Data Net - No 30 - 1969

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET REPORT
Issue: VOL. III NO. 7
Date: DECEMBER 1969
Publisher: DATA-NET

This issue of the DATA-NET REPORT, a newsletter for radio amateurs interested in the UFO phenomenon, presents a collection of UFO sightings, research updates, and theoretical discussions. The publication is controlled by Michel M. Jaffe and aims to investigate the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects.

Key Features and Articles

Report Number 30

The issue is structured with various sections, including a UFO Library, a Bulletin, Network Schedules, and a Sighting Report Map. It also features "Clipping the News," "The Mail Box," and "Shop & Swap" sections.

UFO Library

A list of books available from the Control Station, loaned free of charge to members, is provided. Titles include "STRANGER THAN SCIENCE" by Frank Edwards, "WHAT WE REALLY KNOW ABOUT FLYING SAUCERS" by Otto Binder, and "ANATOMY OF A PHENOMENON" by Jacques Vallee, among others.

Bulletin: Tucson Photograph

DATA-NET received a letter from Mr. Don Reasor of Tuscola, Illinois, including a clipping from the May-June 1969 APRO bulletin and a photograph. The photograph was reportedly taken in Tucson, Arizona, on June 14, 1969, at 2:30 a.m. The APRO's optics expert, Dr. Frieden, was to subject the film to intensive study. Mr. Reasor noted that APRO investigated his sighting and found it collaborated with other witnesses. The photo, taken from a projection screen, is described as poor quality, showing a small light blur against a dark background, and is considered of no value for identification purposes.

UFO Events and Sightings

Several UFO events are detailed:

• 7-4-1969, Anolaima, Columbia: A man died from a mystery sickness after reporting seeing a yellow-orange object with an "arc of light" and two luminous legs. Doctors were baffled, and while APRO considered it natural causes unless proven otherwise, a complete autopsy was recommended.
• 9-2-1969, Chapeau, Quebec: An 18-year-old waitress and two men witnessed a white and red light UFO. A smaller craft detached from the main one and entered the yard. Two other witnesses also observed the phenomenon.
• 9-6-1969, Purcell, Oklahoma: A peculiar light appeared in the western sky, changing color and shape, resembling a rainbow-colored disk. This was later attributed to barium used for experimental purposes by scientists at White Sands, New Mexico.
• 9-7-1969, Elkader, Iowa: The Clayton County Register staff reported numerous UFO sightings phoned into their office.
• 9-7-1969, Allamakee County, USA: Several members of a respected farm family reported UFOs using their farm as a landing strip, with landing marks found on the property.
• 9-8-1969, Allamakee County, USA: Two more landing marks were found, identical to previous ones.
• 9-11-1969, Allamakee County, USA: Children watched a shiny silver UFO hover above a power pole.
• 9-26-1969, Allamakee County, USA: A son spotted a UFO moving toward a power pole, took a picture, and observed it hover before disappearing.
• 9-27-1969, Allamakee County, USA: Boys saw an object take off from the barn area, disappear into the sky.
• 10-16-1969, Allamakee County, USA: Sightings from several areas reported lights in the sky, with a constant watch maintained on the pasture.
• 9-12-1969, Smith Center, Kansas: Mrs. Gary Lare reported a strange bright light hovering above the road, which then disappeared.
• 9-15 to 10-2-1969, West Bloomfield, Michigan: Two sightings of strange lights in the sky, one identified by police as a "kite," the other by a patrolman.
• 9-25-1969, Atkinson, Nebraska: Four persons reported seeing a huge, intensely bright, orange colored light hovering southwest of town.
• 9-27-1969, Belgrade, Yugoslavia: Witnesses described a roughly triangular shape with lights at each corner, moving rapidly.
• 9-30-1969, Lanarkshire, England: A mystery light was seen, initially thought to be Venus.
• 10-5-1969, Brandon, Manitoba: A teacher and his wife saw a bright white oval-shaped light that moved steadily and quickly west, flashing rapidly.
• 10-6-1969, Melita, Manitoba: An RCMP constable spotted a UFO described as a reddish tower light that increased in size and glowed like a red hot cast iron ball.

