Data Net - No 28 - 1969

Magazine Overview

This is the October 1969 issue, Volume III, Number 5, of the "DATA-NET REPORT," the official newsletter of DATA-NET, a group of radio amateurs interested in the UFO phenomenon. The publication is based in Mountain View, California, and is controlled by Michel M. Jaffe. The stated purpose of DATA-NET is to prove the existence of unidentified flying objects and to answer questions about their nature, origin, and purpose.

Editorial Content

Bulletin!

The "BULLETIN!" section announces a "DATA-NET REWARD" of $25.00 for an authentic photograph of a flying saucer, requesting all pertinent information. It also mentions that books are available from the Control Station through the "DATA-NET DFO LIBRARY," loaned free of charge to members. The editors express gratitude for member patience regarding printing problems, which are now solved, though financial issues persist. A new monthly feature, the "HAM ROSTER," is introduced to serve as an information service for ham members, listing stations unless specifically requested otherwise. The organization is seeking more investigators from each state, providing official identification cards for this purpose. Members are encouraged to submit newspaper clippings, magazine articles, investigation reports, suggestions, and theories, with anonymity honored. Another new feature is the "SHOP & SWAP" section for listing UFO-related items or ham gear for sale, trade, or wanted, free of charge. The report includes sad news of the death of Dr. M. Lindtner, Past President of UFOIC, in Germany, and an injury to the new President, Fred Phillips, who suffered a broken leg after being hit by a car. Financial assistance from WA9THB, WA5RON, and Gray Barker is acknowledged.

Warning about a Canadian UFO Researcher

A "BEWARE!!" notice warns members about a man claiming to be a Canadian UFO researcher, identified as JERRY KIRK and J. ZACHARIAS, who is asking for money to "help him out." He is described as tall, thin, and unkempt, capable of changing his voice. This individual has reportedly already defrauded Gray Barker of $100.00.

Cooperation with SKYLOOK

DATA-NET is cooperating with SKYLOOK, a midwestern UFO organization that publishes a monthly bulletin for $3.00 a year. SKYLOOK's policy is to "separate fact from fantasy, and 'tell it as it is.'" DATA-NET has permission to use material from SKYLOOK. Subscriptions for SKYLOOK can be directed to Mrs. Norma E. Short in Stover, Missouri.

Saucer Nests?!?

This section discusses photographs received from Bill Mosor of UFOIC, Australia, including one of the "Tully Nest" in Queensland, Australia (1966). This photo shows a circle of flattened grass, approximately 10'-15' in diameter, with the center flattened circularly. The article also references a first-hand eyewitness report from Mexico (1954) where a flying object left behind a circle of flattened corn where nothing grows. It then broadens the discussion to unexplained circular patches of earth where plant life refuses to grow, citing a "mystery circle" in North Carolina, 40 feet in diameter, as an example. The article poses questions about the cause and significance of these circles and solicits comments from members.

Network Schedule

The "NETWORK SCHEDULE" lists two communication channels: Wednesday at 2000 PST on 7.265, and KP4CH daily on 21.442. Other stations are invited to contact the Control or Assistant Control for scheduling.

Ham Roster

The "HAM ROSTER" lists numerous amateur radio operators, their call signs, and locations, categorized into "Active" and "Currently Inactive" sections. This roster serves as a communication network reference for members.

The Editor's Desk

This section features an article by Walt Andrus, a SKYLOOK staff member, reporting on an interview with UFO writer John Keel. Keel believes that most significant UFO reports are not published, rendering much information supplied to magazines irrelevant. He advocates for systematically isolating and analyzing important aspects of UFO phenomena, suggesting that a data reduction system started in 1947 would have yielded a vast body of statistical evidence. Keel also suggests that while many readers might accept the extra-terrestrial hypothesis, he has delved deeper, implying a more complex explanation. The article quotes Mr. Andrus stating that Mr. Keel may be closer to understanding the UFO phenomenon than many realize. The editor's desk also discusses the challenge of explaining UFOs without resorting to familiar phenomena, suggesting that nature may hold surprises and require a reassessment of values. It notes that UFOs have been observed in outer space, implying they are not exclusively Earth-bound. The section then presents a series of historical astronomical observations related to the Moon and Mars, detailing sightings of unusual lights, geometric formations, and unexplained objects over centuries. These include observations by astronomers like Frederick W. Herschel, Dr. William Wilkins, Sir John Herschel, and others, detailing phenomena on the Moon's surface, such as luminous points, bright lights, sword-shaped objects, and geometric patterns in craters. It also covers reports of mysterious lights and formations on Mars, including geometrical figures, triangles, crosses, and octagons, as well as bright flares and luminous clouds. Observations on Venus include remarkable lights and interesting radio signals. The section concludes by noting the vast size of Jupiter's Great Red Spot and posing a question about its stationary position.

