Data Net - No 13

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET REPORT
Issue: NO. 13
Date: January 5, 1968
Publisher: DATA-NET CONTROL (WB6RPL)
Location: Mountain View, Calif., USA

This issue of the Data-Net Report is the official newsletter of Data-Net, a group primarily composed of amateur radio operators dedicated to investigating the UFO (flying saucer) problem. The report is not copyrighted and can be freely reproduced. Membership dues are set at $3.00 per year, with funds used for printing, ink, paper, envelopes, stamps, and beer. The organization has recently added a stenographer and editor, both named Jo Clark, who are praised for their enthusiasm and work.

Membership and Scope

Data-Net, though small in number, covers several states in the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico. They aspire to connect with groups in Scotland, Australia, Sweden, England, France, and possibly India. At the time of publication, they have received direct information from Canada, England, France, and Russia, and have informers within the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and French foreign affairs. They also receive data from NICAP, the Colorado Project, and APRO, with particular commendation given to the Lorenzens of APRO for their research efforts.

Stance on UFOs and Publicity

Data-Net acknowledges that they do not yet have personal instances of valid physical contact with UFO occupants but maintain an open mind, pending personal investigation, citing the Sid Padrick case as an example. The organization maintains a policy of avoiding publicity, believing that it could be harmful by attracting scorn from the public and potentially drying up their private sources of information. They explicitly state they do not write magazine articles or appear on radio or television.

Call for Member Participation

The report stresses that Data-Net's strength relies on its members. It is not enough to simply pay dues and read what others have discovered; members are urged to actively investigate, search, and research to contribute to solving the UFO problem.

Member Contributions and Support

The newsletter lists several members who provide financial support, including K5QFI/VE6 Dennis from Edmonton, Canada; KP4CH Tom from Puerto Rico; Herbert Ruzicka from New York; W9THb Jim from Illinois; WB6TXK Bob from California; WB6TQG Phil from California; W6BPV Tom & Jo from California; W70FE Earl from Arizona; WB6VCM John from California; WA3FCM Ted from Maryland; WASLCO Dale from West Virginia; WACKOM Bill from Iowa; K7YXP Lou from Arizona; WA4VUG Ernest from Alabama; W50XU Mack from Arkansas; WB2VFF Louis from New York; and W7ZC Dave & Charlotte from Utah. The author expresses thanks to these members and promises to work harder.

Personal Anecdotes and Investigations

Kansas City Visit

The author recounts a visit to Kansas City, Missouri, where he spoke with police detective Sergeant Fred Guenther. Guenther stated that the Police Department did not receive UFO reports and he was unaware of any sightings in the Kansas City area, though he knew of sightings in smaller towns in Missouri and Kansas. Guenther expressed a personal belief in extraterrestrial visitors, which his wife did not share.

The author was given a tour of the Kansas City's new communication center, including the 'poligraph room' where he 'flunked', and the main control center with Motorola consoles. He also saw the NCIC (National Crime Information Center), which provides rapid suspect information. A case was mentioned where a suspect, reported as 'no wants, no arrest', was incorrectly identified, leading to the man posting bail and fleeing.

UFO Beliefs and Skepticism

During the Kansas City visit, the author also asked acquaintances about UFOs. One person claimed to have seen a UFO advertised on TV, bought it, but did not like the taste, comparing it unfavorably to butter. John Keely, an author, is mentioned as believing UFOs come from inside the earth. The report quotes an article by Keely from Saga magazine (January 1968) discussing the possibility that 'contactees' may not be lying but might have been lied to by 'UFOnauts'. Keely raises questions about the reliability of UFO stories, the prevalence of imagination, and the potential for psychopathic fantasy, suggesting that perhaps ridiculing contactees has been an error and that some individuals may know the truth but are afraid to speak.

Scientific Expert Phrases

The report lists phrases attributed to 'scientific experts', including: "we cannot assume that...", "regardless, we must assume that...", "just because...", "if you will only think of the enormous distances...", "it is beyond belief that...", "we must accept that...", "utterly beyond possibility...", "we must remember that nothing is truly impossible...", "just if...", "bah, humbug...", and "Huh?"

Heart Transplants and UFOs

The article draws a parallel between recent heart transplants and the UFO phenomenon, questioning the body's natural ability to reject foreign matter and posing a hypothetical about a head transplant. It then asks what this has to do with UFOs, noting the public's general disbelief and ridicule of 'true believers'. The question is posed: Is the public rejecting UFOs, or are UFO occupants rejecting Earth inhabitants?

