Hailing Frequency (Star Trek: TOS club zine 3)

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For other things with a similar title, see Hailing Frequency.

Zine
Title: Hailing Frequency
Publisher: Questar, a fan club (c/o Inter-Club Council of Queens College, Student Union Building, Room 344 152-45 Melbourne Avenue Flushing, NY 11367)
Editor(s):
Type:
Date(s): Fall 1974-?
Frequency:
Medium: print
Fandom: Star Trek: TOS & multimedia
Language: English
External Links:
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Hailing Frequency is a gen Star Trek: TOS and Science Fiction club newsletter The subtitle: "The QUESTAR Newsmagazine."

It has an annual sister zine titled Alternate Realities.

This zine was published by a college club in Queens College called Questar, a club whose original title was "Star Trek Infinity."

Issue 1

Star Trek Infinity (Hailing Frequency) 1 (v.1 n.1) was published in Fall 1974.

Issue 2

Star Trek Infinity (Hailing Frequency) 2 (v.1 n.2) was published in Spring 1975.

Issue 3

Star Trek Infinity (Hailing Frequency) 3 (v.2 n.1) was published in Fall 1975.

Issue 4

Star Trek Infinity (Hailing Frequency) 4 (v.2 n.2) was published in Spring 1976.

Issue 5

Hailing Frequency 5 (v.3 n.1) was published in Fall 1976.

Issue 6

Hailing Frequency 6 (v.3 n.2) was published in Spring 1977.

Issue 7

Hailing Frequency 7 (v.4 n.1) was published in October 1978. It contains 17 pages. The editor was Alan Abish.

cover of issue #7, artists are Maurice Kessler and Mark LeVine: "OUR VERSION OF WHAT SHOOTING THE NEW ENTERPRISE MODEL MIGHT LOOK LIKE."
from issue #7

Club members were William Bonilla, Ralph Boral, Petra Bueller, Carla Cilberg, Sydney Fogel, David Goldstein, Sarah Goldstein, Stephanie Hecht, Frank Ivanov, Marilyn Juda, Maurice Kessler, Lee LaFrese, Mark Levine, Susan Levine, Richard Meditz, Anthony Mizzi, James Petrassi, Marilyn Ruchamkin, Jerry Schneiderman, Wendy Shusterhoff, Madeleine Sion, Laurie Slepetis, Bettye Steinberg, and Thomas Weitz.

From "Opinion: Star Trek -- Past, Present & Future":

For many "Star Trek" fans the show will never die and it will never be too late to revive that special quality that was "Star Trek." However, there are many fans who have grown tired of waiting. These are the fans who have seen the episodes more times than they want to admit. These are the fans who will not go to see the cast at conventions because there is nothing new to say. Indeed, these are the fans who wonder if they are "outgrowing Star Trek." To be sure, the conventions are not as lively and entertaining as they once were. The cynicism that has been developing is reaching new heights. People are more and more incredulous that "Star Trek" will ever return, even at this late date in the filming of the movie. In my opinion, action must be taken now to dispel this cynicism and skepticism. The only acceptable action is the release of the movie. I do not mean explanations of delays or great promises of things to come, but a full-length movie for all to see. I realize that Gene Roddenberry and his staff have been just as frustrated with Paramount Pictures as the rest of us have. However, the future is very bleak for "Star Trek" if that film does not come out by next year. "Star Trek" may never die just as the Beatles or Elvis Presley have never left us. But there is a big difference between a large group of active fans and a small group of die-hards. The time has come to chart a new course for "Star Trek." It may fade away and become a symbol of quality science fiction to be learned from, or it can resume its place of primacy in science fiction and again draw thousands to its fold. The choice is up to Paramount and we hope that the state of inertia that currently characterizes "Star Trek" shall not be, allowed to continue.

  • Star Trek: The Motion Picture, current news (5)
  • Television Science Fiction, essay (6)
  • two short con reports for Star Trek America, see those pages, one is not credited, the other one is titled "Stella's Stellar Star Dust" (7)
  • In Memoriam ("Fans of "Star Trek" were shocked and saddened by the accidental death of Mike McMasters at his home on September 6, 1978. A brilliant talent, he is best known by fans for his replica of the Enterprise bridge, blueprints, and lectures. We at QUESTAR will remember him for the help he gave us at our mini-con last year. Besides being a dealer, he also gave a talk on the new bridge set that is being used in the "Star Trek" motion picture. We will miss him.") (8)
  • Club News
    • a short report of the mini-con that took place April 1, 1978 on the fourth floor of the Student Union - "Many interesting things happened as well as disappointments and frustrations that came our way. This kind of thing is toe be expected from any con. We were all glad to be able to go out for dinner at the Fresh Meadows Steak Pub the next evening."
    • a club outing to Sunken Meadow State Park on May 6, 1978 - "We once again showed the world that softball is not our calling in life."
    • description of a visit to "Naughty Victorians" at the Drake Theatre in Rego Park to see "if this porno business is all it's cracked up to be," and to get information for a a class project on Human Sexuality
    • a visit to see Starship Encounters at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 1978 -- "The star of the show (although he did not deserve to be in it) was none other than William Shatner. He gave a twenty minute reading from Arthur Clarke's "Childhood's End" to the accompaniment of music and laser effects."
    • other activities and descriptions of fun times
  • Space News (10)
  • some reviews of Star Trek: The New Voyages #2, see that page (12)
  • a review of Vulcan! by Kathleen Sky (14)
  • an ad for Alternate Realities #2
  • a con report for the 2nd Annual Rocky Horror Convention, held at the Calderone Concert Hall, Hempstead, L.I. on October 8th , 1978 at 7:30 pm. (16)
  • To All New York City Area Star Trek/Science Fiction Fans (a fan campaign to ask WPIX-TV to stop cutting out scenes from Star Trek: TOS to add commercials) (17)

