Data Net - No 32 - 1970

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET
Issue: VOL. IV NO. 2
Date: February 1970
Publisher: The UFO Amateur Radio Network

This issue of DATA-NET, the official publication of the UFO Amateur Radio Network, is dated February 1970 and is Volume IV, Number 2. The publication is controlled by Michel M. Jaffe (WB6RPL) and is published monthly. Membership is $4.00 per year.

Announcements

The issue begins with a list of announcements, including a $25.00 reward for an authentic photograph of a flying saucer, open only to members. It also encourages the submission of newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and reports, and offers a free 'Shop & Swap' section for wanted, for sale, or for trade items. Confidential requests are honored, and material will be returned if requested. A UFO Library is available to members, with books loaned free from the Control Station. New identification cards have been issued, and information on purchasing photo stamps and laminating plastic is provided. A Research Service is also available for technical questions.

The publication also recommends 'SKYLOOK', the monthly publication of the Midwest UFO Network, for its objective reporting on local and significant UFO events across the United States.

The Editor's Desk

In 'The Editor's Desk', the publication addresses the aftermath of the Condon Report, noting that government conclusions have led to divided opinions on future UFO press coverage. DATA-NET emphasizes its commitment to seeking solutions rather than accepting opinionated conclusions, and stresses the importance of acquiring data from close-range observations by competent individuals. The need for an early warning system is highlighted, with suggestions for inexpensive magnetic UFO detectors like the 'Saucer Seeker' and others developed by APRO. Additionally, it suggests enlisting the cooperation of 24-hour organizations such as police departments, highway patrol, Civil Defense, and local newspapers to receive UFO reports. Members are urged to prepare by installing UFO detectors and alerting these agencies.

The editor outlines a plan of action for when a UFO is detected: attempt to reach the scene, alert other witnesses, obtain photographs or physical evidence, and interview principals and witnesses. Crucially, DATA-NET must be notified of any significant event involving landings, photographs, or physical evidence. The editorial concludes by stating that a nationwide network of alert investigators actively accumulating data will inevitably lead to a solution for the UFO phenomenon.

Network Schedule and Ham Roster

The 'Network Schedule' details communication times and frequencies for the amateur radio network, with apologies for previous confusion. It lists control stations in California (WB6RPL) and Texas (WA5RON), and a Saturday net for novices and beginners. KP4CH is available to assist those planning trips to Puerto Rico. The 'Ham Roster' provides a list of amateur radio operators, their call signs, and their locations across the USA and Canada.

Bulletin! - Landing Reports

This section presents a detailed compilation of 'Landing Reports' from Midwestern states bordering the Great Lakes, as well as Missouri. The list, compiled by Mrs. Lo Nahide (under the pen name Frater Jacobus), includes dates, locations, day/time, descriptions (hovered, landed), and witnesses for numerous incidents. Reports span from 1897 to 1969 and cover states like Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, as well as Missouri.

Clipping the News

This section features summaries of recent UFO-related news items. It includes:

• Saucer Nests: A report from Meath, Quebec, Canada, about a 30-foot ring of scorched earth found on a slope, noted to be similar to other circles seen in the area.
• Farmer Saw "UFO": A farmer in Mangatarata, New Zealand, reported seeing an unidentified flying object in August 1968, which he believes may have left a circle of bleached Manuka found later.
• Mysterious Circle in New Zealand: Samples of blackened water plants from a mysterious circle found near Te Kuiti were sent for analysis to determine radioactivity levels. This circle of dead vegetation was the third discovered in central North Island rural areas.

UFO Events

This section provides detailed accounts of specific UFO sightings:

• Brixham, England (10-2-1969): Mrs. Lillian Eyre reported seeing a tiny red light that grew larger, followed by a blinding white light. She described the object as looking like an aircraft fuselage without wings, with a slow thudding sound. Other witnesses in the area reported similar sightings.
• Eire, Ireland (10-4-1969): A strange luminous object was observed in the northeastern sky, described as fuzzy, stationary, and emitting a dull glare. Some observers compared it to Halley's Comet or Russian Moon Satellites.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the collection and analysis of UFO sighting data, the role of amateur radio networks in this process, and the ongoing scientific inquiry into the UFO phenomenon. The editorial stance is one of seeking empirical evidence and formulating theories based on data, rather than accepting official explanations without question. There is a strong emphasis on the need for organized investigation and the potential for breakthroughs through diligent data collection and analysis by private researchers.

