LES HEWITT looks back on The Voice of Vrillon, a televised hoax from 1977 that still has people confused…
News bulletins very rarely make news. On Saturday 26 November 1977, a regional news broadcast on Southern Television made the headlines instead of reporting them.
A few minutes after the 5pm start, the signal was interrupted and overridden by an external broadcast.
The Voice of Vrillon broadcast
Someone identified himself as Vrillon, an apparent spokesperson for the Ashtar Galactic Command, delivered the following six-minute message:
“This is the voice of Vrillon, a representative of the Ashtar Galactic Command, speaking to you. For many years,you have seen us as lights in the skies. We speak to you now in peace and wisdom as we have done to your brothers and sisters all over this, your planet Earth.
“We come to warn you of the destiny of your race and your world so that you may communicate to your fellow beings the course you must take to avoid the disaster which threatens your world, and the beings on our worlds around you. This is in order that you may share in the great awakening, as the planet passes into the New Age of Aquarius.
“The New Age can be a time of great peace and evolution for your race, but only if your rulers are made aware of the evil forces that can overshadow their judgements. Be still now and listen, for your chance may not come again. All your weapons of evil must be removed. “
The time for conflict is now past and the race of which you are a part may proceed to the higher stages of its evolution if you show yourselves worthy to do this. You have but a short time to learn to live together in peace and goodwill. Small groups all over the planet are learning this, and exist to pass on the light of the dawning New Age to you all.
“You are free to accept or reject their teachings, but only those who learn to live in peace will pass to the higher realms of spiritual evolution. Hear now the voice of Vrillon, a representative of the Ashtar Galactic Command, speaking to you. Be aware also that there are many false prophets and guides at present operating on your world. They will suck your energy from you – the energy you call money and will put it to evil ends and give you worthless dross in return.
“Your inner divine self will protect you from this. You must learn to be sensitive to the voice within that can tell you what is truth, and what is confusion, chaos and untruth. Learn to listen to the voice of truth which is within you and you will lead yourselves onto the path of evolution.
“This is our message to our dear friends. We have watched you growing for many years as you too have watched our lights in your skies. You know now that we are here, and that there are more beings on and around your Earth than your scientists admit. We are deeply concerned about you and your path towards the light and will do all we can to help you.
“Have no fear, seek only to know yourselves, and live in harmony with the ways of your planet Earth. We here at the Ashtar Galactic Command, thank you for your attention. We are now leaving the planes of your existence. May you be blessed by the supreme love and truth of the cosmos.“
Newscaster Andrew Gardener obviously had no idea that the signal had been interrupted. Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) engineers based in Croydon and the transmission tower located in Southampton were also unaware of the signal break-up. The only people that were aware that something untoward had happened were the viewers themselves.
Viewer reaction at home was mixed. Some panicked, while others took matters in their stride. As soon as comments, questions, and concerns flooded in, the IBA became aware that something was amiss. They quickly dispelled the fears and concerns from their viewership. They were also quick to reveal that the entire message was a hoax. A technically superior one, but a hoax nonetheless.
How was it done?
In order to pull off this audacious hijacking, extensive knowledge would have been required. As well as the broadcasting capabilities and server frequencies, whoever was behind the interruption also needed access to the Huntington Transmitter – the source of Southern Television’s signal. However, Huntington was more of a Relay Station that received signals from the Ros]wbridge Transmitter, which was based on the Isle of Wight. This was an easier target than the mainland.
The Hacker would need to broadcast a corresponding signal alongside the authentic signal on the same frequency. Knowing what to do, when and how was just the tip of the iceberg for the Hacker to have in his arsenal. Taking over the signal was quite a simple matter after all of this set-up. Another commodity the Hacker required was time. Time to set up all equipment needed, time to broadcast the rogue signal, and time to disassemble his equipment. All of this without ever being seen.
Vrillon has never been identified, nor heard from since. The IBA may well be correct in their assessment, but the nature of the message itself has left some to believe wholeheartedly. Those that do also believe Vrillon to be very real.
And he is simply waiting for the right time.
What do you think? Did you see the original broadcast? Tell us about it in the comments!
