To use a Franks Box? Or not to use a Franks Box? That is the question.

By Heather Revie-Borland, 417 Paranormal Research Group Founder

The Franks Box, also known as many other names like a Spirit box or Ghost Box to name a few, is I feel, the most controversial piece of paranormal equipment.  You can buy it already made online, or you can buy a radio from Radio Shack and make one yourself.  There are multiple videos on YouTube out there for the “hack” version. 

This piece of equipment uses AM radio frequencies as “white noise” so you may communicate with entities.  The radio scans different radio frequencies.  As the investigator asks questions, much like they would for a traditional EVP session, the answer to the questions can be heard audibly for everyone that is in hearing distance immediately.  Some people believe that using this device you are opening a portal to the other side.  I do not see this as the case.  If we say that it is opening a portal, then we would have to say that for EVP sessions as well.  With EVP sessions you ask questions, you review the audio, and you get disembodied voices.  With the Franks box, you ask questions and get disembodied voices.  This device cuts out the time of the review part, due to you hear the responses right away. So really, the only difference between the traditional EVP sessions and Franks Box sessions, are the time taken to listen for the disembodied voices. 

Many argue, since it uses radio frequencies, there is too much contamination.  This potential contamination is what makes it so controversial.  I, to a degree, concur. It really takes quite a bit of training for the investigator and a good ear to discern if what you hear is a response or contamination from an actual radio station. For our team, to cut down on an actual radio station coming through, or the cross contamination, we have built a box to put it in.  This box is just a normal cardboard box that we have place aluminum foil over to block out local frequencies. External speakers are used as well.  There is a small hole cut in the side of the box for the wire to go through so they can be plugged into the device. It is much like a Faraday box that we have made for it.

I believe the Franks Box should NOT solely be used as a means of communication during an investigation.  I know my group conducts traditional EVP sessions and Franks Box sessions.  This piece of equipment has assisted us tremendously in helping our clients.  There have been several investigations, I feel, without this piece of equipment; we would have not fully helped our client.  I do not think we would have been able to give the answers our clients need and deserve. 

As with any piece of paranormal equipment’s life beginning, there are always   constant upgrades to make it better.  The Spirit Box, I am sure will be no different.  I just hope that as the upgrades progress, more people accept this piece of equipment as useful and a vital part of equipment.