Signals July 5 |
The Signal Identifier number is divided into these elements:
Day |
Time |
Source |
5 |
0030 |
IA |
(July) |
24hr |
List |
- Identifiers in BLUE are TRANSMISSIONS to Earhart.
- Identifiers in RED are reported receptions that are judged to be NOT CREDIBLE.
- Identifiers in BLACK are reported
receptions the credibility of which are judged to be UNCERTAIN.
- Identifiers in GREEN are reported
receptions that are judged to be CREDIBLE.
|
|
92
Identifier |
50000IA |
Z Time/Date |
0000 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1230 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1300 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice, with a long count, requesting
her to respond. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 166 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
93
Identifier |
50030IA |
Z Time/Date |
0030 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1300 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1330 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice, with a long count, requesting
her to respond. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 166 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
94
Identifier |
50100IA |
Z Time/Date |
0100 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1330 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1400 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice, with a long count, requesting
her to respond. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 166 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
95
Identifier |
50130IA |
Z Time/Date |
0130 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1400 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1430 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice, with a long count, requesting
her to respond. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 167 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
96
Identifier |
50200IA |
Z Time/Date |
0200 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1430 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1500 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice, with a long count, requesting
her to respond. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 167 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
97
Identifier |
50230IA |
Z Time/Date |
0230 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1500 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1530 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice, with a long count, requesting
her to respond. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 167 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
98
Identifier |
50300IA |
Z Time/Date |
0300 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1530 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1600 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice, with a long count, requesting
her to respond. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 167 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
99
Identifier |
50330IA |
Z Time/Date |
0330 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1600 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1630 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice, with a long count, requesting
her to respond. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 168 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
100
Identifier |
50630PU |
Z Time/Date |
0630 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2000 HST July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1930 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Pan American Airways Radio direction finding station |
Location |
Mokapu Point, Oahu |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Mokapu heard KGMB request Earhart to send four dashes,
and heard 4 dashes on 3105 immediately following the broadcast. Mokapu then
asked KGMB to repeat the broadcast, to verify the response, and KGMB did so. Mokapu
heard two dashes immediately following the second broadcast. Mokapu said that
KGMB repeated the broadcast message to Earhart at half hour intervals “during
the evening.” Mokapu obtained a radio direction finder bearing of
approximately 215° on the source of the dashes. |
Source |
Pan Am memo from Section Supervisor, Communications,
Honolulu to Division Superintendent, Communications, Alameda dated July 10,
1937; Finding Amelia, p. 137. |
Probability |
0.2 |
Qual Factors |
The timing of the dashes heard at 0630Z and shortly after
suggests they were in response to the KGMB broadcast. Responding dashes could
not have originated on the U.S. west coast because KGMB could not be heard
there, as discussed in the introductory material to this catalog. The bearing of Gardner from
Mokapu is 213°, very close to the approximate bearing of 215° obtained by
Mokapu. Earhart’s transmitter was the only known central Pacific source of
signals on 3105 kHz, other than Itasca. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
101
Identifier |
50630CC |
Z Time/Date |
0630 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2000 HST July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1930 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Coast Guard Commander, Hawaiian Section (COMHAWSEC) |
Location |
Honolulu |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
At 0730Z, COMHAWSEC informed USS Colorado, USS Swan, the
Coast Guard cutter Itasca, and the
Navy radio station at Tutuila, Samoa, that since 0630Z COMHAWSEC had heard
“carrier broken” – i.e. dashes – signals responding to the 0630Z
KGMB broadcast; Finding Amelia, p.
137. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 385 |
Probability |
0.2 |
Qual Factors |
The timing of the dashes heard at COMHAWSEC suggests they
were in response to the KGMB broadcast. The dashes could not have originated
on the U.S. west coast because KGMB could not be heard there due to
interference by broadcast stations on the same frequency in Idaho Falls, and
Pueblo Colorado (see footnote 12). Earhart’s transmitter was the only known
central Pacific source of signals on 3105 kHz, other than Itasca. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
102
Identifier |
50638PY |
Z Time/Date |
0638 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0638 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1938 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Pan American Airways Radio direction finding station |
Location |
Midway Island |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
A faint, wobbly, short duration voice signal was heard
and a bearing of approximately 201°was obtained. The frequency was checked
with that of Itasca’s 3105 kHz transmitter and found to be “just a hair
higher.” A man’s voice was distinctly heard but was too weak to be understood
or identified. |
Source |
Pan Am memo from Operator in Charge, Communications,
Midway, to Division Superintendent, Communications, Alameda dated July 11,
1937; Finding Amelia, pp 151 et
seq. |
Probability |
0.015 (Gardner); 0.00025 (west coast) |
Qual Factors |
Based on signal strength considerations alone, it was
possible for Midway to hear routine west coast aircraft transmissions not
related to the 0630Z KGMB broadcast. However, the signal bearing rules out
such sources. The bearing of Gardner from Midway is 175°, whereas the possible bearings of west coast aircraft
signals ranged from 049° (Seattle) to 069° (San Diego). The difference
between 175° and the observed 201° bearing at Midway is a plausible consequence of the signal
strength and duration. See TIGHAR research paper Radio Direction Finder
Analysis for a discussion of the Pan Am direction finding procedure. The
time of this signal suggests it was a response to the KGMB broadcast. The
possibility of a west coast source responding to the broadcast can be ruled
out, since KGMB could not be heard there (see footnote 12). Itasca did not transmit on 3105 kHz
between 0330Z and 0730Z July 5, and thus was not the source. Earhart’s transmitter was the only other known
central Pacific source of voice signals on 3105 kHz. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
103
Identifier |
50700TA |
Z Time/Date |
0700-0704 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2000-2004 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2000-2004 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
U.S. Navy radio station |
Location |
Tutuila, Samoa |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Tutuila heard a series of 4 dashes. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 385; Finding
Amelia, pp 151 et seq. |
Probability |
0.86 |
Qual Factors |
The timing of the signal suggests it was in response to
the KGMB broadcast at 0700Z. The signal could not have originated on the U.S.
west coast because KGMB could not be heard there (see footnote 12). Earhart’s
transmitter was the only known central Pacific source of signals on 3105 kHz,
other than Itasca. But Itasca did not transmit on 3105 kHz
between 0330Z and 0730Z July 5. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
104
Identifier |
50714TA |
Z Time/Date |
0714-0716 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2014-2016 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2014-2016 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
U.S. Navy radio station |
Location |
Tutuila, Samoa |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Tutuila heard a series of 4 dashes. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 385; Finding
Amelia, pp 151 et seq. |
Probability |
0.86 |
Qual Factors |
The timing of the dashes suggests they were part of a
continued response to the 0700Z KGMB broadcast. The dashes could not have
originated on the U.S. west coast because KGMB could not be heard there (see
footnote 12). Earhart’s transmitter was the only known central Pacific source
of signals on 3105 kHz, other than Itasca.
But Itasca did not transmit on 3105
kHz between 0330Z and 0730Z July 5. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
105
Identifier |
50727TA |
Z Time/Date |
0727-0731 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2027-2031 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2027-2031 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
U.S. Navy radio station |
Location |
Tutuila, Samoa |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Tutuila heard a series of 8 dashes, four of which were
very strong, and also heard voice which was not distinguishable. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 385; Finding
Amelia, pp 151 et seq. |
Probability |
0.86 |
Qual Factors |
The timing of these signals suggests they were in
response to the KGMB broadcast at 0730Z. The dashes and voice could not have
been a response from the U.S. west coast because KGMB could not be heard
there (see footnote 12). Earhart’s transmitter was the only known central
Pacific source of signals on 3105 kHz, other than Itasca. Itasca did not
transmit on 3105 kHz between 0330Z and 0730Z July 5. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
106
Identifier |
50730IA |
Z Time/Date |
0730 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2000 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2030 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart, in Morse code, asking her to please
answer. (Note: Neither Earhart nor Noonan could read Morse.) |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 172 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
107
Identifier |
50730CV |
Z Time/Date |
0730 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2330 PST July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2030 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
COMFRANDIV |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
COMFRANDIV heard Itasca calling Earhart on 3105 kHz and shortly after heard a carrier on 3105 kHz. Carriers
were later heard on 3105 kHz at about 15 to 20 minutes past each hour, until