This issue of UFO Report, dated December 1969, Volume 12, No. 12, is a comprehensive compilation of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings and related phenomena reported primarily in late 1969. The magazine, published by National UFO Report, features a cover headline "STRANGE OBJECT IN SKY" and details numerous accounts from various locations, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Sighting Reports

The issue meticulously documents a wide array of UFO encounters. On October 11, 1969, in Skerries, Ireland, Mr. Luke Kinsella observed a cigar-shaped object emitting a glow. Similar sightings occurred in Kells, Ireland, with bright lights forming a rugby-ball-shaped cloud, and in Cornagrade, Northern Ireland, where an object initially resembling the moon grew oval-shaped. On October 12, 1969, Eire, Ireland, reported a mysterious ball of light. In Tintinhull, British Isles, Mr. and Mrs. Copley witnessed an intense red light, described as spherical.

Further reports from the UK include a stationary, silvery object with antennae seen nightly over Leicester, England, by George Helyar, and a "thing" with four lights in a square formation observed in Clacton, England. Westford, Ireland, reported a bright glow in the northern sky. On October 17-18, 1969, a UFO resembling a large, glowing red cigar was sighted near Lockerbie, England. The following night, October 18-19, 1969, two silvery, glowing objects exhibiting color changes were seen over Bromley Cross, England.

Reports from the United States include a sighting in Houston, Texas, on November 15, 1969, where Apollo 12 astronauts reported a "bright object" trailing their spacecraft. In Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada, on November 22-23, 1969, strange red lights were observed. Bethel, Connecticut, featured multiple sightings by Danti Vaghi, dating back to 1950, including a giant black object with indentations and a brilliant white light.

Other notable US sightings include a "bright white object" moving erratically over Walla Walla, Washington, on December 17, 1969, and a "flying saucer" reported in Liberty, Arizona, on December 5, 1969. Railroad men near Kirk, Oregon, also reported a bright light with a long, narrow beam on December 5, 1969. Richmond, Virginia, had police officers reporting unfamiliar lights in the sky on December 5, 1969.

Canada also featured prominently, with a pilot and passenger in Monona, Iowa, spotting a white, pulsating light on December 7, 1969. Duncan, British Columbia, reported a "greyish, saucer-shaped UFO, with a transparent centre" hovering over a school on December 9, 1969.

Specific Incidents and Analysis

The issue delves into specific cases, such as the Paul Trent flying saucer picture and Kenneth Arnold's sighting, which remain unexplained to some observers. It also includes commentary on the closure of Project Blue Book, with various opinions from scientists and investigators.

Dr. Eric Lindsay, Director of Armagh Observatory, suggested some sightings might be barium clouds from Russian spacecraft. The concept of "noctilucence" was offered as an explanation for some phenomena, involving sunlight illuminating dust clouds in the stratosphere.

Scientific and Expert Opinions

The magazine presents a spectrum of views from the scientific community. Dr. James E. McDonald, an atmospheric physics specialist, believed the Air Force probe was not scientifically adequate. Dr. Donald H. Menzel, a Harvard University astronomer, predicted that future scientists might view UFOs as the "greatest nonsense of the 20th century." Conversely, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a Northwestern University astronomer, suggested that solving the UFO problem might be as distant as 19th-century physicists were from understanding the Aurora Borealis.

Robert James Low, formerly a project coordinator for the Condon Report, stated that their investigation found "complete and total lack of evidence of any such extra-terrestrial visitations," though he acknowledged two unexplained incidents. He also commented on the difficulty of proving a negative and the assumption required to study UFOs as actual visitations.

