EVP Newsletter - No 22 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: EVP NEWS
Issue: No 22
Date: September 1980
Focus: Devoted to the study of the Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP).

News from Friedrich Jurgenson

The issue highlights recent news from Friedrich Jurgenson, the discoverer of the voice phenomenon. The author notes that Jurgenson's stance may surprise many, as he emphasizes the spiritual aspect of EVP, rather than its connection to Spiritualism. Jurgenson, based in Italy, has produced a bulletin from his 'Jurgenson Foundation'. However, he provides few practical details on recording methods, focusing instead on the importance of spiritual preparation and listening. He states that understanding EVP requires "courage, perseverance and enthusiasm of an explorer" and that one must be "fitted out both physically and psychically." The key, according to Jurgenson, is not how to record but "How to listen from them." This involves quieting the mind, cutting out external noise, and achieving internal peace and mental alertness. He warns against relying on the assertions of other explorers, suggesting their claims bring "contradictions and troubles." Jurgenson believes that true understanding comes from "our own insight" and "our own thoughts and ideas," rather than external sources. He suggests that the individual experimenter must find their own way to record and perceive these phenomena, comparing it to a fish in the sea unable to observe a flying eagle.

News from America: The Work of Raymond Bayless

The newsletter reports on research from America, specifically the work of Raymond Bayless. Due to a lack of communication between international researchers, methods and results can vary significantly. Bayless's work focuses on "electronic raps" as a parallel phenomenon to electronic voices. He theorized that if EVP exists, a similar phenomenon of low-amplitude tape-recorded raps must also exist. This was confirmed through experiments with Mr. Wesley Frank in 1975. Bayless's experiments involved placing a microphone on a drawing board and recording sub-audible raps, which were only revealed by high amplification. The article details an experiment using a suspended bell, where faint bell tones and non-audible raps were recorded. Bayless examined the setup afterwards and found no fraudulent devices. The report concludes that this range of effects, including tape-recorded psychokinesis, opens up a vast new field of parapsychological phenomena, suggesting that more discoveries will emerge with sophisticated equipment.

Interview with G. G. Bonner, FHA

This section features an interview with EVP researcher G. G. Bonner, exploring topics such as "Voices Reading Your Mind" and the "Future of the EVP."

Blank Periods: Bonner notes that there are sometimes blank periods in recordings, and one cannot force EVP.

Recording Methods: Bonner has used various equipment, including a diode, a portable Decca radio with a Grundig cassette recorder, and different types of recorders, radios, and UHF sets. He states that while good equipment helps, EVP can be recorded even on inexpensive cassette recorders.

Replay Analysis: Bonner's habit is to record everything and then analyze the original recording, though he has heard voices directly through a radio speaker.

Jurgenson and Weaker Voices: In contrast to Jurgenson's apparent disinterest in weaker voices, Bonner believes that weaker voices can often be clarified and contain "most dramatic information." He notes that his own research began in October 1972, around the same time as the American brothers Lamoreaux.

Dialogue: Bonner confirms that voices sometimes respond to questions, constituting dialogue. He also records lengthy sentences that provide relevant information without directly answering questions.

Mind Reading: Bonner believes it is possible for voices to read minds and to make contact during sleep. He emphasizes that he is offering an opinion based on recorded data.

Language: In 98% of cases, voices speak English, but some sentences are in mixed languages, including German, French, and unknown languages.

Paranormal vs. Radio Intrusion: Bonner relies on the content of the voice in relation to the questions asked, and the calling of his full name, to distinguish paranormal voices from stray radio signals. This also establishes a rapport with the unseen speaker.

Voices of the Dead: Scientifically, Bonner cannot claim these are voices of the dead, but many voices identify themselves as such. He considers this a hypothesis worthy of study, as science cannot yet account for EVP. He dismisses theories like the "collective unconscious" as insufficient explanations.

Origin of EVP: Bonner views EVP as an "audio reality" that exists in "hyper space" or "parallel world(s)" and could be from entities of anti-matter or ordinary matter in another dimension. He believes that behind everything is mind.

Future of EVP Research: Bonner anticipates that when the intelligence behind EVP is ready, humanity will be informed in a way that cannot be ignored, revealing powers in the universe that have only been scratched at the surface.

Advertisements and Publications

The issue includes advertisements for several publications:

• FORTEAN TIMES: A magazine covering strange phenomena, UFOs, and mysterious animals. Subscription is £4.00 for four issues.
• THE MEDIUMSHIP OF THE TARD RECORDER: A book by David Ellis investigating EVP. Price £2.25.
• THE LEY HUNTER: A publication on ancient alignments, geomancy, and folklore. Subscription is £3.60 for four issues.
• HOTLINE: An American newsletter on EVP and allied subjects, available from SRF for a minimum donation of $4.50.
• EVP NEWS: The newsletter itself, issued monthly at £1.50 for 12 issues from Alan Cleaver.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the nature and origin of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), the importance of spiritual and mental preparation for researchers, and the exploration of new research avenues like electronic raps. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging individual experimentation and a forward-looking approach to understanding EVP, while also acknowledging the spiritual and potentially profound implications of the phenomenon. There is a clear emphasis on the subjective experience and internal state of the researcher as crucial elements in successful EVP reception.