# Ghost Hunting Equipment Catalog

Comprehensive list of popular paranormal investigation equipment with technical details.

## Core Detection Tools

### 1. Ovilus Series

**Commercial Models:**
- Ovilus III - Previous generation
- Ovilus IV - Discontinued
- Ovilus 5 - Current flagship model
- Ovilus 5b - Variant
- Ovilus 6 - Upcoming wrist-mounted model

**How It Works:**
- Scans environmental readings (EMF, temperature, humidity, radio frequency)
- Maps sensor readings to numerical values
- Numerical values correspond to 2048 predefined words in database
- NO random generation - uses consistent environmental-to-word formula
- Displays word on screen and speaks it via built-in voice

**Ovilus 5 Features:**
- 8 unique modes: dictionary, draw, energy, phonetic, proximity
- 2048 word database
- Environmental sensors: EMF, temperature, humidity
- Built-in speaker for audio output
- Rechargeable internal battery
- LCD display

**Ovilus 6 (Upcoming):**
- Wrist-mounted form factor
- Light spectrum analysis
- ITC modes based on motion, frequency, temperature
- Additional sensors beyond Ovilus 5

**DIY Potential:** HIGH
- Sensors: BME280 (temp/humidity), magnetometer, basic EMF coil
- Microcontroller: ESP32 or Arduino Mega (for word database storage)
- Display: OLED or TFT LCD
- Audio: DFPlayer Mini or ESP32 DAC with speaker
- Estimated Cost: $30-50

---

### 2. K2/K-II EMF Meter

**Commercial Specifications:**
- Manufacturer: K-II Enterprises (30+ years in business)
- Power: Single 9V battery
- Measurement: 5 ranges in milliGauss (mG)
- LED indicator array (typically 5 LEDs for different ranges)
- Frequency range: 50-60 Hz primarily

**How It Works:**
- Coil antenna detects electromagnetic fields
- Amplifier circuit boosts weak signals
- Microcontroller or analog circuit drives LEDs based on field strength
- LEDs light progressively as EMF increases

**LED Ranges (Typical):**
1. Green: 1.5-2.5 mG (baseline/ambient)
2. Yellow: 2.5-10 mG (moderate)
3. Orange: 10-20 mG (elevated)
4. Red (lower): 20-100 mG (high)
5. Red (upper): 100+ mG (very high)

**DIY Potential:** VERY HIGH
- Sensors: Coil of wire (antenna) or hall effect sensor
- Microcontroller: Arduino Nano, ATtiny85, or even 555 timer
- Components: 4-5 transistors in cascade, resistors, LEDs
- Estimated Cost: $5-15 (one of cheapest to build)

**Existing DIY Resources:**
- Instructables PCB designs available
- Hackaday.io 4-transistor cascade design
- GhostStop DIY kit (pre-built, just solder power)

---

### 3. Spirit Box (P-SB7, PSB11, SBox)

**Commercial Models:**
- P-SB7 - Popular model
- PSB11 - Dual scanner version
- SBox Ghost Scanner - Advanced model
- Sinister Speaker - Modern Bluetooth version

**How It Works:**
- Modified radio receiver
- Rapidly scans AM/FM frequencies without stopping
- Creates constant white noise from radio static
- Theory: Spirits manipulate noise to form words

**Technical Specifications:**

**Frequency Ranges:**
- FM: 87.5-108.0 MHz (standard)
- AM: 522-1710 kHz
- Shortwave (advanced models): 3200-22000 kHz
- Some models: 76-87.9 MHz with half-step scanning

**Scanning Features:**
- Adjustable sweep speed (user controlled)
- Forward and reverse scanning
- PSB11: Dual scanners sweep both directions simultaneously
- Circuit bypass option to reduce radio interference
- White noise generation from frequency sweeps

**DIY Potential:** MEDIUM-HIGH
- Core: TEA5767 or RDA5807 FM radio module
- Microcontroller: Arduino Uno/Nano or ESP32
- Sweep control via I2C to radio module
- Auto-scan with adjustable delay (50-500ms per frequency)
- Display: Optional OLED for frequency readout
- Estimated Cost: $15-30

**Existing DIY Resources:**
- Arduino FM Radio Module projects widely available
- Southern Shadows Paranormal has Arduino code
- Can use ESP8266/ESP32 for Bluetooth phone connectivity

---

### 4. EVP Recorder

**Commercial Approach:**
- High-sensitivity digital audio recorders
- Often just rebranded pro audio recorders
- Focus on low noise floor, wide frequency response

**Features:**
- 24-bit/96kHz or higher sampling
- External microphone support
- Adjustable gain control
- High-pass/low-pass filters
- Some models have built-in EMF sensors

