(Originally published on Living Life in Full Spectrum) A lot of EMF detectors used in the field were not created for ‘ghost hunting’. They were usually created to find wiring or to measure the magnetic field to see if they were at risk. While nowadays new pieces of equipment are created specifically for the paranormal field, none is more popular or as well-known as the Mel Meter. What a lot of people don’t know, is the sad story behind the creation of this device. Gary Galka who is the inventor of the Mel Meter is an electrical engineer who owns a company (DAS) that mainly develops test instruments which measure data. One fateful night September 24th 2004, Gary’s beloved daughter Melissa, was involved in a car accident where she sustained life threatening injuries. On September 28th, her family had to make the heart wrenching decision to take her off life support. She was only 17 years old. Almost immediately, the family claims that Melissa affectionately known as Mel was trying to make her presence known in what they called ADC – after death communications. The TV would turn on by itself, lights would turn on and off and she would interfere with different electrical items within the house. They could smell her perfume and eventually they believed they could feel her hugging and kissing them. After 6 months passed, Gary began researching into the paranormal. He read books and watched the television shows and tried his own EVP sessions. Melissa would talk through the recorder and they would compare the voice to her message bank on her phone which they kept open so they could hear her voice. It was around this time that Gary realised that at this time, there was no equipment which was specifically made for contacting spirits. The Mel Meter 8704 was born. The Word Mel comes from Melissa his daughter who was born in ‘87’ and passed in ‘04’. It reads temperature and EMF with some versions also having a REM POD. Other equipment was eventually made and DAS is now one of the leading suppliers of paranormal equipment. Regardless of whether the Mel Meter is picking up ‘ghosts’ or electricity, you cannot argue that it is one of the most popular pieces of equipment in the field today. It is actually also one of my personal favourites. For me it is showing me the data of what is happening in the room. Again, regardless of it temperature fluctuations and EMF spikes are paranormal or not, it is giving me the information in real time for me to interpret. I have validated many personal experiences with the Mel Meter. Usually it is me feeling a rush of energy and as I feel it, I can see the EMF reading go up and then go back down when it passes. It is validating that some kind of EMF is affecting me. It is up to me decide if that is paranormal or not depending on my surroundings. One of the best things I like about this story is not just the tribute to his daughter, but the fact that Gary and his wife started helping with grief counselling for families who lose loved ones and he actually donates a portion of his profits to these organisations. He is giving back to the community in honour of his daughter. So, the next time you pick up your trusty Mel Meter 8704, take a minute to appreciate the love between Father and Daughter. There is actually an episode of Ghost Adventures back in the earlier days dedicated to Gary where they visit his home to hear this story and I have to say it is probably one of my favourite episodes. All he wants is to talk to his daughter and he is trying to help the paranormal field along the way.
