1969 01 00 73 Magazine - Russia

Magazine Overview

Title: AMATEUR RADIO 73
Issue Date: January 1969
Price: 75¢
Publisher: 73 Magazine
Country: USA
Language: English

Cover Story: Sudden UFO Interest Not Restricted To Hams

The January 1969 issue of AMATEUR RADIO 73 features a prominent cover story titled "Sudden UFO Interest Not Restricted To Hams." The article highlights a significant shift in the Soviet Union's stance on unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Previously, Russian explanations for UFOs often mirrored American ones, attributing them to optical phenomena or atmospheric occurrences. However, Russian scientists are now publicly supporting the hypothesis that UFOs originate from extraterrestrial sources.

This change in attitude is considered newsworthy, especially coming from a country with a history of dismissing such phenomena. The article notes that when Russia takes an interest in flying saucers, it warrants attention. The scientific community in Russia is reportedly offering learned support for the idea that UFOs come from other worlds.

Soviet Scientific Publications and the Tungusky Meteorite

Articles appearing in Russian publications like "Kimsomolskaya pravda" and "Teknika-Molodezhi" are cited as evidence of this new Soviet interest. These articles, translated and released by Electro-Optical Systems, Inc., an aerospace firm in Pasadena, California (a subsidiary of Xerox Corporation), suggest a need for a worldwide amateur radio "skywatch" plan. A key conjecture presented is that the famous Tungusky meteorite of 1908 might have been an artificial craft from another planet.

Electro-Optical Systems, Inc. is providing these translations as part of a series called "Soviet Science in the News," serving American scientists.

Tungusky Event Details

According to the Russian-to-English translations of Soviet papers, the USSR's Academy of Sciences has conducted recent investigations into the Tungusky meteorite. The Tungusky explosion is described as having all the parameters of an atmospheric nuclear blast and left behind considerable residual radioactivity. The Soviet Academy's theory is further supported by the fact that the object, referred to as a "meteorite," apparently maneuvered before the blast. This mysterious body exploded after traversing a 375-mile arc through Earth's atmosphere.

Implications of Soviet Interest

The article concludes that while the sudden Soviet interest in UFOs doesn't invalidate all previous theories, it does bring a sense of sobriety to a topic often relegated to the fringes of discussion. The technical editor, Ken W. Sessions, Jr. of Electro-Optical Systems, Inc., signs off with his call sign K6MVH.

Magazine Operations and Advertising

An adjacent section provides information on the magazine's subscription renewal code, explaining that the numbers on the address label indicate the month and year of the last issue. It also features an advertisement encouraging readers to place ads in the magazine, stating that the space reaches 65,000 paid readers and offering contact information for ad rates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue appears to focus on the intersection of amateur radio, scientific inquiry, and unexplained phenomena, particularly UFOs. The editorial stance seems to be one of encouraging serious investigation and open-mindedness towards such topics, leveraging the global reach of amateur radio operators for potential observation. There's an emphasis on reporting scientific developments, even from behind the Iron Curtain, and translating them for a Western audience. The magazine positions itself as a platform for discussing cutting-edge or controversial subjects within the context of amateur radio and scientific exploration.