Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (March 30, 1978)
Van Ert awaits FCC test results By KEVIN HARDEN Of the Emerald While Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials attempt to pin point the source of the mysterious radio signal monitored in Eugene, Marshall Van Ert, an industrial hygienist with the University’s Health Physics office who discovered the radio wave six months ago, says he will wait to see how accurate pre liminary FCC tests have been before draw ing conclusions. Van Ert and two other engineers operating independently, monitored the pulsating radio signal last October and have been waiting for help from state and national authorities to determine the signal’s source and whether it may be harmful to residents of Eugene or not. The signal, described by Van Ert as a pulsing 4.75 megahertz wave with power intensities of nearly 500,000 watts, has been monitored in six Eugene locations. One of those includes the area around Franklin Boulevard and Agate Street. The FCC said Tuesday the mysterious ■ signal monitored by Van Ert was originating from a Navy air station in Alameda, Calif. Although Van Ert was unable to pin point the signal’s origin, his findings and the findings of the FCC conflict, he says.The signal from the Alameda Navy station isn’t powerful enough to cause a disturbance in Eugene, he explains. “The Naval base operates its signal at 4.71 megahertz with only 7.500 watts of power,” Van Ert says. ‘The public relations officer at the base has refuted the FCC reports because their transmitter is so small and couldn't put out such a powerful signal.” The FCC changed the supposed origin of the signal Wednesday, and said it was emanating from another military transmitter near Dixon, Calif. But Van Ert, who has not been contacted by the FCC, is still waiting to see if the preliminary findings are true. “If this is the source, then it would be good news,” Van Ert says. "We would know how to properly shield it, if that is what is needed. Or even shut it down." Although there were reports that the radio waves could have harmful effects on area residents, a spokesman for the State Health Division said Tuesday the signal posed no major health threat. Speaking at a Portland news confer ence, the spokesman said the signal ap peared to be coming from interference with xpwer lines in Eugene’s electrical grid. Marshall Van Ert Another movie firm sets eyes on Eugene By JOCK HATFIELD Of the Emerald Eugene may once again be the backdrop for a movie this summer if negotiations be tween Valley River Center (VRC) and a Los Angeles-based production agency go well. Weatherly Productions, a subsidiary of American International Productions, has scouted the local shopping center as a pos sible location for its next movie, tentatively scheduled to begin filming in June. John Rogers of American International Productions, emphasizes nothing is final as yet, but the Valley River Center “looked excellent’’ as a potential filming site. A final decision will be made in a week to 10 days, according to Rogers. “We’re still gearing ourselves up,” says Rogers. “We have no cast and no director as yet.” Weatherly Productions selected VRC through Warren Merrill, motion pictures and special services director for the governor. Merrill matched Weatherly with the center after reading the script. The script calls for a shopping center next to a river, according to Merrill, and Valley River filled the bill. Merrill first reviewed the script two years ago, and selected Valley River as a potential site. But the production fell through. The script was recently pur chased by Weatherly offering the VRC a second chance. The movie will deal with three families, according to Merrill. As the movie progres ses, the three wives will attempt to rob Val ley River Center. Merrill claims the movie has no title as yet and is undergoing a re write. Merrill routinely goes on scouting trips in hopes of matching upcoming movie scripts with Oregon locations. “I expect to hear a definite answer on this any day now,” says Merrill. This movie, if it comes to Eugene, will be the second filmed here in less than a year. Animal House, completed this fall, will be opening in June. Aitnough the cast for the Valley River movie has not been signed, Raquel Welch has been mentioned as a possibility for one of the main roles. Rogers denounces this as a rumor. ‘Everything is still up in the air,” he says. The water level is dowja, Spirits are irp and Spring i& just aroirnd tiie i V b .... So throw yovr oars and wade on down to Steven j to see the latest in Spring, fashions.. -just recently arrived by mail boat on the last hich tide. 881 E. 13th Ave. next to the Bookstore Sundries for you. Kleenex Tissue 200 count box reg. 830 now 580 Suave Shampoo and Conditioner reg. $1.49 now 990 Crest Toothpaste 3 oz. reg. 890 now 530 Pepsodent Toothburshes reg. 790 now 390 13th & Kincaid 686-4331 BOOKSTORE Mon-Fri 8;15-5‘30 Sat 10!00-2.’00 Savings on School Supplies. Pentel Rolling Writer reg. 980 now 690 Parker “Big Red” Ball Pen reg. $2.89 now $1.99 Bic Pens reg. 250 now 2 for 290 Erasable Typing Paper 16 lb., 100 sheets pack reg. $1.29 now 890 LiquidPaper reg. $1.10 now 730 Deluxe 3-Ring Binder reg. $2.98 now $1.89 Spiral Notebooks with Duck imprint 80 Sheets reg. 690 now 390 For your munching pleasure. Mars bars 130 ea. or 2 for 250 Snickers, M & M’s, 3-Musketeers, Milky Way, Starburst, and Forever Yours.