Issue 8

Hailing Frequency 8 (v.4 n.2) was published in March 1979. It contains 16 pages. The editor was Marilyn Ruchamkin, and the assistant editor was James Petrassi.

cover of issue #8, Sidney
from issue #8
from issue #8, flyer for the mini-con: a showing of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, a slideshow by Allan Asherman about special effects in science fiction, an appearance by Steven L. Hersh, a showing of the Star Trek: TOS episode "City on the Edge of Forever" and the Star Trek Blooper Reels.

Four years ago, the first issue of Hailing Frequency appeared. The world did not stop turning, nor did we win a Pulitzer Prize for excellence in journalism. We did give Queens College something new to read and then toss into the nearest trash can or throw on the grotind. Hailing Frequency has survived, despite changes in editor and the color of the pages. How many other publications from other clubs can claim the same thing?

This is my last semester at Queens College, and even though I am looking forward to the future, I will miss QUESTAR and its members, whose friendship, despite these times of high inflation, has not decreased in overall worth. I would like to extend my thanks to all those people who helped with this issue of Hailing Frequency--those who wrote the articles, typed and/or edited, thank you for everything. I would especially like to thank Alan Abish, whose decision to take an internship in Albany left the post of editor open for me and James Petrassi, my assistant editor, without whose time and help this issue of Hailing Frequency might not have reached you--the reader.

From "Club News":

In the past, QUESTAR has done a lot in terms of events and those well-known social activities, otherwise kndwn as outings. Over the years we have done our share to mke money, and this hasn't changed. Ihe meaning of an outing has. Cluh outings used to mean that the entire club—lock, stock and members went to wherever we finally decided 1?o go. Now, perhaps the best way to describe a club outing is when four or more people go to any one place together. We started off the fall semester with still another attempt at luring new loonies into our clutches—better known as the ever popular Freshman Orientation. For those brave enough to show up, they got to sefe the famed QUESTAR "Star Trek" slide show, sample our literary offerings and be served refreshments. As usual, only one or two actually were crazy enough to join the club. We celebrated the beginning of the season with a real live club outing. By way of CUPB we saw those two classics of porn—"Deep Throat," and "The Devil in Miss Jones." It was interesting to see people actually doing those things that some of us only read about or imagine.

On November 16 we had our first money-making event of the school year. We managed to get an actual "Star Trek" episode, "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield." Okay, it's not one of the best, but it's certainly better than watching "Where No Man Has Gone Before" for the umpteenth time. Having survived two porn,movies, we turned our attention to commercial releases. We were quite a bunch of movie goers, as the box-office figures will probably show. We went to see, at one time or another, "Lord of the Rings", "Watership Down", "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and, of course, three showings of the ever popular "Rocky Horror Picture Show".

But there is more to life than movies—like parties. As usual, we had our annual Christmas/Chanjlukah and end- of-term parties. On New Year's Eve the party was thrown by that fab trio—Laurie, Marilyn and Wendy at the Shusterhoff home in North Woodmere. The highlight of the party was the six-foot hero sandwich,though a splendid time was had by all.

Well, all good times must come to an end, as must the bad times. It was learned last fall that former Hailing Frequency editor, Alan Abish, decided to cash in his chips and spend his spring semester in that really fun town— Albany. To wish him a bon voyage and to celebrate his departure and the. lifting of a dark shadow over QUESTAR, in that great club tradition we took him to dinner. This recent debacle was geld at the once-respectable Cooky's Steak.Pub at the Queens Center Mall. As the spring semester started, it became known that Frank Ivanov, our 'beloved'(?) President, was no"longer a matriculated Q.C. student. We decided to elect a new President to carry on his tradition of leadership, and instead elected our former Secretary, James Petrassi, to take his place. James' old slot is now filled by our new Records Officer, Maurice Kessler.

Well, even though we have "been busy, we never stop seeking new worlds to conquer. This spring will be marked by several special events. On March 27 and March 29, as you read this, we will be showing our recently acquired "Star Trek" episode—"The Trouble With Tribbles." But the big event will really be May 4, when QUESTAR will hold its "Spring Event".

