P.K.E. Meter
Reading Spiritual Activity
Appeared in	The Real Ghostbusters Slimer! Extreme Ghostbusters Mars Attacks The Real Ghostbusters

The P.K.E. Meter functioned just like in the movie, and was used all the time to track down ghosts, demons, and supernatural events. One bad side effect to it was it could explode if exposed to a very big supernatural event. In "Ghosts R Us" the P.K.E. Meter can tell how intelligent a ghost is. A specialty calibrated meter is kept on hand to keep a census on the ghosts in the Containment Unit.

HistoryEdit

The Real GhostbustersEdit

Over the years, the P.K.E. Meter was adjusted to do more than detect the paranormal. While on the hunt for the Boogieman, Ray suggested they adjust the P.K.E. Meter to detect potential vibrations given off by the entity's portals. ^[1] When they were in Hollywood, the Ghostbusters lost their Proton Packs. Egon Spengler adjusted the P.K.E. Meter and a spare to pick up the particle beam energy of the Proton Packs. ^[2]

Forced to venture into the New Jersey Parallelogram, the Meter's polarity was reversed so it could be set to detect reality and find the MS Applegon crew. ^[3] The polarity could also be reversed in order to send out a distress signal only ghosts could hear. ^[4] While searching for Janine Melnitz, who was kidnapped by henchmen of the Crimelord, Egon adjusted the Meter to pick up Janine's specific bio-rhythm. ^[5] In one instance, the P.K.E. Meter could adjusted while the Ghostbusters were in the Netherworld. Egon set it to high gain in order to detect the Shears of Fate. ^[6] In a similar fashion, the Meters were set to infinity to detect Marduk without getting false positives from psychic background noise and local specters. ^[7]

In addition to detection, the P.K.E. Meter was also used as a deterrent. Egon adjusted the sound on the Meter to a frequency painful to human ears within a close proximity. In a race against time, Egon adjusted four P.K.E. Meters to only pick up the energy field of the Makoveris Lotsabucks in order to locate her before Janine was changed for good. ^[8]

Extreme GhostbustersEdit

The Extreme Ghostbusters used the original P.K.E. Meters in their investigation of the ancient tunnel at the site of the Crosstown Subway. Due to the ghosts in New York getting stronger, the P.K.E. Meters had to be redesigned to be stronger like the rest of the equipment. The design was somewhat altered for the newer version. Rather than having an antenna on top that put two side wings, the top has two smaller antennas that had a focused electric wave flowing between them. During the Lotan case, Egon attempted to study Maiikrob's vitals with a stethoscope-like extension hidden in the rear of his P.K.E. Meter. Maiikrob swatted the Meter away before it could be used.

DevelopmentEdit

Like most equipment shown in the pilot, the P.K.E. Meter was altered later. Interestingly enough, even in the storyboards to "Mrs. Roger's Neighborhood" the design was used.^[9] The design was more of a box without a handle to hold it. There is one large dial on the front.^[10]

ToysEdit

• P.K.E. Meter came with the Proton Pack in Weapon Action Figure Toys 2

TriviaEdit

• The P.K.E. Meter can register only ghosts up to a Class 10. If it detects a force beyond that, the Meter explodes. ^[11]
• The P.K.E. Meters used by the Extreme Ghostbusters can't function properly in a lead-lined tunnel. ^[12]
• In Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Realistic Versions), The Real Ghostbusters' version of the P.K.E. Meter can be found on a desk in the Firehouse basement near the door to the sub-basement, next to several Stasis Mines modeled after the Extreme Ghostbusters traps.
• On page two of Ghostbusters Issue #11, an Extreme Ghostbusters-era P.K.E. Meter is used by Winston Zeddemore.
• On Cover C of Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #1, the Extreme Ghostbusters-era P.K.E. Meter makes a non-canon cameo.

