Real Time Spirit Communication Primer
What is real time spirit communication?
It’s when a human uses an electronic device to communicate in a conversation with a spirit.
So how is it different than an EVP?
- The spirit voice must be a response to a question or fit into the current conversation. An EVP not necessarily has to be so as it could be from a residual haunting.
- Because it’s a conversation between human and spirit, the audio is heard live. An EVP by definition is not heard live but only found when playing back a recording.
When someone uses a “Frank’s Box” they are participating in a session in the hopes of communicating with a spirit. And if you are like us here at Spectral Review, it’s hard not to have at least heard of the thing called a “Frank’s Box.” It has not been used on Ghost Hunters but has been used on Paranormal State.
The notion of live communication with spirits is controversial to say the least.
So we thought we would get you a rundown on just what is happening in the “Real Time Spirit Communication” community. Yes there is a community of researchers dedicated to studying the use of these boxes. We will include links to example audio files that people have captured while using these electronic devices.
A man by the name of Frank Sumption is the inventor of Frank’s Box. (Also see his site here.) Mr. Sumption makes these devices by hand and each box is unique upon itself. He describes the box such:
The system consists of a random voltage generator, which is used to tune an AM receiver module rapidly. The audio from the tuner (raw audio) is amplified and fed to an echo chamber, where the spirits manipulate it to form their voices.
As we stated, each box is unique and this description does not necessarily describe the most recent boxes. Mr. Sumption is always trying new things but the previous description gives you the basic idea of what he is trying to do. Basically the AM/FM radio bands are scanned at a rapid pace and these small snippets of sound are used by the spirits to form their words.
This box has caused quite a stir and quite a bit of interest in the paranormal community. There were investigators that wanted to have their own Frank’s Box. However these boxes are not massed produced. They are literally built by hand by Mr. Sumption on his workbench in his basement.
Since the “key” to the box is this rapid scan of the AM/FM frequencies, someone at one point thought of modifying an existing off-the-shelf radio to try to get the same effect. At least two radio models 12-469 and 12-470 from Radio Shack have been “hacked” to behave like a Frank’s Box. The “hack” is opening the radio and either cutting a wire or snipping a pin. We actually have not hacked one of the radios but it does seem rather easy to do. Expect to void your warranty though. 
There are two people who are visible in this community since they have done some media interviews. They are Steve Hultay and Bruce Halliday. On Mr. Halliday’s web site he has a page that describes how you can hack a Radio Shack radio. Since Frank’s Boxes are scarce, Mr Hultay was instrumental in the creation of “Joe’s Box” as he found someone who could build it. Here is the story of the creation of Joe’s Box.
You can listen to radio interviews that Mr. Hultay has done and also to radio interviews Mr. Halliday has done. We can guarantee that the shows are interesting and you will learn alot about box research.
So anyone with a few dollars can become a real time spirit communication researcher by visiting their local Radio Shack. This clearly means that the work of this communication for the human is easy. But what the spirit needs to do seems hard! When you think about it the spirit must:
- Form words out of available radio signal.
- Take different fragments and then properly build words that make sense.
- Time all of this with the sweep of the box.
That sounds like quite a challenge. It seems to us that these spirits want to communicate as much with us as we do with them.
There is another way to do real time spirit communication. Using a software program called EVPMaker one could do a session using a PC. The software takes an audio file containing human phonemes (the basic parts of human speech) as input. You are probably familiar with these sounds as you would describe it as “computer speech”. The software can be configured to play this file containing these bits of human speech in a random order. The spirit’s task in this situation is to either:
- Effect the randomness of the selected phonemes to form words.
- Effect the sound coming from the PC speakers to form the words.
This software does not deal with radio signals at all. All sound is generated by the computer.
We here at Spectral Review have to admit that this method is the hardest one to wrap our brains around. The day job entails writing software and in our career as a computer scientist we know that random numbers in computers are actually pseudo-random. Your basic algorithm to generate random numbers actually can be predictable. For games and the like the randomness is usually sufficient for users of the software to be unaware.