Apollo 12 Encounters

The "Editor's Desk" section details several "oddities" encountered by Apollo 12 on its route to the moon:

• 11-14-1969: Lightning or static electricity knocked out the spacecraft's electrical systems for 12 seconds after blast-off, despite no weather anomalies reported.
• 11-14-1969: Apollo 12 reported their windows were iced up, a condition not previously experienced.
• 11-15-1969: Ice had cleared, but an "ash" residue remained. An astronaut reported seeing a "friend" flying alongside.
• 11-15-1969: Telescopic film showed Apollo 12 accompanied by 2 or 3 pulsating star-like objects.
• 11-15-1969: KDON radio reported an unidentified object trailing Apollo 12.
• 11-23-1969: Moon rock samples included mysterious cones, one described as a "small volcano."
• Crash Landing: The crash landing of the Intrepid set off vibrations that reverberated for over 40 minutes.

Clipping the News

This section compiles news clippings about UFO-related events:

• Australia (1966): The Tully "saucer nest" case in Queensland involved circles of flattened grass.
• Australia (April 1969): Bungawalbyn reported a flattened saccaline fodder patch with divided rows and ground marks.
• New Zealand (2-13-1969): Whangarei had three "mystery circles" discovered after a UFO sighting.
• New Zealand (9-14-1969): Tauranga reported a 60-foot circle of burned manuka trees, attributed to radiation.
• Iowa (7-13-1969): Near Garrison, a large, dull grey-black object with a reddish-orange band of light was observed, and a 40-foot circle was found in a bean field the next morning.

UFO Events (Continued)

• 7-4-1969, Anolaima, Columbia: A man died after reporting a saucer sighting; doctors were baffled.
• 9-2-1969, Chapeau, Quebec: A UFO was observed by a hotel waitress and two men, with a smaller craft detaching.
• 9-6-1969, Purcell, Oklahoma: A peculiar light changed color and shape, appearing as a rainbow-colored disk.
• 9-7-1969, Elkader, Iowa: Numerous UFO reports were being phoned in.
• 9-7-1969, Allamakee County, USA: UFOs were reportedly using a farm as a landing strip, with landing marks documented.
• 9-8-1969, Allamakee County, USA: Additional landing marks were found.
• 9-11-1969, Allamakee County, USA: A shiny silver UFO was seen hovering above a power pole.
• 9-26-1969, Allamakee County, USA: A UFO was spotted moving toward a power pole and then disappeared.
• 9-27-1969, Allamakee County, USA: An object was seen taking off and disappearing into the sky.
• 10-16-1969, Allamakee County, USA: Multiple sightings of lights in the sky were reported.
• 9-12-1969, Smith Center, Kansas: A bright light was observed hovering above the road.
• 9-15 to 10-2-1969, West Bloomfield, Michigan: Two sightings of strange lights were reported.
• 9-25-1969, Atkinson, Nebraska: A huge, intensely bright orange light was seen hovering.
• 9-27-1969, Belgrade, Yugoslavia: Witnesses described a triangular object with lights.
• 9-30-1969, Lanarkshire, England: A mystery light was observed.
• 10-5-1969, Brandon, Manitoba: A teacher and his wife saw a bright white oval-shaped light.
• 10-6-1969, Melita, Manitoba: An RCMP constable spotted a UFO described as a reddish tower light.

UFO CHRONOLOG Review

The issue includes a review of the Sept.-Oct. issue of UFO CHRONOLOG, edited by Joseph M. Erhardt and published by Patrick Huyghe. The journal uses a unique index system for reporting UFO sightings. The review discusses Mr. Erhardt's theories on the "peculiar reaction" by UFOs when struck by light, which he believes causes power failures. The DATA-NET editor strongly disagrees with this "mechanical theory," finding its assumptions ridiculous and arguing that the sun's power is insufficient for such a mechanism.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The DATA-NET REPORT consistently operates from the premise that unidentified flying objects are real and that their purpose is to investigate their nature, origin, and reason for being here. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, encouraging members to submit their findings and theories, while also critically evaluating them, as seen in the disagreement with the "mechanical theory" presented in UFO CHRONOLOG. The publication emphasizes the importance of authentic photographic evidence and maintains a library of UFO-related books for its members. The issue also highlights the ongoing efforts of organizations like APRO in investigating sightings and the use of amateur radio networks for communication and data sharing within the UFO community.