Clipping the News

This section compiles news items from various sources, including clippings from WB6RPL, Mike Jaffe, W6BPV, Tom Thompson, WA5RON, Jerry Johnson, and Jo Clark. Several items are presented without source information, with a plea for contributors to include the name and date of their news source.

• Borman Still Convinced: Astronaut Frank Borman stated he is convinced of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, but not in the solar system, and believes the U.S. should continue its space program, including flights to Mars and development of a space station. He also claimed President Nixon is genuinely interested in such a program.
• Willy Ley, Moon Trip Pioneer: Rocket scientist Willy Ley, who predicted man would fly to the moon in liquid-fueled rockets, died of an apparent heart attack shortly before the expected lunar landing.
• Here is a UFO Fan: Bufford Ratliff of Kentucky directs the TSUFOIC (Tri-State Unidentified Flying Object Investigating Club), which meets monthly and offers a membership fee for various materials, including a UFO identification shape chart and a U.S. UFO coverage chart. Ratliff reports the Tri-State area is under surveillance by intelligent beings in controlled spacecraft, with 70 recent sightings recorded. He believes government pressure will eventually lead to the revelation of truth about UFOs. Ratliff and Mr. Smith reportedly observed two UFOs in an aerial dogfight on March 27.
• Loch Ness Mess Cures Scots Kilts: Mary Brinkerhoff reports on the Loch Ness monster phenomenon, noting that guided tours are booked solid and a motel called "The Serpent's Tooth" has opened. David James, heading an investigation society, dismisses the idea of a single, ancient monster, suggesting instead the possibility of a herd evolving in the loch. The article notes the presence of American tourists hoping to profit from the search for the monster and the reactions of some Scots.

Soviet Scientist Insists UFOs a Serious Topic

This article from The Christian Science Monitor reports on Dr. Felix Zigel, a doctor of science (technology) at the Moscow Aviation Institute, who believes UFOs are real objects that merit serious examination. He suggests that nature may hold surprises and that a reassessment of values might be necessary. Dr. Zigel asserts that UFOs are not recent phenomena but have been observed throughout history, citing medieval and ancient reports. His most significant claim is that the "Tungusky meteorite of 1908" was actually a UFO, based on studies indicating it had parameters of an air nuclear blast and maneuvered in the atmosphere. He mentions that the Soviet Academy of Sciences is publishing a book titled "POPULATED OUTER SPACE" and that the Soviet Union possesses thousands of UFO reports. Dr. Zigel concludes by calling for a calm, sensation-free, and strictly scientific global study of the phenomenon, emphasizing the need for international cooperation. He speculates that UFOs behave "sensibly," often spotted near airfields and atomic stations, and maneuver to avoid contact, suggesting they may be investigating or "reconnoitering."

Soviet Union Acknowledges UFOs

This article, from Industrial Research (February 1968), notes a shift in the Soviet Union's stance on UFOs. Previously dismissive, a Soviet astronomer, Dr. Felix Ziegel, admitted UFOs had been sighted over Russia, and a Soviet Air Force general revealed an official commission was formed to investigate. Dr. Ziegel calls for global investigation, deeming it a "problem of prime importance." He describes a popular Soviet UFO as a "luminous orange colored crescent." A scientific team has reportedly studied 200 reports. Dr. J. Allen Hynek cautions that this Soviet revelation might signal a race to solve the UFO puzzle, suggesting that the USSR's announcement implies an ongoing investigation.