0505 PST (1305Z) [apparently a typo – should be 0515 PST (1315Z) if on
the assumed schedule], seemingly on a prearranged schedule. COMFRANDIV was
listening for Earhart, using 6 radio receivers connected to two “diamond
beam” (rhombic) antennas aimed at Honolulu. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 394; Finding
Amelia, pp 151 et seq. |
Probability |
0.00000075 |
Qual Factors |
The time correlation of Itasca’s request and the signal heard at San Francisco might seem
to suggest that the signal was a response to Itasca. However, the Itasca request was sent in Morse code, which neither Earhart nor Noonan could
understand beyond recognizing an individual letter sent slowly and
repetitively. The previous
dashes responding to KGMB suggest that AE had her receiver tuned to KGMB’s
frequency (1320 kHz), and thus could not have heard Itasca on 3105 kHz. The circumstances suggest that AE was
continuing to respond to KGMB, on an hourly schedule, at 15 minutes past each
hour. This was the same transmission schedule that Earhart declared prior to
departing Lae, New Guinea, enroute to Howland Island. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
108
Identifier |
50745IA |
Z Time/Date |
0745 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2015 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2045 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
6210 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in Morse code. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 172 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
109
Identifier |
50800IA |
Z Time/Date |
0800 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2030 Jul 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2100 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
7500 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in Morse code. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 172 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
110
Identifier |
50815IA |
Z Time/Date |
0815 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2045 July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2115 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in Morse code, |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 172 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
111
Identifier |
5xxxxUN |
Z Time/Date |
Unknown, July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
“Early” July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
Unknown July 4 or 5 |
Agency/Person |
Thelma Dunham |
Location |
Indianapolis, Indiana |
Freq (kHz) |
23,077 (13 meters) |
Content |
Dunham claimed to have heard “This is Amelia Earhart
calling all stations,” repeated three times, plus “Sending equipment getting
weak. Have landed on water. Don’t know position. Navigator is trying to check
longitude and latitude. Getting hungry, but can survive for 24 hours.” |
Source |
New York Herald
Tribune, July 6, 1937, p.2; Logansport, Indiana Pharos-Tribune, July 6, 1937, p.6; Finding Amelia, p.184. |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
The time of reception was not specified. The frequency
given is not near a harmonic of either of Earhart’s frequencies. It was
impossible to transmit if the plane had landed on water. This was clearly a
hoax. |
Credibility |
Not Credible |
|
112
Identifier |
50815CV |
Z Time/Date |
0815 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0015 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2115 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
COMFRANDIV |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
This was one of the series of signals, seemingly on an
hourly schedule, heard at COMFRANDIV since 0730Z. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 394; Finding
Amelia, pp 151 et seq. |
Probability |
0.003 |
Qual Factors |
The circumstances suggest that Earhart was continuing to
respond to KGMB, on an hourly schedule, at 15 minutes past each hour, the
same transmission schedule that she declared prior to departing Lae, New
Guinea, enroute to Howland Island. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
113
Identifier |
50907HD |
Z Time/Date |
0907-0923 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2237-2253 HST July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2207-2223 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca detachment |
Location |
Howland Island |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
In an exchange with the Itasca at 1003Z, July 5, Howland
said they had heard carrier signal, with a man’s voice, from 2137 to 2153
Howland local time on July 4. Howland was keeping HST, GMT -10.5. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 175 |
Probability |
0.84 |
Qual Factors |
Earhart’s transmitter was the only known central Pacific
source of voice signals on 3105 kHz, other than Itasca. This could be part of a continuing response to KGMB, on
an hourly schedule, at 15 minutes past each hour, the same transmission
schedule that Earhart declared prior to departing Lae, New Guinea, enroute to
Howland Island. However, it was not plausible for her transmitter to be on
the air for such a long time. It would be plausible for there to be a series
of short transmissions during this time, but the Howland report does not
contain enough information to justify assuming such was the case. |
Credibility |
Uncertain |
|
114
Identifier |
50908HD |
Z Time/Date |
0908 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2238 HST July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2208 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca detachment |
Location |
Howland Island |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
A man’s voice, very weak, was heard. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 386 |
Probability |
0.88 |
Qual Factors |
The Itasca radio log during the period of the search for Earhart shows consistent
difficulty in contacting Howland Island, which suggests the temporary radio
antenna erected there was barely adequate for the task. Therefore, it is
highly unlikely that the Howland antenna was sensitive enough to pick up signals
from west coast aircraft. Earhart’s transmitter was the only plausible source of
central Pacific voice signals, other than Itasca.
