UFO MAGAZINE

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO MAGAZINE
Issue: Volume 5, Number 2
Date: Summer 1969

This issue of UFO Magazine delves into various aspects of the UFO phenomenon, focusing on potential communication with extraterrestrial intelligence, a new system for classifying sightings, and a detailed report on a specific encounter.

Contact by Radio?

This section, authored by Dennis Stamey, explores the intriguing possibility of establishing radio contact with UFOs. It poses the question of how one might go about such a feat and discusses the plausibility of actual contact via radio. The article highlights the experiments of John Otto, a researcher who attempted to establish a mechanical link with UFOs using powerful radio transmitters in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, though his results were inconclusive but yielded 'codelike sounds.' The author notes that guttural voices and coded signals have been reported over shortwave receivers in areas with frequent UFO sightings. The article recounts several alleged instances of direct communication:

• In October 1953, a New York radio station reportedly received a message from a spaceship over Los Angeles, warning Earthmen to stop discussing flying saucers or face destruction. The voice later claimed to be over Salt Lake City.
• In November of the same year, Project Bluebook received a letter from a craft stating they had prepared landing facilities and conducted photographic surveillance, possessing the ability to terminate production, communication, and transportation.
• In July 1954, a voice from outer space was heard in the Midwest, warning of destruction if war preparations continued. A similar broadcast was reported by London airport officials.
• On August 3, 1958, ham radio operators countrywide reportedly picked up a broadcast from a male voice claiming to be 'Necoma' from Jupiter, warning of total devastation from atomic bombs. The broadcast lasted for two-and-a-half hours and included speech in English, German, Norwegian, and a language sounding like musical jibberish.

The section also touches upon recent radio signals from Cambridge University and powerful radio telescopes, suggesting a potential future link with 'superior communities of the galaxy.' The signals, occurring at precise intervals and recorded at a frequency of 111 megacycles, are described as the strongest emissions yet discovered. Speculation on their origin is divided between natural phenomena and extraterrestrial sources, possibly galactic beacons.

SIGMA C....

Written by Edward M. Biebel, this article introduces and explains the 'Sigma C' rating system for UFO sightings, developed by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Chief Scientific Consultant for the U.S. Air Force on UFOs. The system aims to provide a scientific and understandable method for evaluating sightings, moving beyond extreme approaches where all information is coded or all sightings are accepted uncritically.

The Sigma C system uses two scales:

• E Scale (Strangeness): Measured along the horizontal (X) axis, from 1 to 5. This scale assesses how unusual the events of a sighting are compared to normal everyday happenings. A rating of 1 or 2 is for sightings explainable in conventional terms (e.g., misidentification of stars, airplanes), while a rating of 5 is for objects that appear to be intelligently controlled craft performing maneuvers beyond known technology.
• C Scale (Credibility): Measured along the vertical (Y) axis, from 1 to 9. This scale evaluates the believability of the witness's account. Ideally, the E scale should be rated by a physical scientist, and the C scale by a sociologist or psychologist. However, recognizing the difficulty in obtaining such experts, the article suggests a 'troika' method where three individuals rate the sighting, and the highest and lowest ratings are discarded to arrive at an average.

For the E rating, individuals with technical training or familiarity with aircraft are suggested. For the C rating, ufologists with good interviewing skills are recommended. The article emphasizes that the three individuals doing the E rating should be different from those doing the C rating, ensuring objectivity.

The author explains that a rating system is only useful if applied and if it sets priorities. For instance, a sighting with a high strangeness rating (E=5) but low credibility (C=2) should not be investigated, while a sighting with low strangeness (E=2) but high credibility (C=8) should be. The article suggests that if the Condon Committee had used this rating scale, a significant portion of their final report's sightings might have been excluded.

HYNEK INVESTIGATING ILLINOIS UFO

This section, attributed to Rick Hilberg and detailing an investigation by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, reports on a UFO sighting that occurred on May 12th in the Palatine-Lake Zurich area of Illinois. The object was sighted by several individuals in separate locations.

Two teenagers, Greg Lucht and Alan Prouty, initially mistook the object for a radio tower beacon or a bird being electrocuted. However, upon closer inspection, Lucht described the object as resembling a World War One British helmet with a concave indentation on the underside containing a large light that blinked on and off. He also noted oval-shaped lights on the forward section, described as 'headlights,' and smaller red and white lights spaced around the rim that also blinked.

The teenagers were reportedly upset and drove to the Prouty home to get a better look. They noted a humming noise that rose and fell in pitch and that a dog in the vicinity began barking.

Morton Konlon, who owns stables in Lake Zurich, also reported seeing the UFO between 9 and 10 p.m. with two other witnesses. He observed it flying around, flashing its lights at approximately eight-second intervals. Konlon noted red lights and a sound that resembled a prop plane from a distance but a jet-like sound up close. He could not discern a definite shape in the darkness.

After comparing drawings made by the witnesses, including a sketch by Alan Prouty, Dr. Hynek estimated the object to be about fifty feet in diameter.

Around and About the Saucer World

This column by Rick Hilberg provides brief commentary on recent events in the ufology community.

• 1969 Congress of Scientific Ufologists: The author thanks J. Ralph Jarrett for hosting a well-planned convention that led to resolutions, including the adoption of by-laws for the Congress and the Sigma C rating system. A comprehensive review is promised for the fall issue.
• John J. Robinson: Mr. Robinson is congratulated for winning the 1969 Loftin Memorial Award for outstanding work as a Congress member.
• Hynek Investigating Illinois UFO: This refers to the detailed report on the Illinois sighting discussed previously.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance appears to be one of open inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, presenting various facets of the mystery to the public for their own judgment. The editorial by Robert S. Easley explicitly states his intention to 'bring out all facets of the UFO mystery to the public and let them decide for themselves.' The publication of the News Bulletin is presented as an effort to 'bring out true facts about UFOs.' The magazine seems to advocate for a more scientific approach to UFO research, as evidenced by the promotion of Dr. Hynek's Sigma C rating system, which aims to bring scientific validity and understanding to the field. There is a clear interest in documented sightings, potential communication with extraterrestrial intelligence, and the rigorous evaluation of evidence.