Equipment Spotlight Part 1 : K-II Meter
For amateur investigators, the most recognized and famous pieces of equipment thanks to shows like "Ghost Hunters" that first introduced it to the general public, is the K-II meter. The most affordable piece of equipment next to digital audio recorders, it is one of the most popular beginner investigation tools. Some claim that this is actually the first piece of equipment they purchase when starting an investigation kit. The K-II Meter is an Electromagnetic Field (or EMF) Meter.
Physic majors call EMFs, a field of force that consists of both electric and magnetic components, resulting from the motion of an electric charge and containing a definite amount of electromagnetic energy. EMFs can be natural or man-made. They are everywhere, we just can't see them. That is where the meters come in. A K-II is one of those meters.
The problem most people
run into
with K-II meters is its sensitivity to EMFs, especially those with
smartphones. Before using a K-II in an investigation, it is necessary
to test the areas for any natural or man made spike in EMF;
especially your own equipment. In most cases, while using a K-II you
will need to turn off your cellphones and 2 way radios. I have noticed
as long as there are no incoming texts or calls, my phone has no effect
on the K-II. If there are incoming calls or texts, it stops causing hits
on the K-II once I get a few feet away. It's best to turn the phones
off however so there is no question.
The K-II meter has a few
different uses in the paranormal field. First, the K-II (or any EMF
meter) is used to test the area for high levels of EMF. Some
investigators believe that extremely high EMF rates caused by things
such as faulty wiring, can cause people to have false senses of the
paranormal, including feelings of paranoia, and uneasiness. It is
important that if high EMFs are found in man made appliances or
wiring, that those issues are fixed. If the problem goes away, it
could have been the issue with the “haunting”. If it doesn't,
more investigations may be needed. However, many other paranormal
investigators do not believe that any man-made EMF is high enough to
cause physical and mental reactions on a person. That debate is still
being studied.
Another reason we sweep with EMF
meters is to test for random spikes. If you place an EMF meter down,
is it constantly going off, or does it sit there for the most part,
with only one green light on? This is important, as many use the EMF
meter as a form of communication. If the spikes come randomly or
constantly, it would mean a man made or natural EMF is causing the
equipment to react and disrupts the ability to use the K-II for
communication.
If no random spikes are found in
an area, many investigators will place audio recorders in various
areas, and begin an EVP session by explaining what the EMF meter is,
and what it does. It is believed that if there is a spirit in the
area, it can draw enough energy to create it's own EMF field, and by
standing next to, or touching the meter, the entitiy can make the
meter go off in response to questions. Many investigators have their
own techniques to ensure the validity of the reactions. Some ask for
2 spikes for yes, one spike for no... some investigators use two
meters, one is for when the answer is yes, and the other for no.
While this is a highly debated use for EMF meters (especially the
sensitive K-II meter) many swear by it.
To provide an example: on an
investigation, one paranormal researcher I spoke to stated they asked
a variety of questions with the 2 spikes for yes, one spike for no. First they sat and said nothing, and nothing happened on the
meter. After several minutes they asked if there was anyone with
them... make the meter light up twice if yes. The meter lit up twice
to red, then stopped. They sat for a while again and asked again
after a few minutes the same question. The meter lit up twice.
They sat again. After a few minutes they asked if they were alone. The meter spiked once. (one spike for no).
Without waiting this time, they asked if the spirit present could make the meter
light up and stay on; it did. When they asked it to stop, it turned
off. After a few minutes of silence in which the meter did nothing,
they began the EVP session. During the review phase, they found many
unexplainable EVPs on their audio that coincided with EMF spikes.
This showed them, the spikes were less than random.
I had the same
experience. On one investigation I would clearly ask a question and
preface it with, if the answer is yes, make the meter light up. The
meter would light to red and would stay there until I stated, "please
make the meter stop." and it would turn off. A few times I asked the
same question, in a way the answer would be 'no'... and the meter would
not light up at all. This was a less than random pattern.
The biggest problem
with the K-II, you don't want to rely solely on the K-II for evidence.
You want to look around and use your eyes and ears. You want to feel any
changes in the air, feel the hairs standing on end, be completely aware
of your body. You also want to pay attention to your other equipment
which hopefully includes an audio recorder. You don't want to become SO
reliant on your K-II that you're constantly staring at it and not
looking around for yourself. When I was in the hallway of the First Ward
School House, I saw with my own two eyes because I was looking around
and not staring at my meters... a full body apparation.
So what are your thoughts? Have you used a K-II meter? Was it successful or not?
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