Occult Enjoying a New Heyday

This article from the San Jose Mercury reports on a surge in interest in occult practices, describing it as a "heyday unmatched since the Salem witch trials" and a substantial business. It mentions astrologers earning six-figure incomes, "hip hypnotist" Pat Collins moving to intimate theaters, and the proliferation of "sensitivity training" and "encounter group" centers. L. Ronald Hubbard's Scientology is also mentioned, with pilgrims paying up to $5,000. The article attributes this trend partly to the interest in "mind expansion" and partly as a reaction against cold rationality. It notes the growth of centers across the country, with Essalen Institute in Big Sur being a pioneer. The core of these programs often involves group confession, encouraging participants to express deep frustrations and fears.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The DATA-NET REPORT consistently focuses on UFO phenomena, presenting anecdotal evidence, historical accounts, and scientific speculation. The organization appears committed to a serious, evidence-based investigation of UFOs, encouraging member participation and information sharing. There is a clear belief in the reality of UFOs, with a desire to move beyond speculation towards concrete answers. The issue also touches upon related topics such as astronomical anomalies, the occult, and the Soviet Union's acknowledgment of UFOs, suggesting a broad interest in unexplained phenomena and their potential implications. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging critical thinking and scientific rigor in the study of these subjects.

This issue of SKYLOOK magazine, dated September 1969, presents a collection of articles covering a diverse range of topics, from scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements to unexplained phenomena and fringe beliefs. The magazine appears to be a compilation of news items and reports, often citing other publications and sources.

Scientology

The issue begins with a discussion of Scientology, describing it as a rapidly growing movement officially known as the Church of Scientology. It notes that the organization has adopted religious trappings, which have helped shield it from government scrutiny in several countries. Scientology was founded in the early 1950s by L. Ronald Hubbard, a former science fiction writer. Initiates undergo sessions with a trainer who uses repetitive mental tasks and directed free association to break down psychological defenses, a process that some psychiatrists claim can induce schizophrenia. The article mentions that Hubbard recently told the church to forget a $13 million debt owed to him.

Echo II Satellite Disintegration

A brief report from Cambridge, Massachusetts, states that the Echo II satellite, which had orbited the globe 28,000 times since its January 1964 launch, apparently disintegrated on a Saturday. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory reported this on a Tuesday. An observatory spokesman indicated it must have disintegrated when it came down, and it was last tracked by the Baker-Nunn Camera Station in Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, at approximately 5:37 AM EDT on Saturday. The satellite was tracked on radar one moment and then was gone.

Radar Capabilities

A report from the San Jose Mercury-News on June 14, 1969, highlights the capabilities of the AN/FPS-85 radar at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado. This radar system can track approximately 200 satellites or simultaneously search for 40 unknown space targets.

Gravity Waves: New Power for Man?

This significant article, also from the San Jose Mercury-News on June 15, 1969, discusses a potential breakthrough by Dr. Joseph Weber, a physicist at the University of Maryland. Weber reports that he has discovered and detected gravitational waves originating from space. These waves are believed to be the first evidence of the long-theorized but elusive manifestations of gravitational fields. Weber's findings are presented as the first confirmation of a major unproven phase of Einstein's general theory of relativity. The development could lead to harnessing gravitational energy for peaceful applications and potentially aid in the discovery of distant inhabited or uninhabited worlds that are undetectable by optical or radio telescopes. Detectors deployed near the University of Maryland and at the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago simultaneously recorded extremely weak signals that differed from anything previously recorded from space. Weber's detector consists of a 1½ ton aluminum cylinder suspended by a steel wire on acoustic filters. The cylinder, described as an 'elastic body,' experiences tiny changes in length under the influence of presumed gravity waves. Weber states that his instruments can 'see and measure changes in length of one-hundredth of a trillionth of an inch routinely.' He emphasizes that while not all bodies emit light or radio waves, all matter has gravity, and this discovery opens a new way to gain information about bodies not otherwise detectable.

Fireball Sighted

A report from Lubbock, Texas, on August 10, 1969, describes a great, glowing ball, greenish in color and trailing fire, that streaked through the sky southwest of Lubbock on a Friday night. Fred Sloan, a ranch-hand, reported that it hit the ground about a quarter of a mile away in a 'big white flash.' A search the following Saturday failed to find the impact spot.

