Declassified UFO / UAP Document
FCC Monitoring and Flying Saucers
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AI-Generated Summary
This 1952 memorandum confirms that the FCC did not actively monitor for UFO-related radio signals. The agency only tracked signals that caused interference to established communications services.
This memorandum, dated December 9, 1952, from H. U. Graham to DAD/SI, details the results of an inquiry into whether the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) monitors radio signals associated with unidentified flying saucers. Graham consulted with Irving Weston of the FCC's Field Engineering and Monitoring Division. The findings indicate that the FCC does not actively monitor for such signals. The Commission operates 12 full-time and 6 part-time monitoring stations, with coverage in Alaska and Hawaii, but most stations are not equipped for frequencies above 30 mc/s. Furthermore, the FCC only investigates signals if they are persistent or cause interference to established services. The FCC does maintain a file of reported intercepts from the previous three or four years, which includes details such as call letters, type of emission, service, and monitoring station data. The document concludes that the discussion was classified as Secret.
Unless such signals were reasonably persistent or were causing interference to established services, it is unlikely that they would be intercepted or if intercepted, the subject of inquiry.
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Official Assessment
Unless such signals were reasonably persistent or were causing interference to established services, it is unlikely that they would be intercepted or if intercepted, the subject of inquiry.
The FCC maintains 12 full-time and 6 part-time monitoring stations, including in Alaska and Hawaii. Most stations lack equipment for frequencies above 30 mc/s. The FCC keeps a file of reported intercepts from the past three or four years, but does not actively monitor for flying saucers unless they cause interference.
Key Persons
- Irving WestonField Engineering and Monitoring Division of the FCC