The Stardroppers

A modern-day (i.e. 1960s) sci-fi where an undercover UN agent investigates a new fad, Stardropping, where physics-violating equipment is used to listen to sounds believed to be alien or paranormal signals. Superficially a harmless but expensive hobby, Stardropping reins in a fanaticism resembling addiction, where some users assemble in semi-social communes and spend every penny on increasingly improved equipment. The fad grows an additional aspect of risk when users begin disappearing into thin air, in cases of increasing profile and witnessing.