PIONEER MIKES

Every fan of Oregon's broadcasting past will want a copy of this new book:

"Pioneer Mikes" A History of Radio and Television in Oregon

PORTLAND, OREGON HISTORY

If you're like me and love Portland, Oregon area history, you'll enjoy the blog Dan Haneckow presides over at Cafe Unknown! He includes links to several more excellent sites, too.

"THE HITS BETWEEN THE HITS"

I've been enjoying a book that will be of interest to fellow radio historians:

"The Hits Between The Hits: The History of Radio ID Jingles"

BEN MARSH, 1943-2006

With much sadness came recent news of the passing of Bruce Benjamin Marsh on April 5, 2006, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. After over 30 years, I still can recall his deep, unique voice.

Ben Marsh was born and raised in Scobey, Montana, and graduated from Scobey High School in 1961. He began his radio journey as "Benny Most" in the early 1960's while attending college in Portland, Oregon. Ben went on to KYLT in Missoula, Montana, serving as Program Director and afternoon announcer. He moved to KVNI in Coeur d'Alene in 1964, and in 1966 to KGVO in Missoula as Program Director. Ben was twice named "Montana Broadcaster of the Year." In 1970, "Benny Marsh" landed at KYXI AM-1520 in Oregon City, Oregon, as a news anchor and reporter.

Early in 1972, I was excited to learn that Ben would be bringing his wonderful voice to Lake Oswego, joining us in putting the new KQIV FM-106.7 on the air. Ben served as News Director, and later as Program Director and disk jockey. Unfortunately for us, Ben returned to KYXI in 1973.

In 1974, Ben got married and soon left the radio business forever. He moved to the woods of northern Idaho where he and his wife, Judy, raised their two sons. Judy continues to live in the log house Ben built.

Before starting his own weed spraying business, Ben was the weed superintendent of Benewah County and an avid Hawkweed fighter. Current events were a fascination for Ben and he loved a lively discussion. His knowledge of many subjects made him a library of information. He also enjoyed singing bass in a barbershop quartet.

Many thanks to Judy Marsh and Ernie Hopseker for sharing their remembrances of Ben. He surely will be missed.

********************
June 13, 2006

Nice of you to take the time to write about Ben. Though he left the business behind, Ben's love of broadcasting always remained with him.

He turned on the news channel as soon as he got up and it stayed there all day if he had his say, which he did most of the time! He always was watching the technical side of things and bemoaned the pitiful use of language and the "editorializing" they sometimes call news reporting these days.

Ben would have enjoyed being back in touch with friends from those days. Some of his fondest memories came from those times and those friends.

Things are going well for us and we thank you for your kind memoriam. Carry on!

Judy Marsh

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June 14, 2006

Sometimes it seems like the brief appearance of KQIV embedded itself like James Dean, Janis and Jimmy. Such a momentary flash that lingers on because of the depth of its impact on our lives.

Ben Marsh is one more reason this little station, which never really made it out of infancy, caused such a lasting impression. I believe it will stand out as a benchmark that raised the bar because the concept, and the people who carried it forth, were one in the same.

This indistinguishable union defines the magic that shone so brightly for a moment, and will be remembered by those who were there --- forever.

Norman Ellis-Flint

WHAT A TEAM!

I received an e-mail from Steve Lloid at the new K-Hits 106.7 in which he marveled at the number of pros who worked for KQIV during its first couple of years on the air.

Yes, the list is quite impressive and includes: Glen Adams, Bob Ancheta, Jeff Clarke, Joe Collins, Norman Flint, Ed Hepp, Dick Jenkins, Gloria Johnson, Jim LaFawn, Faith Landreth, Ben Marsh, Steve O'Shea, Jim Robinson, Mike Sakellarides, Larry Scott and Steve Shannon.

Some of them are still in the business while others have followed different paths. And, unfortunately, a few of our friends are no longer with us. Looking back, we had quite a team in the early 1970's!

QUEST FOR A CALL SIGN

There were ongoing discussions beginning in the fall of 1971 about what call letters should be requested for the new station. Owner Walter Kraus had originally envisioned catering to the well-heeled Lake Oswego crowd by providing them with classical music, opera performances, and news.

Another interesting Kraus idea was the "Ivy Club," a take-off on the Ivy League and its social prestige. Ivy Club members would pay a fee to receive commercial-free classical music on a station-provided subcarrier receiver. A suggested call sign at that point was KIVC.