This issue of "UFO Reports" from October 1969, identified as Volume 1969, Issue 10, compiles a series of eyewitness accounts of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena reported across the United States and Canada during September and October 1969. The publication appears to be a compilation of news clippings from various local and regional newspapers, with a focus on documenting sightings and attempting to provide explanations, often through official sources like the U.S. Weather Bureau or FAA.

Key Sightings and Incidents

The issue details numerous sightings, often categorized by date and location:

• October 6, 1969:
• Trail, Oregon: Mrs. L. R. Killian and Mrs. Ole Bacon reported an oblong, white object that appeared to radiate yellow and green, possibly a weather balloon.
• Oakridge, Oregon: Residents observed a UFO appearing as a translucent plastic balloon, described as pear-shaped and over 125 feet in length.
• Roseburg, Oregon: Citizens reported a white object at high altitude; the U.S. Weather Bureau stated none of their balloons were missing.
• October 8, 1969:
• Muskogee, Oklahoma: A silver disk was sighted near the Smith's Ferry Landing. The U.S. Weather Bureau had released a balloon that morning.
• Hooker, Oklahoma: A large white object, possibly a weather balloon, was seen. A plane flew to 16,000 feet, but the object remained far above.
• October 8, 1969:
• Greenville, South Carolina: An object described as round or oval, about the size of a large star, white without glitter, was observed. Official explanations were contradictory.
• October 9, 1969:
• Siletz, Oregon: Ron Springer and his family reported a top-shaped object with a rotating bottom that emitted a high-pitched hum. They also experienced a bright light swooping over their car.
• Cynthiana, Kentucky: UFO sightings were attributed to a large weather balloon shining brightly due to sunlight.
• Bartlesville, Oklahoma: A U.S. weather balloon was identified as the cause of a sighting, with sunlight reflecting off its instruments.
• Solomon, Kansas: A flaming meteor was reported, described as a ball of fire with sparks, exploding near the ground.
• October 9, 1969:
• Springfield, Missouri: A mail truck driver reported a brilliant green light traveling from southeast to northwest, believing an object landed near the highway.
• Iola, Kansas: A bright flash and loud explosion were reported.
• Cushing, Oklahoma: Police observed a bright, scary object with red and yellow fire, described as a thousand times larger than any meteor.
• Parsons, Kansas: A "beautiful but eerie" ball of fire was seen, brighter than floodlights, greenish-blue turning to dull red.
• Coffeyville, Kansas: A bright flash illuminated the northern part of the city.
• St. Joseph, Missouri: A very bright light was reported in the sky.
• October 15, 1969:
• Rogers, Arkansas: Residents reported a mysterious egg-shaped UFO that was brilliant white, then blue, then red.
• October 17, 1969:
• Willamina, Oregon: Four teenagers were frightened by a tremendous light from a gully, resembling an object seen by the Reeves family.
• October 18, 1969:
• Marshall, Missouri: A resident and his wife saw a tube-shaped flying object hovering low, with a bright red nose and fiery exhaust.
• September 1969:
• Toronto, Canada: An Italian sleuth claimed UFOs come from Canada, with experimental German flying saucers stored in British Columbia.
• September 12, 1969:
• Calgary, Alberta: Science fiction writer Paul Anderson stated that life outside Earth is a statistical certainty, though he did not believe UFOs were extraterrestrial.
• September 14, 1969:
• Melbourne, Australia: Mr. Campbell McCausland questioned if aliens would steal rocks, suggesting it would be the first thing an intelligent alien would do.
• October 2, 1969:
• Elkader, Iowa: Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Fred H. Beckman, and Ted Phillips were investigating UFO reports in northeastern Iowa.
• October 9, 1969:
• Benson, North Carolina: Nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman lectured on flying saucers, stating that about 50 people in his audience had seen them.
• Cynthiana, Kentucky: Kim Peddicord provided a list of steps for identifying flying saucers, distinguishing them from balloons.
• October 23, 1969:
• Logan, Utah: Dr. William Markowitz stated that 22 years of investigation showed no scientific evidence for UFOs, comparing UFO mania to witchcraft.
• October 28, 1969:
• Berkeley, California: NICAP issued a new report, "UFOS: A NEW LOOK," detailing increased reports of UFO "landings" and electromagnetic effects.
• September 14, 1969:
• Melbourne, Australia: Mandy Lawson and Cheryle Hunter reported a fluorescent light that flared and fell into a park, leaving behind a telescopic cylinder and synthetic material.
• October 13, 1969:
• Shenandoah, Pennsylvania: A large chunk of dark-blue ice emitting a gaseous odor fell from the sky, shattering and melting.
• February 4, 1968:
• Jupiter: The issue includes a section on Jupiter's Great Red Spot, discussing its size, duration, and potential causes, including lightning.
• September 18, 1969:
• Prince George, Canada: Ottawa scientists investigated a meteor crash, with witnesses reporting a bright blue flaming object.
• October 10, 1969:
• St. Joseph, Missouri: A University of Kansas geology professor hoped to find meteorite particles from an object that flashed across the sky.
• August 23, 1969:
• Alberta, Canada: Five construction workers reported seeing a 15-foot tall man-like creature walking across a ridge.
• February 6, 1969:
• Hartford, Connecticut: Donald LaSalle of the Talcott Mountain Science Center was amused by reports of a "mystery robot" trying to flag down cars, speculating about extraterrestrial visitors.
• March 1968:
• Queensland, Australia: Mr. Stan Seers reported the disappearance of an 8mm film intended to photograph UFO activity, suggesting it was deliberately removed.
• February 26, 1969:
• Princeton, New Jersey: Dr. Freeman Dyson proposed using hydrogen bombs to power spaceships by the 22nd century.
• October 19, 1969:
• Tully, Australia: A new UFO detector designed by Brian Brosnan was reported.
• November 20, 1969:
• Baltic coast of Sweden: A Swedish trawler collided with an object believed to be a foreign submarine.

