Data Net - No 52 - 1971

Magazine Overview

DATA-NET, The UFO Amateur Radio Network, Issue Number 52, Volume V No. 10, dated October 1971. The publication is based in Ben Lomond, California, and is the official report of the DATA-NET organization. Membership is open to amateur radio operators and those seriously interested in the UFO phenomenon, with annual dues of $5.00 domestic and $6.00 foreign. The report is published monthly by Editor Mrs. Josephine J. Clark.

Content Highlights

Announcements

DATA-NET offers a $25.00 reward for an authentic photograph of a flying saucer, requiring the photo to be clear enough to show items of value and preferably unprocessed.

Members can list items for sale, trade, or wanted FREE OF CHARGE in the 'SHOP & SWAP' section.

The Research Library offers UFO books, and library services are free to members.

A Technical Research Service is available for technical questions, also free to members.

The 'Saucer Seeker' magnetic UFO detector, including plans and parts list, is available free to members. Permanent magnets can be purchased for $2.00.

DATA-NET encourages members to submit UFO-related information, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, books, and sighting reports, and assures confidentiality.

Data-Net Communication Centers

The network schedule includes a Wednesday 7:00 PM PDST transmission on 7.268 LSB, which is Thursday 0200 GMT. Starting November 3, 1971, there will be a Wednesday 7:00 PM PST transmission, corresponding to Thursday 0300 GMT on 7.268 LSB.

Specific communication centers mentioned are WA0ZRG in St. Louis, Missouri, active on 10 meters (29.00 daily), and KP4CH in Puerto Rico, active on 21.342 Khz daily.

Geographical Location of 322 United States UFO Reports

This section features a map of the Eastern United States with numbered locations indicating UFO reports. The map is divided into sections, with specific counts noted for various regions.

Research in Progress: Landing Research in Spain: A Report

Authored by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos, this report updates DATA-NET co-members on the development of Type-I UFO work since the 100 Iberian landings study. The Spanish landing catalogue has grown from 100 cases in November 1970 to 122 cases by September 1971, with 5 cases removed from the original count. The report details the years and number of cases, showing a peak in the 1960-65 period and a notable number of reports in 1968/69. It also lists six specific Type-I landing cases from 1971 in Spain, including dates, times, and locations such as Aznalcazar, Umbrete, Venta Del Alto, and Granada.

The author notes a constant level of UFO activity in the Sevilla province since 1970, attributing this to effective investigators like Mr. Manuel Osuna. The catalog is continuously updated, with nearly all reported Type-I events coming into their hands quickly.

Two research works on Iberian landings are slated for publication: one on the sociological point of view and another cataloging 60 negative Type-I reports. The author expresses confidence that DATA-NET members will find this information valuable and encourages them to share their own progress reports.

Case Reports

• Australia:
• June 9, 1971, Belmore, NSW: Sam Kaufman, a 67-year-old electrical engineer, reported seeing a large, silvery, pink-tinged crescent object moving vertically and disappearing into heavy clouds. The object appeared to elongate slightly.

• California:
• January 27, 1968, Modesto: A college student, Robert Hemenway, observed a bright blue-white glowing oval object with a beam of white light projected downwards. The object pulsated and disappeared suddenly after about 10-15 seconds.

• Nevada:
• August 27, 1968, Reno: Greg Wise observed a red point of light that moved and faded, followed by a dark disk with a greenish corona. The object accelerated and disappeared east.
• January 26, 1969, Fernley: Keary Schade reported a large red sphere with a red light and misty white glow, which pulsed and moved erratically before vanishing. The object's angular diameter was estimated at 3 degrees.
• July 2, 1971, Reno: Mary "X" saw a dark circular object with flashing red and white lights that moved erratically and then accelerated rapidly west.