This EVPMaker software is freeware but the source code is unavailable (at least we did not see where to get it). Here is a nice tutorial on how to set up the software on your computer. It also includes the phoneme file you need.
Here are some links to some examples of this communication. Bruce Halliday has examples of sessions with his equipment. This session crossed over an earthbound spirit. Listen to some files from a Radio Shack hack box. And finally some Frank’s Box results.
The EVPMaker author lists some examples using his software.
There are a few more devices that could be used if you are interested in getting into this research. The Bruce Halliday web site has some great information on all the devices.
Finally if you want to know more you can get information from the people who are doing this research. There are two Yahoo Groups that are dedicated to this research. They are rtsc (Real Time Spirit Communication) and EVP-ITC. The first group is owned by Steve Hultay and moderated by Bruce Halliday while the latter is Frank Sumptions group.
Conclusion
We here at Spectral Review learned when we did our first audio analysis looking for EVPs is that it’s best to form your opinions on subjects of paranormal research by doing it first hand.
So whether you think this real time spirit communication is all silliness or if you think it’s true communication, we suggest you invest some time doing it yourself before deciding it’s one of the two or it’s something in the middle.
July 5th, 2008 at 6:22 am
We have a speakjet box, our own creation. We have an engineer that developed and built it.
It uses a speak jet chip, think old speak and spells, combined with an EMF detector, because we know spirit energy has manipulated emf waves, and a processor which converts the 72 allophones of the human voice into 1s and 0s.
It alleviates the ‘radio wave’ skepticism by taking radio out of it completely. We have had some amazing results with it.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:30 am
All I hear is beeee sssss.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
That’s fine, and while I continue to be open and post openly; you can continue to hide and post crap comments.
There’s a fine line between skepticism and cynicism.
You’ve crossed it long ago.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I find it distrurbing that my name, and the boxes are contiuously, on every friggin’ paranormal site, connected to the haunted, ghost hunter mentality, negative, darkside demon ridden Hollywood BS. I don’t do that ghost hunter crap, I don’t go to “haunted” loactions, or grave yards. I don’t do “investigations”. I even run my sessions with the lights on! I do not understand why y’all have to make it this frightening Halloween crap when it should be a great joy to make contact with spirits and other entities. If I complain, everyone acts like I’m somekind of friggin’ monster!
My point is you don’t become some retarted half human thing at death, it’s quite the oppoisite. 99% of that negative crap is pure suggestion–y’all create it yourselves!
There does seem to be road blocks to production, but its probably my lack of action more than anything. I’ll share all techno info with anyone, and I have printed circuit board layouts now, which makes a huge improvement in operation, especially random mode. I use the Radio Shack radios as tuner modules, combined with the sweep voltage from my boards.
The method is to provide a raw audio consisting of bits of human speech, music and noise that entites use to form voices. Radio is a convenient source of this raw audio when the tuning is swept across the bands, AM, FM, or short wave, and it can be linear, random, or by hand. That is the only reason for using a swept radio. It works, and skeptics/debunkers can bite me.
Frank
July 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
You don’t understand the word skepticism; do the work, look it up. And further, what is your extraordinary proof four your extraordinary claims.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
The idea of this article is to help people who come to this site find real information on real time spirit communication. To further that goal I’ve added a second link to Mr Sumption’s web page.
Unfortunately ghost hunting will be tied to spirit communication because through the eyes of most of the world, it’s the same thing.
Most of the people who come here base their assumptions on the paranormal on what is on “Ghost Hunters”, other TV shows and Hollywood. Again we have articles and links to REAL people who do paranormal research so readers can learn more and not just say “I saw it on TV” and remain ignorant.
