Data Net - No 64 - 1972

Magazine Overview

Title: DATA-NET
Issue: Vol. VI No. 10
Date: October 1972
Publisher: DATA-NET
Location: Ben Lomond, California, USA
Focus: UFOs and the Amateur Radio Network.

Main Articles and Features

Research in Progress: "The World-wide Wave of 1950: Further Inquiries"

This extensive section, authored by Jacques Bonabot and Vicente Juan Ballester Olmos, delves into a statistical analysis of the 1950 worldwide UFO wave. Building upon previous works by the CEONI group (Spain) and GESAG centre (Belgium), the research aims to determine if correlations between the global wave and local flaps persist when the Iberian Peninsula's cases are excluded. Initially, 335 sightings were sampled, but this was refined to 331 after removing duplicate or misidentified cases (e.g., lens flares, balloons).

The study presents data broken down by country (Table I), with the United States having the highest number of reports (96), followed by the Iberian Peninsula (86), Great Britain (26), and Italy (21). Other countries with significant reports include Argentina, France, Chile, Mexico, Australia, Austria, and Canada.

The analysis then examines the frequency of sightings by day of the week (Table II). For non-Iberian cases, Thursday showed the highest frequency (45), while for Iberian cases, Wednesday was highest (35). A consistent finding across both datasets was the lowest number of reports on Sundays. The authors note that this pattern does not align with natural phenomena and suggests it might be influenced by reporting processes.

Further analysis focuses on time distribution. Table III and Figure 1 compare non-Iberian and Iberian sightings based on four-hour intervals. Figure 2 presents time distribution graphs for non-Iberian and Iberian cases separately, highlighting anomalous peaks around midday (points 2 and 2'). The authors suggest that the "polished" or refined nature of the 1950 samples, and the difficulty in removing negative cases, might account for some discrepancies and affect the reliability of the catalogue.

Table IV and Figure 3 provide monthly distributions of sightings for the 1950 wave. March and April were identified as the peak months globally, with England showing a distinct flap in November and December. The simultaneous occurrence of the wave across multiple continents, coinciding with the Mars opposition, is considered a significant clue to understanding the phenomenon.

The authors conclude that while a mutual resemblance exists between the distributions, the anomalous midday increment is notable. They emphasize the need for further research, including gathering more reports from newspaper archives and encouraging private UFO organizations to share their case histories. They also recommend checking cases against conventional explanations to eliminate identifiable ones.

References are provided for the studies cited, including previous articles in DATA-NET and other publications.

Enigmatological Survey

This section, by Paul Braczyk, reviews the October/72 issue of SAGA magazine, highlighting an article by Ivan Sanderson on "The 12 Devil's Graveyards Around the World." Braczyk expresses disappointment with FATE magazine's reliance on reprints. He also mentions Donald Keyhoe's upcoming book and a brief report on UFO sightings in Pretoria, South Africa, noting that 19 out of 115 reported incidents remained unexplained as "hard core" cases.

URS (UFO Research & Investigation)

Authored by Thomas House, this section reprints an article from the UFOIC NEWSLETTER. It notes that UFO RESEARCH & INVESTIGATION in South Australia reported 115 UFOs for the year ending December 31, 1972, with 19 considered "hard core" cases. Comparisons with general Australian UFO reports revealed peaks in May (New Zealand) and June/July (Western Victoria).

Other Sections

• Announcements: Includes a $25.00 reward for an authentic flying saucer photograph, information on the DATA-NET Research Library, and the availability of "The Saucer Seeker" magnetic UFO detector. Back issues and a special report on "A Study of 100 Tberic Landings" are also advertised.
• Data-Net Communication Centers: Provides the network schedule for Wednesday and Thursday.
• Addresses: Lists contact information for Monsieur Jacques Bonabot's GESAG in Belgium and Mr. Ballester Olmos' CEONI in Spain.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The editorial stance of DATA-NET, as stated in its policy, is that sufficient evidence exists to prove that unidentified flying objects exist. The organization actively seeks answers to fundamental questions about their nature, origin, and purpose. The magazine promotes a collaborative approach among amateur radio operators and UFO enthusiasts to gather and analyze information. The issue emphasizes the importance of rigorous statistical analysis and the systematic collection of data to understand UFO phenomena, as demonstrated by the detailed examination of the 1950 UFO wave.

Title: Flying Saucer Review
Issue: Volume 18, Number 6
Date: November 1972
Publisher: Flying Saucer Review Publications
Country: United Kingdom
Price: 3s 6d
ISSN: 0016-1575

This issue of Flying Saucer Review prominently features the phenomenon of "Unidentified Radio Signals" (URS) on its cover and in its lead article. The magazine also includes a comprehensive "Sighting Report Distribution Map" and "Sighting Report Index" for UFO sightings reported between January and September 1972, alongside "Clipping the News" sections detailing specific incidents and "UFO Comments and Opinions."