This signal appears to have been heard at about the same time as Baker Island
(30 miles south of Howland) heard Identifier 50910BR. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
115
Identifier |
50910BR |
Z Time/Date |
0910 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2240 HST July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2210 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Ham radio operator |
Location |
Baker Island (30 miles south of Howland Island) |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
The time cited above is the time at which the Coast Guard
Commander, Hawaiian Section (COMHAWSEC) informed the Itasca that Baker Island
had heard a voice transmission from KHAQQ (Earhart’s call sign) to NRUI (Itasca) “a short while ago.” COMHAWSEC
also told Itasca that Howland
Island had heard “weak voice.” Baker and Howland had previously been directed
to listen continuously on 3105 kHz. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 386 |
Probability |
0.85 |
Qual Factors |
Earhart’s transmitter was the only plausible source of
central Pacific voice signals, other than Itasca.
This signal appears to have been heard at about the same time Howland Island
heard Identifier 50908HD. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
116
Identifier |
50915CV |
Z Time/Date |
0915Z July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0115 PST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2215 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
COMFRANDIV |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
This was one of the series of carrier signals, seemingly
on an hourly schedule, heard at COMFRANDIV since 0730Z. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 394; Finding Amelia, pp. 151 et seq. |
Probability |
0.0005 |
Qual Factors |
This signal is one of those apparently responding to the
0730Z KGMB broadcast to Earhart, heard at COMFRANDIV on an apparent hourly
schedule, at 15 minutes past each hour. This was the same transmission
schedule that Earhart declared prior to departing Lae, New Guinea, enroute to
Howland Island. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
117
Identifier |
50916HD |
Z Time/Date |
0916 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2246 HST July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2216 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Ham radio operator K6GNW |
Location |
Howland Island |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Howland Island heard Earhart call Itasca at 0916Z. Howland said that Baker Island also heard the
Earhart plane at that time. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 174 |
Probability |
0.85 |
Qual Factors |
The source of this signal was positively identified as
the Earhart plane. This signal was heard at virtually the same time as, and
could be the source of, the carrier signal previously reported by COMFRANDIV. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
118
Identifier |
50916CS |
Z Time/Date |
0916 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0116 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2216 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Howard Coons |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
15525 |
Content |
A United Press (UP) wire service story reported that at
5:16 a.m. EST, Coons, another mainland radio listener (see Identifier 50916HD), and
a radio operator at Howland Island simultaneously heard a signal apparently
from Earhart. Coons was reported to have said he heard “Still alive. Better
hurry. Tell husband all right” on “a wavelength of 15,600 and 15,900
kilocycles.” |
Sources |
United Press (UP) wire story, Honolulu, July 5; Circleville, Ohio, Daily Herald, July 5, 1937; and
Charleston, West Virginia, Daily Mail,
July 5, 1937. |
Probability |
0.05 |
Qual Factors |
The reception time stated in the wire story, 0516 EST
(1016Z) was incorrect, apparently due to a reportorial time conversion error.
The correct time can be deduced from the facts that there was no reported
Howland reception at any time near 1016Z, and Howland (Identifier 50916HD above), listening on 3105 kHz, heard Earhart calling the Itasca at 0916Z. Therefore,
the correct time for the Coons reception was 0916Z (0416 EST). As for the
stated frequency, the phrase “15,600 kilocycles and 15,900 kilocycles likely
was a reporter’s misunderstanding of “between” those frequencies. There was
no amateur radio band near those frequencies, but there was a shortwave
broadcast band from 15,100 kHz to 15,350 kHz, and the 5th harmonic
of 3105kHz – 15,525 kHz – was near the upper end of that band. Home
radios of the day, with shortwave capability, tended to have poor
selectivity, and Coons could well have heard a signal from Earhart on 15,525
kHz, and misread the crowded receiver dial to get the reported frequencies. The
phrases that Coons claimed to have heard were plausible. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
119
Identifier |
50916HN |
Z Time/Date |
0916 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0116 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2216 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Earnest Henderson |
Location |
Auburn, Washington |
Freq (kHz) |
Unknown |
Content |
The United Press (UP) wire service story cited in Identifier
50916CS above reported that at 5:16 a.m. EST, Henderson also simultaneously
heard a signal apparently from Earhart. Henderson reported to have said he
heard “50 – 128 – QQ – waterlogged – can’t last much
longer.” |
Source |
United Press (UP) wire story, Honolulu, July 5; Circleville, Ohio, Daily Herald, July 5, 1937; and
Charleston, West Virginia, Daily Mail,
July 5, 1937. |
Probability |
3105 kHz: less than one chance in one quadrillion; 15525 kHz: 0.013 |
Qual Factors |
The reception time stated in the wire story, 0516 EST
(1016Z) was incorrect, apparently due to a reportorial time conversion error.
