EMF meter=Ghost meter?

[lichurbagan]

The meter that electrical engineers use is called ghost meter by 'ghosthunters'. Whenever they go to explore a 'haunted place', they take an EMF meter with them. If they see a sudden spike in emf meter, they  say something supernatural is present there. I am a religious person but I have always questioned this method. How logical is this conclusion? Does an abrupt change in EMF meter always mean there is something inexplicable? Can't there be any other reason that may create a spike?

[Analog Kid]

I think this belongs in "Dodgy Technology".
It'd fit right in there.

[Gyro]

Assuming that they are true EMF meters (ie. something with a very high impedance 'probe', field mill etc.) and not some crank fake device, anyone moving around on a carpet or non conductive floor in the near vicinity could create significant static charge. Any handheld device will certainly not give any sort of meaningful reading, it would need to be properly designed, tripod mounted and without anyone in the vicinity,

I'm not going to speculate on what any change in electrostatic field reading might mean, but from TV programs I've caught while channel hopping, the limelight seeking individuals seem like a bunch of ****.

[Seekonk]

I do own a ghost meter, it says that right on the label. There is a place in the center of my living room which sets it off.  I also have an EMI meter.  If you are worried that the electronic world over time will kill you from radiation, this is a very scary device.

[Analog Kid]

I do own a ghost meter, it says that right on the label. There is a place in the center of my living room which sets it off.  I also have an EMI meter.  If you are worried that the electronic world over time will kill you from radiation, this is a very scary device.

Picture?

[lichurbagan]

There is a place in the center of my living room which sets it off.

What is/can be the reason? Did you ever try to find out?

[Zenith]

Is there any reason to believe these ghost meters detect ghosts, rather than electric and magnetic fields present for other reasons? I suspect a large amount of subjectivity and wishful thinking is involved in their use.

[5U4GB]

The meter that electrical engineers use is called ghost meter by 'ghosthunters'. Whenever they go to explore a 'haunted place', they take an EMF meter with them. If they see a sudden spike in emf meter, they  say something supernatural is present there. I am a religious person but I have always questioned this method. How logical is this conclusion? Does an abrupt change in EMF meter always mean there is something inexplicable?

Absolutely! Whenever Sam and Dean get a reading on their EMF meter it's a sign there's ghosts around, and then they have to dig up the bones, pour salt on them, and burn them. So when you're hunting ghosts always bring plenty of salt for that and other purposes, e.g. pouring across windowsills and filling up shotgun shells.

[Zenith]

The meter that electrical engineers use is called ghost meter by 'ghosthunters'. Whenever they go to explore a 'haunted place', they take an EMF meter with them. If they see a sudden spike in emf meter, they  say something supernatural is present there.

I haven't looked into it, but I doubt the manual that comes with the EMF meters sold by RS, Mouser etc, has a warning that using the instrument in a 'haunted place' could cause anomalous readings.

[radiolistener]

The meter that electrical engineers use is called ghost meter by 'ghosthunters'. Whenever they go to explore a 'haunted place', they take an EMF meter with them. If they see a sudden spike in emf meter, they  say something supernatural is present there. I am a religious person but I have always questioned this method. How logical is this conclusion? Does an abrupt change in EMF meter always mean there is something inexplicable? Can't there be any other reason that may create a spike?

Well, a sudden strong electromagnetic field certainly means that something unusual is happening nearby. It can interfere with radio receivers, electronics, sensors, and other equipment, so it should definitely be taken seriously and dealt with.

The source is clearly exerting some kind of invisible force across a distance and affecting physical objects without touching them. Sounds pretty supernatural to me.

Engineers have a name for it: electromagnetism - a rather fascinating and complicated subject that takes years of study before you can truly master it.

[mtwieg]

I've seen the term "EMF meter" refer to detectors of electric fields and/or magnetic fields, all the way from DC to daylight. I think they're mostly marketed to tinfoil-hat types, but many of them are legitimate instruments which do have practical uses.

I have no idea what "ghost hunters" use. Whatever they use, it doesn't detect ghosts.

[radiolistener]

I have no idea what "ghost hunters" use. Whatever they use, it doesn't detect ghosts.

Track down an intermittent interference source, and you'll find out what real ghost hunting is like.

[amyk]

Indeed, changes in the atmospheric fields can create effects that seem like ghosts to those who don't know the underlying phenomenon. For many centuries, lightning was considered a supernatural event.

