Data Net - No 21 - 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET CONTROL
Issue: NO. 21
Volume: WB6RPL
Date: September 1968
Publisher: DATA-NET
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of DATA-NET CONTROL, the official newsletter of DATA-NET, focuses on UFO investigations and related scientific topics. It is presented as a publication for radio amateurs seriously interested in the UFO problem.

Preliminary Report on Beaver Co., PA. Photograph

The lead article, authored by WASRON, a DATA-NET Investigator, provides a preliminary report on a photograph taken by James Lucci and his brother near Beaver, Pennsylvania. This photograph, identified as Photo No. 2, has been acclaimed by many UFO research organizations and appeared on the cover of John Fuller's book "INCIDENT AT EXETER." The report critically examines the photograph, suggesting it may be a "plate-in-hand hoax." The author details how the image, when compared with Photo No. 1, appears to show a hand holding up an object, possibly a dinner plate, which is then moved to create a blurred streak. The analysis also addresses arguments that the bright image under the alleged "UFO" might be a "beam" emitted from the object, but dismisses this by noting it was not visible to the witnesses and would likely have been visible in the UV range or as a visible light spectrum if it were "heat rays."

Phillip Klass's book, "UFOS IDENTIFIED," is mentioned as an attempt to explain away UFO sightings as natural phenomena. The article notes that Klass's knowledge of UFO cases might be limited. The Lucci camera was inclined about 30%, and the object in the photos is described as dimmer than the moon, contrary to James Lucci's claim.

DATA-NET requested both Lucci photos from Gordon Lore of NICAP. While Photo No. 2 was provided, NICAP stated they had no extra copies of Photo No. 1, promising to send one if available. DATA-NET is withholding final conclusions until they receive Photo No. 1.

WASRON's Additions and Observations

WASRON adds that he was not the first to recognize the Lucci photos as "plate-in-hand hoaxes." He believes anyone seeing both photos will spot the method of creation. He also notes that Klass obtained Photo No. 1 by visiting NICAP headquarters. WASRON also comments on the "Hoflin photos," stating that Hoflin was not interested in publicity and the photos sat in a drawer. After being dismissed as a hoaxter by USAF analysts, Hoflin was offered a congressional hearing to clear his name, which he has not taken.

Other Reports and Communications

DATA-NET has been in cooperation with AERO, confirming findings related to the Lucci photos. They also mention that a fourth picture was taken several hours after the others, possibly on a different day. The issue notes the cessation of "F-S, UFO REPORT" publication by DELL PUBLISHING CO., stating it was not due to financial reasons as each issue was a complete sellout.

A recently received and unconfirmed report mentions a UFO crash in South America with "little men" being held in jail.

DATA-NET acknowledges a transcript from radio station WIJ, 1967, and an article by Willey Loy titled "The Great UFO Mystery: Visitors From Outer Space or What?" The article criticizes Loy's assertion that UFOs are spacecraft from other worlds, calling it the "hardest explanation to swallow" and arguing that space is under constant surveillance. The author of the DATA-NET report expresses disbelief in "UFO experts," stating that no one has definitive knowledge of UFOs.

Incident at Aurora, Texas

This section details a report on strange occurrences at Aurora, Texas, in 1897. The town is described as largely closed down. Attempts to find information about the "airship" sightings were fruitless. The article notes the extensive newspaper coverage of these sightings, which were described as "experimental and manufactured on earth" by the occupants, but were likely flimsy dirigibles. The beings were described as humanoid but decidedly not human.

UFOs Over the Americas by The Lorenzen's

This book is reviewed and found to be stimulating and informative, though the Lorenzen's credence in Ted Serios' abilities is questioned, as Serios was proven a fraud.

Contact with AMORC

DATA-NET seeks contact with any members of AMORC.

Pulsar Discoveries

Data received indicates the discovery of pulsars at a rate of one per month. The DATA-NET contact in Colorado has been lost.

How Colorado Classes UFOs

This section reprints an article from "INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH" about the University of Colorado's UFO study, coordinated by Robert J. Low. The study aims to determine if there is evidence of extraterrestrial visitation. The approach uses a matrix of "strangeness" and "objectivity" to evaluate reports. The article discusses the potential for evaluating car magnetic signatures as evidence of UFO interference and mentions a UFO bibliography of over 2,000 entries.

