From My Viewpoint

The hot days of summer are here and while some are busy pulling weeds from their tomato patch, many are not. In the last three months more letters and phone calls have come from old and new friends than in the first twelve. There are reasons for this. National Enquirer did a good job reporting the work of various researchers of postmortem survival and included a segment about my work with the electronic voice. In May, Evening Magazine-Philadelphia reran a program they had filmed over a year ago concerning voice phenomena. Harold Sherman and Walter and Mary Jo Uphoff wrote about the August conference in their Foundation newsletters. There have also been two notices about the conference in the last two issues of Fate. All of this has led to countless letters from people who want to know more about EVP. As I answer their letters and try to give suggestions, the thought keeps reoccurring that people are eager for information as to what awaits their loved ones and them at death.

Virgil, a new Georgia member, signed his letter, “An open-minded skeptic. In my reply to him I wrote: “Open minded skeptics are especially welcome! Perhaps in a year you will be a little less of a skeptic. Let us hope so!”

Within the last three months, a well-known psychic investigator returned six spirit photographs to me. He had thought they might lead to a story and had asked to see them. The photographs, however, did not show the usual “ghostly” apparitions. What they show can best be described as a spinning ball of light with pointed ends, moving around my friend, who was acting as medium, and me sitting at the tape recorder. A number of Class A messages were taped during the experiment, as well as a month later when I spread the pictures out on my desk and invited the unseen to come and look at them. Upon seeing the photos, one entity said that he was sure it was “Rabideu,” but another entity replied, “I doubt it.” These taped messages were sent along with the photographs to the person who requested them. In his return note he wrote, “I thought the photos would be the more traditional kind.”

Much can be said about traditions. There are some that deserve to be kept and cherished, but there are others whose rightful place is in the attic with other dusty discards that have proven to be no longer practical. Clinging to tradition, disregarding other evidence, can lead to a sterile, stultifying life. Unfortunately some people are not willing to accept what William James called the pain of a new idea.

In the August issue of Fate, Curtis Fuller quoted from Vernon Howard’s Pathways to Perfect Living. “To live rightly in this world we must first become aware of it. The problem is a man’s false assumption that he is already aware, which leaves him no motive for investigation...”

Those of us working at our tape recorder know there is much we don’t know, We are investigating worlds of possibilities. It seems appropriate to close with a quote from Robert Frost, “Two roads diverged in the woods, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Perhaps all of us need, at times, to consider alternate roads.

George Meek Meets Otto Konig

In the May newsletter, I mentioned a note that was received from George Meek concerning the excellent results Otto Konig of Rattingen, Germany was having using ultrasonic frequencies in his EVP experiments. George called me June 19, shortly after he returned from Europe. During this trip, he met some of the leading EVP researchers in that part of the world including Otto Konig. George said during our phone conversation that he was very pleased with what he found—that Konig is a highly qualified man who has already made a significant contribution to the field, and we can expect important developments from him in the future.

George reminded me that in the SPIRICOM manual, Dr. Walter Russell’s writings were mentioned in which he stated that there are octaves above and below what can be heard with the human ear and that influence what is going on.

The purpose of using ultrasonic frequencies is to get the Voices down to within the human hearing level. With ordinary amplifiers and mikes, which most of us use, there is a cut-off point around 18-20,000 cycles. All of Konig’s work, which requires some special equipment, is from

25-50,000 Kilocycles, To reach this range of kilocycles it is necessary to go to piezo electric transducers, but the paranormal voices which can come through are of exceptional quality with no background noise.

At our August conference, George will speak to us Saturday afternoon, the 27th. He will play a tape of some of the EVP voices that Konig has recorded and will share with us what he learned from Konig and other EVP researchers during his recent trip.

Further Follow-Up on Sleep Experiments

In the May newsletter, I reported the excellent results Mercedes Shepanek, Virginia Coordinator, was having with her sleep experiments.

Briefly, for our many new members, in the February NEWS, I described a series of four sleep experiments I had done. I placed next to my bed, a small portable tape recorder that was connected to an automatic timer set for 2:30 A.M. Each morning when I replayed the tape I heard many male and female paranormal voices, which showed an awareness of me.