International UFO Reports

Denmark

A report from Copenhagen (AP, December 23, 1967) describes a cult led by Knud Weiking, a 46-year-old cab driver, who believes an atomic war will kill two-thirds of the earth's population. Survivors will be transported to outer space by flying saucers to have their spiritual level raised. Weiking claims his information comes from 'Orthon', the leader of a galaxy. Orthon allegedly appeared to Weiking, speaking through him with phrases from the Bible and lectures on cosmic laws. Weiking sees this as a message of joy, with one-third of the population being rescued. He claims others, including a British real estate agent and an Italian customs officer, have also met Orthon. Followers have reportedly given up jobs and families to be ready for relocation. Weiking leads the 'Universal Link' project from Borup, Denmark, and has collected funds for a shelter for pregnant women, purchasing 25 tons of lead for it.

Soviet Union

A report from Moscow (December 1967) indicates that the Soviet Union, previously dismissive of UFO reports as 'fairy tales', is now taking them seriously. Following numerous sightings by Aeroflot and military pilots, a team of 18 scientists and 1,000 observers has been formed to study the phenomenon. Soviet UFOs are described as sickle-shaped rather than saucer-like. Professor Fedor Y. Zigel of the Moscow Aviation Institute is advocating for a joint UFO investigation by Soviet, U.S., and other scientists. He noted a flaming 'sickle' over the Ukraine that executed evasive maneuvers. UFO sightings have increased across the Eastern Bloc, with reports from Bulgaria (a huge, shining body over Sofia), Czechoslovakia (flat, multicolored disks over Bratislava), and Yugoslavia (a whistling, sky-scraper-high UFO and two saucers). Skeptics exist, with one Yugoslav astronomer suggesting drug use as a cause for belief. Polish reports mention UFOs but also a shortage of meat, with a whimsical comment about flying platters being as empty as those on Earth.

New Zealand

Reports from New Zealand (December 1967) mention hundreds of verified sightings of globes and shining spheres over the past 10 years. Four UFO sightings in Hawkes Bay in September led to further investigation by Bruce Cathie, a Fokker Friendship captain and amateur mathematician. Cathie had previously mapped UFO sighting positions using a grid system he developed in 1965, based on mathematical calculations. The four September sightings fit neatly onto his grid, which was created two years prior. Cathie's grid is based on his 1952 sighting of a large ball of light over Auckland and a 1956 sighting over the South Island. In 1965, he observed an unidentified submarine object. Cathie believes the grid represents regular flight lines used by UFOs. He sought to extend this pattern globally, finding a reference point in a photograph of a metallic, antenna-like object taken by the U.S. survey ship Eltanin off the South American coast in 1964. Cathie's global grid, derived from this and other UFO positions, has an equator identical to Earth's magnetic equator. He theorizes that Earth is a power base for UFOs, with similar systems on the moon and Mars, and that this grid has existed for centuries and is being rebuilt. He believes this power source could make current space science, power generation, and transportation obsolete. He suggests ancient ruins like the Great Pyramid of Egypt and Stonehenge may have been power stations or cosmic clocks related to this grid. Cathie asserts that the intelligence behind the grid cannot be hostile, as they could have destroyed the world long ago. He believes the repair work is nearly complete, with the north and south magnetic poles aligning, predicting completion in about 10 years.

Scientific Study and Skepticism

Condon Committee

John F. Schuesler of St. Charles, Missouri, comments on Dr. Condon's group at the University of Colorado investigating UFO phenomena. He expresses concern that some expect the study to provide a 'scientific cure-all' and finds it ridiculous to believe a short-lived study will answer all questions after 20 years of investigation with no concrete results. He suggests the report should be a technical treatise and a baseline for future efforts, not a catchall for personal opinions.

Dr. James E. McDonald

Dr. James E. McDonald, an authority on atmospheric physics from the University of Arizona, is quoted advocating for high-caliber UFO investigations and endorsing Dr. Feliks Y. Zigel's plea for international scientific study. McDonald is pleased with the Soviet scientific commission's establishment and suggests it would be amusing if Russian scientists ultimately prove U.S. Air Force assurances wrong. He criticizes the dismissal of thousands of credible sightings as mere optical illusions or 'swamp gas', stating there is an urgent need for rapid escalation of UFO scientific study, and hopes a Russian panel might help change attitudes.

Professor Feliks Y. Zigel

Professor Feliks Y. Zigel, an astronomer with the Moscow Aviation Institute, called for a joint effort of scientists worldwide to determine the nature of flying saucers. His statement provided evidence of the Soviet Union's shift from skepticism to serious investigation. He expressed 'profound respect' for American scientists trying to draw attention to the UFO problem. Zigel noted difficulties faced by scientists who take UFO reports seriously, stating that some scientists in both the Soviet Union and the United States deny the problem's existence. He referred to a retired Air Force General's premature announcement of a commission, which may not materialize. Zigel is part of a 'team' of scientists studying UFOs and has 200 reports of sightings.