[CaptDon]

I hate the Ghost Hunter show!! Why must they always detect in the dark with image intensifiers? Are ghosts afraid of daylight? The EMF/EMI detectors are probably seeing more of the wireless mic R.F. field and local police, railroad, C.B. and ham radio operator electrical or magnetic fields! I have been to some 'supposedly very highly ghost spirit activity areas' including riding horseback at night in Rheymyer's Hollow (Spring Valley Park) and walking the entire length of Trout Run Road which starts near 'The Seven Gates of Hell' (Local rumor) all the way to Codorus Furnace and many of the Civil War battlegrounds of York and Gettysburg and NEVER have I had a coffee cup mysteriously go flying past my head and crash against the floor or wall or a door suddenly open or close!! I claim Ghost Hunters as total B.S. and don't forget, I lived on a place that not only believes in trolls, but they even have a mailbox in the center of Reykjavik!! Trolls are mischievous and cool. Ghosts seem to always act like assholes!!
 

[5U4GB]

I lived on a place that not only believes in trolls, but they even have a mailbox in the center of Reykjavik!! Trolls are mischievous and cool.

Trolls are fine, or at least easily dealt with, it's the draugar that are a problem. And the smell!

[TimFox]

I lived on a place that not only believes in trolls, but they even have a mailbox in the center of Reykjavik!! Trolls are mischievous and cool.

Trolls are fine, or at least easily dealt with, it's the draugar that are a problem. And the smell!

"Trolls" in European folklore differ from East to West.
In Eastern Europe, they live under bridges and are a menace to those who cross the bridge.
Hence, the nickname in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for those who live in the Lower Peninsula (i.e., below the bridge over the Straits of Mackinac.)
In Scandinavia, the name is applied to a slightly different creature, usually associated with a particular location.

[Zenith]

I hate the Ghost Hunter show!! Why must they always detect in the dark with image intensifiers?

It's not good TV to take a film crew to spend a night in an abandoned mental hospital or similar place, and accurately report they saw absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. They have to be inventive. Some of the cast suddenly rushing about in terror, because they might have seen something. Working in the dark helps with that. The dubious contraptions e.g. ones that can pluck out of the air what they creatively interpret as ghostly voices, are part of it.

There have been a few of these Gee Whizz shows, searching for monsters, cryptids, ghosts or whatever. They never definitely find one, just indications.

[Analog Kid]

"Trolls" in European folklore differ from East to West.
In Eastern Europe, they live under bridges and are a menace to those who cross the bridge.

If you're ever in Seattle, check out the troll who lives under the bridge in the Fremont district.

Actual troll (oversize) lives under an actual freeway bridge.
Just one of the many "quirky" sights to see there, including an actual Lenin statue brought over from Eastern Yurp.

[5U4GB]

There have been a few of these Gee Whizz shows, searching for monsters, cryptids, ghosts or whatever. They never definitely find one, just indications.

That's why I referenced the TV series "Supernatural" in an earlier message, they find stuff in every single episode, and usually get attacked by it too before dispatching it.  Alongside salt, an EMF meter is one of their standard tools.

[Zenith]

There have been a few of these Gee Whizz shows, searching for monsters, cryptids, ghosts or whatever. They never definitely find one, just indications.

That's why I referenced the TV series "Supernatural" in an earlier message, they find stuff in every single episode, and usually get attacked by it too before dispatching it.  Alongside salt, an EMF meter is one of their standard tools.

I've never seen that one. I've watched a few episodes of Monster Quest and Ghost Hunters and a couple about Skinwalker Ranch. Enough to get the general picture. As well as salt and an EMF meter, the "Supernatural" crowd might add a water pistol full of holy water to their arsenal.

[5U4GB]

I've never seen that one. I've watched a few episodes of Monster Quest and Ghost Hunters and a couple about Skinwalker Ranch. Enough to get the general picture. As well as salt and an EMF meter, the "Supernatural" crowd might add a water pistol full of holy water to their arsenal.

That's a standard thing there, they squirt suspects with holy water and if their skin blisters and burns they're demons. It's possible that some people see it as a documentary.

A friend is a huge fan so I've seen a bit of it, to me it seemed like a collection of tropes (e.g. salt as the solution for everything) and two whiny primadonna characters, with occasional clever bits and in-jokes at their fan base. OK in small doses, or as the highlights reel.

[golden_labels]

lichurbagan: I’m going to approach your question using two separate paths. Keep that in mind: the sections below are independent of each other and will be separate threads. Hopefully both leading to the same end.

Part 1:
You wrote “I am a religious person.” Of what religion, if I may ask? How does your religion define ghosts and is your perception of ghosts compatible with your religion?

Part 2:
Yes, these devices do detect ghosts! Or what the ghost hunters call “a ghost.” Now I ask you: what do they consider a ghost, in your opinion?

[5U4GB]

Now I ask you: what do they consider a ghost, in your opinion?

A girl/guy/whatever who you've been messaging with enthusiastically for a few weeks and then they suddenly stop responding.

You can detect those with your cellphone, just look at the unread messages.