KBND
Encyclopedia
KBND is a radio station
broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Bend, Oregon
, USA, the station serves the Bend area. The station is currently owned by Combined Communications and features programing from Fox News Radio
, Premiere Radio Networks
and Westwood One
.
A 175 foot Lehigh tower, constructed next to the Pacific Power and Light company power dam forebay by Contracting and Sales Company of Portland, Oregon, was employed. Radial ground system wires were placed both in the Deschutes River and ground adjoining with a 364 foot feed line connecting the hotel building contained RCA transmitter to the antenna system.
In early 1941 signal audibility in areas outlying Bend improved with the installation of a limiting amplifier
Frequency changed to 1340 kHz March 29, 1941 as obligated by FCC moving day requirements.
KBND made 2 further frequency changes. Effective May 29, 1950, coverage substantially increased when power was upgraded to 1000 watts day, 1000 watts directional night, and frequency shifted to 1270 KHz. As a result of interference caused to a Chilliwack, British Columbia broadcaster, KBND moved to clear channel frequency 1110 kHz on November 2, 1951. Coinciding with 1950 power increase, transmitter location shifted to an
acreage outside the Bend city limits containing a newly constructed building and 2 towers required
for directional operation. One tower was latter repositioned in order to protect KFAB Omaha when 1110 kHz operation began. Studios, connected by phone line to the transmitter, remained in the Pilot Butte Inn basement until December 30, 1950 when facilities at the Coble Building two blocks away were occupied.
On July 19, 1957 power was upgraded to 5000 watts day, 1000 watts night with the implementation of a newly installed Collins 21E transmitter. Studios and offices moved from the Coble Building to newly constructed quarters at the 5000 Studio Rd. transmitter site on December 20, 1957.
KBND, a key state Emergency Broadcast System component, installed a 30KW generator in 1963 permitting operation during power outages. Subsequently, an auxiliary studio serving as both production room and fallout shelter control room was added.
In 1971, daytime power was increased to 10,000 watts.
A new transmitter location, outside the Bend urban growth boundary, was sought in 1977. After FCC authorization was granted in 1982 and local land use approval was obtained in
1983,
three 230 foot towers were erected at the present transmitter site off Hamehook Rd., enabling a power increase to 25,000 watts day, 5,000 watts night in 1985. Several years later, daytime power was reduced to the present 10,000 watts. Offices and studios, remodeled in 1985, remained at the Studio Rd./711 NE Butler Rd. location until September 2008 when modern facilities at 63088 NE 18th St. were occupied.
) and Henry Fowler,Bend Bulletin Editor and Associated Editor respectively, individually controlled minority interests amounting to 100 collective shares. In 1965 Doug Kahle and Edward Tornberg, owners of broadcast outlets and CATV systems elsewhere, acquired KBND. In 1987, DENCO, Inc., a Seattle-based company, purchased the station for $964,000 before yielding ownership. Present owner Combined Communications acquired the station in 1990.
, and Frank Hemingway. Bennett helped install the stations first equipment and was chief engineer until leaving for Alaska in 1939. Hiebert, a Bend resident in 1932 when he obtained an amateur radio license as a youth, returned from Wenatchee, Washington to work as engineer and announcer before leaving in August 1939 to help Bennett build KFAR. Wheeler former announcer and newscaster at KOOS, Marshfield (Coos Bay, Oregon), was employed as commercial manager. Later he was general manager of KWIL, Albany, Oregon. Frank Hemingway, brother of Bend physicians Dr. Robert Hemingway and Dr. Max Hemingway, brought radio experience from CBL Toronto to KBND. Hemingway, a theatrical actor and director was master of ceremonies for the stations dedicatory broadcast and began delivering newscasts. After he left the station in 1939, he joined KOIN and KGW before becoming well known as a Mutual Broadcasting System newscaster and commentator.