Since the May newsletter was published I have heard from three other individuals who reported similar success. Carolyn and Helen, twin sisters and new Maryland AA-EVP members, have tried the experiment and received messages. One man asked for “Help.”

In June Phyllis Butcher (AA-EVP member formerly of Virginia who recently moved to the Philippine Islands) called and said she had done the experiment several times and recorded messages. One male voice said, “Remember December,” and gave his name. After some thought, Phyllis recalled a Christmas party at which she had met this person seven years ago. During another sleep experiment a voice came through and said, evidently referring to the experiment, that it was, “Adventurous.” Phyllis commented that in every experiment she has tried, it has sounded as if more than one voice is speaking in the background.

If any of our other members try the sleep experiments, let me know your results.

Follow-Up on EVP Tone Experiments

In the May newsletter, I wrote that Arabella Roberts, Maryland State Coordinator, and I may have “captured” the tone that Dan McKee, Illinois State Coordinator, was told by the unseen that they use to begin their transmissions. I expressed the belief that these tones, which occur at about 131-132 MHz on the air-band of the radio, may not be paranormal but rather of earth-plane origin and that at least some of those who speak to us wait for the tones before communicating.

Some members ordered the fifteen-minute cassette tape of these tones, which I offered for $2, and a good deal of interest has been shown in them by a number of individuals.

After reading the May NEWS, Mercedes Shepanek tuned her radio to 132 MHz. Almost at once she heard the tones and since then has done most of her recordings there. She has sent me two tapes of messages recorded at 132 MHz, and while space does not permit me to list all of them, the following will give you an idea of the interesting nature of these messages: “Reverend, we’re pools at the side of your channel.” “We help you my friend. Hear us. Fight on.” Mercedes asked if the sounds were coming from the spirit world and a voice replied, “Spirit comes from us. To Spirit from us. That’s it” Another time when she repeated her question as to the origin of the sounds she was told, “They’re both of our sounds, It’s thy love, thy belief makes them.” One morning someone said, “Isabello we are traveled in space by the stellar light.” Just as Mercedes found the tones one morning a voice said, “Thou did touch thy channel because you discovered this fact.” A close family relative was having a serious operation the following day. Mercedes asked the other side to tell her deceased son, Raymond, about the operation so he could stand by his relative and give him encouragement. A clear voice answered, “Your son has a hardship with this kind of service.”

It is Mercedes’ feeling that despite the fact that some of those on the other side say the tones are coming from them, most, if not all, are earth-plane. She also believes that the somewhat archaic language such as, thee and thou which is used at times, is used deliberately to help distinguish it from an earth-plane broadcast.

A Letter from Germany

I received an interesting letter from Association member Luise Fuchs, of Allfeld, Germany. Tom Roers, Maryland AA-EVP member translated it for me and I would like to share part of it with you. “I live in Allfeld, a small town of 1200 inhabitants. It’s very peaceful here, good clear air, and ideally situated for tape recorder contact with our friends in the other world. I’ve been working since June 1978 with the tape recorder to make contact. I spent a week in Sweden with Mr. Jurgenson in October 1979. It was extraordinarily interesting to listen to his clear, sometimes lengthy communications. I will be indebted to him my entire life for this week of work. Up until my trip to Sweden I sought, as no doubt everyone does at the outset, the best “recording method.” After returning from Sweden, I’ve worked exclusively with the so-called Jurgenson wave. …I’ve gotten many good communications through this wave. ...I worked by myself for 3 years, then had the great desire to pass along my experiences to others who are interested in the subject. For 2 years we’ve been meeting in the adjoining room of a Gasthaus (combination inn-restaurant.) We convene once a month and attempt to make recordings, and it’s a joy for me that young people show great interest.”

Reports from Members

At the end of November, Arabella Roberts called me about several messages that she had recorded on November 28. They were: “Going on a bus. Don’t drop it.  Your pocketbook.” We wondered if this might be a precognitive message; however, because Arabella seldom rides the bus, we were not too concerned. On June 19, for the first time in years, Arabella went on a one-day bus trip. As she was getting on the bus, preparing to return home a man tried to grab her pocketbook. Fortunately Arabella was able to hold onto it and no harm was done.