The correct time can be deduced from the facts that there was no reported
Howland reception at any time near 1016Z, and Howland (Identifier 50916HD above), listening on 3105 kHz, heard Earhart calling the Itasca at 0916Z. Therefore, the correct time for the Henderson
reception was 0916Z (0416 EST). The wire story did not include the frequency
on which Henderson was listening. If it was 3105 kHz, the reception probability
was virtually zero. Reception was feasible on 15525 kHz (the 5th harmonic of 3105 kHz), the same frequency on which Coons (Identifier 50916CS)
heard Earhart. However, there was no plausible reason for Earhart to use the
word “waterlogged.” Absent evidence that Henderson was listening on a
harmonic of 3105 kHz, this report is suspect. |
Credibility |
Not Credible |
|
120
Identifier |
50925HD |
Z Time/Date |
0925 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2255 HST July 4 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2225 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca detachment |
Location |
Howland Island |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Howland heard a weak carrier, but no modulation. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 198 |
Probability |
0.93 |
Qual Factors |
The timing of the signal does not match that of the hourly
sequence heard by COMFRANDIV, and there is no evidence corroborating Earhart
as the source. It is possible that Howland was hearing one of the Nicaraguan
stations operating on frequencies close to 3105 kHz. |
Credibility |
Uncertain |
|
121
Identifier |
50948WD |
Z Time/Date |
0948-0952 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0948-0952 Z July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2248-2252 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
Pan American Airways Radio direction finding station |
Location |
Wake Island |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
At 0948 a voice signal of good intensity and well
modulated but wavering badly suddenly came on 3105. While the carrier
frequency of this signal did not appear to vary appreciably, its strength did
vary in an unusually erratic manner and at 0950 the carrier strength fell
off sharply with the wavering more noticeable than ever. At 0952 it went off
completely. |
Source |
Pan Am memo from Operator in Charge, Communications,
Wake, to Division Superintendent, Communications, Alameda dated July 11,
1937. |
Probability |
0.001 |
Qual Factors |
Earhart’s transmitter was the only central Pacific source
of voice signals on 3105 kHz. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
122
Identifier |
51015CV |
Z Time/Date |
1015 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0215 PST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
2315 July 4 |
Agency/Person |
COMFRANDIV |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
This was one of the series of carrier signals, seemingly
on an hourly schedule, heard at COMFRANDIV since 0730Z. |
Source
|
MSG9.PDF, p. 394; Finding Amelia, pp 151 et seq. |
Probability |
0.0017 |
Qual Factors |
This signal appears to be one of those responding to the
0730Z KGMB broadcast to Earhart, heard at COMFRANDIV on an apparent hourly
schedule, at 15 minutes past each hour. This is the same schedule that
Earhart declared prior to departing Lae, New Guinea, enroute to Howland
Island. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
123
Identifier |
51105HD |
Z Time/Date |
1105 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0035 HST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0005 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca detachment |
Location |
Howland Island |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
An unidentified continuous wave signal was heard. No call
sign was heard. A direction finder bearing of either south-southeast or
north-northwest was obtained using a magnetic compass. The bearing ambiguity
was due to ionospheric multipath interference – “night effect.” The frequency
was reported as “slightly above” 3105 kHz. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 389 |
Probability |
0.78 |
Qual Factors |
The bearing line, although directionally ambiguous, lay
approximately along the line between Howland Island and Gardner. The nearest
land north-northwest of Howland is Wake Island (1500 nmi); the Pan American
Airways direction finder station there would not be transmitting on any
frequency near 3105 kHz. The next nearest land beyond Wake is in the Kuril
Islands (about 3300 nmi), but there were no stations in that vicinity
operating on a frequency near 3105 kHz. This suggests that the signal
originated from a source south-southeast of Howland. Earhart’s transmitter
was the only plausible source in that direction. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
124
Identifier |
51115CV |
Z Time/Date |
1115 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0315 PST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0015 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
COMFRANDIV |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
A carrier signal, one of the series of signals seemingly
on an hourly schedule since 0730Z. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 394; Finding
Amelia, pp 151 et seq. |
Probability |
0.0038 |
Qual Factors |
This signal appears to be one of those responding to the
0730Z KGMB broadcast to Earhart, heard at COMFRANDIV on an apparent hourly
schedule, at 15 minutes past each hour. This was the same transmission
schedule that Earhart declared prior to departing Lae, New Guinea, enroute to
Howland Island. |
Credibility |
Credible. |
|
125
Identifier |
51130WE |
Z Time/Date |
1130-1230 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0100-0200 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0030-0130 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Navy radio station Wailupe |
Location |
Oahu |
Freq (kHz) |
Not given. Assume 3105. |
Content |
The following Morse code transmission, consisting of