If you wish to join QUESTAR, come to one of our events or just find out some more information about the club. You are cordially invited to read our ad in the ICC Club Box Newsbeat; or just come down to ICG (Student Union B44) anytime it's open, A QUESTAR representative is bound to be there. If no one is there, just leave a note in our mailbox.

Club members were Olon Obish (Alan Abish), William Bonilla, Ralph Boral, Petra Bueller, Carla Cilberg, Sydney Fogel, David Goldstein, Sarah Goldstein, Stephanie Hecht, Frank Ivanov, Marilyn Juda, Maurice Kessler, Lee LaFrese, Mark Levine, Susan Levine, Peter Manzari, Anthony Mizzi, David Perl, James Petrassi, Paul Piket, Lee Schlesinger, Jerry Schneiderman, Wendy Shusterhoff, Madeleine Sion, Laurie Slepetis, and Bettye Steinberg.

Issue 9

Hailing Frequency 9 (v.5. n.1) was published in November 1979. It contains 19 pages. The art is by Sydney and Maurice Kessler.

front cover of issue #9
back cover of issue #9

Club members: "Old Fogeys": Sydney Elise Fogel, Sarah Goldstein, Stephanie Hecht, Marilyn Juda, Maurice Kessler, Mark Levine, Sue Levine, Anthony Mizzi, David Perl, Jimmy Jude Petraasi, Paul Piket,Lee Schlesinger, Jerry Schneiderman, Bettye Steinberg, "Newcomers": Scott Alex, Chuck Barouch, Jerome Bressi, Alde Cos, Robert Oemko, Michael Isby, Claude Andree-Louiasant, Richard McConville, Wilson Milian, Phil Schreiber, Lisa Weissfeld, Terri Wortzman, Robin Zimmerman, and Gabe Feder.

There are two subjects uppermost is my mind, as I sit down to write this salutation. One is Questar itself, the other more specifically concerns this magazine. Questar has changed a great deal since those days a few years ago when it was known as Star Trek Infinity. In changing the title of our organization, we hare acknowledged our shifting emphasis from Star Trek to science fiction in general. Additionally, the efforts of two of our members are helping to expand the role of science fiction and fantasy on the Queens College campus. Tony Mizzi, starting his second year here, has established Club Solaris, dedicated to the publication of Continuum, a new science fiction/fantasy/adventure illustrated magazine. Chuck Barouch, a newcomer to Queens, has set up a Dungeons and Dragons Wargaming Club. Members of this group participate in fantasy role playing wargames, and as of this writing Chuck has gotten over half a dozen members of Questar addicted to these games, including yours truly. To both of these clubs (or, as they affectionately known, our illegitimate bastard spawn) I offer my best wishes for a successful future. As Chuck would put it: "Gods in hell!"

So what about the magazine? This ninth issue of Hailing Frequency holds some changes. Acting on a suggestion from our Art Director, Maurice Kessler, we have instituted a new and distinctive typeface for section headings. By popular demand, we have instituted bylines, so now you will know "who the idiot is who wrote that terrible. , Working from ay own feelings,

I have had the magazine composed on one typewriter, in an effort to give a greater sense of overall unity to the finished product. I've also tried to liven things up slightly through the use of interior illustrations and artwork. Since this is a newsletter, that creative aspect has usually been reserved for our fanzine, Alternate Realities, but I felt that Hailing Frequency could benefit from it also.

This issue of the newsletter officially launches us into our 5th year of existence, and hopefully into a bright future

at Queens as well. It is also, however, a sad time for many of us. At the end of last year 10 members of Questar left the fantasy land of Queens College for the real world (the poor bastards). It is not just ten people leaving? it is the end of an era. With them the last of those who founded the club in 1975 are gone.

  • Coming Up... by Phil Screiber (short blurbs about Beyond Westworld, Brave New World, The Shape of Things to Come, The Martian Chronicles, Time After Time, and The Return of Maxwell Smart) (5)
  • Books 'n Stuff, upcoming science fiction books, by James J. Petrassi and Paul Piket (6)
  • review by Scott Alex of Alien (7)
  • review by Paul Piket of Moonraker (8)
  • review by James J. Petrassi of Meteor (9)
  • review by Anthony Mizzi of the movie Dracula (9)
  • Space News by James J. Petrassi (11)
  • a review by Stephanie Hecht of the movie Buck Rogers (12)
  • Star Trek: The Motion Picture: A Countdown to the Final 30 Days, article by Stephanie Hecht (14)
  • con report by Stephanie Hecht for Star Trek America, see that page (14)
  • a review by Maurice Kessler of the novelization of Battlestar Galactica (1978) (15)
  • Editorial: Dear Gene: An Open Letter to Gene Roddenberry by Paul Picket (addresses fan rumors and unhappiness about the upcoming film's plots, costumes, and more.) (17)
  • flyers for Alpha Touch, Club Solaris, the Dungeons and Dragons club mentioned in the editorial (19)
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