THIS IS KDUN

KDUN is an AM radio station with a rich history spanning back to the late 50s and early 60s. KDUN is where nationally syndicated radio host and Reedsport native, Delilah first began her career in the 1970’s. Decades later, Delilah would return to her roots by bringing KDUN back on air September 6, 2021. By bringing new life to the station that started it all, Delilah’s vision is to give back to the community where she grew up.

THE EARLY YEARS

1961: THE STATION OFFICIALLY GOES ON AIR AS KRAF 1470

Pictured is a KRAF Letterhead (1968)
1968: THE STATION CHANGES TO KDUN

Pictured is a KDUN Bar Report Page
KDUN Program Log
KDUN 1470 news handout (1974)
1997: the station callsign is changed to KLLU

Pictured is a KLUU Advert
1998: KLLU moves from 1470 kHZ to 1030 kHz

Pictured is a KLUU Copy Sheet (1998)
2001: the station returns to KDUN

Pictured are different versions of the KDUN logo

SPOTLIGHT: THE 80s AT KDUN

The following photos document life at KDUN during the early 80s. Most of them were taken by John Schneider, with initial descriptions provided by Wes Lockard, former KDUN engineer.

Screen Shot 2021-10-01 at 6.46.37 PM.png

FRONT OF THE STUDIO BUILDING - 1980

This building is on 20th street where it meets Highway 101 in Reedsport, OR. We moved into these studios in fall of 1976. Prior to that, the studios had been in the transmitter building, which was on Bolon Island since the station’s beginning in 1961. During the move, the entire operation had to be transported 21 miles up Smith River Road. We tore off 1/3 of the building, put the rest on dollies, and rolled it down the highway. We subdivided the former front office into 3 little offices to make up for the loss of part of the building.

INTERIOR OF THE AIR STUDIO (1980)

The old setup included a 5-channel Gates mixing board (to her left) and in front of her, under the scripts, is the remote panel built to fire the cart machines, start and stop the turntables, control the automation, — INTERIOR OF THE AIR STUDIO (1980) The old setup included a 5-channel Gates mixing board (to her left) and in front of her, under the scripts, is the remote panel built to fire the cart machines, start and stop the turntables, control the automation, put the phone on the air, etc. She has a stack of carts ready to put in the machines; you can also see one of the two turntables and a Christmas catalog on the counter.

THE PRODUCTION STUDIO (1980)

I look at this and am amazed that we were able to produce quality commercials and programs from this room –but it all worked well. The right were four large racks of records, floor to ceiling. There were also two turntab — THE PRODUCTION STUDIO (1980) I look at this and am amazed that we were able to produce quality commercials and programs from this room –but it all worked well. The right were four large racks of records, floor to ceiling. There were also two turntables, two cart machines, I also see a cassette tape player in this photo.

THE AIR STUDIO AUTOMATION SYSTEM (1980)

Built in 1974, this system would play all of the music, commercials, and any pre-recorded drop-ins. It was electromechanical, with lots of clacking relays and moving parts and so it was very noisy, (and yet it — THE AIR STUDIO AUTOMATION SYSTEM (1980) Built in 1974, this system would play all of the music, commercials, and any pre-recorded drop-ins. It was electromechanical, with lots of clacking relays and moving parts and so it was very noisy, (and yet it was right there in the Air Studio!) so, we had a sliding glass door in front of it, which we would close to lower the noise.

Screen Shot 2021-10-01 at 2.43.56 AM.png — Delilah in the Air studio

THE OLD TRANSMITTER BUILDING (1980)

This location is where the transmitter resides to this day, and until 1976, it also housed the office and studio. During that time, it was very cramped, very noisy, and in very poor condition. It also had no runni — THE OLD TRANSMITTER BUILDING (1980) This location is where the transmitter resides to this day, and until 1976, it also housed the office and studio. During that time, it was very cramped, very noisy, and in very poor condition. It also had no running water. We used a chemical toilet – for three years. Behind the building is a drainage ditch and a cow pasture. Beyond the tower is the dike that separates the pasture from the Smith River.

THE OLD TRANSMITTER (1980)

Built in 1939, this transmitter was massive. There were four wide metal doors across the front. High voltage stuff on the back side: 12,000 volts AC rectified down to 10,000 volts DC with 10 mercury- vapor tubes that had b — THE OLD TRANSMITTER (1980) Built in 1939, this transmitter was massive. There were four wide metal doors across the front. High voltage stuff on the back side: 12,000 volts AC rectified down to 10,000 volts DC with 10 mercury- vapor tubes that had been originally designed to supply electricity to electric trolley cars at the beginning of the 20th century. Those tubes glowed a bright blue, and failed regularly with spectacular explosions, which is why it was contained within heavy metal doors.

THE "NEW" TRANSMITTER AND WES (1980)

Here, John took a picture of the new McMartin transmitter he had sold us. This transmitter was easily one-tenth the size of the old one, and far more power-efficient. It was reliable – it actually kept on working — THE "NEW" TRANSMITTER AND WES (1980) Here, John took a picture of the new McMartin transmitter he had sold us. This transmitter was easily one-tenth the size of the old one, and far more power-efficient. It was reliable – it actually kept on working week after week without requiring all-night repair sessions.

Fast forward to new beginnings

In May of 2021, Delilah purchased KDUN with a vision to give back to her community through the very station that began her career decades earlier. There was much to be done in order to make the scheduled launch day on September 6th. Over the course of just four months, the old transmitter building was revitalized and brand new studios were built to prepare KDUN for its new era.

The following photos document some of that process.