Tucson Sonic Booms

A report from Tucson, Arizona (December 6, 1967), details calls to police and the sheriff's office regarding explosions believed to be sonic booms. Authorities at Davis-Monthan AFB verified a shock wave from an SR71, a new military aircraft used by the Strategic Air Command, possibly from Beale AFB in California. A second 'explosion' was also reported. The SR71 is capable of flying at speeds three times the speed of sound at altitudes over 80,000 feet. The times of its training flights were unknown, and personnel at the base received calls from 'irate citizens'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Data-Net Report strongly emphasizes the importance of amateur investigation and data collection in the field of UFO research. It highlights international interest and reporting on UFOs, particularly from the Soviet Union and New Zealand, suggesting a growing global acknowledgment of the phenomenon. The editorial stance is one of open-mindedness, a commitment to rigorous investigation, and a cautious approach to publicity. There's a clear call for members to actively participate rather than passively consume information. The inclusion of Bruce Cathie's complex mathematical theory about a global UFO grid indicates a willingness to explore unconventional explanations for UFO activity. The report also touches upon the skepticism faced by UFO researchers and the potential for scientific institutions to dismiss credible evidence.

This document is a section from a magazine issue, likely focused on UFOs and related phenomena. It includes a critical review of a book, reports from amateur radio operators, and information about UFO research organizations.

Book Review: 'Uninvited Visitors' by Ivan T. Sanderson The primary focus of the provided text is a scathing review of Ivan T. Sanderson's book, "Uninvited Visitors." The reviewer, identified as William Hines writing as a "super-duper secret government agent," expresses strong disappointment with Sanderson's work. Despite acknowledging Sanderson's established credentials as a scientist and author of acclaimed books on mammals, Hines argues that Sanderson has "succumbed to the temptation to write a book about flying saucers" and that the book is an "abominable snow-job." Hines suggests that Sanderson, while knowledgeable in his own field, lacks understanding of UFOs and "gives evidence of not knowing what he is writing about - or caring very much, for that matter." The reviewer points out that no one truly knows what UFOs are, making a definitive book impossible, and cites Dr. Edward U. Condon's ongoing research as evidence of the mystery's elusiveness. Hines criticizes Sanderson for approaching the subject with "flights of fancy that would put Ray Bradbury... to shame."

The review further elaborates on Sanderson's perceived flaws, calling the book "extremely bad" and predicting it will sell well but is "balderdash in the guise of science." Hines notes Sanderson's attempts to balance his scientific persona with a reporter's approach, but finds it lacking in accuracy. The book is described as "shock" trash, particularly for lacking an index, which Sanderson reportedly attributed to budgetary reasons. The reviewer highlights Sanderson's admission that the book is "one-third reportage, two-thirds sheer speculation" and mentions his reliance on "authorities" like Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe of NICAP. The review concludes by comparing Sanderson's foray into UFOs to Linus Pauling's move into politics or Martin Luther King's into foreign affairs, stating that Sanderson "comes across a bit of a quack" and ends up being "nothing to anybody."

Reports from Radio Amateurs and UFO Organizations The document also includes information related to amateur radio operators and UFO research. A reprint from the WCARS SENTINEL discusses the origins of the UFO flap with Kenneth Arnold's sighting and the involvement of radio amateurs in investigating flying saucers. It provides a list of "authentically presented and worthwhile books on UFO," including titles by Coral E. Lorenzen and Frank Edwards, and mentions publications like "UFO EVIDENCE" by NICAP and "SAUCER SEEKER."

Two prominent UFO organizations are detailed: the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) in Tucson, Arizona, described as "Oldest, and probably THE BEST organization, based on scientific analysis, investigation, and reporting on UFO," and the National Investigation Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) in Washington D.C., noted as a "widely known, well organized group" that publishes the "UFO INVESTIGATOR."

Further communications from the Data-Net network are presented. One message from William Hines jokingly requests a care package from the Red Cross and Salvation Army. Another section mentions that "WACKOM reports nil UFO activity in his area," and WALBRS/MM TDY in Singapore reports being in Hong Kong. A note from the "DATA-NET CONTROL" encourages members to keep reading, studying, and watching UFOs, and mentions a reward of $21.00 for an authentic UFO picture.

Specific Sightings and Inquiries An inquiry is made for any member in the New York area who might have seen anything unusual in the sky around the middle of November in 1962. The reporting member, WB2VFF, describes seeing "a big, shining object fly over his house" at about 1:00 AM, coming from the North at "terrific speed."

Additionally, A. David Middleton of Springdale, Utah, is mentioned as a UFO watcher who has been studying UFOs for about 15 years and has a specific setup for observation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes are the critical examination of UFO literature and the role of amateur investigators. The editorial stance, particularly in the review of Sanderson's book, is highly skeptical of sensationalized or speculative UFO reporting, emphasizing the need for scientific rigor and accuracy. There's a clear distinction drawn between established scientific credentials and unsubstantiated claims within the UFO field. The document also highlights the community aspect of UFO research, particularly among radio amateurs and dedicated organizations like NICAP and APRO.