Mail Box and Data-Net

The "Mail Box" section features correspondence from readers. Riley Crabbe of Vista, California, mentioned conversations between Apollo astronauts and spaceships, which he claimed were censored from NASA broadcasts. The editor responded that DATA-NET had not received reports of such conversations. Another anonymous contributor reported observing a UFO on July 25, 1965, moving across the sky for 60 minutes, followed by a speeding, white-hot globe of light.

A "DATA-NET" entry notes that Steiger has quit his teaching job to write full-time, and mentions Joan Whritenour's return to her old job as a bar waitress after a period of witchcraft and UFO writing.

Another DATA-NET entry discusses the U.S. space program sending Apollo flights to areas of unusual phenomena. Wm. E. Moser of Sydney, Australia, compiled an article on sightings by astronomers going back 295 years. Mrs. Coral E. Lorenzen of Tucson, Arizona, commented on Dr. J. Allen Hynek's examination of Ted Serios's "gizmo," stating that Serios could not always produce pictures and often produced "white outs" and "black outs."

Shop & Swap

This section contains advertisements for items such as a "SPEEDOPLEX #2 Bug Key," a "Flowstaff," and a "micrometer deviator."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the documentation of UFO sightings, the attempt to explain them through conventional means (weather balloons, natural phenomena), and the skepticism of some scientific investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events, often with a slight leaning towards the unexplained, while also presenting findings from scientific studies that often debunk or offer rational explanations for sightings. The inclusion of the "Mail Box" and "Data-Net" sections suggests an engagement with reader contributions and ongoing research in the field. The publication seems to aim at providing a comprehensive overview of UFO-related news and discussions of the time.