This program makes it possible to use software defined radio (SDR) as a ghost box. A ghost box, or sometimes spirit box, is a device used by paranormal researchers to talk to spirits, the dead, disembodied entities, shape shifting lizard people, and other intra-dimensional fauna.
Some ghost boxes have electronics that give them distinct properties, and others are effectively radio scanners. This tool is of the radio scanning style.
This utility controls the Gqrx SDR receiver program. Unlike more traditional ghost boxes, which are stand alone devices, this setup makes it easy to experiment with different options. Gqrx provides a live visualization of the spectrum and the ability to fine tune and control many parameters of the radio, such as gain, demodulation, squelch, and noise filtering. Ghost boxes usually scan AM or FM. By using SDR, we have a vastly larger spectrum available (though AM may require an upconverter, depending on which SDR is used.)
If we assume that the phenomena is a real thing, this style tool provides researchers with more options and controls than traditional ghost boxes at a lower cost. A cheap USB RTLSDR is enough to get started, and it is easy to experiment with different antenna configurations as well as radio and scanning parameters to figure out what is most effective.
If this tool works for you, please share any succesful results here.
In order to use this program you must have a software defined radio device. A $10 RTLSDR could work, as could more expensive and capable options. For people starting out, I recommend picking an R820T2 based USB stick. Many well reviewed options can be found on Amazon for between $10 and $25 dollars. (Note that these will not support tuning the AM spectrum without an upconverter.)
Traditional ghost boxes usually scan the range of AM or FM frequencies. With this tool you can scan any range of the spectrum that your SDR supports. Unfortunately, the cheaper SDR devices, such as what was recommended above will not receive AM. To receive AM you will either need a more capable SDR device or another device known as an upconverter.
This program is written in Perl. The only dependency beyond a recent version of Perl is the GQRX::Remote module. This may be installed via the package on GitHub, or from CPAN. Here are some notes on installing CPAN modules.
Gqrx is required, and must be setup to allow remote connections from the host this program is running on. For some notes on settings that up, see the GQRX::Remote README and Gqrx's documentation. The Gqrx application itself officially runs on Linux, MacOS and Raspberry Pi. An unoffical version exists for Windows. For more information, see the Gqrx download page.
NOTE: SDR and Gqrx are not always trivial to work with and this is a command-line tool. A final dependency would be some level of comfort working with these types of things and a willingness to tinker. If you have not used SDR, Gqrx, and the command line before, do not expect it to work without some effort.
To use this program:
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Begin by running Gqrx.
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You must enable remote control via
Tools->Remote control. Gqrx has to be setup to allow connections from the host this program is running on (localhost, or otherwise.) The configuration options are found underTools->Remote control settings. -
In a terminal, run the
gqrx-ghostboxcommand with any desired options. -
Modify any parameters in Gqrx as needed, such as the gain, squelch, and filtering.
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Enter a deep trance state and begin your communion with the spirits.
Many examples of ghost box usage can be found on youtube. Generally, it involves asking questions and then listening for a response. Some people believe a medium or trance state is necessary in order for it to work. If you search for "ghost box" or "spirit box", you will find information on different usage styles.
Usage: gqrx-ghostbox [OPTIONS]
GENERAL:
-h, --help Display this detailed help message
-q, --quiet Quiet mode - only output errors
CONNECTION:
-H, --host={IP_ADDRESS} GQRX Host IP (default is 127.0.0.1)
-P, --port={PORT} GQRX Port (default is 7356)
-h, --help Show this help message
RADIO SETTINGS:
-d, --demodulator-mode={MODE} The GQRX demodulator mode to use
(default is 'WFM')
Options: AM, CW, CWL, CWU, FM, LSB, USB,
WFM, WFM_ST, WFM_ST_OIRT
SCANNING SETTINGS:
--min, --min-frequency={FREQUENCY} Minimum frequency to scan in KHz
(default is '88000', FM min)
--max, --max-frequency={FREQUENCY} Maximum frequency to scan in KHz
(default is '108000', FM max)
-m, --scanning-mode={MODE} Method of scanning
(default is 'bounce')
Options: forward, backward, bounce, random
-s, --scanning-step={STEP_SIZE} How many KHz to move when scanning
(default is 150)
This has no effect in "random" mode
--S, --sleep={TIME} Time to hold a frequency for each step
in ms. (default is '30')
# Run gqrx-ghostbox with the default parameters
$ gqrx-ghostbox
# Run against Gqrx on a remote server
$ gqrx-ghostbox --host=10.0.0.1 --port 1234
# Perform random scanning between 800mhz and 900mhz
$ gqrx-ghostbox --min=800000 --max=900000 --scanning-mode=randomThe speed of the scan is controlled by two options. The --sleep option determines how long in milliseconds the program waits after changing frequency. There is no timing loop. Instead, after an update cycles completes, the sleep is performed for the defined duration. The --scanning-step option tells how far the frequency is adjusted in KHz. Normal values would range between 50 and 500.
Scanning starts at a random point within the --min and --max frequency. When in bounce mode, the starting direction is also random.
The --scanning-mode supports 4 different options:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| forward | Each step increase the current frequency by the --scanning-step size. When exceeding --max, start back at --min. |
| reverse | Each step decrease the current frequency by the --scanning-step size. When falling below --min, start back at --max. |
| bounce | Start randomly in either forward or backward mode. When going beyond the --min or --max limit, switch to the opposite mode. (This is the default) |
| random | Each step choose a new random frequency within the --min and --max range. |
If you do use this tool and have good results, please share them to help others. A GitHub issue has been created to share these details. Please include:
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A description of your usage, what happened, and external links to any media
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The command line options used to invoke gqrx-ghostbox
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The type of hardware used (type of SDR, type of antenna, upconverter)
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Any notable configuration options in Gqrx
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Any other notes on your setup and usage (antenna placements, ancient ghost evocation ritual, etc)
Copyright (c) 2016, Douglas Haber
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