It’s fine to be a skeptic but our point in the article is instead of throwing things out with a wave of the hand, do your own research and testing and really decide for yourself. The barrier to entry to try this spirit communication is very low.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I have nothing to prove, I make no claims that bend the physical laws of the universe.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Serious researchers offer their evidence for peer-review. They allow it to be torn down without hurt feelings. This is how science advances. It doesn’t cling to dogma because it seems cool.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Exactly! Critical review should be welcomed, not feared, or ridiculed out of fear.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Resume says :
July 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
You don’t understand the word skepticism; do the work, look it up. And further, what is your extraordinary proof four your extraordinary claims.
First off that should be the word “for” not “four”; “do the work; look it up”. Second, tell me where I have said anything about “extraordinary proof”? Our evidence is out there, on the net, and we do get scrutinized. But those who do, do not hide behind comment posts; incognito. Until you either come forward and refrain from slinging tart remarks like a coward, nothing further you say will even matter to me.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
My don’t we get all up and hard at a bit of criticism. And if you have never made post containing a typo, congrats. You’re hyping a “box” that you claim does remarkable things. How about we test it, by some impartial party. I’m thinking JREF.
Now, for the excuses.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Hi Resume. I understand your skepticism. I am a box researcher.. although I don’t know how much real research I do because I log in my files and save the raw audio of the full session as well as post all my clips on ESNIPS – but that isn’t really research and I know it! Maybe practitioner is a better term.
But I was reading this thread with interest. I belong to Frank’s group and Steve and Bruce’s as well. I understand your skepticism.. my husband is the ultimate skeptic and to this day swears he doesn’t hear anything but static and noise while listening to clips that I consider completely understandable! Oh well. I don’t get mad I just keep trying for better communication.
I agree with Frank S’ comments above about not needing darkness and all that spooky junk. I have never been on a ghost hunt and I record outside in my backyard or in my house in the light of day.. In the clips links I provided below you will actually hear the birds singing as they do in the bright early mornings!
BTW..Besides the Radio Shack hack models 12-469, 12-470 and the 12-820 I also own a Digital Dowsing LLC created Ovilus that uses speakjet technology and I do use EVP Maker with allophones. I have had incredible experiences with all. I have posted them at my ESNIPS account for all to hear and comment on freely. Here is the link to all my folders that contain my audio box clips: http://www.esnips.com/FoldersAction.ns
If that doesn’t work – write back and I will send you a better link.
But for now here are two examples of my communication using the Radio Shack Hack Model 12-820 Armband style radio scanning the FM band outside in my backyard just yesterday – July 11:
http://www.esnips.com/doc/b9f50235-f7de-4f12-a5ec-485bb2595f85/ITS-ABOUT-POWER-ITS-ENDLESS-SKEPTICAL-PEOPLE
http://www.esnips.com/doc/7c7d294c-322e-4e16-9b81-7f074569d9cb/cousin-KRISTIN-HELLO-hello-IAM-KRISTINS-COUSIN
This one is my RS12-470 from march 28th and I was in my bedroom doing a morning session.
http://www.esnips.com/doc/cbc2c81b-5882-4e10-a30f-bc0fff34a3fa/Grab-my-coffee-GO-GET-ok-YOUR-COFFEE
If you expect perfect-clear-concise back and forth conversations like you do when you pick up your land line telephone and speak to your mother across the country then you are holding the box up to unrealistic standards. Even standard EVPs are seldom loud and perfectly clear.
And the writer of the commentary is correct – the spirits (or whoever is making contact) do have to work incredibly hard to reach us in the manner.
This clip is from April and you can actually hear the radio behind the voices.. It is scratchy but I believe it is understandable.. and they come right out and tell me they don’t get help communicating on that side either.
http://www.esnips.com/doc/98c52b57-b1e2-48d7-b77a-c7e7f5d66658/reverse–WE-DONT-GET-CLEAR-HELP-HERE
Anyway.. I have put it out there for you. I’m not worried if you disagree.. because I understand that not everyone will accept this form of spirit communication (yet.) But I appreciate the open minds that at least consider it.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I’m pretty discouraged with everything paranormal, these supposed ghost hunters seem to be after nothing but the negative and fearful, some even suggesting that use of the boxes attracts shadow people. Some claim demon contacts from the boxes. I think all of this stuff is bogus, as I’ve made/used this stuff since 2002 and have had no ill effects. So what if I occasionally get some entity cussing, or calling me names, like that never happens to anyone in real life!