Editorial: Unexplored Energy Sources

This editorial by Jo Clark discusses Wilhelm Reich's discovery of "orgone energy," linking it to Einstein's unified field theory. Reich believed orgone energy was responsible for neurotic behavior and could be used to control weather phenomena and stop rain. He developed a "cloud buster" and investigated "star-like" objects, concluding they were "space machines." Reich warned of a "deep and crucial change" challenging the principle of life on Earth and urged people to behave accordingly. The editorial notes Reich's conviction and death in 1957, suggesting his work was suppressed.

Unified Field Theory and UFOs

The article explores the unified field theory and its potential to explain UFO phenomena, such as the energy used by flying saucers, the construction of the pyramids, and disappearing people and planes. It references a reported 1943 Naval experiment where a ship and its crew dematerialized and rematerialized.

Scientists Urge Federal Probe of UFO Sightings

This section reports on a symposium where scientists urged Congress to support a thorough UFO investigation. Dr. Carl Sagan stated that if other technical civilizations exist, they are likely far advanced. Dr. James E. McDonald emphasized the seriousness of potential surveillance and the need for exploration. Dr. J. Allen Hynek expressed a "scientific hunch" that there is "scientific pay dirt" in the UFO phenomenon. They recommended establishing a "UFO board of scientific inquiry" and an "international clearing house."

McDonald on Surveillance and Sagan on Investigation

Dr. McDonald noted many UFO sightings around the time of the 1965 Northeast power blackout, suggesting a possible connection. He stated that if Earth is being watched, it is by a society so advanced its technology would seem like magic. Dr. Sagan advocated for concentrating on radio astronomy and probes to find extraterrestrial life but warned that a major investigation requires more hard evidence.

Venus May Have Rugged Terrain

A brief report on radar pulses from Goldstone, California, indicating evidence of mountain ranges and craters on Venus.

Flying Saucer Reports from Around the World

Argentina and Chile: Reports of flying saucers and "star dust" are creating excitement amidst political and economic uncertainties. The Argentine foreign minister compared the stories to a "Chinese fairy tale."

Australia: Two Rockingham housewives and four children reported chasing a round flying object with flickering red lights. The object was described as about 12 ft. in circumference.

Australia: Three people in Scarborough claimed to have seen long, horizontal lights hovering in the sky.

Santa Barbara, USA: An object from the sky hit a 175-foot oil survey vessel, causing a fire and injuring three crew members. The Navy stated aircraft were in the area.

Spain: A Spanish meteorological station reported a triangular unidentified flying object that remained stationary for hours before moving off. The Spanish Air Force attempted to intercept it.

Madrid, Spain: An "unidentified flying object" eluded a Spanish Air Force jet fighter-bomber, causing a traffic jam. The object was described as triangular and flying at high altitude.

Argentina: Rumors of a spaceship landing in Buenos Aires circulated, leading to thousands of calls to police and newspapers. A Spanish author predicted an invasion of Earth starting in September.

Scientists to Discuss Outer Space Signals

This section discusses the discovery of pulsating radio signals from space, known as "pulsars." While some believe these signals could be an attempt at communication from an alien civilization, Dr. Frank Drake of Cornell University finds this implausible due to the immense power required and the nature of the signals.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the critical analysis of UFO evidence, particularly photographic evidence, and the questioning of its authenticity. There is a strong emphasis on scientific investigation and the need for rigorous methodology, as seen in the discussion of the Colorado UFO study and the scientists' call for a federal probe. The editorial also explores alternative scientific concepts like "orgone energy" and its potential connection to UFOs, reflecting a broad interest in unexplained phenomena. The publication appears to maintain a skeptical yet open-minded stance, encouraging thorough investigation while cautioning against accepting claims without sufficient evidence. The issue also highlights a global interest in UFO sightings, with reports from various continents.

This issue of the Joliot Herald-News, dated May 15, 1968, focuses on the reality of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and explores various scientific and speculative explanations. It also delves into predictions about future military technology and unusual phenomena.

UFOs: Real but Not Little Green Men

The lead article features Dr. I. M. Levitt, director of the Fols Planetarium, who states that UFOs are real, though he has never personally seen one. He dismisses the idea of 'little green men' from Venus, citing the gravitational field and the lack of advanced information from self-proclaimed contactees. Levitt categorizes possible explanations for sightings:

1. Hallucinations: He rejects this due to the number of people reporting sightings.
2. Secret Military Craft: He considers this unlikely due to the difficulty of keeping such secrets.
3. Hoaxes: He acknowledges that many stories are hoaxes, particularly those involving 'little green men' originating from the 1950s book 'Behind the Flying Saucers.'
4. Extraterrestrial Beings: This is considered the least acceptable explanation, as it implies a civilization with technology far beyond ours, yet no advanced information is shared.
5. Radar Anomalies: Levitt explains that radar sightings, particularly those during temperature inversions in July 1952 over Washington, could be explained by atmospheric conditions affecting radar waves.

