The station's first broadcast, on May 22, 1976, opened with the song, "The Fool," by Quicksilver Messenger Service on volunteer Tom Miller's show, "Odds and Ends."

At first, the station operated out of a single apartment space on the first floor of the 10-story Marine View Building.

Within a few years, the station moved up to the Marine View's 10th floor, where it occupied two large apartment spaces.

KRBD is notable for having a sizable group of youth and teens comprise a portion of the volunteer body.

Throughout its history, volunteers have played an important role in operating the station, especially in producing its varied music programming.