KBND

[2][3] 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.

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.

[8] In early 1941 signal audibility in areas outlying Bend improved with the installation of a limiting amplifier[9] Frequency changed to 1340 kHz March 29, 1941 as obligated by FCC moving day requirements.

[11] As a result of interference caused to a Chilliwack, British Columbia broadcaster, KBND moved to clear channel frequency 1110 kHz on November 2, 1951.

[12][13] 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.

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.

[17][18] KBND, a key state Emergency Broadcast System component, installed a 30KW generator in 1963 permitting operation during power outages.

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.

Hemingway, a theatrical actor and director, was master of ceremonies for the station's dedicatory broadcast[31] and began delivering newscasts.

[37] After he sold the station in 1965, he was OAB manager for four years before starting the tourism promotion organization presently known as the Central Oregon Visitors Association.