EVP Newsletter - No 06 - 1978

Magazine Overview

This issue is the "Special Issue" (No. 6) of the EVP NEWSLETTER, dated July 1978. The publication is from EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) and is printed in England. The cover features the title prominently, with the issue date and number. The main headline indicates it is a "Special Issue".

Main Content: Interview with Friedrich Jurgenson

The core of this issue is an exclusive interview with Friedrich Jurgenson, described as the discoverer of the Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP). The interview, reproduced with permission from Van Duren Publishers, details Jurgenson's views on the progress of psychical research in this field.

Jurgenson's Critique of Previous Methods

Jurgenson expresses that methods used in the English-speaking world, particularly those following Dr. Raudive's approach, are outdated. He states, "You got stuck in the stone age," and that "the space age is here now and it is time for your researchers to catch up." He dismisses "microphone play-ins" as primitive and unsatisfactory, yielding only odd syllables and requiring extensive interpretation. He also considers "diode voices" to be a complete waste of time, leaving much to be desired.

Jurgenson's Preferred Method and Rationale

Jurgenson advocates for clear, meaningful dialogue rather than just recording random sounds or "pick-ups." He emphasizes that the voices should be easily understood by everyone, not requiring repeated listening or subjective interpretation. He explains that his method involves finding a specific carrier wave, a "ground wave," and that the "interfrequency method" described by Raudive was misunderstood. He uses a medium band frequency, specifically between 1445/1450 KHz, which he found to be the best but noted it was "blocked" in Britain due to political reasons. He states, "I don't want to sit in front of a tape-recorder for hours and play some guessing game, spend hours on interpretation."

Collaboration and Evidence

Jurgenson highlights a significant collaboration with physicists, including the Chief Engineer of the Postal and Telegraphic Communications Centre in Berlin. They compared voice prints from his recordings with those of deceased individuals, finding a "definite pattern of similarity" that cannot be described as coincidental. Phillips is issuing two long-playing records of Jurgenson's voices, and two documentary films are nearing completion.

The Raudive Controversy

Jurgenson addresses the controversy surrounding Dr. Raudive, who was his student for four years. He expresses regret that Raudive distorted his role in the discovery and development of EVP, claiming Raudive's book "Breakthrough" misrepresented the facts. Jurgenson states he never approved of Raudive's approach and only discovered the extent of the distortion when a colleague showed him the book. He mentions that Raudive passed away recently and expresses sadness, but clarifies that he does not wish to engage in public quarrels. He emphasizes that his primary goal was to establish communication and dialogue with the deceased, not to claim fame or engage in disputes.

Recent Developments and Future Plans

Jurgenson notes that EVP is not restricted to voices alone. He describes two recordings made hundreds of miles apart that captured the full re-enactment of a motor accident, including the crash and subsequent reactions. These recordings lasted about five minutes. He also mentions that his wife's sister tragically died in a car accident, and he received confirmation of this through a recording, which was later corroborated by police.

Personal Motivation and Beliefs

Jurgenson explains his personal motivation: "I was not concerned with religious questions, I simply was concerned with the cardinal question of what happens after you die." He was convinced of the voices' authenticity from the first recording he received, which he identified as his mother's. He believes that "premonitions" and prophetic messages within the recordings have convinced even skeptical observers of their paranormal nature. He sees these voices as coming from friends who have achieved a detachment from time, perceiving past, present, and future from a higher plane.

Editorial Notes and Future Issues

The editor, Alan, thanks readers for their suggestions for improving the newsletter. He announces plans for next month to include a list of available literature on EVP and to consider organizing the first (?) EVP conference in England for the following Spring. He solicits ideas for the conference program. The interview with Friedrich Jurgenson is stated to be continued in the next issue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the nature and methodology of Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP), the distinction between genuine communication and mere random sounds, and the controversy surrounding Dr. Raudive's work. The editorial stance, as presented through Jurgenson's interview and Alan's notes, is one of pursuing clear, verifiable communication with the deceased, advancing the field beyond earlier, less rigorous methods, and fostering a deeper understanding of what happens after death. There is a clear emphasis on scientific rigor and meaningful dialogue.