Open Letter Regarding the Relationship between ParanormalSystems.com and ASUP

There have been some recent questions regarding the exact relationship between ParanormalSystems.com (PSC) and The Association for the Study of Unexplained Phenomenon (ASUP). I want to clarify this so there will be no misunderstandings regarding these two entities.

ASUP is a fully non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and research organization manned by 100% unpaid volunteer workers. As such, it depends on donations and grants for its funding. A research project was initiated over a year ago regarding the functionality of the so-called 'Frank's Ghost Box' and a study was initiated to determine the functionality and accuracy of these devices. After calling on many sources, ASUP was unable to procure a Frank's Box for study, so it charged the Director of Research and Development to create a similar device independently. Rick Moran and myself (Ron Ricketts) jointly created the specifications, consulted on the design, and did the testing and research to create such a device. It was named the MiniBox, mainly because the enclosure used was small, compared to the original huge enclosure used.

After months of effort the device was perfected and found to work very well. The initial study project was greatly expanded to have more volunteer participants as testers and data correlators. The problem was that the MiniBox, when constructed by hand, took over a week per unit to produce and was quite expensive. The initial costs of development, which were substantial, were supplied primarily by me, Ron Ricketts. Rick Moran and myself realized that in order to do valid testing with a large number of people in a reasonable period of time, it would be necessary to have many Boxes available. To re-engineer the box so it could be assembled more quickly would require more engineering, more money, and more time - none of which were available.

Rick realized that in order to have quantities of Boxes available for testing it would be necessary to have it manufactured by a third party. This way, the Box could be created and sold at a price that would offset manufacturing and shipping/handling. Two more problems arose. First, after quizzing a number of small manufacturing companies, no one would produce the device unless a very large order was place and paid for in advance. Second, even if they were available, ASUP could not sell them directly because it was in violation of the ASUP charter as well as being very questionable under the 501(c)(3) regulations.

At this point Rick and I decided that I would handle the production of these devices personally, using my own funding. ASUP granted me sole title to the design, with the provision that the device be manufactured to high-quality standards, and sold for a price that covered costs plus providing a small profit. I agreed to these terms and began having circuit boards made, purchasing parts in quantities etc.

A major point to be considered is that the construction and sale of the MiniBox is by a privately owned and managed company, ParanormalSystems.com

Although I did the bulk of the design work, the rights were given to ASUP, who then gave them back to me for the purposes of manufacture. Since ASUP is a non-profit organization, they have not, and never will, realize any cash benefits from the MiniBox. Their sole benefit is the knowledge gained from their use, and the multiple units I have donated, and will continue to donate, for their research.

Lately a few issues have arisen based on the mistaken belief that ASUP and ParanormalSystems.com are related. They are not! Any questions regarding purchasing, shipping, accessories, customer service, pricing, availability on eBay or other venues, is strictly the responsibility of PSC. While ASUP will grant interviews or create articles regarding the MiniBox, they have no vested interest or responsibility there; they are users just like any other customer who has purchased one directly from PSC or off one of our eBay auctions.

Any questions on use or purchase should be directed to us, not ASUP. Questions to ASUP or ASUP members will be redirected to PSC. ASUP is a customer like anyone else and is not a part of PSC, or vice-versa, as that is not in compliance 501(c)(3) regulations.

I hope this clarifies any misconceptions that exist regarding the relationship between these two organizations.

Ron Ricketts
ParanormalSystems.com