fragmentary phrases, with extremely poor keying, was copied by three Navy
operators: “281 NORTH HOWLAND CALL KHAQQ BEYOND NORTH DONT HOLD WITH US MUCH
LONGER ABOVE WATER SHUT OFF” |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 388; Finding Amelia, p. 164. |
Probability |
0.006 |
Qual Factors |
The text of this fragmented message has been thoroughly analyzed
by TIGHAR, but no conclusive reconstruction was possible because neither the
boundaries of the fragments, nor the length of gaps between fragments, are
known. The characterization of the keying as “extremely poor” is consistent
with Earhart or Noonan – neither of whom was proficient at Morse
– having composed a message by writing dots and dashes on paper, then
transmitting it by using the microphone push-to-talk button to key the transmitter.
Fragmentation also could have resulted from signal fading. The phrase “281
North Howland” was misinterpreted by Itasca to mean the plane was 281 miles north of Howland – which was impossible
since the plane would be on water and unable to transmit. The Pan Am RDF
station at Mokapu Point heard weak carrier signals on 3105 kHz during the
night, some of which could have been this transmission. Mokapu got an
approximate bearing of 215° on a carrier signal at 1225 Z. On balance, the
evidence weighs in favor of the Wailupe signal being from Earhart. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
126
Identifier |
51200ME |
Z Time/Date |
1200 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
2200 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0100 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Unnamed ham radio operator |
Location |
Melbourne, Australia |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 (assumed) |
Content |
The Melbourne ham heard a “strange” signal at 10 p.m.
Melbourne time on Monday July 5, but did not perceive until the caller
“signed off” that it was “Mrs. Putnam,” i.e. Earhart. The ham reported the
signal to local civil aviation authorities. |
Source |
Melbourne, Australia, newspaper “The Argus,” Saturday
July 10, 1937. |
Probability |
0.002 |
Qual Factors |
This signal was heard during the same period as the signal
heard at Wailupe above. The “strange” aspect of the signal would be
consistent with the fragmentary phases and extremely poor keying reported by
the Wailupe operators. The “sign off” reported by the Melbourne ham
apparently consisted of the call letters KHAQQ heard at Wailupe. There is no
basis for believing this was a hoax. The evidence suggests this was a
concurrent reception of the signal heard at Wailupe. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
127
Identifier |
51213IA |
Z Time/Date |
1213 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0043 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0113 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
7500 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in Morse code. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 177 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
128
Identifier |
51215CV |
Z Time/Date |
1215 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0415 PST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0115 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
COMFRANDIV |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
A carrier signal, one of the series of signals seemingly
on an hourly schedule since 0730Z. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 394; Finding
Amelia |
Probability |
0.0038 |
Qual Factors |
This signal appears to be one of those responding to the
0730Z broadcast to Earhart, heard at COMFRANDIV on an apparent hourly
schedule, at 15 minutes past each hour. This was the same transmission
schedule that Earhart declared prior to departing Lae, New Guinea, enroute to
Howland Island. |
Credibility |
Credible. |
|
129
Identifier |
51223WD |
Z Time/Date |
1223-1236 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1223-1236 Z July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0123-0136 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Pan American Airways Radio direction finding station |
Location |
Wake Island |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
A very unsteady voice modulated carrier was observed at
1223Z, which lasted until 12:36 Z. Wake was able to get an approximate
bearing of 144 degrees, believed to be reasonably accurate. The signal began
at QSA 5 (a very strong signal)
and gradually reduced to QSA 2 (moderate strength) by 12:36Z. |
Source |
Pan Am memo from Operator in Charge, Communications,
Wake, to Division Superintendent, Communications, Alameda dated July 11, 1937. |
Probability |
0.0006 |
Qual Factors |
It was not plausible for Earhart to key her transmitter
for 13 minutes. However, this could have been a series of short transmissions
separated by brief intervals, appearing as part of the perceived
unsteadiness. The fact that the voice was not readable could be explained by
severe multipath fading interference. It is unlikely that Wake was hearing a
west coast aircraft, due to the distance – about 4,000 miles –
and the poor signal propagation from the west coast, which was worse than the
propagation from Gardner by a factor of about 10,000. Wake described the
characteristics of the signal as identical to those of a signal heard the
previous night; that signal was heard during a period when Itasca was not transmitting. Earhart’s
transmitter was the only central Pacific source of voice signals on 3105 kHz,
other than Itasca. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
130
Identifier |
51230PN |
Z Time/Date |
1230 and 1251 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0430 and 0451 PST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0130 and 0151 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Karl Pierson, Radio engineer and Ham radio operator |
Location |
Los Angeles, CA |
Freq (kHz) |
Not given. 3105 kHz assumed |
Content |
