The original 910 KVAN-AM in Vancouver, WA in 1939 and was shut down in 1976. The frequency is used today by KMTT. But another KVAN was on 1480 AM from 1967-1980, in Vancouver which became KARO and is now KBMS. From 1981-1989 and 1991-2003 a third station used the KVAN calls in Vancouver on 1550 AM. That one is now KKOV. The fourth KVAN on 92.1 operated from Pilot Rock, OR from 2007-2010, which later became KUMA-FM. More here.
The original KVAN operated on 910 AM in Portland for 20 years. But our tale begins in April of 1955 Camas-Washougal Radio, Inc. applied to the FCC to build radio station at Camas, WA on 1480kc operating at 1 while kilowatt of power, as a day timer. The CP was approved on September 28th, 1955 and call letters KRIV were assigned. IT debuted on air on February 2, 1956. Then things went down hill for about the next 40 years. So much more here.
On June 2nd, 1956 a severe flood of the Columbia River endangered the KRIV-AM transmitter site. The site was successfully sandbagged and KRIV broadcast 24 hours a day, to keep the community informed with the latest bulletins from Civil Defense and the Red Cross. In 1958 they changed calls to KPVA for Portland Vancouver Area re-targeting the region for ad sales. They followed that up in 1959 by relocating their studios to downtown Portland in the "Washington Hotel" at 1129 S.W. Washington St. but the transmitter remained at Camas. On May 9, 1960 KPVA became KVAN. The callsign was well-known in the area from it's time on 910 AM.
In December of 1960 the FCC granted KVAN permission to change city of license from Camas to to Vancouver, but station management screwed up the paperwork delaying the process. It was not until late in December of 1961 that they finally moved the transmitter to Hayden Island, OR. The station got it's delinquent paperwork in order in October of 1965 and officially changed its city of license to Vancouver.The location was literally in the corner of a parking lot Jantzen Beach Amusement Park." The small studio had no running water or toilet. Disc jockey's used an outhouse about 20 yards away. The (ahem) crappy location had security problems too In 1966 they had a series of burglaries knock them off the air repeatedly.
- April 28, 1966 burglars broke into KVAN and stole some of relay tubes.
- April 30, 1966 burglars returned and this time knocked KVAN off the air for 7 days by stealing four tubes from the transmitter.
- May 7, 1966 but was burglarized overnight again and had to postpone broadcasting until May 8, 1966. A cart machine and a tape recorder had been stolen, and the transmitter damaged
- On June 7, 1966 KVAN was knocked off the air again for 5 days by burglars, after stealing equipment.
- On June 11, 1966 KVAN returned to the airwaves but burglars knocked it off the air that evening.
- Oct. 7, 1969 CP to change transmitter and studio location
- Nov. 12, 1969 FCC extended STA thru 1-11-70
- Jan. 8, 1970 FCC extended STA thru 2-6-70
- April 29, 1970 FCC extended STA thru 7-6-70
- June 30, 1970 FCC extended STA thru 9-30-70
- July 6, 1970 FCC extended STA thru 9-6-70
- Sept. 4, 1970 FCC extended STA thru 10-1-70
- October 9, 1970 FCC extended STA to 12-15-70
- Nov. 2, 1970 FCC extended STA and temporary site thru 2-4-71
- Jan. 27, 1971 FCC granted CP to replace expired permit
- February 4, 1971 FCC extended STA thru 4-4-71
- April 1, 1971 FCC extended STA thru 5-4-71
- April 30, 1971 FCC extended STA thru 7-2-71
- June 29, 1971 FCC extended STA thru 10-1-71
- September 30, 1971 FCC extended STA thru 1-1-72
- December 27, 1971 FCC extended STA thru 4-1-72
- The license renewal application was filed after the station license had expired.
- False representations were made about current public affairs and news programs
- False representations were made about public affairs and news programs
- An unauthorized change was made in the location of the transmitter.
- False testimony was given at a hearing about the location of the transmitter.
- Failure to provide program and operating logs for the station.
- Misrepresented true facts in an affidavit filed with the commission.
- Testified falsely regarding the matter at a hearing.
Less than 6 months later, on May 18th, 1980 Mount St. Helens erupted. Volcanic ash was sucked into the 5kw Continental transmitter knocking the station off air. Geographically KARO was the closest radio station to Mt. St. Helens. Due to the proximity of the volcano and the eminent danger it created, the FCC granted KARO another STA to broadcast at 1kw non-directional nights from their Smith Lake studio site at 11197 N. Portland Rd. for a two year period. Dave Bischoff, Chief Engineer said it was the fastest STA he ever saw. More here.
Very insightful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Jose. You have some dates and events slightly off. But generally correct. The Di-Pol setup was after the forced move from Haden Island with the trailer but not at the gun club. It was on side of North Portland Rd (literally on the side of the road). When the station was move to the gun club, it was using the single no directional tower. And an old house was was brought in and use as the offices (still no bathrooms). It was remodeled for the station (and is still there). My Grandmother did NOT change the station to 24/7 and put in the directional towers. She sold the station prior to 1975. It was the new owner that put in the towers and went 24/7. Note: The FCC granted my grandmother the station to recoup her loses. She had show she had put a large amount of her money through the years as an investor. She was allowed to keep the station, with the idea she would sell it. I can't remember the guys name who purchased the station but it was not Patten Communications Corp. The guy she sold it to, most likely sold it to Patten Communications Corp 1979. Barry Murphy
ReplyDeleteI was working from the FCC filings so it makes sense that the dates lag a bit. But I didn't find any ownership change between between MS. Brown and Patten. Very curious. I'll have to do more reading.
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