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Summer Rerun Series.  This episode is from Season 3 Episode 27.  The Zodiac Killer's infamous 340 Cipher remained unsolved for more than 51 years. Governments, intelligence agencies, professional cryptologists, and amateur codebreakers all attempted to solve it. In December 2020, a three-person team finally succeeded.
One of those team members was cryptologist and software developer David Oranchak.
In this episode of UFO Talker, David joins host Michael Ryan to discuss the fascinating world of cryptology, the story behind the Zodiac 340 Cipher, and what it was like to help solve one of the most famous unsolved codes in modern history.
The conversation then takes an unexpected turn into ufology.
In 1976, a coded message arrived at the offices of Official UFO Magazine. The letter contained a series of strange symbols and was never deciphered. Nearly fifty years later, former editor Bernie O'Connor provided a copy of the mysterious cipher to UFO Talker.
David Oranchak accepted the challenge.
Using modern codebreaking techniques, David successfully decoded the message and explains exactly how he did it. He walks listeners through the methods used to solve substitution ciphers, the role of frequency analysis, and the surprising message hidden within the decades-old document.
Michael and David also explore a larger question that has fascinated UFO researchers for decades: if a genuine extraterrestrial message were ever discovered, would humans actually be capable of decoding it?
Topics discussed include:
• The Zodiac Killer and the famous 340 Cipher
• How cryptologists break difficult codes
• The Bernie Official UFO Cipher
• Frequency analysis and substitution ciphers
• The Rendlesham Forest symbols
• Whether UFO symbols could ever be translated
• The challenges of deciphering an unknown language
• The Rosetta Stone and lessons from history
This episode offers a fascinating look at the intersection of cryptology, mystery, and the UFO phenomenon.
Guest:
David Oranchak

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To buy UFO Talker merchandise follow this link here.
Female announcer:  Joy Ryan
Male announcer: Andrew Helbig
The National UFO Records Center link here
Christine Scott's Centennial Books 1230 Broad Street. Regina, Sask.

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Summer "Best of" repeat Series.  This episode originally aired May 14, 2025.  Season 3 Episode 29. 
Host Michael Ryan interviews retired RCMP Sergeant Craig Cochrane about one of the most compelling UFO cases ever investigated in Northern Manitoba—the Island Lake Incident.
On the night of October 3, 1981, Albert Punch, his wife, and their three children were travelling by small boat near Island Lake when their quiet evening took a terrifying turn. A massive UFO, estimated to be nearly 200 feet in diameter, appeared and pursued the family's boat for more than 30 minutes across the dark waters.
According to the witnesses, whenever the mysterious object moved too close, the boat's motor would suddenly fail, leaving the family vulnerable and frightened as the huge craft hovered nearby. The encounter would become one of the most intriguing UFO reports ever investigated in the region.
Sergeant Cochrane recounts his investigation into the case, the challenges of gathering evidence in remote northern communities, and what it was like serving as an RCMP officer in some of Manitoba's most isolated locations. He also shares his thoughts on the credibility of the witnesses and why the Island Lake Incident remains a memorable case more than four decades later.
A fascinating look at a little-known Canadian UFO encounter that continues to raise questions to this day.
Support the show
To buy UFO Talker merchandise follow this link here.
Female announcer:  Joy Ryan
Male announcer: Andrew Helbig
The National UFO Records Center link here
Christine Scott's Centennial Books 1230 Broad Street. Regina, Sask.

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Season 4 Episode 37.  This is our 150th episode of UFO Talker.  Host Michael Ryan interviews the co-founders of UAP-PD, retired Arizona police officers Marianne Robb and Dave Rich.  During this special 150th episode of UFO Talker, Dave Rich discusses a chilling 911 Ghost Call he investigated at an Arizona high school - a case that continues to raise disturbing questions about what really happened.  Marianne Robb shares the story of an Arizona police officer who witnessed a UFO flying at tree-top level near the same area where Travis Walton was abducted in 1975.
Marianne also recounts a terrifying paranormal investigation involving two police officers responding to a wellness check.  While outside the home, the officers heard a blood-curdling scream from a woman that was captured on police body cam - despite the fact that no woman was found anywhere inside the house. In the opening segment, Michael Ryan and Christine Scott discuss the second major release of UFO related information from the U.S. government and what some of the newly released files may reveal.
If you would like to find out more about Contact in the Desert go here. If you would like to find out more about Disclosure Forum 2026 go here. 
If you would like to find out more about Marianne Robb and Dave Rich's organization UAP-PD go here. 

Enjoy the Summer of 2026!
Support the show
To buy UFO Talker merchandise follow this link here.
Female announcer:  Joy Ryan
Male announcer: Andrew Helbig
The National UFO Records Center link here
Christine Scott's Centennial Books 1230 Broad Street. Regina, Sask.

Send us Fan Mail
Season 4 Episode 36.  Ron James joins host Michael Ryan to discuss his new documentary, Accidental Truth: Next, a follow-up to his acclaimed exploration of the UFO phenomenon and the growing movement toward disclosure. In this new film, James examines the latest developments surrounding UAP investigations, government transparency, whistleblower testimony, and the expanding scientific and public interest in the mystery. Featuring researchers, experiencers, journalists, and insiders, Accidental Truth: Next explores how the conversation around UFOs is rapidly changing — and what it could mean for humanity’s understanding of reality itself.  If you would like to watch Ron James' documentary Accidental Truth: UFO Revelations go here.  If you would like to find out more about Contact in the Desert go here.   If you would like to find out more about Phenomecon go here. To go to our UFO Talker Facebook Page go here.

Support the show
To buy UFO Talker merchandise follow this link here.
Female announcer:  Joy Ryan
Male announcer: Andrew Helbig
The National UFO Records Center link here
Christine Scott's Centennial Books 1230 Broad Street. Regina, Sask.

Send us Fan Mail
Season 4 Episode 35.  Host Michael Ryan interviews David Barnett who was the sonar operator the night of The Southland Encounter.  During the third week of February 1987 the New Zealand Frigate HMNZS Southland was 175 miles off the coast of the North Island of New Zealand.  At 1 am the ship started tracking a USO that was 20 kms behind the vessel.  After 30 minutes the USO went from 20kms behind to underneath the warship in less than 30 seconds.  At that point the Southland loss all power and was set adrift.  Sonar operator David Barnett gives a very detailed interview about what happened that night.  Also on this episode Christine Scott and Michael Ryan review the U.S. Governments new UFO secret files dump.  If you would like to find out more about the McMenamins UFO Festival go here. If you would like to find out more about The Society for Scientific Exploration go here.  To visit and follow our Facebook page go here.
Support the show
To buy UFO Talker merchandise follow this link here.
Female announcer:  Joy Ryan
Male announcer: Andrew Helbig
The National UFO Records Center link here
Christine Scott's Centennial Books 1230 Broad Street. Regina, Sask.