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| The Arizona Paranormal Research Society |
| Advanced Investigation Equipment |
| Aside from the basic equipment, here is where you get more into the scientific, electronic and more costly areas of paranormal research equipment. There are so many types and manufacturers of advanced scientific environmental measurement equipment that the decision of which ones to purchase will be a personal choice after thoroughly researching the various types of equipment as well as manufacturers. There are literally pages among pages that can be placed here but the best way to learn about them is to research for yourself which ones would be best for you Just a few examples: Air Ion Counter, Geiger Counter, Gaussmeter, Magnetometer, Teslameter, ELF and EMF Meters: In order to manifest and communicate, spirits require energy and can draw energy from humans as well as the immediate environment. With respect to the initial base readings taken prior to the investigation, the manipulation of these energies result in fluctuations or magnetic disturbances in natural or man made electromagnetic fields and these meters can indicate and display these fluctuations. All of these various meters display the natural occurring or man made electromagnetic field strengths for AC, DC, ELF and/or VLF field measurements. They are portable and most require a 9v battery. With so many various types available, the meters obtained depend on the desires and afford ability of the researcher. Single axis meters require movement of the meter in order to get the correct reading of measurement. 3 axis meters insure that measurements remain accurate regardless of the orientation of the meter and are much more expensive. Frequency ranges vary from 0-20,000 Hz depending on the make and model. Because of the vast amount of EMF meters and manufacturers, it is suggested that research be conducted as to what types of meter(s) would work best for each investigator. Thermometers - IR vs. Ambient: There are laser tracked IR/non contact thermometers which display the temperature at the point of where the laser beam is obstructed. This thermometer doesn't work well for ambient temperature unless it is pointed at something in an area that conduces or dissipates heat such as a piece of aluminum foil set in an upright fashion. IR thermometers are also available based on temperature range, distance to target ratio, fixed or adjustable emissivity. Specialty IR thermometers are available for data logging, and wireless transmission as well. Ambient thermometers are offered in various configurations and measure the immediate surrounding temperature of the area in which it is placed. Some come with external probes while others come with internal probes with other measuring devices for humidity, barometric pressure, alarms for temperature fluctuations, digital or analog displays, data logging and wireless characteristics. Ambient thermometers work well for identifying cold or hot spots in areas of interest and can be associated with portable weather stations for gathering a variety of environmental information. Cameras: Purchasing hand held video cameras with "night shot" or "night vision and still cameras, digital or film, depend entirely on your desires and budget. There are many to choose from with different capabilities and many available accessories to choose from. Researching these items thoroughly is an important task which allows you to become familiar with what is available. Audio Recorders: There is a wide variety of different types and brands of audio recorders on the market. Common sense and afford ability usually determines what you can and cannot purchase. Currently, the choices are analog and digital recorders. Some people prefer analog, others prefer digital. Some digital recorders may be inserted directly into a computer's USB port for immediate download. Each had its advantages and disadvantages. Once again, it is your choice. Most investigators use digital audio recorders for the ease of computer audio analysis and exporting. Some investigators utilize the analog recorders. Either way, fully research both digital and analog recorders to determine which type you are interested in and what is affordable to you. Any accessory purchases for the audio recorder is a personal choice and decisions on purchasing what is desired will have to be made accordingly. Computers and Accessories: Laptop Computers, audio analysis program, external speakers or headphones, photo analysis program, media card reader, information storage devices, all cords and accessories needed for operation is another area requiring extensive research before purchasing. Motion Detectors: Again, many to choose from. Examples include IR motion detectors which detect moving objects that generate heat with infrared radiation, dual technology motion detectors which utilizes combined Stereo Doppler Microwave and duel element Passive Infrared technology, wireless and sensitivity adjustable units that can be triggered by various implements. There are also motion detection cameras that work entirely on their own snapping pictures as it detects motion in focused areas. Again, research which ones may interest you. Additional Lighting: Cameras with IR capabilities have a short IR coverage area and may require additional lighting. Portable IR extenders are adjustable and work great in conjunction with video cameras with IR capabilities. Some of the larger areas of investigation may require even more additional lighting and IR spot lights and/or ultraviolet lamps work very well. These may require an AC power source or external DC batteries, but the outcome is very acceptable. Closed Circuit Television Cameras, DVR and Monitor: The complete CCTV, DVR and Monitor system is a wonderful investigative tool that allows remote/unmanned visual coverage of predetermined investigation areas. Wired and wireless cameras should have IR capabilities and should be of decent quality. DVR should be able to handle each wired camera's required power for image quality and recording purposes. Wireless cameras are susceptible to outside interferences but are easy to set up and may require separate power sources. The monitor should be large enough