WorldRadio -Dec 1987

Silent Keys

Bob Jensen, W6VGQ

W6 “Very Good Quality" became a Silent Key on September 8, after a long illness, but leaves a large legacy of friendliness and skill.

Bob had the good fortune to be the son of Dr. John Christian Jensen, who was experimenting with radio as early as 1906. As bead of the physics department of Nebraska Wesleyan University, the professor built a very early broadcast station operating on CW, transmitting weather and farm information. Young Bob grew up amidst spark gaps and primitive experimental radio gear, learning fast. 

When WCAJ became an AM station, airing public service as well as entertaining programs to the Lincoln area, Bob was made Chief Operator. (The station later was sold to Omaha's WOW.) His first official ham license was earned in 1930, treasured ever since through a couple of changes of call signs.

He became a studio engineer for KLZ in Denver, then signed on with NBC Chicago where he put on the network many a soap opera and night-time variety shows such as Red Skelton's first.

Moving to Hollywood NBC in 1943, Bob did big-time shows such as Eddie Cantor's and the prestigious Standard Symphony.  Come TV, he enjoyed doing Dinah Shore's daily 15-minute show for years along with This Is Your Life plus "thousands" of game shows, such as Hollywood Squares.

NBC sent him traveling often: two trips on aircraft carriers to televise recovery of Apollo astronauts, World Series games, political conventions and the Western White House Press Corps.

All during these years, he enjoyed tinkering with ham rigs, especially challenged by surplus gear. To him, however, the major benefit of Amateur Radio was the friendships our hobby brings.

With his wife — Lenore, W6NAZ — he was in great demand to show the professional-type slide shows he had made.  “Marconi to Hollywood Squares" was particularly popular.

Among survivors are daughter, Cindy Wall. KA7ITT, son Steve Jensen, W6RHM, and grandson Michael Wall, KA7ITR.                Back to Top