Clara Laughlin, AA-EVP member from Virginia receives many interesting messages, the majority on the reverse side of her tapes. On May 2, her husband, Tom, who communicates frequently said, “…I was sick on earth. No more.  No longer sick.” During this time he asked his daughter, Barbara, about her birthday which had occurred several days earlier. The following day, May 3, he again spoke to Clara and said, “Clara, I have to say this. I am living.” On the 7th he returned with, “Clara, …take this serious. I continue to live. This is the truth.”

I received an interesting tape and letter from David Lothamer, California State Coordinator. Some of the messages were: “We know there are frustrations.” ( A few minutes earlier an individual in their group had said they were frustrated in their EVP work.) David continuously asks for proof of survival and names of deceased loved ones which he feels is important. One morning at 5 A.M, someone said, “We know you’ve been discouraged but dead isn’t dead.” One time David asked for the help of Padre Pio and a voice commented, “I hear that that is your saint.” A voice of most unusual quality said, “Evil person Satan.” David was reading a letter once while recording and someone whispered, “You mail lover!”

David wrote, “And still I mull the question over. Do the entities have limitations on the choice of words? Thus some of the awkward sentences we get.” He also questions why so few EVP researchers have a special guide or helper, as the well-known mediums had of 50-75 years ago. He wonders at the apparently complete absence of American Indian guides in our work since the early mediums frequently believed they had them.

If you have any thoughts on this, or if you feel you do have a special helper in your work, please let me know.

Dan McKee called me one evening and said he is making progress using the multiple tones in his recordings. He has discovered there is a channel on his short wave that comes on each hour, on the hour, during which time groups of names are read. Dan records these names and then at the conclusion turns his tape over and plays it in reverse. The EVP voice takes the energy of the earth-plane voice and somehow shapes and turns it into the paranormal message. Since the earth-plane voice speaks clearly, in measured cadence, with a short pause between the names, the paranormal voice seems to be able to use this to good advantage. Dan has asked them who they are and someone said, “We are opposite.” They talk about “going through the mirror.” (Mercedes Shepanek, Clara Laughlin and I have all received many mirror messages.) Dan said he suspects this group may have something to do with anti-matter, which has been proven in the laboratory. For anyone who has a short wave set and would like to try to replicate Dan’s results, turn to 7329 KHz on the upper side band. After finding the channel and recording the names, remember to turn your reel tape over and play the tape in reverse, following the suggestions I gave in the May 1982 newsletter.

Roll Call

With the addition of thirty-five new members since the first of May, we have experienced more growth than during any other three month period. The new members come from: Delaware, Oregon, Louisiana, West Virginia, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and England. Florida deserves special congratulations because it has added eight members during this time. With a total of eleven, it has the largest number of AA-EVP members. It’s GOOD to have all of you!

Oregon Gains State Co-Coordinators

In May, I had the pleasure of meeting Bobby and Monty Hearon of Portland, Oregon who have been working in the field of EVP for many years. They came to my home for a short visit and before leaving not only joined the AA-EVP but agreed to act as state coordinators as well. They are our first, but I hope not the last, husband-wife co-coordinators.

Help Needed for Future EVP Experiments and Research

I received a letter in June from Arthur S. Berger, President of Survival Research Foundation. He wrote, “...a very prominent parapsychologist is willing to work with me and EVP researchers, provided rigorous experimental conditions imposed by electronic experts were agreed upon. In this connection, we are also looking for electronic experts willing to volunteer their services.”

This request for help from Mr. Berger should appeal to many members since he is interested in hearing not only from those who record Voices but those with a technical background. From your letters I know that a number of you have good electronic know-how. Here is your opportunity to take part in EVP research. Mr. Berger’s address is: (Address removed).

An Interesting Book

Ben Lee Harris, a retired electronics engineer and an AA-EVP member from Leavenworth, Washington, wrote to me about a “project” book that he thinks you might find interesting. He wrote, “..I was attracted to the solid state (chips) coupling with parapsychology research. It is most provocative by two sensitive writers, Mike and Ruth Wolverton.”

I have read portions of this book. The title of Chapter 10 is, “Stalking The Wild and Ghostly Voices,” which gives an idea of the informal and interesting style the Wolvertons use. They are people who have worked at a tape recorder and successfully recorded voices. As a result they know where of they speak (and write). Due to their knowledge of electronics they can give us some solid information about building electronic aids to help the Voices come through.

