ALL OPINIONS HERE ARE JUST THAT AND SHOULDN'T BE TAKEN AS GOSPEL
PEN AND PAPER: It is important to log events. You'll remember what you did last night, but how about last month.
Notes should have the date, time, various sensor reading, and anything else that gets your attention. When comparing
notes with other members, it may be discovered that at the same time you heard a thud they saw a large orb.The notes
taken now are the references used later! This is the easiest step and possibly the most important!
RECORDERS: There are 2 kinds of recorders digital and analog, both work well. It is important to have an external
microphone because the recorder can pickup its own internal mechanism. When you're recording, ask a few questions
then allow a space for an answer. Generally, EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomenon is not heard until the recording is
played back. It's also a good idea to leave a recorder in a room by itself for a while.
VIDEO CAMERAS: A video camera is great to have, espically if it's equiped with night vision. These are great for
documenting the methods used. They're a combination of "pen and paper", "recorder", and "still camera". As with the audio
recorder it is a good idea to leave it in a room for a while(minimum of 30 minutes).We currently use
2 video cameras. The only concern here is if the video is wanted on the computer, this can require additions being
made to your computer.
STILL CAMERAS: A camera is one of the basic tools for hunting and recording events. In our group we have a 35mm and
a digital camera. Everyone has a theory on what the best methods and tools are, I'm no different. In a 35mm I'd
recommend Kodak Gold 400 speed film, it has good low light response and good resolution. As you go up in speed you
lose resolution. This is not to say that you wont get a great picture with 3200 speed film, but the 400 speed is a
good bit more general purpose. Black and white film can also be a good choice as it shows contrasts very well.
Infrared film is available, however, it is very difficult to deal with not to mention very expensive. If you're
interested in infrared pictures, one of the more interesting articles I've read says that
many digital cameras don't filter out the infrared that most film cameras do. To get "near-infrared" pictures is
best accomplished by using the digital camera in black and white mode with a "red" filter. The filters are available
at camera shops, different filters block out different parts of the spectrum.
---DIGITAL CAMERAS: These typee of cameras store the picture in computer-like memory that is easily uploaded
to a computer. This saves countless dollars in development costs. Also, many digital cameras allow you to view the picture
just taken on a built in screen. This can help identify "hot-spots". In my opinion there is only one down side to
digital cameras, the resolution is no where near the resolution of a film camera. I wouldn't let that discourage
anyone from getting or using one. In fact, I'm planning on getting one soon.
EMF DETECTORS: An EMF detector senses magnetic fields. Ghosts seem to have magnetic component
to their makeup. This would also explain why ghosts can be recorded. It takes practice to learn how to use
an EMF detector because where there's electricity there's a magnetic field. This must be kept in mind when using
this detector. When a EMF reading is high look for the natural sources, eliminate them as the source.
THERMOMETERS: Hauntings seem to have another common thread, temperature. Quick changes in temperature or
localized cold spots are often indicators of ghostly activity. The most useful type of thermometer is a non-contact
type. All you do is point and click at an area and it gives a reading. A plain thermometer can be used, the readings
take longer and are not as exact. Digital thermometers are available that will report on temperature ranges for a
given time interval, as well as record the highest and lowest temperature.
MOTION DETECTORS: The type I recommend are portable and battery operated. These are great to see if anything
moved in a search area. Most motion sensors work off of infrared, some work off sound. I would stick to the
infrared type.
Build Your Own Detectors
We have a prototype device I put together that changes IR signatures into sound.
The IR detector device has me very excited as far the posibilities, looking at estabished ghost hunting clubs I've
noticed that many employ various IR devices. The real problem with this is that if you are reading a meter
or something you actually have to look at you're losing most of the picture. The human eye can perceive 60 Hz the
human ear can perceive 20,000 Hz. So, by pumping my IR detections circuit through an audio amplifier circuit I can
hear extremely subtle variation in the IR range. Yes, you can hear the differences between sun light, remote
controls, and florescent lights.