Data Net - No 06

Magazine Overview

This document is issue number 6 of the DATA-NET REPORT, dated June 5, 1967. It is published by DATA-NET CONTROL, identified by call sign WB6RPL, and operates from Mt. View, California. The report details the station's activities, UFO-related correspondence, and a visit from an FCC representative. It also includes a reward offer for UFO photographs and information from various sources, including APRO.

Station Activity and Communications

The report begins by stating that it has been an extremely busy month for the station, receiving numerous reports, information, and correspondence from members, as well as handling inquiries. A notable event was a visit from Mr. Angelo Ditty of the FCC, who showed considerable interest in the UFO situation and suggested that "something" is indeed present.

A $10.00 reward was offered for any valid UFO photograph, which was later increased to $13.00 due to a favorable response from several stations, including WB6TXK, WB60TN, and WE6VCM. Participants were instructed to send complete, unprocessed rolls of film with as much detail as possible.

This month, information was received from K56F1/VE6, K7YXP, WTOFE, WB60TN, APRO, and a new DATA-NET member, Mr. Alan Weber. Stamps and an envelope were also received from Mr. Joseph Adamski.

Unconfirmed Reports and Government Interest

The report addresses an unconfirmed rumor about a captured "saucer" or parts thereof being secretly studied at Moffett Naval Air Station. The author notes receiving two other similar reports from unknown sources and acknowledges the difficulty in following up these leads. It is stated as a well-known fact that governments and companies are actively trying to invent or discover anti-gravity machines.

Theories on UFO Origins and Gravity

Discussions then turn to the place of origin of UFOs, with theories ranging from deep within the Earth to other solar systems, specifically mentioning Alpha Centauri as the nearest system at about 4 light years away. The absolute speed limit, the speed of light, is questioned. The author uses an analogy of two light sources separating to illustrate that the speed of light's absolute limit is not intuitively understood. The report draws a parallel to historical skepticism towards new technologies like the railway, where engineers were initially told they could not carry passengers due to the perceived psychological effects of speed.

The report delves into the concept of gravity, stating that it is not explained and only serves as a label to explain phenomena. The author uses the example of swinging a ball on a string, attributing the force keeping the ball from flying off to centrifugal force, and then questions the nature of gravity itself, relating it to electromagnetics and posing more questions than answers.

Specific Sightings and Reports

Several specific sightings and reports are detailed:

• San Francisco Bay Area Sonic Booms: The report mentions several sonic booms heard in the San Francisco Bay area, the loudest occurring on May 20th, attributed to three Air Force jets crashing the sound barrier. The author and his wife experienced an odd feeling of pressure just before the sound.
• Oregon Boy's Photo: Polaroid pictures of a metallic disc sighted in Salem, Oregon, on March 16th are mentioned. Ron Forest, 15, witnessed the object hover and then zoom away. He and other boys described it as metallic, flying high, with no lights or sound.
• Minneapolis Newsreel Cameraman: Mr. Joseph E. Sullivan, a Minneapolis newsreel cameraman and former Navy pilot, reported sighting three disc-shaped objects on February 25th. He described them as moving like fighter planes, with one glowing red. He estimated their size, separation, speed (200 mph), and altitude (1,000 feet).
• Denver Incident (1965): A report from Mrs. Lee Trenholm describes an incident in Golden, Colorado, in September 1965, where a counselor observed a translucent, bright white rectangle of light with red V-shaped lights. The object emitted an ozone odor and ascended rapidly.
• Canadian Sighting: A report from Sid, a radio operator at Anadai Lake, Northwest Territory, Canada, mentioned a red glow and a UFO described as very bright, with high velocities and abrupt directional changes.
• Geologist's Encounter: An amateur geologist reported seeing two glowing red discs, one of which landed and became metallic. After attempting to communicate and touching it, the object took off, leaving the geologist with symptoms of radiation sickness.
• Ojai, California Sighting: Alan Weber reported a bright red light observed on March 14, 1967, by himself and five other witnesses. The object hovered for 8-9 minutes before descending and then shooting up into the sky and vanishing.
• Arizona Sighting: A bright object was observed in Arizona, appearing about 30 degrees to the right of the observer's car, with vertical motion but no horizontal motion.

ICBM Re-entry Characteristics

An interview with an electronic technician describes the characteristics of an ICBM re-entry as observed with the unaided eye. The re-entry appears as a small dot of white light that slowly brightens, then drastically illuminates the sky. This high brilliance lasts for about 15 seconds before decaying to orange and red fragments. The splashdown is typically 3 to 5 miles away and sounds like a muffled boom.

APRO Bulletin Information

The report includes information from the APRO Bulletin, highlighting its significance as a source of UFO information. A special subscription rate of $4.00 per year is offered to DATA-NET members in cooperation with APRO.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings, the nature of gravity and physics, and the skepticism surrounding unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFOs, encouraging the collection of evidence and sharing of information among members and affiliated organizations like APRO. There is a clear emphasis on the need for more data and investigation, as well as a critical examination of established scientific concepts like gravity and the speed of light.