73 magazine

Magazine Overview

Title: 73 magazine
Issue: August 1973
Publisher: 73 Magazine
Country: USA
Language: English
Price: $1.00

This issue of "73 magazine for radio amateurs" features a dramatic cover depicting a person tied to railroad tracks, with headlines about an "FCC PROPOSAL THREATENS 220!" and a question, "Can Sweet Meg Escape the Clutches of CB?". The content explores various topics relevant to radio amateurs, including the nature of UFOs, the challenges faced by ham radio publications, and a personal anecdote about an encounter at a Midcars meeting.

The UFO Phenomenon: A Time Travel Theory

The magazine presents a speculative theory regarding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The author, after reviewing numerous reports and photographs, suggests that UFOs are not extraterrestrial in origin but rather craft from the future that travel back in time. This theory is supported by the depiction of UFOs in cave paintings dating back 20,000 to 30,000 years, suggesting a long history of these craft. The author posits that these future travelers might be attempting to gather information or correct past events, explaining why concrete evidence remains elusive and why attempts to capture them are met with difficulty.

The theory suggests that perhaps around the year 2000, humanity developed time travel technology, leading to the appearance of these craft in earlier historical periods. The author speculates on the potential paradoxes of time travel, such as the grandfather paradox, and suggests that future travelers might have to return to fix any disruptions they cause to the timeline. This perspective aims to provide a unifying explanation for the diverse types of UFO sightings and their consistent ephemeral nature.

The Struggle of Ham Radio Publications

The issue also addresses the difficulties faced by newspapers and publications catering to the amateur radio community. The author notes that while many such publications appear promising, they often fail due to a lack of consistent support from amateurs. The recent demise of "Radio Trade-Around" from Findlay, Ohio, is cited as an example, which had a large reported circulation but a significantly smaller paid circulation. Other publications like "Ham Trader," "Swap and Shop," and "FM Journal" are also mentioned as having faced similar challenges.

The author argues that amateurs have a responsibility to support these publications through subscriptions and engagement, as they are vital for the health and growth of the amateur radio hobby. The author shares personal experience in running a radio Teletype bulletin and the FM Journal, highlighting the financial strain and the need for a "rich daddy" to sustain such ventures.

Personal Encounters and Editorial Stance

In a section titled "MIDCARS BAD GUY," the author recounts an experience at a Midcars meeting in Dayton, where he was reportedly prevented from speaking by an individual identified as "Midcars Czar K4DLA." This anecdote highlights potential friction or differing opinions within the amateur radio community.

The magazine encourages readers to engage with the topics discussed, particularly UFOs, by reading books, joining organizations, and subscribing to relevant magazines. The editorial stance appears to be one that encourages open-minded investigation and critical thinking, while also advocating for community support of amateur radio initiatives.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of unexplained phenomena like UFOs, the technical and regulatory aspects of amateur radio (highlighted by the FCC proposal), and the business challenges of supporting specialized hobby publications. The editorial stance is one of encouraging reader participation, critical inquiry, and active support for the amateur radio community and its media outlets. The author's speculative approach to UFOs and his pragmatic view on the economics of hobby publications are evident throughout the text.