1977 Southern Television Broadcast Interruption, Aliens or Hoax?

until all men and woman are true followers of the one true lord JESUS CHRIST , AND ONLY UNTIL THEN we must keep our swords sharp and ready.

Many technology experts aren't so sure - maybe they should ask you?

This was in 1977 - pretty difficult to hack into a television network back then.

Unless you know different Mr Expert?

Could very well be.

Not gullible, just getting opinions from everyone.
I can't say for sure either way. It's fun to explore though.

That's the biggest part that says its probably a hoax.

Probably was but no-one was caught and no-one subsequently claimed responsibilty - which you think they would have by now for the kudos.

I keep an open mind.

According to different astrologers' calculations, approximated dates for entering the Age of Aquarius range from 1447 AD (Terry MacKinnell) to 3597 (John Addey).[2]

[link to en.wikipedia.org]

And our hearts and minds.

It was absolutely possible to under certain circumstances. From the Wiki...

"At that time, the Hannington UHF television transmitter was unusual in being one of the few transmitters which rebroadcast an off-air signal received from another transmitter (Southern Television's Rowridge transmitter on the Isle of Wight), rather than being fed directly by a landline. As a consequence it was open to this kind of signal intrusion, as even a relatively low-powered transmission very close to the receiver could overwhelm its reception of the intended signal, resulting in the unauthorized transmission being amplified and rebroadcast across a far wider area. The IBA stated that to carry out a hoax would take "a considerable amount of technical know-how"[4] and a spokesman for Southern Television confirmed that "A hoaxer jammed our transmitter in the wilds of North Hampshire by taking another transmitter very close to it."[2] However, like the Max Headroom broadcast signal intrusion a decade later, the identity of the intruder was never confirmed."

True. That's why I'm somewhere in the middle. One can never be too sure.
My mind tells me, no, this is fake but my heart tells me, yes, its real.
So very confusing.

Yes, that's the perplexing part.

No it wasn't. Someone who knew what they were doing could do it. The wikipedia page even says this.

Nah, it's much better to keep everyone guessing and keep the myth alive.

At that time, the Hannington UHF television transmitter was unusual in being one of the few transmitters which rebroadcast an off-air signal received from another transmitter (Southern Television's Rowridge transmitter on the Isle of Wight), rather than being fed directly by a landline. As a consequence it was open to this kind of signal intrusion, as even a relatively low-powered transmission very close to the receiver could overwhelm its reception of the intended signal, resulting in the unauthorized transmission being amplified and rebroadcast across a far wider area. The IBA stated that to carry out a hoax would take "a considerable amount of technical know-how"[4] and a spokesman for Southern Television confirmed that "A hoaxer jammed our transmitter in the wilds of North Hampshire by taking another transmitter very close to it."[2] However, like the Max Headroom broadcast signal intrusion a decade later, the identity of the intruder was never confirmed.

Indeed, someone with a lot of technical know-how.

Someone who was never caught.

Someone who never claimed the credit years later [why wouldn't you for the kudos?]

Who knows for sure?

I keep an open mind.

That's the part that intrigues me.

I would have thought someone would have owned up to it in the 36 years - or a friend leak it out.

Because that person would probably be prosecuted and either fined or locked up…

It's not unfathomable to think that someone with the know how (and there were a lot of ham radio enthusiasts back then) would be able to do it and get away with it.

Here's the whole quote.

At that time, the Hannington UHF television transmitter was unusual in being one of the few transmitters which rebroadcast an off-air signal received from another transmitter (Southern Television's Rowridge transmitter on the Isle of Wight), rather than being fed directly by a landline. As a consequence it was open to this kind of signal intrusion, as even a relatively low-powered transmission very close to the receiver could overwhelm its reception of the intended signal, resulting in the unauthorized transmission being amplified and rebroadcast across a far wider area. The IBA stated that to carry out a hoax would take "a considerable amount of technical know-how"[4] and a spokesman for Southern Television confirmed that "A hoaxer jammed our transmitter in the wilds of North Hampshire by taking another transmitter very close to it."[2] However, like the Max Headroom broadcast signal intrusion a decade later, the identity of the intruder was never confirmed

I still get a kick out of the folks who call bullshit on everything they cant wrap their minds around, as if to say no I don't or cant except any alternate view on subjects like extraterrestrial involvement. simple minds like to keep it simple.

LOL. Yeah well that might be on track as well. I guess we will never know. Its fun to think about anyways.

Me too. These kind of things fascinate me.

I didn't know that aliens were New Agers.

Oh God, that just made me feel old. LOL.
But, I agree. After 36 years, why not say...hello, it was me, was just making a funny.

Or conversely those who ignore a relatively simple explanation in preference of 'it was aliens"

IDK about that one but it's one of those unsolved mysteries.

Well, could be a number of reasons. Perhaps because of the technical know-how / equipment involved, the person who actually did it may have lost their job and subject to even more serious consequences if they came clean. Maybe they planned to when they retired, but they never got as far as retirement in life. Could be anything.

The real clue is the English accent of the supposed alien voice. Quite convenient don't ya think!?

Because that person would likely be prosecuted

That wouldn't be the case now.

Back then, yes - hell of a risk for a ham operator to take. No doubt if he was caught, a large fine or prison would be the result.

So why do it?

If he couldn't tell anyone about it and enjoy the kudos of his fellow ham operators, what would be the point?

I don't mind an objective perspective but personally I like to keep my mind open to ALL possibilities. One who thinks they know it all, knows nothing at all. As we all do not. So why not explore the possibilities anyways.