Data Net - No 19 - 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET CONTROL
Issue: NO. 19
Volume: WB6RPL
Date: July 1968
Publisher: Data-Net
Country: USA
Price: $4.00 a year (membership)

This issue of DATA-NET CONTROL, the official newsletter of Data-Net, focuses on UFO phenomena, featuring a detailed analysis of a specific photograph, discussions on scientific theories related to UFOs, and reports on various sightings and investigations. The publication aims to connect radio amateurs with the UFO problem.

UFO Photograph Evaluation

The lead article, "UFO PHOTOGRAPH EVALUATION," by Michel M. Jaffe, examines a photograph taken in 1954 near Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. The image captured a B-29 aircraft along with a five-sided "object" and streaming light. Jaffe's analysis concludes that the "object" is a lens flare caused by the sun reflecting through the camera's diaphragm, a common occurrence when aiming near the sun. The pentagon shape is attributed to the five-sided diaphragm of the Kodak Tourist Model camera. The streaming light is also deemed an optical effect, originating from the lens flare and diverging towards the airplane. Jaffe dismisses the theory that the light shift is caused by the object's speed, arguing that such velocity would prevent the object from being captured by the camera. He notes undefined dark spots within the "object" but states the photographer only saw the B-29. Reprints of the photo are available from DATA-NET CONTROL.

The Role of Amateur Radio in UFO Investigation

The issue welcomes new member ART KOMPOLT, who emphasizes the opportunities for radio amateurs to advance the state of the art in radio communications and ufology. He highlights the challenge of reliable communication in ufology and suggests that radio amateurs, with their expertise in electro-magnetic communication, could play a crucial role. Kompolt proposes exploring areas like time-compression for information transfer and suggests that a network of amateur radio operators could provide instant contact across the United States for UFO sightings. This could allow for rapid dissemination of information and potentially facilitate communication with UFOs.

Natural Lasers and Space Phenomena

Reprinted from "MICROWAVES" (May 1968), an article discusses Victor Tomberg's theory that "natural lasers" might exist in space. Tomberg, a senior research scientist, suggests that nature could use existing power sources to produce natural laser light. He posits that sporadically appearing favorable conditions could lead to coherent waves directed at Earth, potentially converging to produce high-energy focal areas that could explain phenomena like ball lightning and high-speed UFO sightings. Tomberg's research with CO2 lasers has produced "fireballs" resembling cigar-shaped or dome-shaped craft. He notes that the past lack of reporting on such phenomena might be due to the absence of the idea to look for them, with laboratory laser discoveries prompting this line of thought. He cites radio emissions from quasars and high-temperature gas clouds as potential evidence for coherent emission processes. Tomberg warns of the danger to aircraft and spacecraft if these phenomena are not studied and urges the development of new optical instruments.

Gravity Theories: Push vs. Pull

Thomas Appleby, in "HITHER AND THITHER," explores the concept of magnetism and gravity. He references Chester Gould's statement that "The Nation that controls Magnetism will control the Universe." Appleby discusses Earth's magnetic field and its diminishing strength in space, contrasting it with gravity, which appears to fill the universe. He presents a theory that gravity might be a "push" from all directions in space, forcing objects against surfaces, rather than a "pull" from celestial bodies. This theory challenges the Newtonian model and suggests that what appears to be a "pull" is actually a "push" due to friction contact. The article concludes with a thought-provoking question: "Does gravity 'push' or 'pull' us toward the center of the earth?"

The Condon Committee and UFO Investigation Concerns

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to concerns surrounding the Condon Committee's UFO study at the University of Colorado. Dr. James E. McDonald, a senior physicist, expresses deep disappointment with the committee's work, stating that his early hopes for a vigorous and open-minded investigation have dimmed. He criticizes the committee's perceived negative stance from the outset and notes that many of the cases he submitted, including detailed witness information, were ignored. McDonald highlights a specific instance where a Mach-3 UFO tracking case involving independent Air Force radar stations was not pursued. He suggests the study was undertaken by individuals whose minds were already made up, leading to an "incredibly non-scientific attitude." A memo from "Low" to University of Colorado officials is cited, indicating the project was designed to appear objective to the public while presenting the image of "non-believers" trying to be objective, with "almost zero expectation of finding a saucer." McDonald also mentions firings and resignations from the Colorado group, reducing the staff significantly. He feels that only a Congressional inquiry can now bring the UFO problem into the open.

Witness Accounts and Sightings

The magazine includes several reports of UFO sightings:

• Petaluma, California (June 1, 1968): Two city police officers reported seeing a large globe-shaped UFO moving at rapid speed.
• Iowa (June 5, 1968): A farmer in Elvira reported observing a "foreign car"-like object that transformed into a six-foot-square "box-shaped object" and then an oval, spinning counter-clockwise. The Highway Patrol found no physical evidence of a landing.
• Mexico (June 10, 1968): A translated article from Norway reports a couple from Argentina who disappeared and reappeared in Mexico in their car, which was sent for investigation.
• Reading, Pennsylvania (June 20, 1968): A twin-engine plane crashed near Centerport during a thunderstorm, resulting in six deaths.
• Aurora, Texas (April 19, 1897): A historical account of a reported "space ship" crash and burial, later identified as a hoax.