Miscellaneous Reports and Themes

Beyond direct sightings, the issue touches upon other related topics. A section on "GENERAL ANALYSIS OF UFO ACTIVITY" outlines patterns and possibilities associated with UFO reports, ranging from general curiosity and mapping terrain to investigating defenses, planetary life forms, and eventually, careful contact with humans.

There are also reports of unusual phenomena, such as a "white hot flying object" narrowly missing a pensioner in Hull, England, and a fireball flashing across the Midwest states in January 1970. The issue also includes a brief mention of the "old moon theory" being denounced by Dr. G. J. Wasserburg of the California Institute of Technology.

An intriguing section details an Army intelligence training mission involving an "abduction test" in Portland, Oregon. Another segment discusses an Army radio expert, Robert DeVines, who experienced unusual power surges and interference, possibly related to attempts to communicate with other planets.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes throughout this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings across different countries and the persistent mystery surrounding these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent reporting and a desire for serious scientific investigation, while also acknowledging skepticism and the challenges in verifying such reports. The magazine aims to present witness accounts, expert opinions, and analyses of UFO activity, reflecting a commitment to exploring the subject matter without succumbing to sensationalism or "numbskullery," as noted by Paul J. Willis.

Title: DATA-NET
Issue Date: February 15, 1970
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of DATA-NET, dated February 15, 1970, contains a personal account of unusual radio reception and a "Shop & Swap" section with classified advertisements.

Personal Account of Radio Reception

The issue begins with a firsthand account from Bob Achzehner (WOAUT) detailing his experiences with a receiver. He describes how, after initially receiving only a 60 Hz hum or nothing, he had two separate occasions where he heard what sounded like a voice-like response. These responses, which lasted for about 30 seconds, were perceived as being in German. Achzehner emphasizes that this was not equipment malfunction, breakdown noise, a regular radio station, or his imagination, as he had a witness on one of the occasions.

The first experience occurred in Cincinnati, and the second in Indianapolis. He states there was no question in his mind that it was a voice, even though he could not understand it. Achzehner speculates on the nature of these phenomena, suggesting it might not be directly connected to UFOs, but then again, it might be. He proposes possibilities such as a psychic effect, a phenomenon akin to mediumship, or even a manifestation of psychic energies, referencing Carl Jung. He concludes by noting that other people have independently reported similar experiences across the country, suggesting it is worth investigating.

Shop & Swap Section

The "Shop & Swap" section contains several classified advertisements:

• WANTED, FOR SALE, and/or TRADE: Mark Richardson (WNØZRG) is looking for tubes, particularly industrial types, and wants an SWR bridge and keyer. He is willing to add cash to balance a trade or conduct an all-cash transaction. His address is 7616 Suffolk, St. Louis, Missouri 63119.
• FOR SALE: Mike Jaffe (WB6RPL) is selling a Heathkit FM radio, model GR-21 with AFC. It is wired and ready to go, featuring a woofer and tweeter, power take-off, and provisions for external amplifier, phono, tape, mike, and multiplex. The radio is guaranteed and includes the manual for $40.00. Contact him at c/o DATA-NET.
• FOR SALE or TRADE: Tom Thompson (W6BPV) is offering a Speedoplex #2 Bug Key, described as similar to the bibroplex key. It is in good condition and priced at $10.00, or he is open to trades. His address is 340 Harvard Dr., Ben Lomond, Calif. 95005.
• WANTED: WA5RON is looking for a 75-meter AM or SB transmitter suitable for mobile installation. He requests a description and price quote. His address is 224 Roberts Hall, Austin, Texas 78705.
• WANTED: WA5RON is also seeking two books by Frank Edwards: "STRANGE PEOPLE" and "STRANGEST OF ALL." He asks for the seller to name their price. His address is again listed as 224 Roberts Hall, Austin, Texas 78705.

Subscription Note

The issue concludes with a note stating that "DATA-NET subscribes to the Invisible College."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the exploration of unexplained phenomena, particularly auditory anomalies potentially linked to UFOs or psychic activity, and the practical exchange of goods within a community of interest, as evidenced by the "Shop & Swap" section. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging readers to consider unconventional explanations for observed events, as exemplified by Achzehner's account and the reference to the "Invisible College."