusted to read only the emitted energy. Adjustments to account for emissivity of certain materials, found in published tables, will ensure accurate measurement. In addition, measuring an object through glass generally gives the surface temperature of the glass, unless the glass is made of a special IR transmitting material such as germanium. IR thermometers offer flexibility, ease of use, and improved performance over conventional probe and meter systems. There are IR thermometers available to fit just about any application. With specialized meters for applications ranging from measuring thin-film plastics to monitoring temperatures in hazardous locations, IR technology is the ideal solution for surface temperature measurement challenges.

How do they work?

Because all object emit an infrared energy, the hotter an objectt is, the more infrared energy it sends out.An infrared thermoter houses optics that collect the radiant infrared energy from the oject and focuses it onto adetector which converts the energy into an electrical signal which is amplied and displayed.

How fast do they record the temperature?

The infrared thermometer takes only 0.5 second, much faster than most thermometers.

How far can I be from the target?

Most IR thermometers have a range of 100 feet depending at atmospheric conditions.

3-D Camera

Catching a ghost on file is always an excitement, but because of the ease in which we can now alter the pictures, ghosts are hard to prove. They are not scientific proof unless one can examine the negative or original digital card. The products taken with a 3-D camera escape this scrutiny. On a regular camera, the image appears on a flat photographic paper and it is impossible to tell exactly how far the object photographed is from the lens of the cameras. 3-D pictures eliminate this question for their photographs duplicate exactly what the human eye sees. It takes two pictures of the same object from slightly different perspectives and displaying a single, depthful image when combining the two images. The 3-D photographs require viewing with a special viewer.

Placing two cameras side by side and snapping them both at the same time can have the same effect. The camera lenses should be 6.5 cm apart, each slightly tilted toward the photographed object. When using a 3 D Camera, we cannot blame reflections when we capture mist in a picture. Things we can not see before, we now see with the infrared and ultraviolet realms. They give us that look in the world where ghosts live.

Tone Generator

The tone generator produces a sound at a specific hertz. You can find these sounds in any number of simple, inexpensive software programs. These programs allow you to generate a number of sounds with varying ranges. Cool Edit audio software from www.CoolEdit.com is a good one to check out. According to Joshua P. Warren, a leading authority in ghost investigation, there may be a correlation between ghost manifestations and "standing sound waves". He explains it this way, "When a tone is broadcast in a room, it reflects from its surroundings and ultimately converges at one area where the sound is concentrated. This spot is an invisible pool of energy that forms a pattern, oscillating at a particular, harmonic frequency, called a "standing wave".

If its frequency is closer to that of a spirit's body, it may indeed affect materialization in the same way. We can create these waves, with ordinary devices such as a ceiling fan. Any device that produces a sound at regular intervals may produce a manifestation.

Tripod

Pictures taken with a tripod are always going to bring better results than a picture taken with a hand held camera. With the tripod there is not chance of camera movement which results in dubious effects.

When working with a film based camera, any time the shutter speed is slower than l/focal-length of the lens, a tripod is necessary. If you use a too long exposure time without a tripod, the photo will appear to be blurry. Longer lenses may magnify the object but will also magnify and movement of the camera.

For example, by not holding your breath but rather slowly exhaling while taking a photo you will cause less camera shake. Also, by firmly supporting both arms by your torso, the camera steadier.

If enlargements are the goal, use of a tripod is required for the enlargement will amply camera vibrations.

When purchasing a tripod, consider the weight and ease of use. Some heads require much ado and others are easy with quick releases.

Two Way Radios

When traveling in a caravan to an investigation or any kind of a trip, the convenience of the two-way radio can't be beat. Even during an investigation over a large area, the two-way radio allows a group to keep in contact and to reach each other quickly in case of emergency or some paranormal activity. The only concern to is make sure that the radio waves generated by the radios does not interfere with other pieces of investigative equipment that may measure radio waves. On occasion, ghosts communicate over these two-way radios.

Video Camera - Monitor

Video cameras are great to filming complete investigation which can be reexamined any time the need arises. If lucky enough, a video is great documentation of the visual sighting of a ghost.

Video camera, because they use a CCD makes them sensitive to the near infrared realm. Some video cameras are better than others, the Sony Digital Handycam for one.

For best result, increase the chances of capturing a ghost on film and get a video that also has night vision. This will allow the film to go deeper into the infrared realm. All video’s have this capability but in many cases, the manufacturer puts a filter over the lens to make sure the imagery seen by the human eye is not distorted. Some cameras have a switch that controls this factor.

IVI

Another not so well known use for the video camera is to film an I VI, Infinite Video Imaging. Although a bet controversial, it is worth a try. All it requires is a video came, television and a VCR and a haunted location.

Hook up the video camera ‘s audio- video output into the andio-video input on the back of the television. Connect the video camera’s output to the VCR's input. What ever you point the camera to will appear on the television screen.

Once done, turn the camera toward the television screen which will show a screen of color, designs and abstract imagery. Once the video recorder is on and the record button activated, the video captures an infinite image.

Let it play for a few minutes, then stop the camera and watch the footage. Try running it in slow motion.

There is no explanation for why or how this works except that it creates a portal, the same type of portal obtained by using two mirrors.

Watch

What time is it? Is it time to meet your group and keep your appointment for an investigation? Do we have time to stop and catch a bite to eat or pick up fresh batteries? What time did the lights go out at the investigation and what time did we head the sound of footsteps in the upstairs bedroom? All of these questions can be answered with only one piece of equipment, that being, a time keeper, be it a cell phone clock or a wristwatch.

When setting a time to meet for an investigation, make sure everyone's clock is accurate. Always allow fifteen minutes for traffic problems when waiting for team members to arrive. Make sure everyone knows the fifteen-minute grace period and understands the group will go on without them. New arrangements must be setup for the tardy team member beyond that time. The group should arrive as a team and not straggle in one by one. It gives the appearance of being organized and having things under control. No team member should enter before the rest of the group.

A watch is necessary to discover patterns, to determine whether some kind of action, sound, sight or smell is an imprint or not. Sometimes a certain scene will replay, only when conditions are right and may lay dormant the rest of the time. Perhaps a suicide will reenact only on the night of a new moon, at 4 O’clock in the morning, or at the time of the actual, original event. Having a watch is a good idea and a better idea is having a watch that glows in the dark on command. A glowing watch could be distracting and cause a misleading in some cases. On occasion, paranormal activity can stop a clock. If this should happen, record the time the watch stopped. Did you notice a train, note the time. All these details may just lead to your ghost

Wind Chimes

These act in the same way as a normal wind chime, but the goal is alert the investigators if there is a breeze or wind strong enough to move the chimes. Hang them in an out of the way place so they will not be accidentally bumped issuing a false alarm. Be sure to test them to make sure they are not in the way of a window or door draft which will also give a false assumption that it was something paranormal that made them chime