Pierson claimed to have heard Itasca asking Earhart to send 4 dashes, at the times above, and
claimed to hear 3 long dashes immediately following each Itasca transmission. Pierson said each dash “ended in a ripple,
as though the plane’s batteries were dead and the motor generator was being
run to furnish transmission power.” |
Sources |
New York Herald
Tribune, July 6, 1937, p. 2; MSG9.PDF, p. 394; RADREST.PDF, p. 178 and p.
180; Finding Amelia, p. 171. |
Probability |
0.00000005 at Los Angeles; 0.00009 at COMFRANDIV. |
Qual Factors |
Itasca called Earhart on 3105 kHz at 1223Z and 1254Z, but not
at 1251Z. Pierson could have heard the Itasca calls, and his clock could have been a few minutes slow. However, COMFRANDIV
had radio operators listening for Earhart signals on 6 receivers, connected
to 2 high-gain rhombic antennas. COMFRANDIV heard dash signals, apparently
from Earhart, on 3105 kHz during the night, but Pierson did not report
hearing any of those signals. The propagation paths from Gardner to San
Francisco and Los Angeles were virtually identical. The fact that COMFRANDIV,
listening with highly sensitive antennas heard signals that Pierson did not
hear, but did not hear the two signals Pierson claimed to have heard,
suggests that Pierson was perpetrating a hoax. |
Credibility |
Not Credible. |
|
131
Identifier |
51235IA |
Z Time/Date |
1235 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0105 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0135 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
This signal is not in the Itasca log. The Pan Am station at Midway heard Itasca calling Earhart (presumably in
voice), but no response was heard. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 179 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
132
Identifier |
51240IA |
Z Time/Date |
1240 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0110 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0140 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in voice. A minute later, Howland Island
heard Itasca say “give us 4 long
dashes if you hear us.” |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 179 and p.180 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
133
Identifier |
51245IA |
Z Time/Date |
1245 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0115 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0145 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart on 3105. (Assumed in voice). |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 180 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
134
Identifier |
51250IA |
Z Time/Date |
1250 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0120 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0150 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Howland Island heard Itasca calling Earhart on 3105, and giving unspecified instructions. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 180 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
135
Identifier |
51254IA |
Z Time/Date |
1254 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0124 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0154 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 180 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
136
Identifier |
51300IA |
Z Time/Date |
1300 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0130 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0200 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
7500 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in Morse code. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 180 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
137
Identifier |
51305CV |
Z Time/Date |
1305 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0505 PST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0205 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
COMFRANDIV |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
A carrier signal, one of the series of signals seemingly
on an hourly schedule since 0730Z. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 394; Finding
Amelia. |
Probability |
0.000000075 |
Qual Factors |
This signal appears to be one of those responding to the
0730Z KGMB broadcast to Earhart, heard at COMFRANDIV on an apparent hourly
schedule, at 15 minutes past each hour. This was the same transmission
schedule that Earhart declared prior to departing Lae, New Guinea, enroute to
Howland Island. It is plausible that this was the last signal of this series
heard at COMFRANDIV because the propagation path from Gardner faded out at
1400Z. |
Credibility |
Credible. |
|
138
Identifier |
51350PU |
Z Time/Date |
1350 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0320 HST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0250 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Pan American Airways Radio direction finding station |
Location |
Mokapu Point, Oahu |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Carrier on again briefly, not long enough to get a
bearing. |
Source |
Pan Am memo from Section Supervisor, Communications,
Honolulu to Division Superintendent, Communications, Alameda dated July 10,
1937. |
Probability |
0.0097 |
Qual Factors |
This signal could have been sent by Earhart, on battery
power, or it could have been from a west coast aircraft. There is not
sufficient information to decide the credibility of this signal. |
Credibility |
Uncertain |
|
139
Identifier |
51417CV |
Z Time/Date |
1417-1419 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
0617-0619 PST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0317-0319 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
COMFRANDIV |
Location |
San Francisco |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
“NRUI” (Itasca’s call sign) was heard in Morse code at 1417Z (0617 PST), followed almost
immediately by 4 dashes of approximately 4 to 5 seconds duration, with spaces
of the same length. Shortly afterward a carrier was heard, and a man’s voice.