Levitt believes flying saucers are sightings obeying a natural law currently unknown to us. He draws parallels to the discovery of radiation belts around Earth (1958) and the solar wind, which were unknown until scientific instruments were deployed.

The Exeter Incident and Plasma Phenomena

The article discusses the 'Incident at Exeter, New Hampshire,' where sightings occurred near power lines. While some suggested UFOs were recharging from these lines, investigations revealed that a drought and salt spray had coated the lines. This created a plasma, a cloud of ionized particles, which could glow and maintain a shape, potentially explaining the observed phenomena.

Future Weapons and Warfare

Another section, drawing from a book titled 'Unless Peace Comes,' outlines predictions from scientists and military experts on future weaponry:

• 'Doomsday' Bomb: David Inglis warns of a cobalt-wrapped hydrogen bomb capable of spreading radioactive poisons to extinguish life in an entire hemisphere.
• Advanced Submarines and Hovercraft: Scientists predict deep-diving submarines for sweeping shipping and 5,000-ton hovercraft capable of high-speed, low-altitude travel.
• Brain Function Manipulation: Gordon J. F. MacDonald suggests the possibility of affecting human brain function using low-frequency electrical fields, citing experiments that caused unpleasant sensations.
• Mass Hallucinations: French experts Marcel Fetizon and Michel Magat propose that LSD could be used to induce mass hallucinations and schizophrenic behavior in an entire population.
• Disease Warfare: Carl-Goran Heden describes how a dust cloud charged with disease agents could infect populations, with 'Q' fever being highly contagious.
• Orbital Weapons: Andrew Stratton foresees manned space stations controlling orbital bombs, though he notes these are vulnerable to anti-ballistic missiles.
• End of the Tank: French General Andre Beufre predicts that armored tanks will become obsolete due to armor-piercing guided missiles, replaced by fast, lightweight vehicles.
• Guerrilla Warfare: Vladimir Dedijer believes guerrilla warfare will remain viable, with only morally indefensible weapons capable of crushing it.
• Computerized Warfare: Harvey Wheeler predicts that large computers will control weapon performance, policy, and decision-making in future battlefields.
• Israeli Intelligence Example: Wheeler cites the Israeli intelligence service's use of information processing to identify Egyptian aircraft dummies in the 1967 war, leading to a decisive victory.
• Ultraviolet Warfare: Prof. Abdus Salam suggests disrupting the ozone layer to expose ground areas to lethal ultraviolet radiation.
• Anti-Matter Bomb: The concept of an anti-matter bomb is discussed, but deemed technically challenging and too expensive for the foreseeable future.

Tucson Sighting: A Peculiar Object

A report from Tucson details a sighting by the Bleakley family and their employee, Eugene Morgan, on July 2nd. They observed a large, orange-red, halfmoon-shaped object hovering near the Tortolita Mountains. The object moved rapidly westward. The Air Force identified it as a balloon launched from Davis-Monthan AFB, but the witnesses and investigators Jim and Coral Lorenzen find this explanation improbable given the distance, time, and conditions.

San Jose Sighting: Strange Light

Another report from San Jose describes a large orange light seen moving across the Santa Clara Valley, with a portion appearing to fall to the ground. The Municipal Airport and Vandenberg Air Force Base had no reports of aircraft or missiles.

Editorial Notes and Support Request

The editorial section acknowledges the loss of their printer and financial difficulties, but assures readers that they will continue publication. They mention a possible solution to their problems by the end of the year. The editors clarify that the DATA-NET report, which they reprint, is not for the general public and is for a closed membership, allowing them to reprint accurately.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of unexplained phenomena (UFOs) with scientific inquiry and potential technological advancements. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting various theories and reports without definitively endorsing any single explanation for UFOs, while also highlighting the rapid evolution of military technology and warfare strategies. The publication emphasizes its role in disseminating information to a specific, informed audience through the DATA-NET system, and relies on reader support to continue its work.