In May 1943, Kessler Cannon replaced commercial manager John G. Jones. Cannon a teacher from Marshfield where he had been in charge of school voice and music programs had worked as an announcer for KOOS. Following World War II service, he returned to KBND, filling numerous positions. Additionally, he served 2 terms as representative in the Oregon State Legislature. In 1967 he left the station after being appointed an aide to Governor Tom McCall
.
KBND was owned for many years by Frank H. Loggan, who was President of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters (OAB) from 1947 to 1949. Initially Bend Bulletin advertising and radio station manager, Loggan became principle owner of Central Oregon Broadcasting in 1945 when he sold his Bulletin shares and obtained controlling interest in KBND. After he sold the station in 1965, he was OAB manager for 4 years before starting the tourism promotion origanization presently known as the Central Oregon Visitors Association.
Due to its Class B operating frequency and its 5,000 watt output power, KBND can be heard across much of the northwestern states at night.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon
Bend is a city in and the county seat of Deschutes County, Oregon, United States, and the principal city of the Bend, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bend is Central Oregon's largest city, and, despite its modest size, is the de facto metropolis of the region, owing to the low population...
, USA, the station serves the Bend area. The station is currently owned by Combined Communications and features programing from Fox News Radio
Fox News Radio
Fox News Radio is an American radio network programmed by Fox News Channel.- History :In 2003, Fox News began syndicating one minute radio updates to radio stations via syndication service Westwood One. On June 1, 2005, Fox News Radio employed 60 people and provided five minute newscasts at the top...
, Premiere Radio Networks
Premiere Radio Networks
Premiere Networks is an American radio network. It is the largest syndication company in the United States based on popularity of programming...
and Westwood One
Westwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
.
History
Central Oregon residents were without favorable daytime medium wave broadcast reception before KBND, Bend's first commercial radio station, began serving the region December 19, 1938.. Licensed to the Bend Bulletin, call letters KBND were selected in lieu of KCOB after concern was raised suggesting KCOB could connote corn cob rather than Central Oregon Broadcasters.Facilities
KBND's initial license authorized operation either day or night on 1310 kHz with a power of 250 watts during daylight hours or 100 watts after sunset. Studio and offices were located in downtown Bend at the Pilot Butte Inn and were enlarged in 1945 at which time a United Press wire service printer was installed.A 175 foot Lehigh tower, constructed next to the Pacific Power and Light company power dam forebay by Contracting and Sales Company of Portland, Oregon, was employed. Radial ground system wires were placed both in the Deschutes River and ground adjoining with a 364 foot feed line connecting the hotel building contained RCA transmitter to the antenna system.
In early 1941 signal audibility in areas outlying Bend improved with the installation of a limiting amplifier
Frequency changed to 1340 kHz March 29, 1941 as obligated by FCC moving day requirements.
KBND made 2 further frequency changes. Effective May 29, 1950, coverage substantially increased when power was upgraded to 1000 watts day, 1000 watts directional night, and frequency shifted to 1270 KHz. As a result of interference caused to a Chilliwack, British Columbia broadcaster, KBND moved to clear channel frequency 1110 kHz on November 2, 1951. Coinciding with 1950 power increase, transmitter location shifted to an
acreage outside the Bend city limits containing a newly constructed building and 2 towers required
for directional operation. One tower was latter repositioned in order to protect KFAB Omaha when 1110 kHz operation began. Studios, connected by phone line to the transmitter, remained in the Pilot Butte Inn basement until December 30, 1950 when facilities at the Coble Building two blocks away were occupied.
On July 19, 1957 power was upgraded to 5000 watts day, 1000 watts night with the implementation of a newly installed Collins 21E transmitter. Studios and offices moved from the Coble Building to newly constructed quarters at the 5000 Studio Rd. transmitter site on December 20, 1957.
KBND, a key state Emergency Broadcast System component, installed a 30KW generator in 1963 permitting operation during power outages. Subsequently, an auxiliary studio serving as both production room and fallout shelter control room was added.