For the book write to TAB Books, Inc. Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214. It is book #1349 and titled: How To Build A Lie Detector, Brainwave Monitor and Other Parapsychological Electronics Projects. The cost is $14.95.

Alpha Monitor-EVP Quarterly Tape

Alexander MacRae of Skye, Scotland called me recently. He told me that refinements are continuing on the Alpha Monitor, a new EVP aid mentioned in the May NEWS. As I wrote in that newsletter, the Alpha, when combined with a radio, produces many EVP voices.

In our phone conversation, Mr. MacRae said the new EVP Quarterly cassette tape which he produces is ready. The first tape, which came out in April, was excellent. Dr. Ernst Senkowski, a German scientist, spoke at length about Otto Konig and his research. Gilbert Bonner, the well-known English EVP researcher, talked about psychoacoustic factors. George Meek updated the listener on SPIRICOM, and I gave recent news about the AA-EVP and the work of EVP researchers in this country.

The newest tape will again have talks by Dr. Senkowski, Gilbert Bonner, myself and others. To order either tape send $11.80 for one or $23.60 for two, to: Alexander MacRae, (Address removed). It will be sent to you airmail. U.S. currency is welcomed.

AA-EVP National Conference

In less than a month our conference will be history! Will you be a part of that history? Only if you come!

Registrations are coming in. Everyone I have heard from seems intensely enthusiastic. Our speakers, our workshop leaders, our helpers behind the desk and at the book tables, those who are coming from five miles to a thousand, seem aware that they will be taking part in a “historic” conference, the first national conference of AA-EVP.

Get to know through their workshops those you have read about in the past fifteen months. Dan McKee, Arabella Roberts and Mercedes Shepanek will be leading Friday afternoon workshops.

On Saturday morning you will again have the opportunity to choose the workshop that appeals to you most. Jack Blevins, EVP photography; Stuart Wilde, Mediumship and EVP; and I, EVP for Novices, will lead workshops. Late Saturday afternoon there is a workshop for those who have special EVP recording problems.

Listen to Kenneth Ring lecture about Life at Death. Walter Uphoff will tell us about the many EVP researchers he has known since 1968! Hear George Meek talk about SPIRICOM and recent developments in the EVP field. Stuart Wilde will close our conference on Sunday with his talk, Communicating with the Unseen. Many of you know Harold and Martha Sherman, who will be at the conference to greet old and new friends.

Some of the leading EVP researchers will share tapes and methods on Saturday. A panel discussion Sunday morning during which guest speakers and workshop leaders will take part, will consider the question of the significance of EVP for everyone. Bring a cassette of some of the Voices you have recorded. We will try to plan a “rap” session in which everyone who wishes will have the chance to play a short tape.

One of the unique features of the conference, not found at many other conferences, is that our speakers will be with us the entire time. Instead of coming, giving their talk and leaving, they will be at the Hyatt from Friday through Sunday. You will be able to meet them, to ask questions, to learn.

As a courtesy to the speakers there is to be no individual taping during their lectures. This also applies to the tape demonstration on Saturday and the panel discussion Sunday. Hubert Custer, of STAR, who tapes professionally for many conferences, will record the lectures and special activities. These tapes will be available shortly after each event for those who wish to purchase them. In the November NEWS, there will be a list of all tapes available and their cost for those who are unable to attend.

Our conference theme is Evidence for Survival and there will be books on this topic, a number written by our guest speakers, at the book tables.

Although time is getting short you can still register if you don’t delay. Some workshops have more participants than others, but there is at least one or two openings in each. If you act promptly chances are you can have your first choice. Since the special room rate for us at the Hyatt of $58 a night (single or double) ends August 5 I suggest you call them and tell them your check is on the way. Then send your registration fee ($70 for AA-EVP members, $80 for others) to me, with the completed yellow form indicating workshop choices. I will try to have your receipt and workshop assignments in the mail to you within 24 hours.

Enclosed is another conference brochure for those who may have misplaced their first one. Or if you have already registered, give it to a friend. A wonderful experience awaits everyone who comes.

See you in Baltimore!

Always my best wishes. Sarah Estep

Established to Provide Evidence as a Result of the Electronic Voice 77iat We Survive Death.