Loch Ness Monster Evidence Claimed

An article from the Dallas Times Herald on August 28, 1969, reports that Dan Scott Taylor Jr., from Atlanta, Georgia, claims to have found evidence of the Loch Ness monster while making dives in the lake in his yellow submarine. The Loch Ness Phenomenon Investigation Bureau stated that he had 'come across some interesting things' but did not elaborate. The monster has reportedly been sighted on and off for many years, particularly during the tourist season.

Bookmakers Shorten Odds on Monster

From Inverness, Scotland, a report in The Dallas Morning News on September 16, 1969, notes that bookmakers have shortened the odds on the Loch Ness monster being found from 10-1 to 6-1 due to heavy betting. Preparations for a large search were underway, involving a miniature submarine piloted by Dan Taylor of Atlanta, Georgia, which would use electronic noises to drive the monster into an area for sonar and radar detection.

First Astronomer Meeting in 503 AD

A report from San Jose, California, on October 9, 1969, references Mexican historians who state that the world's first conference of astronomers was held in 503 AD by Mayan Indian savants at Copan, on the Yucatan Peninsula. Sixteen Mayan astronomers attended, and the event was recorded in stone carvings on an altar. The Mayans, for whom astronomy held religious and agricultural significance, were said to know more about the stars than Europeans of their time.

Jackie Gleason on the Paranormal

An item from the National Enquirer on August 3, 1969, quotes actor Jackie Gleason expressing his belief in extrasensory perception, telepathy, clairvoyance, unidentified flying objects, and other unexplainable phenomena. Gleason states he doesn't like to discuss these topics publicly for fear of being labeled a 'kook,' but asserts his interest in the supernatural spans 30 years, during which he has accumulated over 4,000 books on psychic phenomena.

Torpedo-Shaped UFO

Richard Farrell reports in the National Enquirer on August 3, 1969, that hundreds of witnesses in northern Scotland and southern England reported a torpedo-shaped UFO traveling north on the night of May 25. A London Airport spokesman confirmed no unusual radar activity. Ray Holmes, a chemical salesman, described seeing a 'great, long cylinder' traveling at high speed. Mrs. Alice Knightly reported sparks coming from its tail and a glow from green to blue to red, traveling at great height and speed.

Reported UFO Landing at Air Base

From SKYLOOK (September 1969), a report details an unidentified flying object landing at the Whitoman Air Force Base west of Sodalia, based on information from two reliable sources. The object reportedly landed off the southwest end of a runway, and the area was cordoned off after a burned area was observed. The base was subsequently closed for a time. Tod Phillips is reportedly investigating further.

Radio Communication and UFOs

A section titled "CQ" ...do WASRON discusses the potential of radio amateurs in UFO observation. The author suggests that while past nationwide UFO reporting and tracking efforts have failed due to a rarity of reports, radio amateurs have an excellent ability to extend their perception beyond the visible light spectrum and low-frequency air vibrations using electronic equipment. They can tune into frequencies used by UFOs and radar. The author also mentions the value of a monitor receiver for local police frequencies, as police often receive calls about odd objects in the sky.

Looking for a Hidden Dimension

This lengthy article explores the phenomenon of UFOs disappearing rather than moving away conventionally. It references Steve Panina's observation of a white UFO that rapidly reduced its diameter and disappeared. The article posits that this disappearance might suggest UFOs are more than just spacecraft and could involve movement into a fourth dimension. It explains how a 2-D universe warped into a third dimension could be perceived by its inhabitants, and analogously, how a 3-D universe might be distorted into a fourth dimension. The author suggests that by taking large enough measurements, it might be possible to detect such a distortion. The article speculates on navigation in the fourth dimension and questions whether the disappearance of five Navy planes and an air rescue boat off the coast of Florida in 1945 might be related to this phenomenon. It concludes by stating that while there are more questions than answers, encouraging people to think in new directions may lead to solutions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SKYLOOK magazine include the exploration of unexplained phenomena, particularly UFO sightings and the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster. There is a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry, as seen in the detailed report on gravity waves and the theoretical discussion of a fourth dimension. The magazine also touches upon alternative belief systems like Scientology and the paranormal interests of public figures. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging readers to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations and to engage in observation and data collection, particularly through technological means like radio equipment. The compilation of reports from various sources suggests an effort to present a broad spectrum of information related to these topics.