Data Net - No 36 - 1970

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET
Issue: Vol. IV No. 6, Report Number 36
Date: June 1970
Publisher: The UFO Amateur Radio Network
Description: DATA-NET is the official publication of the UFO Amateur Radio Network, dedicated to the investigation and discussion of unidentified flying objects. Membership is $4.00 per year, and the report is published monthly.

Table of Contents

The issue features a comprehensive table of contents, including:

• Announcements
• Network Schedule
• Ham Roster
• CQ...de WASRON
• TAG Your World and UFOs
• Sighting Report Map
• Clipping The News:
• UFO Events
• Meteors, Comets & Fireballs
• Lights
• Moon, Planets, & Astronomy
• UFO Comments and Opinions
• Sighting Report Reference Chronology
• The Mail Box
• Shop & Swap

Key Articles and Features

"UFOs-Operation Trojan Horse" Review

Authored by Mike Jaffe (WB6RPL), this section provides a critical review of John Keel's new book. Jaffe expresses disappointment, stating that the book is full of inaccuracies, contradictions, and bad jokes. He refutes specific claims made by Keel, such as the interpretation of the 'Boullia spheres' and the assertion that UFOs are piloted by angels who lie. Jaffe also criticizes Keel's views on contactees and his recommendation for parents to forbid children from engaging with the UFO subject, arguing that many active ufologists are teenagers. The review concludes that the book, despite the seriousness of the subject, is largely a "fantastic joke" due to its errors and misinformation.

Network Schedule and Ham Roster

This section details the network schedule for amateur radio operators, including specific frequencies and times for communication. It also provides a Ham Roster listing call signs, names, and locations of various amateur radio operators involved with the network, indicating a strong connection between UFO research and amateur radio communication.

UFO Events and Sighting Reports

The "Clipping The News" section compiles numerous UFO sighting reports from various locations and dates in late 1968 and early 1970. These reports describe diverse phenomena, including:

• November 11, 1968, Near Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Frank Marwood (VEGAEY) reported a brilliant bluish-white light, about 25 feet in diameter, moving in a circle and spinning.
• April 17, 1970, Mildura, Victoria, Australia: Several people reported a saucer-like object with lights around its edge moving quickly southwest.
• April 20, 1970, Yakima, Washington: A brilliant object with a bluish-green trail and shower of sparks was observed.
• April 21, 1970, Burdette, Arkansas: Two women reported a bright light hovering, rotating, and emitting lights, described as saucer-shaped.
• April 22, 1970, Roseburg, Oregon: Reports of a brilliant green or hazy green ball falling at a 30-degree angle.
• May 1, 1970, Washington, Pennsylvania: A cigar-shaped object with a flaming exhaust traveled at high speed.
• February 18, 1970, Salisbury, North Carolina: An orange object was seen traveling northeast to southwest, then made a 90-degree turn and zoomed away.
• February 28, 1970, Culbertson, Nebraska: Mr. & Mrs. Nowka reported two UFOs, described as saucers with greenish-blue lights, confirmed by radar.
• March 14, 1970, Hattiesburg, Mississippi: An orange ball was seen hanging in the sky, described as a perfect circle, which suddenly went out.
• March 16, 1970, Corinth, Mississippi: A brightly lighted oblong shape, compared to a fluorescent light with a dark center, was observed.

These reports often include details about the object's shape, color, size, behavior, and speed, as well as witness accounts and local media coverage.

"Your World and UFOs" by Bob Achzehner (W9AUT)

This article discusses the confusion surrounding UFO information in the popular press and criticizes official explanations, which often dismiss sightings as weather balloons or mirages. Achzehner references Dr. James E. McDonald's views on the CIA's role in down-grading UFO investigations, particularly the Robertson panel's recommendation for a "systematic debunking" to reduce public interest. The article highlights how government regulations, such as Air Force Regulation AF200-2 and JANAP-146, made it a crime to disclose information on unidentified sightings.

Announcements and Services

The publication includes several announcements, such as a $25.00 reward for an authentic photograph of a flying saucer. It also promotes the "SHOP & SWAP" section for free listings for members, the DATA-NET UFO Library where books are loaned free to members, and a Research Service for technical questions. Additionally, it advertises "The Saucer Seeker" booklet by W9AUT, which includes a story of UFOs and plans for building a SAUCER SEEKER, and mentions the publication "SKYLOOK."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

DATA-NET consistently promotes the belief that UFOs are real and that evidence supports their existence. The editorial stance is critical of official government explanations and debunking efforts, suggesting a deliberate attempt to suppress public interest in the phenomenon. The publication emphasizes the importance of amateur radio operators in gathering and disseminating UFO information. There is a strong focus on collecting and reporting sighting data, analyzing UFO literature, and fostering a community of researchers. The review of John Keel's book highlights a willingness to critically evaluate even prominent figures in the UFO field if their work is deemed inaccurate or misleading. The magazine also seems to advocate for open inquiry and the sharing of information among its members.

Title: DATA-NET REPORT
Issue: July 1970
Publisher: DATA-NET REPORT
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of DATA-NET REPORT provides a comprehensive overview of UFO sightings, astronomical phenomena, and related scientific discussions from March to May 1970. It features a chronological listing of sightings, detailed witness accounts, and commentary from experts in the field.