Other Mentions and Contributions

• Illinois Section (WA9THB): Reports on strange "beeps" that sound like key clicks, with signals pulsing with light twice per click, covering a broad frequency range.
• Exeter Incident: WA5RON investigated mentions of "hams" (amateur radio operators) in the "Incident at Exeter," checking callbooks for local operators.
• The Ham Shack (Wayne Green): Suggests that amateur radio can help solve UFO puzzles by establishing a nationwide network for rapid communication of sightings.
• "Music Man" (Tommy James): Mentioned as having spotted a UFO on a trip to Miami and planning a UFO trip to Brazil.
• "Truthful Scully Hoax": A historical account of a reported airship sighting in Aurora, Texas, in 1897, which was later exposed as a hoax.
• Rev. Barry Downing: His book "The Bible and Flying Saucers" is discussed, proposing a biblical theology based on UFO sightings and suggesting that biblical events like the Transfiguration and Ascension involved UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the analysis of UFO evidence (particularly photographic), the potential for scientific explanations (like optical illusions and natural phenomena), the role of amateur radio in UFO research, and critical examination of official investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, encouraging amateur contributions while expressing skepticism towards official studies perceived as biased or incomplete. There is a strong emphasis on the need for rigorous investigation and a call for greater transparency, particularly from government bodies. The publication also touches upon the intersection of UFOs with scientific theories and even religious interpretations.

This document is an editorial titled "FLYING SAUCERS" by Jo Clark, published in an issue of a publication associated with DATA-NET, with a postmark date of July 23, 1968. The editorial explores the enduring mystery of flying saucers, also referred to as UFOs.

The Mystery of Flying Saucers

The author notes that despite two decades of public attention, fundamental questions about flying saucers remain unanswered. These questions include their identity, origin, purpose, timing, and operational methods. Clark criticizes the tendency for individuals to adopt a single theory and ignore contradictory evidence.

What are Flying Saucers?

• The editorial presents several theories about the nature of flying saucers:
• Solid, metallic objects.
• Secret devices from Russia or America.
• Remote-controlled, unmanned devices.
• Space animals.
• Unidentified natural phenomena.
• Space ships carrying passengers.
• Unknown objects with the ability to change size, shape, color, and form.

Where are Flying Saucers From?

• Various origins are proposed:
• Planets within our solar system (Moon, Mars, Venus).
• The 4th dimension or an etheric world.
• Other solar systems or galaxies, possibly using celestial bodies as way-stations.
• A hollow world inside Earth.
• Caverns beneath the Earth's crust.
• The product of human imagination, mass hypnosis, or creative minds.

Who Controls Flying Saucers?

• Several entities are suggested as controllers:
• Excarnate souls materializing from an etheric world.
• Human beings from other worlds.
• Pure intelligence without physical bodies.
• Intelligent beings perceived as monsters.
• Earth's ancestors returning for observation.
• Inhabitants of previous civilizations like Atlantis and Lemuria.

When Did They First Arrive?

Two main possibilities are offered: the widely cited 1947 sighting by Kenneth Arnold, or pre-Biblical times, with some even suggesting they were the first beings on Earth and we are their descendants.

How Do They Operate or Travel?

• Potential modes of operation and travel include:
• Atomic or ion power.
• Electro-static propulsion.
• Solar energy.
• Anti-gravity, anti-magnetic, or electro-magnetic principles.
• Mental powers alone, through 'willing' themselves to locations.
• Utilizing an unknown rate of vibration or force from a central universal point as a power supply, enabling travel at any speed to any point.

Why Are They Here?

• Motivations suggested for their presence include:
• Gaining knowledge and investigating Earth and its people for scientific interest.
• Teaching or guiding humanity into space.
• Enslaving or controlling humanity.
• Humanity already being under their control through unaware mental processes.
• Governments being controlled by, or being, these beings.
• Acting as Gods or Devils, engaged in a conflict over humanity.
• Preventing humanity from self-destruction.
• Humanity posing a threat to them.
• Establishing a Universal government and preparing humanity for space travel by learning the rules and establishing communication.
• Acting as "sky-nappers," responsible for mysterious disappearances of people, planes, and boats.
• Causing physical death to obtain souls.
• Dumping garbage, accounting for strange objects falling from the sky.
• Being the builders of ancient structures like the Great Pyramid of Gizeh, using them as guides for space travel.

The editorial concludes by posing the question of which possibilities are correct and emphasizes that only the saucers themselves can reveal the solution.

DATA-NET Operations

A separate section indicates that DATA-NET may soon cease operations due to the emergence of a larger and better-organized UFO reporting group, possibly Wayne Green's. This transition is seen as an opportunity for DATA-NET to concentrate more fully on UFO research. The author, Michel M. Jaffe, expresses gratitude to the members for their help, enthusiasm, and financial support, stating that it is because of them that DATA-NET continues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme is the persistent mystery surrounding flying saucers and UFOs. The editorial adopts an open-minded yet analytical stance, presenting a wide array of theories without endorsing any single one. It highlights the complexity of the phenomenon and the need for continued investigation. The publication's editorial stance appears to be one of active research and information dissemination within the UFO community, as evidenced by the mention of DATA-NET's efforts and the call for members to "Keep up the work."