The “paranormal” seems to be just a bunch huge egos babies all trying to be the only expert in the world, say anything, and they make it like I’m attacking them, even though they drag my equipment, and the concept into the sewer.
I don’t know what the answer is, but I’ve had enough of the so called paranormal! My boxes are for spirit/ entity communication, not running around some moldy basement chasing demons. Even if there was something there, why in god’s name would anyone want to commnicate with it? Try reaching a little higher.
Frank
May 8th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I agree with you frank 100 percent, I too have the same problems with “green” energy research, every energy idea or machine i can come up with i just get the usual gamut of nasty comments all from people with no electronics backgrounds at all they just sit and repetitively recount the old laws of physics and bitch about how nothing can ever work bla bla bla,, I say let them stay in there little box of reality and let us move onward through the uncharted waters of life,,,,, for we shall have lived an exciting and much more gratifying life,
Bill – Ohio evp.
p.s. You have my support no matter what you do Frank!!
July 1st, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Sooorrrryy! I get way too negative sometimes–allow me to back the hurst up.
Frank
July 12th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
For whatever it’s worth, you’ve inspired me to attend college and study science, Frank. Beforehand, I had no desire to further my learning. Thank you.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Wow, ya mean I actually had a positive effect! Cool!
I do this “work” for my own curiosity– I sell nothing, I shun all shows and interviews, I’m not seeking fame or fortune. I share what I get/do cuz it seems to relate to others research, and don’t don’t give rats butt if it is ever accepted by science. Something talks that shouldn’t be there, I can’t prove what it is, and I don’t care about that either, it’s just to damn intriguing.
Anyway, good luck with your education! I should do the same.
Frank
July 14th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I’ve had years of arguing about the ghost boxes, even with people supposedly in this field, I don’t want to go there any longer. I can’t prove this stuff to anyone that doesn’t want to hear it, or has their minds made up, and it does take a certain open-ness to hear this stuff. It’s easy to explain anything away, and some need that. Try it yourself, or not….
Frank
July 14th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
If there’s nothing to this kind of communication, then how do I get a voice via the ghost box reporting that another researcher was able to make her own box, and she never told me she built it until I sent the voice.
No doubt the same skeptic response, “Well how do you know who said it’? Like that matters!
Frank S
July 19th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Hi,
great article. I have to admit that it may cause brain ache to understand or accept that pseudo random numbers can be a basis for true transcommunication. However, it’s a fact that even in scientifically controlled experiments at parapsychological labs, pseudo random numbers were successfully used to prove a psychokinesis effect. I think the reason for this is, that these phenomena are grounded in dimensions beyond time and space, where our 3/4-dimensional way of thinking isn’t applicable anymore.
But since EVP as well as any other method of communication with other dimensions is also dependent on the human experimenter and perhaps also his/her beliefs, it may indeed improve the success rate of such communication, if true random numbers or other means of data acquirements (e.g. environmental data like EM fields etc.) are used to control the audio output. In EVPmaker, you can simply select another random source. If you don’t feel comfortable with computer-generated deterministic random data, then select an external source (soundcard, a hardware RNG connected to the parallel printer port, or manual sweep).
Stefan
July 30th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Thanks Stefan! I think Dr. Shermer effectively terminated this line of discussion though. These skeptics tend to be a mindless lot, they can only think and respond to that which the leader says is ok. Otherwise I think they just sit and stare at a blank monitor screen, everything being to scarey to consider as reality, and god forbid their little academic world be distrubed by facts and “evidence” that is really there.
Frank-S