73 Amateur Radio Today

Magazine Overview

Title: 73 Amateur Radio Today
Issue: #445
Date: October 1997
Publisher: 73 Amateur Radio Today
Country: USA
Price: $3.95 USA / $4.95 CANADA
Theme: Including Ham Radio Fun!

This issue of "73 Amateur Radio Today" delves into a variety of topics, blending practical amateur radio information with speculative discussions on UFOs and personal development. The cover prominently features the title and a list of articles, including "SOS - Titanic!", "Skinflint's PVC Tower", "The Fantastic GM-30 Kit", "Finding Those Old Manuals", "So What's This APRS Stuff?", "Try Phased Trappped Verticals", "Simple Troubleshooting Gadget", and "Cheap 20m Antenna - Big Signal".

Hamfest Report

Dennis WB8QWL of Dentronics offers suggestions for improving hamfests. He recommends lowering admission prices to attract more of the general public and using mailings with piggyback ads from vendors to spread the word. He also stresses the importance of bringing in interesting speakers to discuss topics like antenna design, slow scan, DXpeditions, and packet radio. To attract the public, hamfest organizers should leverage local TV and radio shows, and secure newspaper coverage. The overall presentation should be entertaining, akin to a "show biz" event, and organized by a committee with a proven track record.

Covering It All Up: UFOs and the Roswell Incident

The magazine addresses the ongoing discussion surrounding the Roswell 50th anniversary and UFOs. It references recent TV shows and interviews with witnesses, suggesting a consistent pattern of reports about an Army cover-up of a crashed UFO or UFOs. This is presented as confirmation of years of UFO reports and stories from contactees. The article points to Col. Corso's book, "The Day After Roswell," as a key source, detailing Corso's alleged role in managing alien technology retrieved from Roswell and other UFO crashes. Corso reportedly saw an ET and read a medical autopsy report. The visitors (ETs) are described as being eons ahead in technology, with their spacecraft possibly controlled via headbands. The article speculates that these ETs might be using advanced "robots" or androids for their missions, explaining the lack of digestive systems and the hive-like mentality reported by some contactees. The military's classification of these entities as hostile is seen as a justification for increased spending on advanced weaponry. The article also touches on the concept of ESP and mental communication, citing Cleve Backster's research on plant and human cell communication as evidence that such phenomena are real.

Goldbrick or Lead Balloon?

This section shifts focus to personal and professional development. It criticizes the "goldbricking" culture prevalent in large corporations and government bureaus, where employees are encouraged to do the minimum work required. The popularity of Scott Adams' "Dilbert" cartoons is attributed to their exploitation of this theme. The author reflects on his own career, starting as a radio engineer-announcer and progressing through various roles in radio and television, emphasizing the importance of learning and growing in one's job. He contrasts this proactive approach with the passive behavior of many employees who simply do their jobs and then engage in leisure activities. The article encourages readers to use their jobs as opportunities to learn and grow, and to be innovative rather than simply conforming.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently blends technical information relevant to amateur radio operators with broader discussions on topics such as UFOs, alleged government cover-ups, and personal growth. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and inquisitive, particularly concerning unexplained phenomena like UFOs, while also promoting a proactive and engaged approach to personal and professional life. There is a clear skepticism towards bureaucratic inertia and a strong endorsement of continuous learning and innovation.