Soon thereafter, as the proposed format changed from classical to Progressive Rock and the possible use of discrete Quadraphonic audio was added to the mix, more call letter ideas emerged. Questions also arose about the feasibility of a rock station providing classical music on a subcarrier, so it was decided to abandon the Ivy Club idea for the time being.

However, with the emergence of the Quad concept, the "IV" would now stand for "4." One favorite call sign suggested was KIVQ (K4Q). It was pointed out that it might be offensive to some if the station became known as "Fork You." The eccentric Walter Kraus and other staffers loved that one, but were soon talked out of it.

After several discussions and a vote, we applied for a call sign that captured the true spirit of the station. The winner was KQIV (KQ4) which the FCC granted us on December 27, 1971.

DORREN QUADRAPLEX: THE LONG WAIT

In the fall of 1971, Willamette Broadcasting Company owner Walter Kraus and key staff members met with James Gabbert of KIOI (K-101) in San Francisco and returned to Lake Oswego very excited. K-101 had successfully transmitted true four-channel audio for the first time on a single FM station using Dorren Quadraplex, a process invented by Louis "Lou" Dorren. The FCC was concerned, however, with certain technical issues that had to be resolved before it would give Quadraplex its blessing.

KQIV had hoped to be the Portland-area station chosen to participate in a long-term, multi-market field test of Quadraplex. In anticipation that full-scale testing would be approved by the FCC, Willamette Broadcasting went forward and blanketed the area with outdoor billboards proclaiming, "Credibility is back. KQ4 Quadraphonic FM 107."

Then, about a month before KQ4's on-air debut, the FCC issued the following:

792
Federal Communications Commission Reports

BEFORE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554

Discrete Four-Channel Multiplex Transmissions
Report No. 10851
August 9, 1972

THE COMMISSION ISSUED THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC NOTICE:

Broadcast Action

Discrete Four-Channel Multiplex Stereo Transmission Requires Specific Authority, FCC Rules

FM broadcast stations may not engage in discrete four-channel multiplex transmission without specific authorization, the Commission has ruled.

Pacific FM, Incorporated, licensee of FM station KIOI, San Francisco, Calif., asked for the Commission ruling. Pacific FM had previously obtained temporary experimental authority to field test the Dorren Quadraplex System. It contended that the Dorren system was compatible with present rules governing two-channel stereo and that music transmitted by this method could be offered to the public without further authorization.

The Commission said that the four-channel stereo systems being sold today are "pseudo-enhancement devices relying on a phase-differential principle to achieve four-channel audio effects," and may be used within the FCC's present FM stereo transmission standards without specific authorization.

The Commission cautioned, however, that these "pseudo systems" should not be confused with discrete four-channel multiplex transmission, like the Dorren system, which has been authorized only on a limited experimental basis. Section 73.322(c) of the rules permits the transmission of only a single sine subcarrier, where the Dorren system requires the addition of a cosine subcarrier, the FCC noted. The Commission also indicated that, since the Dorren system might exceed present limits on modulation, existing protection ratios for co-channel and adjacent channel stations would have to be reviewed before the system could come into general use.

Action by the Commission August 9, 1972, by letter. Commissioners Robert E. Lee (Acting Chairman), H. Rex Lee and Wiley, acting as a Board.

72 F.C.C. 2d

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On August 1, 2007, I received this from Lou Dorren: "We actually won as the US national standard. It took the FCC so long to approve (March of 1986) that the industry was already dead!"

CURSE OF THE BLACK ROSES?

Well before KQIV went on the air, and while a classical music format was still in the works, a veteran Portland broadcaster was offered the job of general manager by the station's owner, Walter Kraus.

Eventually, the decision was made to dump the music of the old masters and to program KQIV as a progressive rock station. The job offer was rescinded.

When I arrived at work one morning shortly thereafter, I noticed on the front desk an unusual bouquet of a dozen black roses. The card read, "Thanks for nothing, Walter."

Had I just seen an ominous sign for KQIV's future?

MORE ROCKIN' KUDOS

"After poking around...for a very quick three and one-half hours...
I was purely amazed."
- Fox Blackwood

"I must say, this website is incredible."
- Greg Kirkpatrick

Read more LISTENER MEMORIES