In 1971, daytime power was increased to 10,000 watts.
A new transmitter location, outside the Bend urban growth boundary, was sought in 1977. After FCC authorization was granted in 1982 and local land use approval was obtained in
1983,
three 230 foot towers were erected at the present transmitter site off Hamehook Rd., enabling a power increase to 25,000 watts day, 5,000 watts night in 1985. Several years later, daytime power was reduced to the present 10,000 watts. Offices and studios, remodeled in 1985, remained at the Studio Rd./711 NE Butler Rd. location until September 2008 when modern facilities at 63088 NE 18th St. were occupied.
Ownership
Several financial interests have been associated with KBND since 1938. The Bend Bulletin newspaper operated the station from its inception until 1945, when ownership transferred to Central Oregon Broadcasting. Frank Loggan became principal owner of the newly formed company after he exchanged his Bend Bulletin stock for a 150-share interest. Robert W. Sawyer (Robert William SawyerRobert William Sawyer
Robert William Sawyer was an American politician who was a prominent figure and a respected conservationist in Oregon....
) and Henry Fowler,Bend Bulletin Editor and Associated Editor respectively, individually controlled minority interests amounting to 100 collective shares. In 1965 Doug Kahle and Edward Tornberg, owners of broadcast outlets and CATV systems elsewhere, acquired KBND. In 1987, DENCO, Inc., a Seattle-based company, purchased the station for $964,000 before yielding ownership. Present owner Combined Communications acquired the station in 1990.
Staff
Original staff members included Stanton Bennett, Augie HiebertAugie Hiebert
A. G. "Augie" Hiebert was an Alaskan television pioneer. Hiebert is credited with building Alaska's first television station, KTVA in Anchorage in 1953. He is often called the "father of Alaskan television."...
, and Frank Hemingway. Bennett helped install the stations first equipment and was chief engineer until leaving for Alaska in 1939. Hiebert, a Bend resident in 1932 when he obtained an amateur radio license as a youth, returned from Wenatchee, Washington to work as engineer and announcer before leaving in August 1939 to help Bennett build KFAR. Wheeler former announcer and newscaster at KOOS, Marshfield (Coos Bay, Oregon), was employed as commercial manager. Later he was general manager of KWIL, Albany, Oregon. Frank Hemingway, brother of Bend physicians Dr. Robert Hemingway and Dr. Max Hemingway, brought radio experience from CBL Toronto to KBND. Hemingway, a theatrical actor and director was master of ceremonies for the stations dedicatory broadcast and began delivering newscasts. After he left the station in 1939, he joined KOIN and KGW before becoming well known as a Mutual Broadcasting System newscaster and commentator.
In May 1943, Kessler Cannon replaced commercial manager John G. Jones. Cannon a teacher from Marshfield where he had been in charge of school voice and music programs had worked as an announcer for KOOS. Following World War II service, he returned to KBND, filling numerous positions. Additionally, he served 2 terms as representative in the Oregon State Legislature. In 1967 he left the station after being appointed an aide to Governor Tom McCall
Tom McCall
Thomas Lawson McCall was an American politician and journalist in the state of Oregon. A Republican, he was the 30th Governor of Oregon from 1967 to 1975. A native of Massachusetts, he grew up there and in Central Oregon before attending the University of Oregon...
.
KBND was owned for many years by Frank H. Loggan, who was President of the Oregon Association of Broadcasters (OAB) from 1947 to 1949. Initially Bend Bulletin advertising and radio station manager, Loggan became principle owner of Central Oregon Broadcasting in 1945 when he sold his Bulletin shares and obtained controlling interest in KBND. After he sold the station in 1965, he was OAB manager for 4 years before starting the tourism promotion origanization presently known as the Central Oregon Visitors Association.
Due to its Class B operating frequency and its 5,000 watt output power, KBND can be heard across much of the northwestern states at night.