KIHR

KIHR (1340 AM) is a radio station licensed to serve Hood River, Oregon, USA. The station, which began broadcasting in 1950, is currently owned by Bicoastal Media and the broadcast license is held by Bicoastal Media Licenses IV, LLC.

Programming

KIHR broadcasts a country music format. In addition to its usual music programming, KIHR broadcasts National Basketball Association games as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers radio network. Other sports programming on KIHR includes select Hood River Valley High School events, Major League Baseball from ESPN Radio, and University of Oregon Ducks football.

History

The beginning

KIHR began regular broadcasting on October 17, 1950, with 250 watts of power on a frequency of 1340 kHz. The station's licensee, Oregon-Washington Broadcasters, Inc., was owned by C.H. Fisher and C.O. Fisher.

Walden family ownership

On April 1, 1967, Paul Walden acquired KIHR through his newly formed Columbia Gorge Broadcasters, Inc. The station received authorization from the Federal Communications Commission to increased the strength of its daytime signal to 1,000 watts beginning in 1970. Nighttime power remained at the previous 250 watt level. Walden added an FM sister station, KCGB-FM (105.5 FM), in 1978. On April 1, 1986, 19 years to the day after he acquired KIHR, Paul Walden sold Columbia Gorge Broadcasters, Inc., and control of both KIHR and KCGB-FM to his son Greg Walden and Greg's wife Mylene.