**DIY Potential:** MEDIUM
- Simple: Use smartphone or USB microphone
- Advanced: ESP32 with I2S microphone (INMP441)
- Storage: MicroSD card module
- Filters: Software DSP or analog op-amp circuits
- Estimated Cost: $20-40

---

## Visual Equipment

### 5. REM Pod

**How It Works:**
- Emits low electromagnetic field in radius around device
- Detects when something disturbs the field
- Also monitors temperature changes
- LED lights and audio alerts when triggered

**Sensors:**
- EMF antenna (radiating and receiving)
- Temperature sensor (thermistor or digital)
- Proximity detection

**DIY Potential:** HIGH
- ESP32 or Arduino
- Capacitive sensing or EMF coil
- DS18B20 temperature sensor
- LED ring (NeoPixels) for visual alerts
- Buzzer for audio alerts
- Estimated Cost: $20-35

---

### 6. Thermal Imaging Camera

**Commercial:**
- FLIR cameras (expensive: $200-2000+)
- Seek Thermal (smartphone attachment: $200-300)
- Detect temperature anomalies and human-shaped cold spots

**DIY Potential:** MEDIUM
- MLX90640 thermal camera sensor (32x24 pixels)
- ESP32 for processing
- TFT display for heatmap
- Much lower resolution than FLIR but functional
- Estimated Cost: $60-100 (sensor is expensive)

---

### 7. SLS Camera (Structured Light Sensor)

**Commercial:**
- Originally Xbox Kinect sensors repurposed
- Maps 3D environment and detects humanoid shapes
- Expensive dedicated units now available

**DIY Potential:** MEDIUM
- Original Kinect sensor (discontinued but available used)
- Raspberry Pi to process Kinect data
- OpenNI or libfreenect drivers
- Display skeleton tracking on screen
- Estimated Cost: $40-80 (if Kinect found used)

---

## Environmental Monitoring

### 8. BooBuddy

**Features:**
- Asks questions autonomously
- Detects motion, temperature, vibration, EMF
- Interactive responses
- Child-like voice to engage spirits

**DIY Potential:** VERY HIGH
- ESP32 with multiple sensors
- PIR motion sensor
- BME280 temp/pressure/humidity
- Vibration sensor (SW-420)
- EMF coil
- DFPlayer Mini for pre-recorded questions
- Estimated Cost: $25-40

---

## Cost Comparison

| Device | Commercial Price | DIY Estimated Cost | Savings |
|--------|------------------|-------------------|---------|
| Ovilus 5 | $129-179 | $30-50 | $79-149 |
| K2 EMF Meter | $50-70 | $5-15 | $35-65 |
| Spirit Box | $70-120 | $15-30 | $40-105 |
| REM Pod | $80-130 | $20-35 | $45-110 |
| BooBuddy | $100-150 | $25-40 | $60-125 |
| Thermal Camera | $200-2000 | $60-100 | $100-1900 |

---

## Essential Microcontroller Platforms

### Arduino Nano/Uno
- **Cost:** $5-30
- **Best For:** Simple EMF meters, basic spirit boxes
- **Pros:** Huge community, tons of examples
- **Cons:** Limited memory, no WiFi/Bluetooth

### ESP32
- **Cost:** $6-15
- **Best For:** Ovilus-style devices, advanced spirit boxes, networked sensors
- **Pros:** WiFi, Bluetooth, dual-core, lots of memory, faster than Arduino
- **Cons:** Slightly more complex programming

### Raspberry Pi Zero W
- **Cost:** $15-25
- **Best For:** SLS camera, thermal imaging processing, multi-sensor hubs
- **Pros:** Full Linux OS, camera support, WiFi
- **Cons:** Overkill for simple sensors, higher power consumption

---

## Common Components Across Projects

These components are useful across multiple DIY builds:

- **Sensors:**
  - BME280: Temp/Humidity/Pressure ($5)
  - Hall Effect Sensor: Magnetometer ($3)
  - PIR Motion Sensor: Movement detection ($2)
  - Vibration Sensor SW-420 ($2)

- **Displays:**
  - 128x64 OLED I2C Display ($8)
  - 2.8" TFT LCD ($15)

- **Audio:**
  - DFPlayer Mini: MP3 playback ($3)
  - Small speaker 8Ω 0.5W ($2)
  - Buzzer ($1)

- **Power:**
  - 18650 Lithium battery + holder ($8)
  - TP4056 charging module ($1)
  - Power bank module ($5)

---

## Next Steps

1. Create detailed schematics for each device type
2. Write firmware for ESP32/Arduino platforms
3. Design 3D printable enclosures
4. Build prototypes and test
5. Document assembly guides with photos
6. Create BOM (Bill of Materials) for each project