Clipping the News

This section compiles various UFO sighting reports from different locations:

• Summer 1969, South Egremont, Massachusetts: Russell Willcox observed a light casting shadows, which was later seen moving through trees and then disappeared. He also noted a meteor and another mysterious light.
• April 10, 1971, Cockermouth, England: A UFO described as two round shiny objects spinning in the evening sky was spotted.
• April 12, 1971, Workington, England: The Coastguard station received calls reporting a bright flash in the sky followed by a red glow, explained by the RAF as 'space debris'.
• April 16, 1971, Elizabeth, New Jersey: Residents reported seeing a UFO described as a brightly lit object hovering, or a gigantic plane wing with lights, near Wood Avenue.
• April 17, 1971, Elizabeth, New Jersey: A blimp bearing a lighted sign advertising a radio station was observed.
• April 17, 1971, Balclutha, New Zealand: Alan Ludlow reported a white, long, bullet-shaped object traveling fast from north to east.
• April 18-24, 1971, Christchurch, New Zealand: A student pilot reported seeing two strange lights, one elliptical-shaped object that changed color and faded, and a round white light moving in a curved trajectory.
• April 19, 1971, Queenstown, New Zealand: Vivid green and red lights were visible over the Cecil Peak area.
• April 23, 1971, Elizabeth, New Jersey: Several people reported observing a strange object with lights resembling a 'movie marquee'.
• April 24, 1971, Titahi Bay, New Zealand: Mr. T. L. Watt described a silver-colored object with a long luminous tail traveling over Mana Island.
• April 24, 1971, Patea, New Zealand: Mr. B. K. Chamberlain observed an object resembling a rocket plane emitting a trail of flame.
• April 25, 1971, Stewart Island, New Zealand: Mrs. Denise Worrall reported an object moving in a circle, giving off different colors.
• April 27, 1971, Mosgiel, New Zealand: Mr. I. Dickson sighted an object directly over Mosgiel that reversed direction before disappearing.
• May 4, 1971, Ventersdorp, South Africa: Mrs. M. H. Koekemoer and her daughter spotted a strange object streaking through the sky with a long luminous tail.
• May 11, 1971, Taupo, New Zealand: Mr. E. R. Marfurt plotted an object that altered course.
• May 12, 1971, Geraldton, West. Australia: Shoppers and schoolchildren watched a seaplane approaching the airport, with a shiny teardrop or tadpole shaped object high in the sky behind it.
• May 16-22, 1971, Willi Willi, NSW, Australia: Three people saw an oval object with a red exhaust.
• May 21, 1971, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia: Several people reported a bright orange-red object with a tail, traveling with excessive speed.
• May 22, 1971, Taupo, Auckland, N.Z.: Mr. & Mrs. E. H. Marfurt reported seeing a green-red flashing light moving nightly, and a similar light on Saturday night.
• May 25, 1971, Fremantle, West. Australia: A man reported a bright yellow object falling slowly into Cockburn Sound.
• June 17, 1971, Boone County, Indiana: A large, bright object attracted attention, described by some as a helicopter with a light burning.

Off the Record

This column, by Ed Reed, appears to be a brief, possibly humorous or anecdotal, addition to the magazine, with an accompanying illustration of a flying saucer and a golfer.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of DATA-NET are the cataloging and reporting of UFO sightings from around the world, with a particular focus on Type-I landings. The magazine also emphasizes the importance of amateur radio communication for sharing information within the UFO research community. The editorial stance, as stated in the 'POLICY' section, is that DATA-NET feels sufficient evidence exists to prove that unidentified flying objects are real, and they are actively seeking answers to fundamental questions about their origin and nature. The publication actively encourages member participation through rewards, services, and the sharing of information.

This issue of the "UFO Investigator" newsletter, published by the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), focuses on ongoing UFO reports and the scientific exploration of interstellar communications. The cover story, "Saucer Buffs Watching - UFOs Are Still Reported" by Elizabeth Wharton, highlights a recent sighting in Westminster, Maryland, and contrasts it with historical UFO investigations.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The article by Elizabeth Wharton details a sighting on August 1st in Westminster, Maryland, where a farmer observed a "disc-shaped object" hovering above his field, visible during lightning flashes. The description is noted as being from the current files of NICAP, an organization that remains active despite the discontinuation of the Air Force's Project Blue Book.