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ Ray Stantz (2009).The Real Ghostbusters-"The Boogieman Cometh" (1986) (DVD). (DVD ts. 10:12-10:15). Time Life Entertainment.
2. ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters-"Take Two" (1986) (DVD). (DVD ts. 13:00). Time Life Entertainment.
3. ↑ "Venkman's Ghost Repellers"
4. ↑ Ray Stantz (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "Lights! Camera! Haunting!" (1986) (DVD ts. 18:40-18:43). Time Life Entertainment.
5. ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "Ghost Busted" (1986) (DVD ts. 13:27-13:29). Time Life Entertainment.
6. ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "Hanging By a Thread" (1986) (DVD ts. 15:07-15:09). Time Life Entertainment.
7. ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "I Am the City" (1986) (DVD ts. 13:13-13:18). Time Life Entertainment.
8. ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "Janine, You've Changed" (1990) (DVD ts. 15:46-15:48). Time Life Entertainment.
9. ↑ Storyboards from "Mrs. Roger's Neighborhood"
10. ↑ Screen caps and Storyboards from "The Real Ghostbusters Pilot"
11. ↑ Egon Spengler (2009).The Real Ghostbusters- "Slimer Streak" (1989) (DVD ts. 16:55-16:59). Time Life Entertainment.
12. ↑ Egon Spengler (1997). Extreme Ghostbusters- Heart of Darkness (1997) (DVD ts. 12:50-12:57). Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Egon says: "These are lead-lined tunnels designed to be impervious to nuclear fallout. In much the same way, they're blocking our P.K.E. readings."

GalleryEdit

The Real Ghostbusters Pilot DesignEdit

A collage of images of the Pilot Version PKE Meter.

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The Real Ghostbusters DesignEdit

Specifications seen in "Robo-Buster"

Retracted

The P.K.E. Meter in the episode Ghosts R Us

Reading of Slug, Snarg, and Zunk

Reading of Slug, Snarg, and Zunk

Reading of Zunk

The P.K.E. Meter breaks while reading the Toy Ghost

Egon studies live readings from biproducts of dreams and nightmares in "Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream"

Briefly detects Sleeping ghost in "Take Two"

Adjusting dial

We have activity.

Overloaded by ecto surge in "You Can't Take it With You".

The P.K.E. Meter being hung by the Key Fob.

Side view of P.K.E. Meter.

Topside view of P.K.E. Meter.

Detecting Hob Anagarak in block of black ice in "Cold Cash and Hot Water" .

After detecting Hob Anagarak in block of black ice in "Cold Cash and Hot Water".

As seen in "Ghost Fight at the O.K. Corral".

As seen in "Buster the Ghost".

The P.K.E. Meter before use. As seen in "Camping it Up".

The P.K.E. Meter connected to a cord that goes to a grey box. As seen in "Camping it Up".

The P.K.E. Meter connected to a cord that goes to a grey box. As seen in "Camping it Up".

The P.K.E. Meter connected to a cord that goes to a grey box. As seen in "Camping it Up".

As seen in "Transylvanian Homesick Blues"

As seen in "Robo-Buster"

As seen in Slimer! episode "Don't Tease the Sleaze"

P.K.E. Meter's pick up paranormal activity on Extreme Ghostbusters

Egon uses Meter on Extreme Ghostbusters

Egon instructs Extreme Ghostbusters

Kylie uses P.K.E. Meter for first time

Non-Canon Cameo in Ghostbusters: The Video Game

Non-Canon Cameo in Ghostbusters: The Video Game

As seen in Mars Attacks The Real Ghostbusters

As seen in Mars Attacks The Real Ghostbusters

As seen in Mars Attacks The Real Ghostbusters

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Extreme Ghostbusters DesignEdit

The P.K.E. Meter as seen on Extreme Ghostbusters

No activity

P.K.E. reading taken

In Extreme Ghostbusters title sequence

In Extreme Ghostbusters title sequence, of body

In Extreme Ghostbusters title sequence, of antennae

Backside of P.K.E. Meter in Extreme Ghostbusters

Worn on Belt

Extended cord to check vitals seen in "Moby Ghost"

Non-Canon Cameo in Ghostbusters Issue #11

Non-Canon Cameo in Ghostbusters Volume 2 Issue #1

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