The only distinguishable English was the letter “I,” at the end of the
transmission, which lasted approximately 2 minutes. |
Source |
MSG9.PDF, p. 394 |
Probability |
0.007 (Morse code); 0.000025 (voice) |
Qual Factors |
Itasca did not call Earhart on 3105 between 1254Z and 2130Z. Although
Earhart and Noonan were not proficient in Morse code, either could send NRUI
in Morse code if the message was composed and written down before sending. “NRUI”
in Morse is short enough for “clean” transmission by pressing the microphone
push-to-talk button, without the sender’s finger becoming fatigued and altering
the rhythm of the signal. A plausible scenario that fits the reported
information is that “NRUI” was sent in Morse to get Itasca’s attention,
followed by the dashes, then in voice “This is KHAQQ calling NRUI,” with only
the final “I” rising above the atmospheric noise at San Francisco. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
140
Identifier |
51700CB |
Z Time/Date |
1700Z (and unspecified subsequent times) July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1300 EDT July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
0600 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Mrs. Ernest Crabb |
Location |
Toronto, Canada |
Freq (kHz) |
18630 |
Content |
This reception was on the day after Mrs. Crabb heard
Earhart, and appears to be the same sort of fragmentary conversation that she
heard the previous day. |
Source |
Toronto Daily Star,
July 5, 1937 and July 6, 1937 |
Probability |
0.00004 |
Qual Factors |
18630 kHz is the 6th harmonic of 3105 kHz. Mrs.
Crabb heard this signal on the same 20-tube shortwave receiver she used the
previous day. Given the similarity of this signal and the credibility of her
previous report, there is no reason to doubt the credibility of this signal,
which could have been sent on battery power. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
141
Identifier |
52130IA |
Z Time/Date |
2130 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1000 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1030 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in Morse code |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 188 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
142
Identifier |
52130KK |
Z Time/Date |
2130 to 2315 July 5 (Date uncertain; believed to be July
5 based on signal propagation and other factors) |
Local Time/Date |
1630 to 1815 EST July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1030 to 1215 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Betty Klenck |
Location |
St. Petersburg, Florida |
Freq (kHz) |
24840 (4th harmonic of Earhart’s day frequency
– 6210 kHz). |
Content |
See sources below. |
Sources |
Research paper Betty’s Notebook, on TIGHAR website; research
paper Harmony and Power (revised), on TIGHAR website; Finding Amelia, p. 172. |
Probability |
Varied from 0.0013 to 0.00000067 during the period |
Qual Factors |
Betty was extensively interviewed by TIGHAR, and key
elements of her notebook relating to occult information – facts Betty
could not have known from sources other than what she heard on the radio –
have been validated. Details are available on the TIGHAR website. |
Credibility |
Credible |
|
143
Identifier |
52135IA |
Z Time/Date |
2135 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1005 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1035 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in Morse code. |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 188 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
144
Identifier |
52152IA |
Z Time/Date |
2152 July 5 |
Local Time/Date |
1022 July 5 |
Gardner Time/Date |
1052 July 5 |
Agency/Person |
Itasca |
Location |
Central Pacific |
Freq (kHz) |
3105 |
Content |
Itasca called Earhart in Morse code |
Source |
RADREST.PDF, p. 188 |
Probability |
n/a |
Qual Factors |
n/a |
Credibility |
n/a |
|
|