Project Blue Book, initiated by the Air Force in 1948, investigated over 7,000 sightings of unidentified flying objects. In 1955, NICAP was founded by Major Donald Keyhoe to conduct civilian studies. More recently, the University of Colorado, under physicist Edward U. Condon, conducted a $540,000, two-year investigation into UFOs, concluding in January 1969 that there was no scientific justification for further study, though it acknowledged that 10-30 percent of sightings remained unexplained.

Following the Condon Report, the Air Force closed Project Blue Book after 21 years, stating there was no national security threat from unexplained UFOs. Donald Keyhoe publicly criticized the Condon Report as a "white-wash" and resigned as NICAP director. Despite this, NICAP reorganized as a tax-exempt nonprofit research corporation, continuing its work with new leadership, including John Acuff as chairman and Stuart Nixon as executive director and editor.

Nixon observed a decline in UFO sightings after the Condon Report's publication, attributing it to fewer hoaxes, reduced mass hypnosis, and increased reluctance to report due to fear of ridicule. However, he noted that sightings were beginning to pick up again. The newsletter also reports on a 1971 incident in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where two men claimed their cars were followed and stopped by low-flying objects emitting blinding lights, rendering their vehicles unresponsive.

Interstellar Communications: Prospects and Mysteries

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to the topic of interstellar communications, with an article by L. George Lawrence titled "Interstellar Communications - What Are the Prospects?". The article explores the historical and scientific considerations of contacting extraterrestrial intelligence.

Early thinkers like Thales of Miletus and Anaximander pondered the existence of other worlds. Later, mathematicians and astronomers like Karl F. Gauss and J.J. von Littrow proposed grand schemes for signaling, such as planting forests in Siberia or digging geometric canals in the Sahara. Charles Gros suggested using a vast mirror to signal Mars.

More realistic approaches emerged with the discovery of radio waves. Nikola Tesla claimed to have received interstellar signals in Colorado Springs, and Thomas Edison reportedly had a similar experience, though both faced skepticism. The concept of "radio mysteries" began in 1927 when Norwegian radio engineer Jorgen Hals detected strange echoes during radio transmissions from Eindhoven. These echoes, with delays of seconds, were later studied by Professor Carl Stormer and Dr. van der Pol. Similar phenomena were observed in 1934 and reported by various radio amateurs and scientists.

In the early 1950s, the theory of extraterrestrial interference was advanced, suggesting a probe monitoring for intelligent life and re-transmitting signals. Drs. Budden and Yates attempted to observe long-delayed echoes without success.

Another notable event was a television signal from Houston, Texas (KLEE-TV), that was received in England three years after its original transmission, with no other station broadcasting those call letters in the interim. This led to speculation about signals being stored in a "plasma cloud" or transmitted by an interstellar transponder.

Later experiments, such as "Project Ozma" in 1960, used the 85-foot radio telescope at the National Radio Observatory to search for intelligent signals, focusing on the 21-cm hydrogen line (1.420 GHz) as a potential universal communication frequency. Despite sensitive equipment, no results were obtained.

The article also touches upon the possibility of extraterrestrial societies having developed advanced interstellar spaceflight and the potential for physical commerce. It references local investigations into American Indian legends that imply the presence of celestial beings, such as the Yuman-speaking tribes of the lower Colorado River and the Chemehuevi legend of the "mountain of the bearded god."

Miscellaneous and Recurring Themes

Under the "Miscellaneous" section, a brief report from Seaside, California, describes a phenomenon of "white sticky stuff" falling from the sky, later identified as spider webs from ballooning spiders. This event, occurring on October 4, 1971, is presented as a curious Forteana item.

The newsletter also includes information on subscribing to "DATA-NET," a comprehensive UFO news report, and offers back issues and special reports, including one on "100 Iberic Landings" by Vicente-Juan Ballester Olmos and Dr. Jacques Vallee.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistence of UFO sightings despite official investigations and skepticism, and the scientific and historical pursuit of detecting extraterrestrial intelligence through interstellar communications. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various reports, theories, and historical accounts related to UFO phenomena and the search for life beyond Earth, while acknowledging the challenges and controversies surrounding these topics. The continued operation and reorganization of NICAP suggest a commitment to ongoing research in the field.