to handle each camera's images without any difficulties. These systems are expensive and even more so when higher quality is a concern. Research the systems that are available and affordable to you. Purchasing the system piece by piece will be more expensive than if an entire good quality system is purchased at one time. Thermal Imaging Camera: An extremely expensive piece of equipment that is available with a variety of capabilities and accessories. Here is an article that explains how thermal imaging works by Lynn Bryant who is a successful freelance writer and contributor to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com "Before we take a closer look at thermal imaging technology, it is important to have an understanding of what thermal energy itself is. Thermal energy is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It makes up the upper portion of the infrared light spectrum. You cannot see thermal energy because it is emitted from objects as heat, not reflected as light. The hotter an object is, the more thermal energy it emits. However, all objects even inanimate ones, such as buildings, or even ice cubes, emit some form of thermal energy. Infrared thermal imaging cameras are able to capture this thermal energy and transform it into an image you can see. The process by which a thermal imaging camera transforms thermal energy into visible light consists of five basic steps. These steps are: 1. Utilize a specially designed lens to focus the infrared radiation that is given off from all objects within the field of view of the camera lens. 2. Infrared detectors are then used to scan this focused radiation. The detectors create what is called a thermogram, or temperature map. 3. The thermogram is then translated into electric impulses. 4. The electric impulses are then sent to a signal-processing unit where they are translated into data. The signal-processing unit is a tiny chip that is embedded on a circuit board, which is used to translate the electric impulses into usable data. 5. Once translated, the signal-processing unit sends the data to the display where it then becomes visible to the viewer. Since thermal imaging cameras work solely by capturing infrared radiation given off from an object, no light at all is required for the device to function. In fact, a thermal imaging camera can function optimally no matter what the surrounding lighting conditions, bright or dim. In addition to the ability to function in a wide array of lighting conditions, thermal imaging cameras can be used to reveal aspects about ones surroundings where no visible sign of evidence exists. For example, a thermal imaging camera might reveal an area of ground that has been dug up to bury something. Another example could include an area of a wall that has been painted or repaired recently. It will appear slightly darker through a thermal imaging camera. This unique ability to detect and gather evidence that would have previously gone undetected makes thermal imaging cameras invaluable devices for law enforcement and military personnel. There are two basic types of thermal imaging cameras, un-cooled, and cryogenically cooled. Most thermal imaging devices are un-cooled. This simply means that the camera itself functions without an additional cooling unit attached. A cryogenically cooled thermal imaging device on the other hand, is much more expensive, but produces a much clearer image and is much more sensitive to temperature variations. This means the corresponding image contains much more detail and depth. Thermal imaging cameras were first designed for use by the military to help locate enemy targets. As improvements were made to the technology, these camera devices became more and more practical for commercial uses such as perimeter surveillance and other security applications. Now more than ever, thermal imaging cameras are continuing to be used on a much broader scale. There are several other applications where thermal imaging technology can be very useful. These include, security and surveillance, navigation, hunting, law enforcement, and hidden object detection. As the technology continues to improve and prices drop, more businesses and consumers will consider thermal imaging devices for use in their video surveillance systems or in related applications. It is easy to see how thermal imaging technology can be superior to traditional video surveillance systems. The technology is very versatile, and can provide a great deal more information than can be garnered by a traditional video surveillance camera. As prices for these cameras continue to drop, we will likely be seeing and hearing more and more about this remarkable technology". Applying this technology to paranormal research has opened many door as well as questions as to what exactly it is that is suddenly making a cold spot where as there are no reasons for this to be happening. Many paranormal research groups add this expensive tool to their arsenal of research equipment. Apparitions which are colder than the surrounding area have been seen with this technology. Price range is from $5000.00 - $20,000,00 and beyond. Ultimately, the possibility of securing one for your group is slim but not an impossibility. Promotional sponsorship from thermal imaging manufacturers can happen, but is a rare occurrence to say the least. Advanced equipment can consists of hundreds of different items that only you can decide it you need them or not. Most paranormal investigators are not millionaires and can only afford what they can while maintaining there own personal life styles. You must decide for yourself how far you want to take it. Remember to include all necessary accessories and supplies for the proper operation of any personal equipment. Here are some links to a few manufacturers and information of where to purchase electronic and thermal imaging equipment: TRIFIELD.COM LESSEMF.COM FLIR.COM INFRARED-CAMERAS.ORG Here are some informative links for "Spectral Selectivity", multi spectral Cameras, Spectroradiometers and other scientific photography methods: www.photo.net www.fluxdata.com (subject to future updates) © Copyright 2006-2009 "The Arizona Paranormal Research Society" |
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