Is the mini box (aka ghost box or Frank's box) a reliable tool for paranormal investigators, or is it still too new to be used for more than experimentation?
*if you are not sure what the mini box is check out the website's equipment page at the very bottom. We also have a pretty good positive result from one of our big circle recordings:
Pasadena Paranormal Radio Sweep
Dave: The "Mini Box", "Frank’s Box" and other similar configurations of radio band sweeping devices are tools used in ITC (Instrumental Transcommunication) research.
ITC research covers experimentation in both audio and video attempts to communicate with the spirit world. The premise of Radio Sweep equipment is that by using a device which sweeps a radio band (AM, or FM) without pausing at a particular frequency, an entity will use the available noise to form words.
PPS has a Mini Box which we use during our ITC experiments. We haven't used it extensively at investigations as the results of Mini Box experiments are subject to debate. Many opponents feel that the words recorded are merely snippets of words being said on the stations being scanned and those sentences, or groups of words are random and pure chance. Proponents believe these are indeed "voices from beyond". We listen for a predetermined length of time following the question, usually six seconds is the cutoff, and we listen for relevance to the question posed. As PPS hasn't fully embraced this method, we never base any results from its use as "evidence".
We have had a few compelling recordings using the radio sweep technique as Rex stated in the question. If anyone is interested in starting ITC experiments, I recommend joining the AAEVP (American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena). They have very minimal yearly dues and have groups all over the world that share the experiments they are conducting and are very happy to assist those new to the field with getting their start. Their website is http://www.aaevp.com/
Until then, watch our website for an upcoming section devoted entirely to PPS experiments with ITC coming in late summer 09.
Jake: I hate the mini box! Not because I think it is without use. Not because I have yet to experience anything paranormal using that machine (though I've only seen it once). I hate it because it freaks me out! I don't know if I could handle hearing a disembodied voice speak to me clearly using radio waves ... the good news is that there are fewer commercials than FM radio. The down side is that I always need to remember in the future to pack an extra pair of drawers.
Rex: I think it is still too new to be used as a primary tool to capture paranormal evidence. On one hand the box continuously scans radio frequencies and radio stations broadcast programs on those frequencies which already puts labels voices caught as questionable. However if used properly and sticking to a clearly defined set of rules on how long you will wait (for us its about 6 seconds) for a response I believe it could, in time be very valuable to investigators.
If you watched the clip at the beginning of this post you will know that I personally have first hand experience with a positive result. We were conducting a "Big Circle" session and one of the first questions Dave asked was for a spirit to say the words "HI REX" immediately we heard what sounded like the word "HI" and we respond to it. As we were talking it said "HI" again and then "REX" which we comment about in the clip, then we got a clear voice saying "HI REX" at the end. The words HI and REX are said by the same voice as if in one continuous statement, if this were a case where the minibox was just picking up an actual radio broadcast it would have been 2 different voices and most likely broken up due to different frequencies.
*if you are not sure what the mini box is check out the website's equipment page at the very bottom. We also have a pretty good positive result from one of our big circle recordings:
Pasadena Paranormal Radio Sweep
Dave: The "Mini Box", "Frank’s Box" and other similar configurations of radio band sweeping devices are tools used in ITC (Instrumental Transcommunication) research.
ITC research covers experimentation in both audio and video attempts to communicate with the spirit world. The premise of Radio Sweep equipment is that by using a device which sweeps a radio band (AM, or FM) without pausing at a particular frequency, an entity will use the available noise to form words.
PPS has a Mini Box which we use during our ITC experiments. We haven't used it extensively at investigations as the results of Mini Box experiments are subject to debate. Many opponents feel that the words recorded are merely snippets of words being said on the stations being scanned and those sentences, or groups of words are random and pure chance. Proponents believe these are indeed "voices from beyond". We listen for a predetermined length of time following the question, usually six seconds is the cutoff, and we listen for relevance to the question posed. As PPS hasn't fully embraced this method, we never base any results from its use as "evidence".
We have had a few compelling recordings using the radio sweep technique as Rex stated in the question. If anyone is interested in starting ITC experiments, I recommend joining the AAEVP (American Association of Electronic Voice Phenomena). They have very minimal yearly dues and have groups all over the world that share the experiments they are conducting and are very happy to assist those new to the field with getting their start. Their website is http://www.aaevp.com/
Until then, watch our website for an upcoming section devoted entirely to PPS experiments with ITC coming in late summer 09.
Jake: I hate the mini box! Not because I think it is without use. Not because I have yet to experience anything paranormal using that machine (though I've only seen it once). I hate it because it freaks me out! I don't know if I could handle hearing a disembodied voice speak to me clearly using radio waves ... the good news is that there are fewer commercials than FM radio. The down side is that I always need to remember in the future to pack an extra pair of drawers.
Rex: I think it is still too new to be used as a primary tool to capture paranormal evidence. On one hand the box continuously scans radio frequencies and radio stations broadcast programs on those frequencies which already puts labels voices caught as questionable. However if used properly and sticking to a clearly defined set of rules on how long you will wait (for us its about 6 seconds) for a response I believe it could, in time be very valuable to investigators.
If you watched the clip at the beginning of this post you will know that I personally have first hand experience with a positive result. We were conducting a "Big Circle" session and one of the first questions Dave asked was for a spirit to say the words "HI REX" immediately we heard what sounded like the word "HI" and we respond to it. As we were talking it said "HI" again and then "REX" which we comment about in the clip, then we got a clear voice saying "HI REX" at the end. The words HI and REX are said by the same voice as if in one continuous statement, if this were a case where the minibox was just picking up an actual radio broadcast it would have been 2 different voices and most likely broken up due to different frequencies.
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