Unidentified Radio Signals (URS)

The lead article, "I wish to say something about a potential facet of the UFO phenomenon to which little attention has been given hitherto--what I shall call Unidentified Radio Signals, or URS," explores the concept of anomalous radio signals potentially linked to UFOs. The author cites the 1953 incident where British TV viewers experienced interference from the identification signal of KLEE, a Texas TV station whose license had expired two years earlier. This event is highlighted as remarkable due to the distance, the nature of TV propagation, and the station's defunct status, leading to speculation about alien attempts to attract attention.

Another case involves a UFO hovering near an engineer's home in eastern Canada, during which all radio bands went dead except for a strong carrier signal with undecipherable pulses. The author also shares personal experiences of mysterious, untraceable interference heard while operating a ham radio station in Denver, Colorado, between 1966 and 1967. This interference, consisting of unevenly spaced pulses, was pinpointed to the direction of North Africa but eventually ceased. The author notes that distinguishing genuine URS from man-made signals like super-speed facsimile or Single Side-Band voice transmission can be difficult for non-experts.

A postscript addresses the KLEE incident again, referencing a claim in "Popular Electronics" that it was a hoax perpetrated by a Swedish friend of a British experimenter. However, the article quotes the British Broadcasting Corporation stating that such a hoax would have required significant expenditure and advanced technology, and that American and British authorities ruled out a hoax publicly.

UFO Sightings: January - September 1972

The magazine provides extensive documentation of UFO sightings, categorized by date, location, type of sighting, and witnesses:

Sighting Report Distribution Map (January-August 1972): This map visually represents the distribution of reported UFO sightings, with the United States having the highest number (55), followed by Australia (6), England (4), and New Zealand (12).

Sighting Report Index (August 1972): This detailed index lists numerous sightings, including:

• August 1, 1972, Amiens, Queensland, Australia: A bright red UFO that changed shape, observed by Mr. Glyn Moss.
• August 16, 1972, St. Michael, Alaska, USA: A large, elongated object, described as a football with a cockpit, landed and took off, leaving a ground depression with burned grass.
• August 19, 1972, Andover Twp., New Jersey, USA: Three children reported a large, white, egg-shaped light that landed in a wooded swamp.
• August 19, 1972, McPherson, Kansas, USA: Several residents reported a UFO with brilliant triangular lights.
• August 22, 1972, Dubuque, Iowa, USA: Two individuals reported a bright orange object in the sky.
• August 22, 1972, Market Deeping, England: A pipe fitter reported being chased by a bright red, vast globe-shaped object.
• August 22, 1972, Salina, Kansas, USA: Three UFOs described as bright white lights rose from behind a hill and flew at high speed.
• August 23, 1972, Asbury, Iowa, USA: A bright object with red, blue, and green lights was witnessed hovering and humming.
• September 13, 1972, Burlington, Colorado, USA: A farm family reported a "strange white glowing object" that paced their car, landed in a field, and took off again.
• September 17, 1972, Richardson, Texas, USA: A white object with glittering red lights was reported to follow a car.
• September 22, 1972, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands: TWA and KLM flight crews reported a UFO traveling at "outer space speed." Two photographs of a UFO were also taken.
• September 29, 1972, Hanoi, North Vietnam: A mysterious orange ball appeared in the sky and attracted missile fire but remained motionless.

Clipping the News: This section provides follow-up information and news snippets:

• November 2, 1971 - Delphos, Kans.: A follow-up on the white fibrous substance found after an alleged UFO near-landing, with Dr. J. Allen Hynek noting its unusual properties and high calcium content.
• June 28, 1972 - Glen Eden, Auckland, N.Z.: A report of children spotting a UFO described as a "flying dustbin lid."
• July 19, 1972 - Brisbane, Qld., Aust.: A report of "spacemen" and a "hissing object" resembling a spaceship.
• July 23, 1972 - Taree, NSW, Aust.: A "mysterious shimmering spot" in the sky became a tourist attraction, described as a cigar-shaped object.
• July 27, 1972 - Campos, Brazil: Eight UFOs interrupted a soccer match, emitting an orange light.

UFO Comments and Opinions

This section features commentary and analysis on the UFO phenomenon:

• "SILVER DUST OUT OF THIS WORLD" (July 28, 1972): Discusses mysterious depressions with silvery dust found on Iowa farms, attributed by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization to "spaceships from intelligent beings." The author expresses skepticism about the certainty of such claims and advocates for an open mind.
• "INVISIBLE COLLEGE READY FOR STUDY" (September 13, 1972): Highlights Dr. J. Allen Hynek's view that the evidence strongly suggests UFOs exist. It introduces the concept of an "invisible college" of scientifically trained individuals intrigued by the UFO phenomenon, who are ready to tackle the mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation into unexplained radio signals (URS) and the documentation of a wide range of UFO sightings across different continents. The magazine maintains a stance of open-minded inquiry, presenting evidence and witness accounts while acknowledging the challenges in distinguishing genuine phenomena from hoaxes or misidentifications. The editorial emphasis is on gathering data, encouraging scientific study, and fostering a thoughtful approach to the UFO mystery, as exemplified by the discussion of Dr. Hynek's work and the concept of the "invisible college."