UFO Sightings Chronology (March 1970)

The magazine presents a detailed chronology of UFO sightings reported in March 1970, including:

• March 1, 1970: Oak Grove, Oregon - Slow ascending flyby.
• March 1, 1970: Willow Creek & Arcata, California - Low flyover.
• March 4, 1970: Klamath Falls, Oregon - Flyover.
• March 4, 1970: Myrtle Creek, Green, Little River & Roseburg, Oregon - Fast flyby with an explosion.
• March 7, 1970: Dows, Iowa - Hovered, maneuvered.
• March 11, 1970: Shallow Lake, Ontario, Canada - Hovered.
• March 14, 1970: Hattiesburg, Mississippi - Hovered.
• March 16, 1970: Corinth, Mississippi - Hovered.
• March 16, 1970: Northside, Pennsylvania - Slow flyby.
• March 21, 1970: Scranton, Pennsylvania - Low, hovered, maneuvered.
• March 22, 1970: Prentice, Wisconsin - Hovered.
• March 22, 1970: Balltown, Iowa - Fast flyover, maneuvered.
• March 24, 1970: San Francisco area, California - Landed, occupants, contact.
• March 25, 1970: Annan, Ontario, Canada - Hovered, maneuvered, slow flyby.
• March 25, 1970: Rona, North Carolina - Hovered.
• March 25, 1970: Sioux Center, Iowa - Hovered.
• March 27, 1970: Silver Hills, Indiana - Hovered.

Detailed Incident Reports

Several specific incidents are elaborated upon:

• March 25, 1970, Balltown, Iowa: The Duehr family reported a large white light rising from a field, moving directly overhead, and then disappearing. It reappeared later, higher and farther south.
• March 25, 1970, Annan, Ontario, Canada: Two teenagers, Joanne and Bill Hutchison, saw a reddish-orange light object that appeared to stop and then move slowly away, without noticeable sound.
• March 25, 1970, Ronda, North Carolina: Five teenagers reported seeing three stationary, blinking lights (white and red) that moved independently. One UFO moved north and did not return, while the other two moved west and were pursued by a jet.
• March 25, 1970, Sioux Center, Iowa: Arie Olivier and friends reported a large, well-illuminated, dome-shaped object with multi-colored lights a mile south of Sheldon. They initially thought it was a plane but discounted this due to its shape. The object moved towards Sheldon and disappeared over the city. Inquiries at the Sheldon airport revealed no planes had taken off or landed that evening.
• March 27, 1970, Silver Hills, Indiana: Witnesses at a party saw what appeared to be two airplanes close together, not moving, with orange lights. They later saw a plane fly by the objects, which remained stationary. The objects were described as having a bright light and an orange color, unlike planes.
• March 29, 1970, Kankakee County, Illinois: The police were alerted to a UFO, which was later identified as Bennet's Comet.
• March 30, 1970, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada: Residents reported a glowing object in the eastern sky, described as a beautiful clear night with the moon nearing the horizon. The object was described as a ball, silver with a gold tail, appearing to travel eastward and rapidly.

Astronomy and Planetary News

The issue also includes reports on astronomical findings:

• Comet Bennett: Described as visible in the pre-dawn northeast sky, becoming visible about 3 p.m. and 45 degrees above the horizon by dawn. It was as bright as the Pole Star and was heading back into space.
• Rough Spots on Mercury (April 19, 1970, Pasadena, California): Scientists at Jet Propulsion Laboratory found rough spots near Mercury's equator, possibly mountains or boulder fields, unable to determine if they were craters. The planet was observed when it was roughly 55 million miles from Earth.
• Life on Mars Possible (April 11, 1970, Moscow, Russia): Soviet biologist K. Lyubarsky suggested life could exist on Mars. His theory, described in "Science and Life," involved growing terrestrial plants, worms, seeds, and bacteria in a simulated Martian atmosphere. Some organisms survived and thrived.

UFO Comments and Opinions

• UFO Sightings Could Increase (April 11, 1970, Townsville, Queensland, Australia): The president of the Northern Investigation Bureau Aerial Phenomena predicted an increase in UFO sightings over the next 10 years, citing a plan for visits and a commitment to investigate.
• Pardon Me, But Your Flying Saucer Is Still Showing (April 12, 1970, Los Angeles, California): This section features excerpts discussing the scientific definition of "flying saucers" and introduces "anomalistic observational phenomena." It mentions scientists like Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Dr. Neill Davis, David Branch, and Stanton Friedman, who are involved in UFO research. The article notes that some scientists believe private research is becoming more accepted due to the perceived inadequacy of official investigations like the Air Force Blue Books and the Condon report.
• Professor to Discuss Fruitless UFO Search (April 17, 1970, Pocatello, Idaho): Dr. William Markowitz's speech, "UFO Mania: A Chapter in the History of Science," is highlighted. He argues that the pursuit of UFOs by science over 22 years has been a "major folly," stating that while UFOs are real and reported by reliable witnesses, they could not be extraterrestrial spacecraft if current laws of celestial mechanics and physics are valid.
• Extraterrestrials and Public Conditioning: Some individuals believe that "extraterrestrials can prove their reality to the world" soon, possibly within a year or two, if the public is properly conditioned.

Miscellaneous Reports

• Mysterious Sky Object Identified (May 3, 1970, McAlester to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma): A report of a mysterious light turning into a silver globe was identified as a 1,300-pound instrument package carried by a balloon launched by the Palestine Balloon Flight Center.

The Mail Box

This section includes correspondence between DATA-NET REPORT and MUFOB, with John Rimmer of the MERSEYSIDE UFO BULLETIN in Liverpool, United Kingdom, exchanging publications and commenting on the humorous approach to UFOs taken by DATA-NET REPORT.

Shop & Swap

This section lists items for sale or trade, including a request for SWRO bridge and keyer, and a wanted ad for tektite samples.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, astronomical events, and the scientific investigation of unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of thorough reporting of witness accounts and scientific findings, while also incorporating a degree of humor and skepticism, as indicated by the "Shop & Swap" section and the commentary on the "fruitless UFO search."